[rickgrob]

Hi - First post. I'm Rick and I have been reading/lurking here a bit (and over at ExpeditionPortal as well) and absorbing what I can from the discussion. A great group you have here. I do not own a MB in general or a Unimog yet, but I would love to change that. My goal, like many, is to make an expedition vehicle that is capable and reliable enough to do a long distance journey for my family (wife, two kids 8/5). This has been a dream of mine for some time now, well before the wife and children (and of course would have been easier if I had gotten it out of my system then). As I have sailed quite a bit, my original plan would have been to buy and equip a boat for that type of trip, but now I realize as I am the only sailor in the family and my wife isn't too comfortable around water, that is just not a safe or sane plan. So an overland trip is a more appropriate adventure.

But now back to Unimogs. From what I have been able to learn, what would make a good base is a 1300L or maybe a 416, a 500 looks great but would likely take too much of the budget. Also I would likely want fast axles and gears as while I know Unimogs are never "fast" I do think I would travel on paved roads where sustained 55 - 60 mph might be desired. I understand that once you leave US/Canada then lower speeds would be the norm anyway. But since I am up in Ohio (Dayton area) right now, and I am Canadian, I might also use this vehicle for tips up North before taking the plunge on a Central/South America type journey.

Searching and searching for sources of Unimogs seems to be a bit hit and miss with many smaller companies doing importing in very small quantities. And the used market is pretty slim as this is such a rare and specialized vehicle. If anyone can help steer me in the right direction to look, or help educate me on possible methods (maybe import myself?) I would be truly grateful.

Sorry for the long post,
Rick

 

[tkv000]

Rick, welcome to the forum, you'll find a wealth of info here!

Have you read this?:

unimog 435/U1300

-Trev

 

[hammogger]

Hi Rick,

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you are infected with the Unimog disease!

Reading your description (other family guys have had similar plans), sometimes Unimogs cannot provide just the right set of capabilities, and here's what I mean:

Your family of 4 would need a DOKA to seat everyone. That leaves a short bed behind and any small camper that would fit that space would be very tight for the four of you, especially with your kids getting into the "need their own space" ages. (Yeah, I raised 3 kids). Even with a custom built cab-over design, space would be limited.

I didn't get the feel you would be doing a lot of cross country or rock crawling exploration. Would a crew cab commercial truck in 4wd and a camper on the back do the wheeling just as well? As you noted, it's getting difficult to find good SBU trucks for a reasonable price, and that's especially true for a DOKA.

My wife and I have been doing a lot of cross country exploration in our U-1300 single cab with 10 ft Alaskan on the back. That's a great setup for 2 people, but add two more kids and it is not a workable solution. Bill Caid and Kathleen have about the same setup, as does Ron Tuttle, with the number of people limited to 2 people.

Larger Unimogs with dual cabs do show up for sale in Europe, especially ex-fire equipment. Some are even built on longer chassis to provide more deck space behind the DOKA cab. Expect to pay high dollar for those, plus importation, then add the camper, and you have a big investment.

Rick, I am for sure not trying to dissuade you from thinking Unimog, just throwing out some pointers as you asked.

[edit, check out http://www.billcaid.com and http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1059&Itemid=34

Good luck,

Bob

Hi - First post. I'm Rick and I have been reading/lurking here a bit (and over at ExpeditionPortal as well) and absorbing what I can from the discussion. A great group you have here. I do not own a MB in general or a Unimog yet, but I would love to change that. My goal, like many, is to make an expedition vehicle that is capable and reliable enough to do a long distance journey for my family (wife, two kids 8/5). This has been a dream of mine for some time now, well before the wife and children (and of course would have been easier if I had gotten it out of my system then). As I have sailed quite a bit, my original plan would have been to buy and equip a boat for that type of trip, but now I realize as I am the only sailor in the family and my wife isn't too comfortable around water, that is just not a safe or sane plan. So an overland trip is a more appropriate adventure.

But now back to Unimogs. From what I have been able to learn, what would make a good base is a 1300L or maybe a 416, a 500 looks great but would likely take too much of the budget. Also I would likely want fast axles and gears as while I know Unimogs are never "fast" I do think I would travel on paved roads where sustained 55 - 60 mph might be desired. I understand that once you leave US/Canada then lower speeds would be the norm anyway. But since I am up in Ohio (Dayton area) right now, and I am Canadian, I might also use this vehicle for tips up North before taking the plunge on a Central/South America type journey.

