TerraLiner:12 m Globally Mobile Beach House/Class-A Crossover w 6x6 Hybrid Drivetrain

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[video=vimeo;11468749]http://vimeo.com/11468749[/video]



This gave me a good excuse to post my collection of images of this vehicle, which I've wanted to do for a while.....:sombrero: Notice the huge long radiator; wonder what kind of camper heating system this vehicle uses.....?


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Also still wondering whether puncture-proof tires exist – or at least “Australian Outback-proof tires”……

All best wishes,



Biotect

 

[optimusprime]

A fellow KAT owner has done the canning stock route with a MAN KAT 6x6. :victory:

But, it was not a real fun, because he had a lot of tire punctures, because of the wider track of the vehicle.

That is the balance that has to be struck though isn't it?
Do you go somewhere that might cause you issues,or stick to tracks that are not causing issues?
It depends on how much time you have to travel a particular country,and how much you want to see of it in that given time.

Which is another thing to add to Biotects design, how many spare wheels/tyres should the ' bad road concept' have? and for ease of use, how and where they should be mounted.

 

[dwh]

biotect,

I gotcha!

Those aren't protection bars - those are the MIRROR MOUNTS! He removed the mirrors and folded the mounts to the front so he could squeeze through tight spots. I think it's obvious that he removed the mirrors so they wouldn't block his vision, but what I like is the idea that you could fold over the mirrors when needed - for instance for shipping when the truck might get lifted by a sling.

Doug Hackney's truck was damaged when it was lifted off a RO-RO ship via sling. I think he said they told him it would be RO-RO at both ends, but the South American port didn't actually have a RO-RO dock so they lifted it off with crane and sling. As I recall, the sling cable caught the mirror and damaged the both the mirror and the door.

 

[dwh]

Can't find that story about the broken spring in the desert. It was bugging me because I started thinking maybe I was thinking of a shredded tire event and not a broken spring event.

Anyway, here's a bonus - a Mog with a broken spring story:

http://mowgli-adventures.com/mowglis-spring-break/

 

[biotect]

.

I gotcha!

Those aren't protection bars - those are the MIRROR MOUNTS! He removed the mirrors and folded the mounts to the front so he could squeeze through tight spots. I think it's obvious that he removed the mirrors so they wouldn't block his vision, but what I like is the idea that you could fold over the mirrors when needed - for instance for shipping when the truck might get lifted by a sling.

Doug Hackney's truck was damaged when it was lifted off a RO-RO ship via sling. I think he said they told him it would be RO-RO at both ends, but the South American port didn't actually have a RO-RO dock so they lifted it off with crane and sling. As I recall, the sling cable caught the mirror and damaged the both the mirror and the door.

Hi dwh,

Thanks for the correction. And agreed, having fold-away mirrors would be very useful. Looking at the orangewerk photos again, I then find myself wondering whether the mirrors in this vehicle could fold away as well?





Also: what are the black thing-a-ma-jigs, located above the mirrors:





Are these downward-facing flood lights? Or are they additional mirrors enabling a driver to "see vertically" immediately below, so as to identify exactly what is 2 cm in front of his tires?


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1. Kevlar-Reinforced, Shred and Puncture Resistant, Run-Flat Tires


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Once more: any thoughts about puncture-proof (or "Outback proof") tires?

The Kiravan has "Kevlar reinforced" tires -- see http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2014...d-tractor-trailer-almost-ready-to-span-globe/ . Or "tires with Kevlar shields like some armored personal carriers" -- see http://www.autoevolution.com/news/k...e-expedition-vehicle-photo-gallery-85187.html . When I first read this detail about the Kiravan a few months ago, I thought this was just another example of Kiravan excess and paranoia. But after reading about Mr. Kapschefsky's troubles on the Canning Stock Route (he repaired his tires nineteen times!!), Kevlar-shielded, "run flat" tires begin to make sense:







See http://kiravan.net/gallery/ and http://kiravan.net/tractor/ .



