Trucks and big 4x4s

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by Jono

1) RB's are shite... period. Walk away...

Yes, I did. It was a while ago and I was looking for something to turn into an off road camper and which would double for towing the boat. The problem with going that next stage above normal 4x4s is the weight of the base vehicle when in 4x4 form. I can't remember the exact weights of the RB44 but I do remember that the vehicle's weight plus a camper built onto the back only left about 2800kgs for a trailer and boat, which wasn't enough. I did consider making it demountable but then it began running away from the original idea and, also, other things became more important at that time so I gave up the idea. But the notion is still lingering...

That was the basis of my query to Nos cos I wondered if I'd missed something when he mentioned vehicle weights of 3-4 tons. But it's the 4x4 bit which ups the weight from a simple chassis cab 7.5 tonner.

[Nos4r2]

Try this for a 4x4 camper

I didn't realise Unimogs went down as far as 7.5 tonnes

[Powerboats]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Maybe it's worth getting a Transit County chassis cab and putting a 5th wheel on it?

This company offer a range of lcv based fifth wheel mini-artic conversions. Not sure of the cost though??!!

http://www.tvac.co.uk/van-and-light-...ini-artics.asp

[ian parkes]

I see a few of those Merc Unimogs round here , they look the biz . The electric company have one or two and the water board , but a local farmer has a really small one , not much bigger than the old forward controll 1.5 ton land rovers .
Last year we had a few days of snow and it stopped nearly everything up here on the edge of the moor . Normal 4x4's were struggling , but the electric company were driving about sortin problems in unimog like the snow didn't exist , I guess thats when wieght counts ,

[codprawn]

I love Unimogs but they can be a bit unstable on some roads due to the high C of G - portal axles are better off road than on it!!!

[codprawn]

And talking of trucks and big 4x4s etc the one that amazes me the most is the Scammel Explorer

It looks like a big cumbersome recovery truck but offroad it's awesome

http://freespace.virgin.net/scammell.man/Explorer.html

I know of one that was used during the last foot and mouth fiasco to tow the lorries up the Eppynt mountains as the Merc Powerliner recovery truck couldn't do the job - not enough grunt low down..

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

Last year we had a few days of snow and it stopped nearly everything up here on the edge of the moor . Normal 4x4's were struggling , but the electric company were driving about sortin problems in unimog like the snow didn't exist , I guess thats when wieght counts ,

The weight's actually a big hindrance-it's the dirty great knobbles/ridges on the tyres that do the work. I never got stuck in anything with this:-

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

The weight's actually a big hindrance-it's the dirty great knobbles/ridges on the tyres that do the work. I never got stuck in anything with this:-

Good tool

Had two over the years and even with m+s tyres they are the biz

Only bettered by a Suzuki SJ IMHO !!

All the Landis and rangies (unless they are chopped) wont better these

[Nos4r2]

Yep-the only drawback was the tyre noise (at 70mph you couldn't hear the stereo!) and 23mpg.

I once got it so far into a set of ruts that the front diff grounded. It dug itself out through the side of the ruts just by turning the steering to full lock

I'd have another like a shot.

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Yep-the only drawback was the tyre noise (at 70mph you couldn't hear the stereo!) and 23mpg.

I once got it so far into a set of ruts that the front diff grounded. It dug itself out through the side of the ruts just by turning the steering to full lock

I'd have another like a shot.

I've had mine up to the wings and it still dug its self out.. with dirt devil tyres they'll go anywhere......... mind you .. I have a mate who is a secretary of an off road club, and he keeps wanting to get stuck in impossible situations.. what is it with these off road guys? ...............

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

Good tool

Had two over the years and even with m+s tyres they are the biz

Only bettered by a Suzuki SJ IMHO !!

All the Landis and rangies (unless they are chopped) wont better these

What about axle articulation? Or the lack of it? Land Rover gave up on leaf springs in 1983. As to ground clearance I can just get my knee under the sill of a 110 - a Fourtrack is nowhere near it. The whole point of the axle articulation is to keep the driving wheels in contact with the ground.

I have driven most of the normal 4x4s offroad and I would rate the following in order - this is based on normal vehicles I have actually driven in anger.

Defender 90
Merc Gwagen
Sj410
Defender 110
Discovery II
Discovery III
Series III
Rangerover Classic
Disco I
Lada Cossack
Fourtrack
Shogun SWB
Porsche Cayenne
VW Toerag
Merc ML

Remember these are standard vehicles - even slight mods can make all the difference - for example the Disco 1 is low down my list as the front spoiler is too low - remove it and it's a different story.