Searching and searching for sources of Unimogs seems to be a bit hit and miss with many smaller companies doing importing in very small quantities. And the used market is pretty slim as this is such a rare and specialized vehicle. If anyone can help steer me in the right direction to look, or help educate me on possible methods (maybe import myself?) I would be truly grateful.

Sorry for the long post,
Rick

 

[sdibaja]

long distance journey? cool! but maybe you should rethink a bit.
If you have in mind doing several hundred miles a day`you could rapidly find yourself without the baggage of the wife and kids...
Seriously, there are those who do it but they are rare... see Bill Caid's web site if you want to see some real adventures... sans kids. Bill Caid Home Page (1&1)
I see a number of folks on the road pass thru here but very few rigs are not primarily highway machines.
But if you want to take jaunts in a 300 mile radius and get to know a "region" better than any of the locals come on down, I can use some help!

 

[sammyb]

Hi Rick

Welcome to the forum there are a few of us here doing camper builds, my projects are a mid wheelbase 416 with hard body camper eg steel frame clad with aluminum panels for cold less hospitable place's and a 416 long wheelbase Doka which will have a aluminum box on the back for storage with a dual roof tent up top for the places where camping is safer and warmer.

Round cab mogs are tight on space, but look the nicest (I think) also my girlfriend loves the look, so puts up with the discomfort on the passanger side (no leg room) You could have a round cab with one of the kids up front though and the wife in the back seat. SBUs are the better mogs for traveling, quiter more comfortable and better gear box and more HP.

As you have a family I am guessing a doka is the way to go and most good round cabs have been exported to the US already. For a square cab Atkinson vos in the UK have an ok looking one for around 17 000 pounds and will organise shipping.

There seems to be a lack of dokas for sale on all web sites but if you need any hints on websites in europe let me know.

Sad to hear of your sailing dream going in the can. Im a professional sailor on a large cruising/racing yacht (read 18 hrs + a day april-november, get to go all the nice places and only see the dingy dock, rubbish bin and if Im lucky the supermarket) sure am jealouse of the cruising guys !!!
Mogs are my adventure away from the water.
And not a bad alternative to cruising and escaping the rat race.


sam

 

[tkv000]

Classic Unimogs has a 10 passanger 1300 for sale, I belive it was 52k USD + Shipping, and Ziggy and Lisa are great people:

Fast axles, room for the kids, box on the back for camper conversion...

 

[coachgeo]

Classic Unimogs has a 10 passanger 1300 for sale, I belive it was 52k USD + Shipping, and Ziggy and Lisa are great people:

http://classicunimogs.co...

Fast axles, room for the kids, box on the back for camper conversion...[/quote]That would be a PERFECT unit to either:

. store gear in the back section
. put bunks for "sleeping" kids in this section
. remove box make it bed for ATV's Bikes etc.

and tow an offroad military trailer converted to camper for the mom pop sleeping, living room, kitchen etc area.

 

[Korpisoturi]

If you don't mind getting one imported for you here is a nice 1550 L37 for you:
Truck Ad: Detailed Item Page

And here Truck Ad: Detailed Item Page

 

[coachgeo]

BTW check with "coachconverter" a member of this board. He builds/converts Greyhounds etc. into high dollar RV's. He is there in OH and also does some selling of mogs etc since he got bit by that bug.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/79224-coachconverter.html

 

[rickgrob]

Wow, excellent answers.... nice to see so many people surfing the Mog site on a Sunday morning.

Bob, you make some excellent points and I have been wondering if I am mixing too many requirements into this one solution. I am a mechanical engineer by training (though not practicing right now), and I may be falling prey to the tendency to want to go with the heavy duty platform and then try to get it to do everything. I have noticed that of almost all the expedition rigs I have located on various forums, and I have checked many, are optimized for two travelers. The ones that can handle more are often the extreme high end rigs (Unicat, Action-Mobile, Etc.) that are really not practical budget wise. I am not under the mistaken belief that any of this is cheap, but they are in a different realm all together. As for the ruggedness requirement and the 4 wheel capability, I guess I am thinking ahead to doing a South American trip. I have been through the travel logs of a few people who have done it and there seems to be some parts where you just can't stick to pavement. And of course sometimes you don't want to stick to pavement. I currently own a modified Jeep TJ (Rubicon with 4.5" RE lift, 35", etc., etc.) so I do enjoy getting away from pavement.

About the DOKA it seems a two edged sword for traveling with a family, obviously picking up cab space, but at the expense of what you can build behind the cab as the total length of the wheelbase is limited and stretching a frame is expensive and not always a sound idea structurally.

