Compact 4x4 Motorhome - Recommendations?

[7.62marksman]

I wanna compete with Phil.....
https://www.prospectingaustralia.co...21704124_e64e46030ffc9c8563203e3ec80f35c8.jpg

Thats gotta be the new turtle

 

[PabloP]

#10

[User is Offline] PabloP

Sounds a rig I would be looking at but $80K max. budget would not get me there. Agree about the MB. I have a 20 year old MB 4*4 in the UK, from new only 150Ks on the clock, due to my livng mostly in Perth,and never set a foot wrong.

Here at the moment in the UK North Pennines 3 meter snow drifts and the MB has had no proble. The Problem with MB parts cost. Had a van skip and swipe my passenger mirror and crack the mirror housing shell. Replacement is $350 just for the shell then there is fitting ontop.

Who supplied your rig?

I too am a solo traveler and now have a professionally built fully fitted out 4wd Sprinter van based camper, and while it suits my current needs, it cost a bomb. But I know of a few who have converted ex Telstra or similar 4wd sprinters into great campervans for a fraction of the cost.

I had a 2wd Sprinter based unit previously, and the 2wd aspect limited where I could go reliably, so bit the bullet and got the current beast. Even the 4wd doesn't mean that you can go anywhere you want, or not have problems as I have had my share of them, but it does allow access to places that I previously avoided and does give better peace of mind in some crummy road situations.

Apart from having 4wd it also has low ratio with 4wd it also has -
- Dual rear wheels - Plus and minus on this aspect, better load carrying, better traction (see negatives)
- Increased ground clearance - Good for the rough and tumble stuff, but LWB means that clearance still needs to be co..nsidered
- Long range fuel - 150L
- Water 160L
- All hot water, room heat and stove are diesel based
- Seats for 4 if not carrying much extra weight elsewhere
- 240W of solar and 200AH of house batteries.

Negatives -
- Professional fit-out is a bit over the top and adds quite a bit of weight that could be better used
- $$$ spend was a heck of a lot, but hopefully will hold its value well and still be a reasonable asset for the kids when I am gone.
- Dual wheels means another 2 to get damaged, need to carry and extra spare and not so simple to maintain or change.
- Load carrying capacity is less than I would like due to extras in the fit-out & 4wd and dual wheels features add a lot of extra weight.

Still I love the unit and the Mercedes drive train.

Rob P

Trakka in Sydney did the fit-out, but sorry, base 4wd van as imported new is >$130k, so add the fit-out and as I said bulk $$$. I have very few photos I am afraid, I prefer to take photos of other stuff rather than my stuff. I have found one showing when I was visiting the Bungle Bungles, no hassles with that track although it was much worse than last trip in, and one of me "slumming it in a CP in Cairns. I hate CPs but had no choice this time.

If you want some photos of interior stuff, give me a few days to do it.

Rob P.

 

[shakergt]

I use one the same as this on my DMax and its great. (This is not mine pictured)

https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/9200/1521714128__20.jpg

how did it go with fuel usage?

 

[JJB100]

PaploP,

Looks well.

Toilet inside?

#10

[User is Offline] PabloP

Sounds a rig I would be looking at but $80K max. budget would not get me there. Agree about the MB. I have a 20 year old MB 4*4 in the UK, from new only 150Ks on the clock, due to my livng mostly in Perth,and never set a foot wrong.

Here at the moment in the UK North Pennines 3 meter snow drifts and the MB has had no proble. The Problem with MB parts cost. Had a van skip and swipe my passenger mirror and crack the mirror housing shell. Replacement is $350 just for the shell then there is fitting ontop.

Who supplied your rig?

I too am a solo traveler and now have a professionally built fully fitted out 4wd Sprinter van based camper, and while it suits my current needs, it cost a bomb. But I know of a few who have converted ex Telstra or similar 4wd sprinters into great campervans for a fraction of the cost.

I had a 2wd Sprinter based unit previously, and the 2wd aspect limited where I could go reliably, so bit the bullet and got the current beast. Even the 4wd doesn't mean that you can go anywhere you want, or not have problems as I have had my share of them, but it does allow access to places that I previously avoided and does give better peace of mind in some crummy road situations.

Apart from having 4wd it also has low ratio with 4wd it also has -
- Dual rear wheels - Plus and minus on this aspect, better load carrying, better traction (see negatives)
- Increased ground clearance - Good for the rough and tumble stuff, but LWB means that clearance still needs to be co..nsidered
- Long range fuel - 150L
- Water 160L
- All hot water, room heat and stove are diesel based
- Seats for 4 if not carrying much extra weight elsewhere
- 240W of solar and 200AH of house batteries.