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2. Kiravan Kevlar Sidewall Shields


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More accurately, the Kiravan's tires themselves are not Kevlar reinforced. At least not like some of the off-road tires that are now available, tires that have Kevlar mesh woven into the tire itself. In other words, tires that are "Kevlar-belted" as well as "Steel-belted". The Goodyear MTR off-road tire, for instance, is built much like any other steel-belted radial, except that Kevlar replaces the usual layer of nylon cord, thereby significantly improving durability and puncture resistance.

But that's not the kind of tire that the Kiravan seems to carry. Here is a full description, directly from the Kiravan website:

[KIRAVAN] TIRES AND WHEELS – The Michelin 395/85R20 XZL special service, steel belted, all-terrain radial tires are 46” in diameter and weigh 300lbs each. The light-alloy, bead-locking rims allow operation of the tires down to zero tire pressure. These wheels incorporate run-flat inserts for emergency use in the event of a major tire failure. A computerized Central Tire Inflation System (coupled with the hydraulically driven rotary-screw air compressor) allows all six tires to be refilled while on the move, in less than five minutes. Special Kevlar sidewall shields protect the sensitive parts of the tire from puncture by rocks and other foreign objects. Automatic tire chains may be deployed in low tractions conditions, such as ice and snow, at the flick of a switch, while in motion.

See http://kiravan.net/tractor/ .

In other words, the Kirivan's tires are fairly ordinary Michelin XZLs -- see http://trucks.michelin.co.uk/Products/A-truck-tyre-for-every-usage/X-FORCE/MICHELIN-X-FORCE-XZL-XZL , http://www.michelintransport.com/ple/front/affich.jsp?codeRubrique=47&lang=EN , https://www.michelinb2b.com/wps/b2bcontent/PDF/XZL_XZL_plus_DataPg.pdf , http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...7svURyDhnjN2N59TaA&bvm=bv.75558745,bs.1,d.bGQ , or http://www.hackneys.com/mitsu/docs/michelin-xzl-pages.pdf .

So what the Kirivan tires actually has, are "special Kevlar sidewall shields". I tried looking this up on the web, but came up short. The only things I came across that seem even remotely similar, are tire-protection "Saver Shields" made by Hutchinson -- see http://www.hutchinsoninc.com/CMS/index.php?page=Military-Tire-Shield and http://www.hutchinsoninc.com/CMS/index.php?page=Off-Road-Tire-Shield , http://www.hutchinsoninc.com/CMS/index.php?page=Security-Tire-Shield , and http://www.hutchinsoninc.com/CMS/index.php?page=Fire-Rescue-Tire-Shield :















But these Hutchinson webpages do not seem to mention Kevlar. Instead, these webpages only state that Hutchinson sidewall shields are made from a special kind of rubber. So if anyone reading this knows where one might look to find specifically "Kevlar sidewall shields", similar to those used on the Kiravan, please post! It kind of stands to reason that there must be a large market for such tire-saver shields made out of Kevlar. Not just for military or security applications, but also for use on mining, excavation, and construction trucks, as suggested by the first image.

For more about Kevlar reinforced tires, especially in off-road applications, see http://www.dupont.co.uk/products-an...ovens/fibers/uses-and-applications/tyres.html , http://www.dupont.co.uk/products-an...einforcement-kevlar-engineered-elastomer.html , http://www.azom.com/news.aspx?newsID=15722 , http://suvs.about.com/od/tiresandwheels/fr/Goodyear-Wrangler-All-terrain-Adventure-With-Kevlar.htm , http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/w...dyear-wrangler-mtr-with-kevlar/?__federated=1 , http://www.moderntiredealer.com/cha...unches-all-terrain-adventure-with-kevlar.aspx , http://www.tfltruck.com/2013/08/video-goodyear-wrangler-all-terrain-adventure-with-kevlar/ , https://www.4x4review.com/goodyear-wrangler-all-terrain-adventure-with-kevlar/ , http://www.offroadadventures.com/articles/view/id/365 , http://www.tirereview.com/all-terrain-adventure-suited-for-every-road/ , http://www.tirebusiness.com/article/20130802/NEWS/130809984/goodyear-unveils-kevlar-belted-wrangler , http://www.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/wrangler-mtr-kevlar , http://www.goodyear.com/cfmx/web/corporate/media/news/story.cfm?a_id=63 , http://www.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/wrangler-silentarmor , http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Wrangler+MT/R+with+Kevlar , http://www.4wheelparts.com/Tires/35...?t_c=13&t_s=163&t_pt=100893&t_pn=GDY750740326 , http://www.maxxis.com/sponsorship/bicycle/technology/puncture-protection , http://www.maxxis.com/tires/autolt/extreme-off-road , http://www.allterraintyres.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1584_1605 , http://www.atvtirestore.com/essex_surefoot_run_flat_atv_tires.html , http://www.dunlop.eu/dunlop_uk/tires/4x4/sp-quattromaxx/ , and http://www.best4tyres.com/tyre-manufacturers/dunlop/sp-quattromaxx/ .