Also note some of the top ones are VERY close and different vehicles suit different conditions - on a narrow track for example the SJ is a clear winner cos it's the only one that will fit!!!

[Jono]

Originally Posted by jwalker

Yes, I did. It was a while ago and I was looking for something to turn into an off road camper and which would double for towing the boat. The problem with going that next stage above normal 4x4s is the weight of the base vehicle when in 4x4 form. I can't remember the exact weights of the RB44 but I do remember that the vehicle's weight plus a camper built onto the back only left about 2800kgs for a trailer and boat, which wasn't enough. ..

JW.. how about taking your LGV test ? It's not hugely expensive, especially as it will open up a whole new dimension of tow vehicle for you. Running an "HGV" as a private vehicle isn't as expensive as you may think.. Mines registered as a "Private Heavy Goods" which means "car" road tax and no operators license...... but I have a GTW of around 16Tonnes… which should even be enough for you “auld Porker”..

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by Jono

JW.. how about taking your LGV test ? It's not hugely expensive, especially as it will open up a whole new dimension of tow vehicle for you.

Yeh, it's a thought. I've not got the opportunity just now but for the future it's an option. Even just for the doing of it. Anyway, I'm allowed out of me pen today, it's just over 20knts wind against tide so I'm off to have a wee fix. The Forth whale was sighted at the weekend...we'll be keeping our eyes peeled.

[Simon B]

JW,

How about the peerless Unimog? our american friends seem to rather like them as campers. I think there is a conversion company in Holland also.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Jono

JW.. how about taking your LGV test ? It's not hugely expensive, especially as it will open up a whole new dimension of tow vehicle for you. Running an "HGV" as a private vehicle isn't as expensive as you may think.. Mines registered as a "Private Heavy Goods" which means "car" road tax and no operators license...... but I have a GTW of around 16Tonnes… which should even be enough for you “auld Porker”..

Is it still the case that if you register a HGV as a private vehicle you can drive it on a car licence? I remember a bloke I met before who had a chieftan tank weighing 68 tons and he just had a car licence.

[Jono]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Is it still the case that if you register a HGV as a private vehicle you can drive it on a car licence? I remember a bloke I met before who had a chieftan tank weighing 68 tons and he just had a car licence.

No....and that includes Motorhomes, contrary to what some people still think. Don't know the rules on "historic", track laying, Agricultural or PSV.

[Andy Gee]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Is it still the case that if you register a HGV as a private vehicle you can drive it on a car licence? I remember a bloke I met before who had a chieftan tank weighing 68 tons and he just had a car licence.

Only if the 5th Wheel is removed and it comes in below 7.5t. The police and Ministry up here are starting to get quite shirty with Fasttracs and Agricultural Tractors and Mogs, especially when they are work on Civil contracts towing 20t dump trailer or moving machinery.
Unless the vehicle is engaged on Agricultural/Horticultural or Forestry work they are wanting it fitted with a Tacho, Running on White, Operators Licence and correct class of LGV licence for the Driver. They also are arguing about Test Certificates for both the unit and Trailer, only problem is that at the moment there is no test class that the units can come under!!.
One local operator has recently been fined £1k with 9 points on his licence. Cheaper to buy a lorry!!
Andy

[Bigmuz7]

Isnt it something to do with a vehicle being dedicated and specialised only for one purpose. I know you could drive access platforms mounted on a 20 tonne chassis at one time on an ordinary car licence.

Also, I'm sure theres a bloke that drives around London in a tank and he has an ordinary car licence. He was in the news recently.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

Isnt it something to do with a vehicle being dedicated and specialised only for one purpose. I know you could drive access platforms mounted on a 20 tonne chassis at one time on an ordinary car licence.

They changed that about 3 or 4 years ago-you used to be able to drive the big mobile cranes on a car licence too so they tightened it up. If it's over 7.49 tonnes in weight without a trailer now you need a class C HGV licence to drive it.

Not sure if they tightened up on the historic vehicle licencing though-but they aren't allowed to carry a removable load. The ones you see with machinery on the back at shows get away with it because the load is bolted/welded to the back of the truck and is classed as part of the vehicle as it can't be removed.

[Jono]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

They changed that about 3 or 4 years ago-

Try more than 8 years ago... you must be getting old if time flies like that for you..