This Unimog expedition camper is based on a Unimog U1000T, but with the OM352A turbo diesel engine option for extra power. The Unimog was made in 1983, but has been dry stored for the last 10 years for something like 11 months of the year. The OM352A is a 5.7lt straight six turbo diesel engine, which was widely used by Mercedes and is a well respected and reliable unit. The engine in my Unimog has done only approximately 900 hours, which for a commercial engine is barely run in. The Unimog has done less than 20,000 kilometers from new and so there is virtually no wear on the drivetrain. The gearbox is the standard 8 speed forward and reverse unit and is in perfect working order.
In addition to the standard drive, a hydrostatic drive has been fitted. This allows you to set any speed with a joystick in the cab irrespective of engine revs and will allow you to go forwards or backwards without use of the clutch. This drive is really designed for working with machinery such as mowers, but is handy as it allows very precise speed control in tight spaces.
The Unimog is fitted with a hydraulic system with pump, tank and two bi-directional spool valves in the cab with the hydraulic couplings piped to front and rear. This would be ideal for fitting a hydraulic winch. The Unimog also has a fast drive type PTO which may be used to drive a generator or similar, but only the PTO box itself is fitted, not the shafts to front and rear etc.
The motor home box features four additional seats with belts for driving (seats seven in all), four burner hob, sink, compressor fridge (no gas needed), CD player, table, large house battery, Webasto airtop 2000 diesel heater and space to sleep five good friends. (We are a family of five.) The box is built on all sides, roof and floor of an alloy, marine ply, foam (2 inches), marine ply, GRP laminate and so is very well insulated and tough. The box is lined throughout with carpet. There is the option of a very heavy duty awning made from a military command frame tent fitted with the extra heavy duty poles (poles are two inch diameter alloy tube!) We found the awning excellent for setting up a base camp.
The Unimog has never been on an expedition or off-road since I have had it, except across a sticky camp site. Reason for sale is that changes to my job mean that I am unable to take long enough holidays to make a driving expedition viable.
I will also consider offers for the chassis cab only. In this case I will retain the motor home box, which I will convert into a caravan. Making the box was a huge effort and so I am reluctant to part with it.
The U1000T is a traction head. That is Mercedes made everything up to a joint a little behind the cab. The back half of the chassis was made by Zweiweg, the respected road rail conversion company. The Unimog is still four wheel drive, but the back axle is a heavy duty truck axle, not the standard Unimog axle, and so lacks the cross axle difflock. The rear axle has air suspension, which would allow a degree of self levelling, though I have never got round to fitting the valve gear required.
My Unimog camper is ready to go with road TAX, MOT, registration as a motorcaravan and has been used this year for a 600mile round trip. The road tax is PHGV, which is currently £165 per annum. The MOT is a class IV, the same as a car, and so can be done by any garage that is happy to take it on. I have the Unimog insured with the NFU with the value set at £18,000. It doesn’t cost that much more than a Landrover Discovery would.
If you have any questions, please ask.
More pictures and information at:http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~iss046/Unimog/Unimog.html
Price £12,500 for the vehicle as it stands, or £10,000 for the chassis cab.
In addition to the standard drive, a hydrostatic drive has been fitted. This allows you to set any speed with a joystick in the cab irrespective of engine revs and will allow you to go forwards or backwards without use of the clutch. This drive is really designed for working with machinery such as mowers, but is handy as it allows very precise speed control in tight spaces.
The Unimog is fitted with a hydraulic system with pump, tank and two bi-directional spool valves in the cab with the hydraulic couplings piped to front and rear. This would be ideal for fitting a hydraulic winch. The Unimog also has a fast drive type PTO which may be used to drive a generator or similar, but only the PTO box itself is fitted, not the shafts to front and rear etc.
The motor home box features four additional seats with belts for driving (seats seven in all), four burner hob, sink, compressor fridge (no gas needed), CD player, table, large house battery, Webasto airtop 2000 diesel heater and space to sleep five good friends. (We are a family of five.) The box is built on all sides, roof and floor of an alloy, marine ply, foam (2 inches), marine ply, GRP laminate and so is very well insulated and tough. The box is lined throughout with carpet. There is the option of a very heavy duty awning made from a military command frame tent fitted with the extra heavy duty poles (poles are two inch diameter alloy tube!) We found the awning excellent for setting up a base camp.
The Unimog has never been on an expedition or off-road since I have had it, except across a sticky camp site. Reason for sale is that changes to my job mean that I am unable to take long enough holidays to make a driving expedition viable.
I will also consider offers for the chassis cab only. In this case I will retain the motor home box, which I will convert into a caravan. Making the box was a huge effort and so I am reluctant to part with it.
The U1000T is a traction head. That is Mercedes made everything up to a joint a little behind the cab. The back half of the chassis was made by Zweiweg, the respected road rail conversion company. The Unimog is still four wheel drive, but the back axle is a heavy duty truck axle, not the standard Unimog axle, and so lacks the cross axle difflock. The rear axle has air suspension, which would allow a degree of self levelling, though I have never got round to fitting the valve gear required.
My Unimog camper is ready to go with road TAX, MOT, registration as a motorcaravan and has been used this year for a 600mile round trip. The road tax is PHGV, which is currently £165 per annum. The MOT is a class IV, the same as a car, and so can be done by any garage that is happy to take it on. I have the Unimog insured with the NFU with the value set at £18,000. It doesn’t cost that much more than a Landrover Discovery would.
If you have any questions, please ask.
More pictures and information at:http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~iss046/Unimog/Unimog.html
Price £12,500 for the vehicle as it stands, or £10,000 for the chassis cab.