Here are some videos of Goodyear's MTR Kevlar tires:


[video=youtube;f2PlmIHMeKI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2PlmIHMeKI [/video]

But as near as I can tell, Michelin does not make "Kevlar-reinforced" or "Kevlar-belted" XZL's, i.e. big off-road truck tires with Kevlar actually woven into the tire, as per the Goodyear MTR. If I am wrong about this, please correct me! It seems strange if this were true, because XZL's are so often used in military applications.

For two articles about how GM crops cultivated by farmers in the United States have stalks that have become so rigid and stiff, that they function like spikes, puncturing ordinary tires on farm tractors, therefore necessitating Kevlar replacements, see http://www.nationofchange.org/kevlar-tires-now-required-traverse-spear-gmo-crops-1344173364 and http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444097904577539012713121388 .

Dupont produces the GM crops that do the puncturing, as well as the Kevlar in the more expensive tires that farmers now have to buy. You can't make this stuff up.....:ylsmoke:


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3. Run-Flat Tires


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The Kirivan also has "run-flat tires", or more properly, run-flat wheel inserts.

For more about run-flat tires, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Run-flat_tire , http://www.autoevolution.com/news/how-run-flat-tires-work-11261.html , http://www.car-addicts.com/consumer-reports/car-service/run-flat-tires , http://www.caranddriver.com/features/prime-cuts-slicing-open-regular-and-run-flat-tires-to-reveal-their-secrets-feature , http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=56 , and http://www.autorepairhollywoodfl.com/run-flattires.html .

There are two alternative run-flat technologies:

• - An insert or "supportive ring" allows the tire to run even when flat (the tire on the left side in the image below)
• - Reinforced, very rigid tire side-walls prevent the tire from collapsing (the tire on the right side in the image below)

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4. Run-Flat Tires: Michelin's "PAX" System


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Michelin has led the way in pioneering the first type, with its "PAX" system -- see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelin_PAX_System , http://www.michelinman.com/pax , http://www.michelinman.com/pax/frequently-asked-questions , http://www.carparts.com/carcare/runflattires.htm , http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=434851 , and http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/a...sq=Michelin giving up on run flat&st=cse&_r=0 :




View attachment pax-3.jpg View attachment pax-1.jpg



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5. Run-Flat Tires: The Rigid Sidewall System


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However, most other tire manufacturers like Dunlop, Bridgestone, Goodyear, etc. have tended to favor the second, reinforced, rigid sidewall system -- see http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/05/run-flat-tires-why-you-should-or-shouldnt-buy-them.html , https://www.arrivealive.co.za/Run-Flat-Tyre-Technology-and-Road-Safety , http://www.askthemechanic.co.uk/tyres/run-flat-tyres.html , http://www.tirebuyer.com/education/run-flat#.VBl3PHm9_6k , http://www.dunlop.eu/dunlop_uk/what_sets_dunlop_apart/technologies/overview.jsp?id=60537http://www.dunlop.eu/dunlop_euen/what_sets_dunlop_apart/technologies/overview.jsp?id=61291 , http://www.bridgestone.com/corporate/news/2009030301.html , http://firststop-mea.com/RFT.aspx , http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...&tireModel=Scorpion+Verde+All+Season+Run+Flat , and http://www.tires-easy.com/run-flat-tires.html :











If this is already common knowledge, my apologies. But just thought I should give a quick account to bring all readers up-to-speed.


