Pulling Travel Trailer with a U1350L (U1550)

[Daytonacoupe66]

Hi; with deference to the experience on this site, I seek the opinion of those in the know.

I recently persuaded the finance department at home of our ‘need’ to own a U1300L Expedition Camper. In the end the cramped lavatory facilities were a show stopper. By that time our ‘need’ became my ‘right’, so the search began for an alternative to the one that we had been looking at.

In the end I decided upon a low km ex military U1350L; a bit more money than I had intended on, but with many of the upgrades that I would have likely longed after with a U1300L. My intent is to pull a 26 ish foot travel trailer with the U1350L. Not looking to be anywhere in a hurry, and in our retirement we will set out and get a closer look at North America...an agenda but no schedule.

I see plenty of information on the Internet pertaining to Unimog Expedition Campers, but almost nothing on pulling a camping trailer (found one with the U1300L and trailer being transported on a flat bed, and lots of photos pulling large commercial trailers). I can’t say that the feedback I’ve received among those I've mentioned this plan to has been encouraging; not sure why people start laughing??

Are there Unimog addicts out there who pull a travel/camping trailer? If so please tell; photos are appreciated. Thanks for sharing.

 

[AFSOC]

I think the major attraction of a high GVW vehicle like Unimog is that it has the capability to carry all desired systems and gear within its own chassis and mitigates the hassle of a trailer. Folks who attend Mog Fest may have seen Mogs trailering but most all Mog photos I drool over are sans trailer.
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The web has articles about a couple of money no object, Mog glamper projects with onboard desalinization, drones, weather radar, IR cameras, etc, etc. but I sense they are of no correlation to you or your requirements.

 

[Victorian]

I'm sure you already know that pulling a "normal" travel trailer behind the Unimog will make it pretty much useless for what's build for.... Offroad. Maybe you are planing to set up basecamp and then go exploring? Anyhow, I'm sure you know all about that

I have driven many thousand km in a 1300L Ambulance +trailer. The Unimog has TONS of torque! I wouldn't expect any issues about the pulling capacity or stopping power. Saying that, the Unimog is slow... Very slow... even slower with a trailer. Mine was limited (factory) to 85km/h. I was lucky to get up to 75-80 on the flat... A nice incline sets you back very quickly to anywhere around 40-50km/h. Keep shifting! lol

Anyhow, I owned a 404 Unimog, driven many 1300L, worked on many (at Unicat) and as much as I would like one, the cost of the upkeep and speed is holding me back.

Why wont you buy a nice 4x4 diesel pick up and pull your trailer? Sorry about being negative but I just don't see the point.

 

[charlieaarons]

I agree with Victorian. Why buy a >15yo U1300, with only 130hp, portal boxes to fuss over and potentially fail unless you are VERY observant and also lucky (www.billcaid.com/UnimogRepair/Hubs.html#Hubs), low top speed and low speed up hills; when you could buy a Dodge Cummins, do an emissions delete if feasible in your province, put in locking diffs and 37" tires, and have good speed up hills even with the trailer and have an at least adequate bad road vehicle when the trailer is unhooked.
If you want a "world truck" consider a 15yo MB Atego with an integral camper (Unicat or other of similar type). Or if you have your heart set on a Unimog: a longest wheelbase Mog (3.7-3.85m) with a turbo engine of some sort, 170-240hp, with an integral camper to maintain offroad ability and world shippability. Therefore a 1550L/37 or higher in the range.
Merex.de has a U2150L/38 with a very nice popup camper for 185K euro, 96 chassis so importable to Canada. http://www.merex-unimog.com/vehicles/
It has overdrive and working gears, with current tires goes 2400rpm at 97kph, with 14.00R20 XZLs will do 2170rpm@97kph - and it has the power to do it.
Just my $0.02 worth.

Charlie

 

[Daytonacoupe66]

Good comments, thanks! The Mog is a U1350L, which I understand is actually a U1550L. OM366LA diesel that has been upgraded (injectors, pump) to Mercedes specs >200 hp, fast axles. I should have highlighted that this is not a U1300L.

I’ve had / have several swb landcruiser diesels so am accustomed to not worrying about speeding tickets.

The intent to set up base camps and see the countryside.

There is no substitute for experience; I may learn that this is not the best approach (views are appreciated), and may end up with a camper instead of trailer. The finished expedition camper such as Charlie’s example are treasures, but would be 2 lifetimes of payments for me.

 

[charlieaarons]

It sounds like the U1350L has enough power at least. Does it have the oil squirters under the pistons? Also, does it have working gears or can they be added? Normally, ex-Bundeswehr U1300s don't have working gears and so lowest gear is 13.01 times axle ratio ("fast" usually = 5.31), not quite low enough IMHO. Working gears are super low, usually 5.76 unless one can find 3.19. It is like low range in an independent transfer case. What size tires? usually a 1300 will have 365/80R20s, about 43.1", 482 rev/mile. 395/85R20s are 46.7"(447 rev/mile), about 7.5% taller, and the max is 14.00R20s (420 rev/mile), about 15% taller. A Claas overdrive can be added, ratio about 0.81:1 (I think), but it is ~US$7000.

Charlie

 

[foxhunter]

I have a u500 with a GXV camper on it. I insisted it be set up to pull because I was going to pull a horse trailer to get into back country to ride. The problem I discovered is that unless it is a military trailer,a trailer won't go where my mog will go. So I don't pull anything with the mog. I use my 4x4 1 ton dodge with the cummins if I want to tow. If you are towing a trailer, you don't need 2 feet of ground clearance and portal axles. Last year I was quite proud of myself with the terrible roads I was traversing in the mountains in Utah in my mog. Then a cowboy with an old 3/4 ton Dodge diesel truck met me on that road with a 25 ft gooseneck trailer full of cattle he had gathered in the mountains. Kinda burst my bubble.

 

[Iain_U1250]

......................................... Last year I was quite proud of myself with the terrible roads I was traversing in the mountains in Utah in my mog. Then a cowboy with an old 3/4 ton Dodge diesel truck met me on that road with a 25 ft gooseneck trailer full of cattle he had gathered in the mountains. Kinda burst my bubble.

That's very funny, we used to go camping in an old 2wd Nissan LWB E20 Panel van, and we would be parked up in some very remote places on rough roads in southern Africa and the look on the big 4x4 owner's faces when they got to the same place with their massive tyre, suspension lifts, diff locks etc was priceless


Regarding pulling a trailer. These guys have it a good set-up for living in remote places for weeks on end. They pull quite a large trailer.

http://greataussieadventure.com.au/blog/3

 

[CragMog]

U5000 plus Jeep

There is the option of towing your explorer behind the camper. The plan is that if the road gets very rough they disconnect the Jeep and drive it separately. So far that hasn't happened. According to the owner of this U5000 rig it pulls the Jeep over sand dunes and over very bad roads without breaking a sweat. The Jeep is hitched via an A-frame and tracks the Mog really well. At present they are driving down the Canning Stock Route here in Oz. It will be interesting to see how the rig handles those conditions.

 

[BunyipBen]

These trailers are readily available in Germany, the weigh in at 1.4t and can handle 1.4t payload so 2.8t total fitted with airbrakes

 

[BunyipBen]

 

[Daytonacoupe66]

Thanks for the comments and interesting photos. Very interesting range of applications. In response to Charlie's question, tires are 12.5R20, squirters under pistons as the 366LA is turbo-ed with inter cooler. The truck is ex military so likely not working gears but I'm not an extreme off road addict, and serious fringe driving is not an obsession; at least not yet. I know, heresy with this truck but many don't track their P car either. I am surprised that there are not more travel trailer haulers out there - drop the trailer and go when the going gets to be too much for a trailer, but the few photos posted suggest tha some are doing it. I am amazed at the unique applications for these Unimogs, and the knowledge/loyalty/pride of the owners.

 

[charlieaarons]

All of the extra Unimog options - hydraulics, PTOs, gearboxes, overdrives, etc, etc, are just more weight, complexity, and maintenance if you do not use them.

.

That's all well and good but I have never seen a posting from a prospective Unimog owner that wasn't interested in top speed; and that's what a Claas OD is for. Regarding working gears they add minimal weight and complexity and why own a Mog if it can't crawl slowly? And why own a Mog if you can't run a hydraulic winch. When I ordered my U500 A30 CTIS, H02 hydraulics, G21 low gears and G48 EAS and several other things were "must have" options. The cost and weight of the options are MINIMAL compared to the cost and weight of the entire chassis.

Charlie

 

[Daytonacoupe66]

RF; the U1350L is en route from Belgium and is scheduled for delivery next week. I believe that Ex Imports purchased their low mileage units from the same source. You have raised some good points that I've been thinking over, and I will evaluate further when the Unimog arrives. I initially thought of a 5th wheel, but quickly discounted the idea on account of the truck bed height. 24V to 12V for the trailer is manageable, as is a removable low draw bar. The trailer tongue length may prove to be an issue. Are there more practical applications? Absolutely, but practical or mainstream are not necessarily characteristics of mine when it comes to vehicles. Thanks for the comments.

 

[njsarn]

Dreaming of a Unimog

RF; the U1350L is en route from Belgium and is scheduled for delivery next week. I believe that Ex Imports purchased their low mileage units from the same source. You have raised some good points that I've been thinking over, and I will evaluate further when the Unimog arrives.

Many thanks to all comments. We live in Southern California so we can only dream what you really have and enjoy. Never the less, it is good to hear from you all having fun with your Unimogs. Cheers.