What is a truly versatile 4x4 truck?

I need a truck that is versatile.

By this, I want to be able to tow 38 ft "toy hauler" (many having ATVs in the
back, the American 5th wheel is interesting). So I need to have a towing
package and most likely a 1 ton truck (six or eight ft bed). But I also want to
be able to have decent fuel economy when I am not towing, thus a diesel and some
form of two speed rear axle. But then I do want to be able to go off road as
needed.

Any suggestions as to what type of truck meets these requirements?


---
"If ye love wealth better than liberty ... servitude better than ... freedom,
go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsel or your arms ... May your
chains set lightly upon you. May posterity forget that ye were our countrymen."
- Samuel Adams

You in the UK? If yes, there is a limit to the length you are permitted to
tow without an HGV type hitch. The type of vehicle I think you are
describing, though it is not at all clear, would not have such a hitch.
Good luck with finding your dream vehicle, I am not sure it exists.
"Omega" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I need a truck that is versatile.
>
> By this, I want to be able to tow 38 ft "toy hauler" (many having ATVs in
> the
> back, the American 5th wheel is interesting). So I need to have a towing
> package and most likely a 1 ton truck (six or eight ft bed). But I also
> want to
> be able to have decent fuel economy when I am not towing, thus a diesel
> and some
> form of two speed rear axle. But then I do want to be able to go off road
> as
> needed.
>
> Any suggestions as to what type of truck meets these requirements?
>
>
> ---
> "If ye love wealth better than liberty ... servitude better than ...
> freedom,
> go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsel or your arms ... May
> your
> chains set lightly upon you. May posterity forget that ye were our
> countrymen."
> - Samuel Adams

"Roddytoo" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> You in the UK? If yes, there is a limit to the length you are permitted to
> tow without an HGV type hitch. The type of vehicle I think you are
> describing, though it is not at all clear, would not have such a hitch.
> Good luck with finding your dream vehicle, I am not sure it exists.
> "Omega" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>I need a truck that is versatile.
>>
>> By this, I want to be able to tow 38 ft "toy hauler" (many having ATVs in
>> the
>> back, the American 5th wheel is interesting). So I need to have a towing
>> package and most likely a 1 ton truck (six or eight ft bed). But I also
>> want to
>> be able to have decent fuel economy when I am not towing, thus a diesel
>> and some
>> form of two speed rear axle. But then I do want to be able to go off
>> road as
>> needed.
>>
>> Any suggestions as to what type of truck meets these requirements?
>>
>>
>> ---
>> "If ye love wealth better than liberty ... servitude better than ...
>> freedom,
>> go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsel or your arms ... May
>> your
>> chains set lightly upon you. May posterity forget that ye were our
>> countrymen."
>> - Samuel Adams
>
>
Unimog

> Unimog
>Fantastic vehicle, will tow anything, go anywhere, but economical? Not
>exactly an everyday use vehicle unless you live somewhere extreme, or
>pursue an extreme career!

Unimog is the solution to EVERYTHING!!!!

On 2005-07-06, Ray Keller <[email protected]> wrote:

> Unimog

Pinzgauer 6x6! Unimogs are too big and hungry. A diesel Pinz is pretty good.

--
For every expert, there is an equal but opposite expert

"Ian Rawlings" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 2005-07-06, Ray Keller <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Unimog
>
> Pinzgauer 6x6! Unimogs are too big and hungry. A diesel Pinz is pretty
> good.
>
> --
> For every expert, there is an equal but opposite expert

I actualy have driven a penz
A friend of mine has one, A 4x4 troop carrier
4 cyl air cooled gas motor in a 1 ton rated 4x4
Top speed 65 mph empty
great off road as they have lots of suspension travel
I realy like the abillity to lock the differentials and transfer case
independantly
flip one lever and it locks the rear diff
flip the next one it locks the front diff
flip the next and it locks the transfer case
dont know about the diesel 6x6

Ian Rawlings came up with the following;:
> On 2005-07-06, Ray Keller <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Unimog
>
> Pinzgauer 6x6!

Which isn't what's being asked for.

--
Paul ...
(8(|) Homer Rules ..... Doh !!!

On 2005-07-06, Ray Keller <[email protected]> wrote:

> I actualy have driven a penz
> A friend of mine has one, A 4x4 troop carrier
> 4 cyl air cooled gas motor in a 1 ton rated 4x4
> Top speed 65 mph empty

The current new model costs about 16K and has the TDi engine from a
Golf in it, it accelerates faster and does more MPG when fully loaded
than the old petrol version does when empty.

I can't remember the load rating of the 6x6 version but I think it's
1.5-2 tonnes, I remember thinking that I could load my landy on the
back and then go off-roading ;-)

> great off road as they have lots of suspension travel

Portal axle design coupled with swing axles that pivot *around* the
differentials, there are no exposed drive-train components at all,
it's all enclosed in steel tube. No CV or universal joints in the
drive train either. Strong and simple, and has been pretty much
unchanged for IIRC 25 years (or is it 15?).