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6. Hutchinson Run-Flat Tires: "The Only All-Terrain Run-Flat System"?


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Consumers have also tended to favor the second, reinforced sidewalls solution. However, for off-road or bad-road applications in particular, it seems pretty clear that the first solution is preferred, because it will allow tire deflation for travel in soft sand. Whereas the rigid side-walls of the second solution would not allow this. But if I am wrong about this, and if someone reading this is knowledgeable about run-flat tires used specifically in off-road conditions, please post!

For off-road applications in particular, the market leader seems to be Hutchinson Inc. It uses a technology similar to the Michelin Pax system:








See http://www.hutchinsoninc.com/CMS/index.php?page=Runflats , http://www.hutchinsoninc.com/CMS/index.php?page=Tactical_RunFlats , http://www.hutchinsoninc.com/CMS/index.php?page=Security-Runflats , http://www.hutchinsoninc.com/CMS/index.php?page=Military-Beadlock , http://www.hutchinsoninc.com/CMS/index.php?page=military-tactical-wheels , http://www.hutchinsoninc.com/CMS/index.php?page=Off-Road-Wheels, http://www.hutchinsoninc.com/CMS/index.php?page=Off-Road-Recreation-Wheels , http://www.rockmonsterwheels.com , http://www.rockmonsterwheels.com/products.php , http://www.rockmonsterwheels.com/gallery.php , http://www.hutchinsoninc.com/CMS/index.php?page=Tire-Shield , http://www.hutchinsoninc.com/CMS/index.php?page=Military-Tire-Shield , http://www.hutchinsoninc.com/CMS/index.php?page=Off-Road-Tire-Shield , http://www.army-technology.com/contractors/tracks/hutchinson/ , http://www.rodgard.com/media_mobility.htmhttp://www.rodgard.com/media/HutchinsonCRFSellsheet .pdf , http://www.rodgard.com/media_mobility.htm , http://slotblog.net/topic/43291-for-sale-hutchinson-ind-rodgard-composite-runflats-crf/ , and http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=10&f=17&t=668699 .

Here are some videos about Hutchinson's run-flat system:


[video=vimeo;44921574]http://vimeo.com/44921574[/video]


Notice that Hutchinson advertises itself as "The only All-Terrain Runflat System". It would be interesting to know if this claim is in fact true. I very much doubt that it is. On the face of it, it seems implausible. Surely other all-terrain-capable, military-grade run-flat systems must exist? I can't imagine that Hutchinson has a monopoly in this market. Or perhaps Hutchinson has a monopoly in the United States, but not worldwide? If anyone European is reading this, it would be good to know whether there is a European manufacturer (aside from Michelin) who makes military-grade run-flat systems specifically for larger vehicles, construction trucks, troops transports, off-road vehicles like the MAN SX-45 and Tatra 815, etc.

Here are some videos about other run-flat solutions more generally:



[video=youtube;qKwjfWXGU4U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKwjfWXGU4U [/video]
[video=youtube;NG3RNUYl9nQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG3RNUYl9nQ#t=12 [/video] [video=youtube;tUFCvLnHaLc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUFCvLnHaLc [/video]



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7. Summary of Questions and Missing Information


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It seems, then, that the ideal tire solution would combine:

• Kevlar-reinforced XZL tires -- if or when they appear
• Supplementary Kevlar side-wall shields
• An all-terrain, military-grade run-flat system as per Hutchinson, or equivalent European manufacturer

But so far, the only solid information easily available on-line is Hutchinson's website.

So again, if anyone reading this knows if/when larger Kevlar-reinforced XZL tires might appear; or where to find information about Kevlar side-wall-shields; or which European manufacturer makes miliary-grade run-flat systems equivalent to Hutchinson, please post!!



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8. Some Closing Miscellaeneous Thoughts


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For some articles about how to bullet-proof tires, see http://www.caranddriver.com/features/how-to-bulletproof-a-car-feature and http://designtaxi.com/news/368902/BMW-Unveils-Its-Latest-Bulletproof-Vehicle/?interstital_shown=1 .

