Unimog Camper Build Q&A: Cost? Why This Truck? Regrets? Mechanical Problems?

[@josemanuelcontrerassanchis6453]

Hello guys, first think congrats for your job, as a owner of one unimog with similar specs as yours, and looking the video makes me remember some thinks are particular of this truck, the point is, I'm located in Europe, in Spain and our distances are quite short if we compare with USA, so it makes even better in my case, but for you will be important few points, one is the portal axles and second is the neumatic system and brakes, all of this three points are renponsabile of most of the problems on this truck, so I will tell you my opinion of all three, first the portals, the truck in my case with the fast axles like your ones plus the claas overdrive runs on normal roads at 85/90 km/h, at this speeds the portal with the 300cc of oil is sofering a lot even with the vents I can imagine you already install it, the prove is new models are all ready with 900cc of oil instead of this pour cuantity, I solve it increasing the total volume to almost 1000 cc, it was not easy, but it's possible as you can check in the link I will attach, in my first 20 k kilometers of trips first two years I been constantly replacing the oil because it was very used after just few thousands of km, I know many people don't care about it, but because of my job I have access to control this things and I can guaranty it's the most common issue with this truck by the travelers, second is the neumatic system, as my truck was not equipped with dryer, it was a moisture on the circuit coming by the oil compresor and the humidity that makes a very nightmare at the beginning so if the truck has it, perfect, if not, I would install one dryer, the brakes are neumatic over hydraulic actioned, so it's important to check the calipers, and supper important don't use the pads to the end of the life, it makes the pistons don't get back 100%, and it creates a constant friction who makes the wheel hubs runn hot, so I don't want to make you feel panic because after 5 years of use and 60 k km in our trips, we(my wife and me) can not be more happy with the truck because it is something special but it needs a lot of care, I put my post in expeditionportal. Com, just text there "New mog life", and there you can check most of this points I talk about, If you need some more info about it contact me and it will be a pleasure to expline you my experiences with my truck, the community of users of mogs over the world is quite small, it makes you find friends over the world like is my case, enjoy your truck

[@philhealey4443]

All great points, I had the smaller hubs on a power upgraded U1250 but didn't have any oil migration problems on long highway sessions. I fortunately have the compressed air dryer and have had no moisture problems in sub zero missions. The Claas overdrive was a game changer and I moved it into a successive U2150. Atkinson Vos are a great bunch to work with, happily entertaining bespoke expedition truck requirements but adding sanity recommendations, with a core knowledge background in Unimogs, including compatibility of parts for upgrades and cost effectiveness using salvaged items. No other vehicle can come close to a Unimog and no regrets in being able to access places 99.99% can't.

[@truebluetravellers]

Definitely think having a base to come back to is good, I think it keeps the enjoyment in traveling for us, love the build 👌👌

[@vonheise]

You may be right, as long as you have an actual reason to have to go there. For retired folks with 3 kids, living hundreds or thousands of miles apart, it is an unnecessary expense. Just make it a point to spend 10 days or more a year with each one a rotating holiday schedule.

[@CaSuMog]

Regarding cost, I paid 12000 Euros for our U1650, but it needed restoration. Selling parts from it I was below 10 grand. The box, I plan to build a box for below 10.000 Euros again but plus windows, maybe I get it done for below 20.000. I do have the OM366a, old gearbox /16 gears, but normal axles, but with large portals. But, 100s and 100s of hours in it already. Had I been paid for all those hours… 😊

[@MogsAndDogs]

Great info, thanks for sharing. After our experience the last couple of years, you definitely made the right choice having AV do all the work and take care of the box and subframe.

[@denabutz4559]

Are u going to put an awning on this one? Or even a snorkel? You are right that it's so hard to disconnect from this on the go system. I miss your songs that you all sing every now and then, that's how I found you was a song that I liked and I started watching you all .

[@markrenfrow9873]

Hey Y'all, great A's for good Q's. Glad to know you aren't planning to do a lot of rock climbing, even though you have good articulation. Our Serenity is a Chevy 3500 with a Duramax, we average 12 to 12.5 MPG. I get unreasonably excited when MPG is better than that. Last year we met a guy at a Alabama rest stop in a new Mercedes Sprinter, after talking awhile (even though it was a bit rude) I asked what he had invested.(He had every bell and whistle you could bolt or weld on, and was a lifted 4x4, with second alternator for house batteries but no solar. He had hired all the work done.). He thought a bit and said somewhere between 225K and 250K. I felt pretty good having about 17K invested in Serenity, including a couple of engine repairs. I'd note that if you had any desire to tow a vehicle the moose wouldn't know it was back there.

