Wild camping anyone?
Discussion
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-Unimog-U1...
Cant see it getting stuck trying to get out of a wet festival car park.
Cant see it getting stuck trying to get out of a wet festival car park.
oblio said:
I'm surprised that demountables haven't caught on over in the UK so much.
It seems to me that you get the best of both worlds: no towing but also having the availability of a vehicle once you have demounted. You can also wildcamp and use aires/stelplatz etc abroad too..
From what I've seen Britain just isn't suited to motorhomes. You could take one over the Hochalpenstraße without any drama, but want to take the short route to Wasdale over Hardknott Pass? No chance.It seems to me that you get the best of both worlds: no towing but also having the availability of a vehicle once you have demounted. You can also wildcamp and use aires/stelplatz etc abroad too..
The continentals know how to do camping. And their infrastructure supports it.
tenohfive said:
oblio said:
I'm surprised that demountables haven't caught on over in the UK so much.
It seems to me that you get the best of both worlds: no towing but also having the availability of a vehicle once you have demounted. You can also wildcamp and use aires/stelplatz etc abroad too..
From what I've seen Britain just isn't suited to motorhomes. You could take one over the Hochalpenstraße without any drama, but want to take the short route to Wasdale over Hardknott Pass? No chance.It seems to me that you get the best of both worlds: no towing but also having the availability of a vehicle once you have demounted. You can also wildcamp and use aires/stelplatz etc abroad too..
The continentals know how to do camping. And their infrastructure supports it.
Given the shape of them I don't think there are many roads that a normal 4x4 can go down in the UK that a demountable couldn't do either. There isnt that much overhang at all really.
I take the point with 7m+ coachbuilts (or even PVC's) but a normal length 4x4?
Is a demountable the best of both worlds or the worst?
You have a cramped living space with a restricted payload, and when demounted you drive around in a large thirsty vehicle that isn't exactly the last word in refinement.
I'd rather have a motorhome with the same footprint and the same mechanical drawbacks (noise, 25mog etc) but which would give much better use of living space and still be able to get to all the places you wanted (bar about 10 miles of c Road in the UK).
You have a cramped living space with a restricted payload, and when demounted you drive around in a large thirsty vehicle that isn't exactly the last word in refinement.
I'd rather have a motorhome with the same footprint and the same mechanical drawbacks (noise, 25mog etc) but which would give much better use of living space and still be able to get to all the places you wanted (bar about 10 miles of c Road in the UK).
agent006 said:
Is a demountable the best of both worlds or the worst?
You have a cramped living space with a restricted payload, and when demounted you drive around in a large thirsty vehicle that isn't exactly the last word in refinement.
I'd rather have a motorhome with the same footprint and the same mechanical drawbacks (noise, 25mog etc) but which would give much better use of living space and still be able to get to all the places you wanted (bar about 10 miles of c Road in the UK).
Don't get me wrong I'm not looking to change my MH to one any time soon but if you didn't want to tow but wanted a vehicle to use when out and about...You have a cramped living space with a restricted payload, and when demounted you drive around in a large thirsty vehicle that isn't exactly the last word in refinement.
I'd rather have a motorhome with the same footprint and the same mechanical drawbacks (noise, 25mog etc) but which would give much better use of living space and still be able to get to all the places you wanted (bar about 10 miles of c Road in the UK).
I would imagine the mpg is probably commensurate with towing a wobble box. Also are 4x4's that unrefined these days?
Aha, my thread has arrived!
I purchased this combo last year - a 2003 Ford Ranger and 80’s “Suntrekker” demountable. I was umming and arring for ages over what to get before I found this on eBay. Every option has it’s downsides whether it’s a motorhome, camper, van conversion or demountable so I guess it’s a case of picking what’s best for you.
The camper has been fitted with a solar panel and 2 leisure batteries, a compressor fridge and an Eberspacher diesel heater as well as the usual sink / hob and grill so sufficient enough for wild camping trips which is my preference.
Admittedly, if you’re the type of person who likes to spend a week or two on a site living in luxury then yes I can see a demountable becoming cramped rather quickly. Having said that, I know of a couple living full time in theres over in Sweden. I’m usually out and about during the day and then stop somewhere different each night so actual time spent in the camper isn’t all that long - although they’re surprisingly Tardis like inside!
They aren’t very popular over here at all - I think in the last year I’ve seen around 5 or 6 others. I guess if you haven’t already got a pickup or require one for daily use then that’s an additional expense. I have a car for daily duties however the pickup comes in handy for tip runs and so on. They’re pretty pricey too, starting at about 18k for something semi decent, going up to 25k or so for a decent specced model.
I spent a week in Wales during the “beast from the east” and the 4wd and heater definitely proved themselves!
Definitely up there with the best things I've bought!
I purchased this combo last year - a 2003 Ford Ranger and 80’s “Suntrekker” demountable. I was umming and arring for ages over what to get before I found this on eBay. Every option has it’s downsides whether it’s a motorhome, camper, van conversion or demountable so I guess it’s a case of picking what’s best for you.
The camper has been fitted with a solar panel and 2 leisure batteries, a compressor fridge and an Eberspacher diesel heater as well as the usual sink / hob and grill so sufficient enough for wild camping trips which is my preference.
Admittedly, if you’re the type of person who likes to spend a week or two on a site living in luxury then yes I can see a demountable becoming cramped rather quickly. Having said that, I know of a couple living full time in theres over in Sweden. I’m usually out and about during the day and then stop somewhere different each night so actual time spent in the camper isn’t all that long - although they’re surprisingly Tardis like inside!
They aren’t very popular over here at all - I think in the last year I’ve seen around 5 or 6 others. I guess if you haven’t already got a pickup or require one for daily use then that’s an additional expense. I have a car for daily duties however the pickup comes in handy for tip runs and so on. They’re pretty pricey too, starting at about 18k for something semi decent, going up to 25k or so for a decent specced model.
I spent a week in Wales during the “beast from the east” and the 4wd and heater definitely proved themselves!
Definitely up there with the best things I've bought!
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