For the Kevlar-reinforced, puncture and shred resistant, run-flat tires on "The Beast", President Obama's limo, see http://someinterestingfacts.net/the-beast-barack-obama-car/ , http://www.independent.co.ug/society/motoring-/6678-vip-security-and-luxury , http://www.streetfire.net/video/oba...-rolling-tank-with-w_381186.htm?__federated=1 , http://www.automotive-access.com/president-obama-is-going-to-ride-the-beast/ , http://savemoney.my/travelling-like-the-american-president , and https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090120103346AAuc7hi :







Impressive though it is, "The Beast" is not an off-road capable, 4WD:




It's not even curb-capable.

The security implications of the snafu caught in this video boggle the mind.....:yikes:

All best wishes,



Biotect

 

[Amphibeast]

Good info on the tires here as I am literally hunting at this time for a set. However here is my challenge….. I want to keep my "factory" rims as I have 16 of them, all original prototypes designed around the hub & offset, aluminum etc… There are an 18" rim, 14" wide. I am in search of a mudder type as wheels preform swimming functionality at times. both on & off-road radial or similar. 44-46" in height. Anyone care to find a tire that fits this? Interco is as close as I have found but I need a few more choices….. Have at it! Biotech, your internet hunting skills amaze me so far!

 

[biotect]

.

Good info on the tires here as I am literally hunting at this time for a set. However here is my challenge….. I want to keep my "factory" rims as I have 16 of them, all original prototypes designed around the hub & offset, aluminum etc… There are an 18" rim, 14" wide. I am in search of a mudder type as wheels preform swimming functionality at times. both on & off-road radial or similar. 44-46" in height. Anyone care to find a tire that fits this? Interco is as close as I have found but I need a few more choices….. Have at it! Biotech, your internet hunting skills amaze me so far!

Hi Amphibeast,

As luck would have it, I was just about to post what follows below. Perhaps you might already know about these companies: “Hippo Tours” in Victoria, British Columbia, and DATV in the Netherlands. Both have fleets of amphibious buses that they run year-round, so they should know of good places to source "swimming" tires for amphibious vehicles, specifically. As for the best possible cross between a balloon-like tire for swimming, and a more robust "aggressive" tire for off-roading on land, you got me there. You may have to experiment a bit, to see what seems to work best.

As for the Internet hunting skills: it's par for the course, as a designer. Very early on one learns the power of Google's “image search” function, and programs like “grab”. I also use DEVONthink Pro, a research organization tool that allows one to save all of one's searches (i.e. a mix of jpgs, TIFFs, webarchives, pdfs, movies, MS word documents, etc.) on a structured database organized by tags. So everything that I've ever downloaded over the last 3 or 4 years is literally at my fingertips – see http://www.devontechnologies.com/products/devonthink/overview.html , http://www.devontechnologies.com/products/devonthink/devonthink-pro.html , and http://www.devontechnologies.com/solutions.html .
And then I speed-read (over 2000 WPM), and touch-type faster than 100 WPM, error-free. Mom forced me to take a typing course when I was 14, because as a businesswoman, she hated male manager types who could not type, and who would have their female secretaries do all the work. I have been grateful for Mom's feminism ever since.…. ..Finally, I have a very fast Internet connection. So it is comparatively easy for me to read and create long posts, and I "inhale" information -- see http://www.forbes.com/sites/brettnel...be-successful/ .

What follows below are responses to your most recent posts.

So I assume you already have the basics on the vehicle by your net surfing. Pretty good digging I might say! Nike really did a redneck build as you can see but they got some press. The build actually upset a lot of military vehicle collectors as it was such a rare vehicle. No campers, wakeboard towers or doritos on my build. The CADs shown on my vehicle really only show the "canopy" for sizing & conceptual. The gulling doors will further help keep the amphibious applications a "float". The length is around 23' right now… not much bigger than a suburban. So when we talk "bigger" footprint on expedition vehicles the Amphibeast is actually quite small. add the surface area of the tires, suspension and belly plates, this vehicle actually tracks very well.