> I realy like the abillity to lock the differentials and transfer case
> independantly
> flip one lever and it locks the rear diff
> flip the next one it locks the front diff
> flip the next and it locks the transfer case

Yep, mogs have this trick too, but they're much bigger and more
thirsty than the Pinz. The pinz is about the same size as a Landy 110.

--
For every expert, there is an equal but opposite expert

On 2005-07-06, Paul - xxx <[email protected]> wrote:

> Which isn't what's being asked for.

Possibly not, given the rather puzzling original question I think
we're free to use our imagination!

Personally I don't think a modern 'mog is ever what's being asked for,
unless what's being asked for is a short lorry crossed with a
tractor.. I liked the early ones but now they're just too big and
bulky.

--
For every expert, there is an equal but opposite expert

Ian Rawlings ([email protected]) gurgled happily, sounding much like
they were saying :

<of Pinz>

> The current new model costs about 16K

I think you may have slightly misheard.

Try at least £60k+vat, a few years ago...

> and has the TDi engine from a Golf in it

It does have a VW engine, but it's the 2.5 5-pot from the LT and
Transporter.

Omega wrote:
> I need a truck that is versatile.
>
> By this, I want to be able to tow 38 ft "toy hauler" (many having ATVs in the
> back, the American 5th wheel is interesting). So I need to have a towing
> package and most likely a 1 ton truck (six or eight ft bed). But I also want to
> be able to have decent fuel economy when I am not towing, thus a diesel and some
> form of two speed rear axle. But then I do want to be able to go off road as
> needed.
>
> Any suggestions as to what type of truck meets these requirements?
>
>


I have been looking at this same question for years.
Still haven't found what I am looking for.

Some things I have came up with are as follows;

1.
Long Plymouth 9 passenger station wagon with all the extras, setting on
a 4 wheel drive 3/4 tone pickup frame.
You get the comfort of the station wagon.
Better gas mileage then a van or truck.
Lower center of gravity (With a Mexican lift kit you could get a
tolerable hiway handling and lift it up with off roading).
Decent hauling capacity with seats that fold down to make a long flat
area with cubby holes to store more stuff in.
And, last but not least, that neat back seat that faces out the back,
and electric windows in the back. You can set there and shoot right out
the back of them in comfort. Even use the tailgate for a shooting
stand.

2.
Dodge 4 wheel drive, short wheel base 3/4 ton van.
With tented windows all around, and set up with folding seats for
camping.

3. Dodge 4 wheel 3/4 ton pickup. Crew cab, short wheel base.

Bremach, Unimog or Pinzgaur will do the job just fine

> You in the UK? If yes, there is a limit to the length you are permitted to
> tow without an HGV type hitch.
>
Really? Since when?

On 2005-07-06, Adrian <[email protected]> wrote:

> I think you may have slightly misheard.
>
> Try at least £60k+vat, a few years ago...

Possible, IIRC the info was from a UK pinz specialist though, the
engine info was I think from Pinz's web pages.

Working from memory though, can't be bothered to check who's right.

--
For every expert, there is an equal but opposite expert

Ian Rawlings wrote:
> On 2005-07-06, Paul - xxx <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>Which isn't what's being asked for.
>
>
> Possibly not, given the rather puzzling original question I think
> we're free to use our imagination!

LOL, quite true.

> Personally I don't think a modern 'mog is ever what's being asked for,
> unless what's being asked for is a short lorry crossed with a
> tractor.. I liked the early ones but now they're just too big and
> bulky.

Still pretty damn awesome though, especially when really working.

--
The Caretaker .........

Ian Rawlings came up with the following;:
> On 2005-07-06, Paul - xxx <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Which isn't what's being asked for.
>
> Possibly not, given the rather puzzling original question I think
> we're free to use our imagination!

True.

> Personally I don't think a modern 'mog is ever what's being asked for,
> unless what's being asked for is a short lorry crossed with a
> tractor.. I liked the early ones but now they're just too big and
> bulky.

I dunno. I think they're still damned fine machines ...

--
Paul ...
(8(|) Homer Rules ..... Doh !!!

"Ray Keller" <[email protected]> wrote >>
>>
> Unimog
>

Not in the same league as a JCB Fastrac. Used ones are plentiful and
cheap[ish].

Huw

"Omega" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I need a truck that is versatile.
>
> By this, I want to be able to tow 38 ft "toy hauler" (many having ATVs in
> the
> back, the American 5th wheel is interesting). So I need to have a towing
> package and most likely a 1 ton truck (six or eight ft bed). But I also
> want to
> be able to have decent fuel economy when I am not towing, thus a diesel
> and some
> form of two speed rear axle. But then I do want to be able to go off road
> as
> needed.
>
> Any suggestions as to what type of truck meets these requirements?
>
>

Land Rover Hi-Cap pick-up or the extended cab version.
Failing this a small 4x4 lorry, maybe Iveco make something along these lines
at around 7.5 tons gross. Don't be afraid of the economy of these because
they are superb [in 2x4 form anyhow].

Huw

On 2005-07-08, Huw <hedydd> wrote:

> Not in the same league as a JCB Fastrac. Used ones are plentiful and
> cheap[ish].

You and your Fastrac, I'll bet you've got pictures of them on a wall
somewhere!

--
For every expert, there is an equal but opposite expert