[@AdiSchuett-l3x]

Thanks for sharing Q & A. It covered several of my questions well. There are others left, but you are willing to answer more, thanks for that too. Wish you continued fun and "a good hand" in building, and for all of us to enjoy watching. Many greetings. Addendum: A fully equipped UNMOG (second hand vehicle restored, as yours) with box (like the one you have), if it were completely built by a specialist company, would cost approx. 280,000 to 400,000 euros, depending on the equipment and company with made it. So if you can build the vehicle for 150,000 US$, that would be excellent, more than good. You are right, a Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van 4x4 m.o. less fully equipped costs about 150,000 to 200,000 euros. More is always possible, in both cases.

[@BuildaBehr]

Dang it I forgot to ask a question earlier, but here it goes. Have yall considered any Offroad and /or winch safety training courses, to better help you utilized the mog to the most of its abilities?

[@waynert69]

As retirees, seasonal works great for us. 5 months out West in the desert and mountains, 7 months at our home in FL (when it is not as hot and humid). I guess we would be considered snowbirds.

[@James-j2k1w]

Thankyou both very much...👍

[@OurWayToRoam]

Thank you too

[@PlanetEarth3141]

Good answers with good questions. I haven't achieved your freedom yet, but I think mostly of a converted box truck. More space, squared corners, versatile designs, weight capable, flat tire forgiveness with dual wheels, strong engine, gasoline, and large flat roof for easy multiple solar panels. But unimogs are very interesting.

[@tammycruz8189]

Thanks for sharing this journey. Mucho Love from your friend in Michigan, Tam ❤❤❤❤

[@TheFrontal123]

Thanks for the latest video, it was very enlightening...... I am in the process of buying a 1300L via AV and look forward to the adventure.

[@petert2896]

I used MEREX in Germany to buy the Mog I had found being sold. They went and bought it, brought it to their shop and did a 3 hour inspection on it, did a full service on it, and totally restored it paint wise from the frame up. Looks and works like new. They handled everything to get it to the port. They are an official Benz show in the home town of UNIMOGs. Same shop that did Arnolds MOG. MEREX is great.

[@TheGuntar]

Thanks!

[@OurWayToRoam]

Thanks so much 🙏🏻🩷

[@theborednerds]

Thanks for all the info! Been considering getting a truck from AtkinsonVoss, and this helped a ton. Great point about combined shipping. What was the shipping cost and process like?

[@vonheise]

EIGHT TO FIVE JOBS AND ALARMS CLOCKS WERE THE WORST IDEAS IN HISTORY! The movie, "The Gods Must be Crazy explains it well... Thank you for doing this right... I see quite a few live Q & A sessions on YT, but mostly world wide sail cruisers and how to channels. I and others usually skip the live session, due to the time wasted reading and talking more than answers, I usually watch those after the fact so I can can skip what doesn't interest me, This may stimulate more questions for you to answer later. You guys are great! I don't know if you had the option, but we have owned 4 campers after my wife divorced tents, and after the first one, we knew we had to have a slide out in the kitchen area. !f one was cooking and the the other had to go to the bathroom, getting burned or spilling hot stuff had to stop... If I ever had any form of box truck, I would have to find a way to install a couple ft. deep slide.

[@aphextwin5712]

In Europe, speed limits on freeways for vehicles above 3.5 tonne vary (with very few exceptions) between 80 and 90 km/h (50 and 56 mph). Your Unimog would thus fit in well with other trucks on the road.

[@mikepetet111]

Live in Idaho... would love Moose

[@mcooper5929]

Will you paint the truck or box?

[@dawngrey259]

When I learned your next vehicle was going to be a Unimog, my first thought was that you will not have to worry about a crazy biker riding up in your remote location. 😆

[@OurWayToRoam]

😂😂😂

[@tcbrowntx]

I miss the Wednesday night quizzes about Sunday’s video.

[@TheGuntar]

Thanks, I just stumbled across you guys yesterday. My wife and I are in process of negotiating/buying from Atkinson Vos right now. We live in VT and would love to chat with you. Let me know Please.

[@OurWayToRoam]

Sure! Shoot us an email ourwaytoroam @gmail.com

[@keltait]

your first van before the shuttle bus was really small so this is still bigger than you hzve done before. i sized down from a 30ft bus (19ft interior living space) to a van with half the living space and i hate it. I dont know how people live in the cargo vans..... so now im building something in-between the 2 sizes

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

Anyone who isn't into performance cars/trucks/off-road, would have no clue what one of those truck's is capable of. They are as as as, if not better than, a military HUMVEE.

[@cfh4201969]

For anybody asking these questions first thing you need to know , if you're not making a quarter of a million dollars a year don't even think about it.

[@mcflurrybutts4927]

Lol, people make less and buy more expensive houses that cost more in maintenance and insurance if insurance covers it at all.