Very interesting. The 8x8 XM-140's in the photographs certainly look a lot longer than 7.3 m. So your vehicle will be 23 feet even with the added "nose" extension cantilevering up front? Or have you completely redesigned that as well?








I am only posting images of your older design grabbed from YouTube in order to give others some idea of what I mean by the "nose" cantilevering up front. But if you would like me to remove them – if only because these are your older designs – will do so immediately!

On the web there is no specific information about XM-140 measurements. Only that the XM-140 used NDCC 14.00x18 type wheels to propel itself in water. So would you also be willing to post just a short set of standard XM-140 measurements?

I actually own 2 of these trucks. One will be the donor when it comes to "hard to find" prototype spares. Another cool note, I have all the originally military test & score sheets, test film/video, drawings etc. I have spent the greater of the last year on the internal drive train, steering, mechanical & fuel system. I have worked with a vehicle restoration guy who specializes in military & heavy machinery. These are pretty much new now. A redesign of the cab & canopy is in process now and I am working on the bells & whistles. I will be at the International boat builders show in 2 weeks securing more stuff! As a fully functional off road machine this will be amazing on land. The bigger challenge will be off-shore updates without the compromise of the overland function. Hopefully I answered a few questions as I browsed your forum post best as my ADD would allow to respond back as best as possible! Hopefully the Nat Geo "panel" moves me to a finalist in the next 18 hours. if so, I will be leaning on the overland community to vote on this project to help me bring the dream closer and share the experience!

If you feel inclined, would be great to see of your XM-140 test film/video here on ExPo! And certainly in this thread, if you like.

In the meantime, a very quick Google search turned up this gem, one that you are perhaps already familiar with: the “Amfibus”, otherwise known as the “Floating Dutchman”. It currently operates as a tour bus in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, and was briefly considered as a replacement for the Renfrew ferry in England, across the Clyde – see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amfibus , http://www.datbv.com , http://www.datbv.com/en/ , http://www.datbv.com/en/factsheet010.pdf , http://www.datbv.com/en/factsheet020.pdf, http://www.datbv.com/video.swf , http://www.floatingdutchman.nl/en/ , http://www.floatingdutchman.nl/en/fdtv/ , http://www.floatingdutchman.nl/index.php?page=fdtv&lang=en&vid=1 , http://www.floatingdutchman.nl/index.php?page=fdtv&lang=en&vid=2 , http://www.floatingdutchman.nl/en/news/ , https://www.youtube.com/user/Dutchamfibious , http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8505770.stm , http://www.splashtours.nl , http://www.splashtours.nl/en/ , http://www.splashtours.nl/en/splashtours-bus/ , and http://www.stagecoach.com/media/resources-library/image-library/other-images/amfibus.aspx :


[video=youtube;U-RLkuwpJAg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-RLkuwpJAg [/video] [video=youtube;s9K2e-4MGEo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9K2e-4MGEo [/video]
[video=youtube;tckW5eDvTUA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tckW5eDvTUA [/video] [video=youtube;6bvTlvjnGLI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bvTlvjnGLI [/video]
[video=youtube;h9ZTB_7GZzQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9ZTB_7GZzQ [/video] [video=youtube;ynNgM6pKgdE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynNgM6pKgdE&index=12&list=PLB833FF0AE45E12 15 [/video]
[video=youtube;3VCnCuD8j4c]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VCnCuD8j4c [/video] [video=youtube;p3wVaFNNC1s]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3wVaFNNC1s [/video]
[video=youtube;aNI9TY7YFdY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNI9TY7YFdY [/video] [video=youtube;pvlGElo38G4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvlGElo38G4 [/video]


Also see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3wVaFNNC1s , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTEAO_K4aro&list=RDPTEAO_K4aro , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNI9TY7YFdY , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvlGElo38G4 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8O12YzzkUg , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wySfiMQ6G0 , http://www.datbv.com/video.swf , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n5QlBOvQYA , and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zToIvlNoDDE .

It seems that the same kind of bus is used for sightseeing tours in Budapest, on the Danube River, which cuts right through the heart of the city – see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI2VueerU7A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?annot...&feature=iv&src_vid=NI2VueerU7A&v=KQIadebptgU , and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE_TiNx_riE .