But I really appreciate the feedback guys, it is extremely helpful.

Rick

 

[Merz-Ben]

I am not much of a camper guy, but if I were going to be carrying a family of 4 and wanted/ needed a mog, I would go with a unit like the U2450L DoKa that Eurotruck has on consignment... I think the price dropped 10K too (don't know your price range so it may still be out of reach, but seems like a decent price on an almost unobtainable truck). Looks like with the modifications to the rear seat, ect that it has room to sleep 4, not to mention that everyone can be inside the cab while driving, for maximum visibility and saftey. Nice thing about it is that the truck is already in the U.S. and registered. The link is Mercedes-Benz Diesel Unimogs

Cheers,
Ben

 

[Merz-Ben]

I also just remembered, I have a 416 that might be good for building such a camper, it is a 1977 U1100T, here is a link to where I had listed it for sale. http://www.benzworld.org/forums/unimog/1474931-416-u1100t-doka-sale-would-make.html The box is either 12 or 14 feet long, and the cab seats 4 adults comfortably.

Cheers,
Ben

 

[Korpisoturi]

I am not much of a camper guy, but if I were going to be carrying a family of 4 and wanted/ needed a mog, I would go with a unit like the U2450L DoKa that Eurotruck has on consignment... I think the price dropped 10K too (don't know your price range so it may still be out of reach, but seems like a decent price on an almost unobtainable truck). Looks like with the modifications to the rear seat, ect that it has room to sleep 4, not to mention that everyone can be inside the cab while driving, for maximum visibility and saftey. Nice thing about it is that the truck is already in the U.S. and registered. The link is Mercedes-Benz Diesel Unimogs

Cheers,
Ben

Slightly OT, but where is the battery in this one?

 

[m37charlie]

Also I would likely want fast axles and gears as while I know Unimogs are never "fast" I do think I would travel on paved roads where sustained 55 - 60 mph might be desired.
Rick

Welcome to this forum.
Note that the U2450L/38 mentioned above probably has 6.38 gears, it looks like there is no overdrive shifter on the shift lever, and it may have 395/85R20 tires. Therefore, rpms at 60mph = 2851 which is way over the governed speed for the motor (usually 2400 rpm). 2300 rpm would be 48.2 mph; too slow for North American highways. A Claas overdrive would take it up to 59 mph @ 2300.
If the tires are 365/80R20s then subtract 7.3% from all speeds.
Be aware that in order to own a Unimog capable of 60mph cruising speed, considerable expenditure in one way or another is necessary.

Charlie

 

[grizzlyj]

2150L38 Doka 5 berth camper

Well, 4 1/2 berths at least
This mog has definitely been set up for travel, having been there and done that with a lot of the globe already!
The metal camper fit out is maybe an acquired taste, but they left home with two kids and came back with three, so it worked for them! I emailed him just to ask about the mog and a speedy English reply came back with lots of photos
The kitchen table slides away and has bench seats, they were very much of the daytime outside nightime inside inclination, so the lack of interior living space suited their trip. Two different links:-

Expédition opensens

Expédition opensens

I would suggest that assuming you can import it OK, its a proven formula that works well within the Unimog restrictions other have mentioned, you won't get a lot or room for a family. You could put a roof tent on this, or put hammocks in the cab if you wanted more space or privacy? It could be considerably cheaper and obviously quicker than building your own, shouldn't have any teething niggles, but will never be what you would have chosen.

To misquote the venerable Charlie, be aware that in order to own a Unimog considerable expenditure in one way or another is necessary


PS if someone cleverer than me could upload some of the photos? Its a cool unique set up, once he's sold it the pics may go?

 

[sammyb]

Well an impressive truck and trip, but not so inviting inside, looks like a place to keep dead people. I guess he was a metal fabricator by trade ???

One thing about the big silver doka it looks pretty heavy and has lost its departure angle, decreasing the mogs offroad ability this much you might as well have a merc 4x4 truck and have more comfort on the road.

sam

 

[Lyrch75]

I am not much of a camper guy, but if I were going to be carrying a family of 4 and wanted/ needed a mog, I would go with a unit like the U2450L DoKa that Eurotruck has on consignment... I think the price dropped 10K too (don't know your price range so it may still be out of reach, but seems like a decent price on an almost unobtainable truck). Looks like with the modifications to the rear seat, ect that it has room to sleep 4, not to mention that everyone can be inside the cab while driving, for maximum visibility and saftey. Nice thing about it is that the truck is already in the U.S. and registered. The link is Mercedes-Benz Diesel Unimogs

Cheers,
Ben

I love the looks of that truck, other than the camper kills too much offroad capability.
OP: If you are looking for minimal offroading capability, look at the 4x4 IH trucks. They run high way speed, they make a crew cab and the DT series motor is very common in North America.

 

[esde]

Welcome, 2 pages of good advice posted already. A thought, given the scarcity of square cab doka's, what about custom extending a standard cab to provide enough room for 2 kids? Sort of a Unimog quad cab? Start with a nice 1300L, add a Class overdrive. Extend the cab, sell the bed, build the camper box to suit. The 1300L is high enough that you can even let the box hang a bit far off the back and not worry. I have a 416, and often wonder how the folks with expedition rigs on this platform deal with the cramped quarters and noise. Bets of luck, you obviously have good taste

 

[rickgrob]

Well, 4 1/2 berths at least
This mog has definitely been set up for travel, having been there and done that with a lot of the globe already!
The metal camper fit out is maybe an acquired taste, but they left home with two kids and came back with three, so it worked for them! I emailed him just to ask about the mog and a speedy English reply came back with lots of photos
The kitchen table slides away and has bench seats, they were very much of the daytime outside nightime inside inclination, so the lack of interior living space suited their trip. Two different links:-

Expédition opensens

Expédition opensens

I would suggest that assuming you can import it OK, its a proven formula that works well within the Unimog restrictions other have mentioned, you won't get a lot or room for a family. You could put a roof tent on this, or put hammocks in the cab if you wanted more space or privacy? It could be considerably cheaper and obviously quicker than building your own, shouldn't have any teething niggles, but will never be what you would have chosen.

To misquote the venerable Charlie, be aware that in order to own a Unimog considerable expenditure in one way or another is necessary


PS if someone cleverer than me could upload some of the photos? Its a cool unique set up, once he's sold it the pics may go?

An interesting Mog to be sure! Though the all metal interior gives me the willies for some reason I can't put a finger on. One thing is that unless the builder took any special precautions that sucker would transmit heat (in either direction) like nobodies' business. But the real killer is the 1995 model year... 10 years too "young" to get into the US legally.

I am not much of a camper guy, but if I were going to be carrying a family of 4 and wanted/ needed a mog, I would go with a unit like the U2450L DoKa that Eurotruck has on consignment... I think the price dropped 10K too (don't know your price range so it may still be out of reach, but seems like a decent price on an almost unobtainable truck). Looks like with the modifications to the rear seat, ect that it has room to sleep 4, not to mention that everyone can be inside the cab while driving, for maximum visibility and saftey. Nice thing about it is that the truck is already in the U.S. and registered. The link is Mercedes-Benz Diesel Unimogs

Cheers,
Ben

I ran across that posted before in my surfing and it is definitely tempting. While the asking price is not cheap, it might be hard to get something similar for any less money at the end of the day. Other than the point made about possible gearing issues, I wasn't wild about the camper. Interior is so/so and the comments are right about departure angle being compromised.

Start with a nice 1300L, add a Class overdrive. Extend the cab, sell the bed, build the camper box to suit. The 1300L is high enough that you can even let the box hang a bit far off the back and not worry. I have a 416, and often wonder how the folks with expedition rigs on this platform deal with the cramped quarters and noise. Bets of luck, you obviously have good taste

Not a bad idea, though that type of fabrication work on the cab is beyond my capabilities. However even finding a 1300L these days seems to be sparse. I did fine one on a german website, but it looked like a link more to a general description of a bunch of ex-army vehicles an not one specific vehicle. I think the one selling was BSS International or something to that effect. No price was listed.

R

 

[hammogger]

Hi Rick,

My further comments take the thread off on a tangent, but you mentioned taking a trip to South America with your family. Not knowing what your experience might be on such trips, I want to express my opinion of just such an endeavor. I lived in South America with 3 kids for several years, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Ecuador, and I worked in Colombia and Peru without the family. The political climate has deteriorated a lot since then and I would never take my family on a drive that way now. Maybe I'm becoming more of a coward in my old age, LOL, but I'm not leaving North America again.

Maybe others have thoughts on that much of a trip with a young family. Design of a camper to be taken to such places should include serious security and safety designs.

I'm enjoying all the recommendations your original query has prompted.

Bob

...chop.... I guess I am thinking ahead to doing a South American trip. I have been through the travel logs of a few people who have done it and there seems to be some parts where you just can't stick to pavement. ...chop...
But I really appreciate the feedback guys, it is extremely helpful.

Rick