Mini Class C's : Any being built?

rjstractor wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:
Good Choice if running around Europe

That's nuts. Most any diesel would be a terrific choice to run around Europe, but the 6.0 Ford would be terrible, due to poor reliability and nowhere to get it fixed when it breaks.

A V10 would be even worse, the cost would be horrendous. Plenty of places to fix diesels in Europe, that is what they service the most. Lot easier than a V10, most would be scratching their heads

RobertRyan wrote:
Good Choice if running around Europe

That's nuts. Most any diesel would be a terrific choice to run around Europe, but the 6.0 Ford would be terrible, due to poor reliability and nowhere to get it fixed when it breaks.

rjstractor wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:
The 6 litre Diesel is a good choice, a lot better than than the Petrol Hog V10 that is normally fitted to the E Series

Great choice if you want your mechanic's kids to have a good college education. Yes the V10 is thirsty but reliable as a stone. The 6.0 is a nightmare to keep running unless you spend $5K+ on mods.

Good Choice if running around Europe,, the fuel bills would be horrendous if using the V10, It would have to be converted to LPG anyway

RobertRyan wrote:
The 6 litre Diesel is a good choice, a lot better than than the Petrol Hog V10 that is normally fitted to the E Series

Great choice if you want your mechanic's kids to have a good college education. Yes the V10 is thirsty but reliable as a stone. The 6.0 is a nightmare to keep running unless you spend $5K+ on mods.

SheriffDoug,
Would be limited on narrower tracks and I know the GVWR is not that great

These vehicles, flex very little, are Moab capable Rock Crawlers,
with a sofa, electric popup roof, refrigerator, porta potty, dual batteries, solar panel, etc

Exactly what these were designed for, not really Expedition areas in Africa Asia etc, then you require more GVWR, GCVWR and you have to pay for it
The 6 litre Diesel is a good choice, a lot better than than the Petrol Hog V10 that is normally fitted to the E Series

The van cost me US$7,350 at government auction, Missouri, the shipped to Advanced 4WD Systems in UTAH and painted in Salt Lake City.

The Earthroamer is a formidable vehicle, but my SMB 4X4 has cost me about $75,000 all up, and its in the US ready, then Europe/UK.

My wife wants to do the Tour de France, village to village, on the side of the road, watching the race, enjoying the scenery & local cafe's.

It is not an EarthRoamer agreed., which is very formidable, then again not that reliable, a lot of problems with them, the Sportsmobile will do light duty Off Road stuff. Sounds like you are going to have fun in France

Doug,

Great van buildup you have there .... it should be good-to-go with that anywhere that an $$$$ Expedition Class vehicle can go. Probably you could have just as easily started with an E350 V10 gasser and accomplished the same results ... although I do understand the reasoning of wanting diesel for the ease of finding fuel in certain countries.

I think you made my point in my question above "How can they climb dunes any better than the fully equipped for comfort Sportsmobile 4X4 camper vans?", as your rig should be able to handle dunes (and anything else) with the best of them after you air down those big tires!

RobertRyan wrote:

pnichols wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:
You can park these in tight parking spots, then take them climbing dunes, that is the beauty about them. A sort of Jeep with a "house" attached.

How can they climb dunes any better than the fully equipped for comfort Sportsmobile 4X4 camper vans?

Quite easy, better approach and departure angles, narrower can drive up small tracks, much better with FE. . Off Road I doubt the Sportmobile is very comfortable basically a lightweight Van and , more a weekend warrior, it appears no Toilet. A E350/450 are not exactly great Off Road, need fair bit to make them work Off Road, too big for small car parks

Hi Robert,

This is my 2008 Ford 6.0 diesel from Sportsmobile West, Fresno, CA completed Dec, 2014 in the US for 18 months for 3-4 trips, then off to Europe for 12 months, then NZ & finally Sydney, Australia.

This is now a very solid military spec 4x4, with 6.0 32v diesel, F550 front & rear Dana 60 Axels, popup roof, Cooper AT Maxx Discoverer tyres 285x70x17 and Mickey Thompson Rims, Roadmaster Active Suspension, and more.
4x4 Conversion by Advanced 4WD Salt Lake City, Utah & Camper Conversion EB50 by Sportsmobile.

These vehicles, flex very little, are Moab capable Rock Crawlers,
with a sofa, electric popup roof, refrigerator, porta potty, dual batteries, solar panel, etc.

This van has been completely re sprayed, engine rebuilt, re-wired,
dual insulation floor, walls & roof.

Go to the website, www.sportsmobile.com click ford van 4x4

The van cost me US$7,350 at government auction, Missouri, the shipped to Advanced 4WD Systems in UTAH and painted in Salt Lake City.

The Earthroamer is a formidable vehicle, but my SMB 4X4 has cost me about $75,000 all up, and its in the US ready, then Europe/UK.

My wife wants to do the Tour de France, village to village, on the side of the road, watching the race, enjoying the scenery & local cafe's.

Ce le vie!

SkiMore wrote:
I just found this chassis mount truck camper over at phoenix camper. I thought it looked cool. I wish they had more pictures.
http://www.phoenixpopup.com/base-models/

Unfortunately their interiors leave a lot to be desired. You can buy a Custom TC here, considerably more upmarket. Time to go back to drawing board
Phoenix Pop Up Campers

Pride and Joy Homebuilt Camper
Pride and Joy Internal Shot

I just found this chassis mount truck camper over at phoenix camper. I thought it looked cool. I wish they had more pictures.
http://www.phoenixpopup.com/base-models/

DiploStrat wrote:
The big PITA with diesel engines now is the requirement to use DEF and low sulphur fuel. Both present challenges for round the world trips and create a premium for pre-2007 vehicles.

Yes modern diesels suffer, so do modern EFI gas engines