On its website the manufacturer of the Amfibus, “DATV”, advertises that it is,

…..the only hybrid amphibious touring car the world that complies with all European road and water regulations. The bus has been built by Dutch Amphibious Transport Vehicles (DATV) in Nijmegen. Three years ago DATV started the development of two prototype vehicles:
- The ‘010' has been specifically designed for the rough waters in the Port of Rotterdam and seats 43 people. The ‘020' has been specifically designed for the canals of Amsterdam. The ‘020' bus is a hybrid vehicle as it cruises down Amsterdam's canals using battery power. It seats 48 people and is low enough to clear the bridges of Amsterdam's canals.

See http://www.floatingdutchman.nl/en/about-the-bus/ . In short, not only is the bus amphibious, it's also hybrid, and carries 190 Lithium-Ion batteries!



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[biotect]

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The Amfibus is not alone. For a YouTube playlist of amphibious buses used around the world (Canada, Malta, Singapore, etc.), see https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB833FF0AE45E1215 .

But unlike the Amfibus, most of these look in part like boats up front, most obviously when the bus is a U.S. Military “DUCK” vehicle converted to civilian use – see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DUKW, http://www.ducktours.com.sg , and http://www.ducktours.com.sg/duck.php . So too, the vehicles used by “Hippo Tours” in Canada seem to have front-ends that are equally marine-looking – see http://www.victoriahippotours.com , http://www.victoriahippotours.com/index.html , http://www.victoriahippotours.com/aboutus.html , http://www.torontotours.ca/tours/framehippotours.htm , http://www.victoriahippotours.com/faq.html , http://www.victoriahippotours.com/media.html :


[video=youtube;0o-mJ4iUY0U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o-mJ4iUY0U [/video]
[video=youtube;j1Xraz1M6Ug]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1Xraz1M6Ug [/video] [video=youtube;Dx8NuLSe6N4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx8NuLSe6N4 [/video] [video=youtube;H6CVli45gpY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6CVli45gpY [/video]
[video=youtube;ZHPIi5_KBe0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHPIi5_KBe0 [/video] [video=youtube;F8qRft0gvp4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8qRft0gvp4&list=PLB833FF0AE45E1215 [/video] [video=youtube;0rxvC5saOIE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rxvC5saOIE [/video]


For even more videos, see https://www.youtube.com/user/victoriahippotours .

Having an undercarriage and prow like the Hippo or the DUCK that are more suited to travel by water is no doubt a plus – on water. But on land such “marine-friendly features” lend these vehicles a very odd appearance: they look literally like boats out of water, and not terrestrial buses. That's what's so surprising and interesting about the DATV “Amfibus”: at first it does not look like it would be amphibious.

So too, that's what seems so appealing about your XM-140: it looks like a fairly “ordinary”, non-amphibious sort of 8x8. One would not guess from the pictures alone that the XM-140 is amphibious. And of course the XM-140 is not just a bus, but also an 8x8 off-road capable truck. Whereas even the “Amfibus” is really just a bus.

Again, it would be great to see some vintage videos of the XM-140 in action!

All best wishes,



Biotect

 

[Amphibeast]

The tires on the buses are standard radials & not swimmers or Mud tires as they all feature an inboard propulsion system & use boat ramps for entry & exit. My challenge is the rim size for an aggressive 44-46" off road tire with aggressive mud tread. I will be looking at the new Goodyears you had shown above. My 18" rims are hard to find rubber for. A lot of the goofy "show" rims are being used for 4x4s here in the US now which come in ridiculous sizes not intended for off road have some options, just not mine from what I can find so far. I will try to figure a way to "rip" the DVD to a file/medium I can post original test film. I will be using dual outboards for larger "waters"…..

 

[biotect]

Sounds terrific; looking forward to seeing the original test film. And again, if you have some time and are so inclined, would be great to see a set of standard XM-140 measurements. Couldn't find any on the web, not even on Jedsite -- see http://www.jedsite.info/transport-xray/xray/xm410_series/xm410-series.html .

All best,


Biotect