Negatives -
- Professional fit-out is a bit over the top and adds quite a bit of weight that could be better used
- $$$ spend was a heck of a lot, but hopefully will hold its value well and still be a reasonable asset for the kids when I am gone.
- Dual wheels means another 2 to get damaged, need to carry and extra spare and not so simple to maintain or change.
- Load carrying capacity is less than I would like due to extras in the fit-out & 4wd and dual wheels features add a lot of extra weight.

Still I love the unit and the Mercedes drive train.

Rob P

Trakka in Sydney did the fit-out, but sorry, base 4wd van as imported new is >$130k, so add the fit-out and as I said bulk $$$. I have very few photos I am afraid, I prefer to take photos of other stuff rather than my stuff. I have found one showing when I was visiting the Bungle Bungles, no hassles with that track although it was much worse than last trip in, and one of me "slumming it in a CP in Cairns. I hate CPs but had no choice this time.

https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/4430/1521716271_20170616_090147s.jpg
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/4430/1521716271_dscn0874s.jpg

If you want some photos of interior stuff, give me a few days to do it.

Rob P.

 

[PabloP]

PaploP,

Looks well.

Toilet inside?

#10

[User is Offline] PabloP

Sounds a rig I would be looking at but $80K max. budget would not get me there. Agree about the MB. I have a 20 year old MB 4*4 in the UK, from new only 150Ks on the clock, due to my livng mostly in Perth,and never set a foot wrong.

Here at the moment in the UK North Pennines 3 meter snow drifts and the MB has had no proble. The Problem with MB parts cost. Had a van skip and swipe my passenger mirror and crack the mirror housing shell. Replacement is $350 just for the shell then there is fitting ontop.

Who supplied your rig?

I too am a solo traveler and now have a professionally built fully fitted out 4wd Sprinter van based camper, and while it suits my current needs, it cost a bomb. But I know of a few who have converted ex Telstra or similar 4wd sprinters into great campervans for a fraction of the cost.

I had a 2wd Sprinter based unit previously, and the 2wd aspect limited where I could go reliably, so bit the bullet and got the current beast. Even the 4wd doesn't mean that you can go anywhere you want, or not have problems as I have had my share of them, but it does allow access to places that I previously avoided and does give better peace of mind in some crummy road situations.

Apart from having 4wd it also has low ratio with 4wd it also has -
- Dual rear wheels - Plus and minus on this aspect, better load carrying, better traction (see negatives)
- Increased ground clearance - Good for the rough and tumble stuff, but LWB means that clearance still needs to be co..nsidered
- Long range fuel - 150L
- Water 160L
- All hot water, room heat and stove are diesel based
- Seats for 4 if not carrying much extra weight elsewhere
- 240W of solar and 200AH of house batteries.

Negatives -
- Professional fit-out is a bit over the top and adds quite a bit of weight that could be better used
- $$$ spend was a heck of a lot, but hopefully will hold its value well and still be a reasonable asset for the kids when I am gone.
- Dual wheels means another 2 to get damaged, need to carry and extra spare and not so simple to maintain or change.
- Load carrying capacity is less than I would like due to extras in the fit-out & 4wd and dual wheels features add a lot of extra weight.

Still I love the unit and the Mercedes drive train.

Rob P

Trakka in Sydney did the fit-out, but sorry, base 4wd van as imported new is >$130k, so add the fit-out and as I said bulk $$$. I have very few photos I am afraid, I prefer to take photos of other stuff rather than my stuff. I have found one showing when I was visiting the Bungle Bungles, no hassles with that track although it was much worse than last trip in, and one of me "slumming it in a CP in Cairns. I hate CPs but had no choice this time.

https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/4430/1521716271_20170616_090147s.jpg
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/4430/1521716271_dscn0874s.jpg

If you want some photos of interior stuff, give me a few days to do it.

Rob P.

Yep it has toilet and shower, with 80L grey water storage. I can stay remote for an extended period, depending on weather and what I have prepared for, as there is quite a lot of storage space, but I tend to take lots of tools and stuff to use for volunteer work, and that takes weight and space. Many others would use that space for more home comfort related stuff or if not travelling Solo, for stuff for the others travelling.

Rob P

 

[Trash]

I use one the same as this on my DMax and its great. (This is not mine pictured)

https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/9200/1521714128__20.jpg

The Puma & Palomino are goodbang for your buck

Different models for dual cab with tub or tray .

The top of the range palomino slide on is about 27K

 

[Jaros]

Nice looking Merc. What more could you want? :Y: