private penguin
Well-Known Member
Not sure where i'd fit another one on the drive! The Disco, the wife's Volvo V60, and 3 trailers (2 of them "projects") seem to take up most of the available space!
John Laws
Member
ok..... first a drive extention , then another landy ;-)
julianf
Well-Known Member
hmmm...
Theyre not the ideal camper though. Just that little bit longer, and a bit higher, and they would be much more usable. You get sick of holding your head at some strange angle all the time in the back.
I photochopped this up a while back -
....but i still cant get it to look right. The trapezoid roof kind of wrecks it, but it would be so very nice being able to stand up in it.
This *is* the ultimate camper -
ural 4320 command center.
If youre keen, and want more ideas, then the overland show is comming up soon ish - birmingham.
Some of the campers there would go most places, but with interior trim better than any hotels i ever stay in!
private penguin
Well-Known Member
Why the trapezoid roof... could you not extend the sides up and use the original roof?
And perhaps interior storage above the cab (similar to a normal motorhome) rather than the roofrack?
One of my neighbours used to have a FC Ambulance rotting on the drive... haven't seen it recently.
And perhaps interior storage above the cab (similar to a normal motorhome) rather than the roofrack?
One of my neighbours used to have a FC Ambulance rotting on the drive... haven't seen it recently.
private penguin
Well-Known Member
We've always said if next door sell their house we'd offer to buy their half of the shared drive down between the houses and their garage.
julianf
Well-Known Member
For a camper, you would, im sure, want to remove the v8, and fit, probably, a 300tdi.
Im not sure if m&d do an adapter plate to couple to the lt95, but people have also fitted the r380 box.
Mine has an international engines 2.8 tgv in it (bought over a decade ago, when they were less than 1/3 of the current price!) with a (discontinued) zeus belhousing, coupled to the original lt95, but with the transfer gear ratios swapped to compensate.
But, in short, if youre foolish enough to want a 101, dont worry too much about the engine, as, unless youre a purist, you will probably remove it anyhow.
The chassis on 101s are fairly good for lack of rust, but the swivels are irritating.
Remember the ambulances (which were the last 101s built) are comming up for being tax exempt. I think mine turns 40 in september (but then i have to go though all the stuff with the dvla getting the dates corrected with them, as the reg of all of them will be when they were demobbed, rather than when built)
John Laws
Member
Will there be a sub 10k section at the show lol.hmmm...
Theyre not the ideal camper though. Just that little bit longer, and a bit higher, and they would be much more usable. You get sick of holding your head at some strange angle all the time in the back.
I photochopped this up a while back -
....but i still cant get it to look right. The trapezoid roof kind of wrecks it, but it would be so very nice being able to stand up in it.
This *is* the ultimate camper -
ural 4320 command center.
If youre keen, and want more ideas, then the overland show is comming up soon ish - birmingham.
Some of the campers there would go most places, but with interior trim better than any hotels i ever stay in!
A few weeks back I was parked up in Germany and a Unicat pulled in beside me....complete with quad bike and hydraulic platform. Looked amazing
julianf
Well-Known Member
There are a few about where people have done that - just bought them up at the sides.
They look really bad. I know its not all about looks, but the 101 has a degree of style. Making it look like some sort of luton hippy waggon is not my plan.
Ill see if i cant find an old thread i posted on the subject....
julianf
Well-Known Member
There's all sorts - its not just a trade show. People take their own campers, and are happy for you to look round them.
I forgot to mention iveco 4x4 - the one that looks like a builders truck. People like them as base vehicals also (i know no more about them)
julianf
Well-Known Member
John Laws
Member
So really what I need is one of you fine gentleman to offer up one of your 101 ambulances which have been converted to diesel for a reasonable price! Sorted ;-)
John Laws
Member
Definitely worth a visit then. Thanks
julianf
Well-Known Member
I think that the 6k asking price is too steep for that one in the previous ad - for you at least, as youre not bothered by originality.
Im still kicking myself that i passed up a GS years ago for £800, but those days are gone.
I would still imagine well under 5k though, for a non-running ambi (theyre cheaper than GS)
A 300tdi is pocket change now (a used 300tdi was about £2k when i was looking, hence getting the new 2.8).
The 2.8 is a nicer engine, but, in hindsight, possible not for travel to remote areas (spares availability)
Check M&D to see if they still sell conversion kits for the 101.
In short, its really not unachievable on your budget.
Im still kicking myself that i passed up a GS years ago for £800, but those days are gone.
I would still imagine well under 5k though, for a non-running ambi (theyre cheaper than GS)
A 300tdi is pocket change now (a used 300tdi was about £2k when i was looking, hence getting the new 2.8).
The 2.8 is a nicer engine, but, in hindsight, possible not for travel to remote areas (spares availability)
Check M&D to see if they still sell conversion kits for the 101.
In short, its really not unachievable on your budget.
John Laws
Member
Thanks Julian I will do some homework.
mikescuba
Well-Known Member
You don't mention what sort of off road camping you intend on doing or if you are looking for an all season camper.
I have a 110 Defender which I have used for weekend camping in the past and for a trip across Morocco. I also have a Motor Home. Even if my Motor Home was a 4X4 I wouldn't want to take it off road. I found from previous experience off roading can be very bumpy and would wreck everything in a motor home. When crossing the desert in my Defender within a couple of minutes all the jars of tomato soup and bolognese sauces ended up on the inside of my wind screen. Unless you go for something like this: https://www.leboncoin.fr/caravaning/995125217.htm?ca=22_s
Also with a motorhome type camper you will limited with regards to tracks due to the size and weight.
As already mentioned Defenders are not renowned for there road holding or comfort.
If I want a comfy few days on tarmac I take the Motor Home. If I want to go off road I would take the Defender. Horses for courses spring to mind here. The other thing to bear in mind is what happens when you get stuck, 4X4's do get stuck.
4X4 comfort is not the same as motor home comfort.
I have a 110 Defender which I have used for weekend camping in the past and for a trip across Morocco. I also have a Motor Home. Even if my Motor Home was a 4X4 I wouldn't want to take it off road. I found from previous experience off roading can be very bumpy and would wreck everything in a motor home. When crossing the desert in my Defender within a couple of minutes all the jars of tomato soup and bolognese sauces ended up on the inside of my wind screen. Unless you go for something like this: https://www.leboncoin.fr/caravaning/995125217.htm?ca=22_s
Also with a motorhome type camper you will limited with regards to tracks due to the size and weight.
As already mentioned Defenders are not renowned for there road holding or comfort.
If I want a comfy few days on tarmac I take the Motor Home. If I want to go off road I would take the Defender. Horses for courses spring to mind here. The other thing to bear in mind is what happens when you get stuck, 4X4's do get stuck.
4X4 comfort is not the same as motor home comfort.
Attachments
John Laws
Member
I think your horses for courses remark is probably very appropriate. This has all come about because I'm planning on spending a couple of months in the Alps this winter and don't trust my motorhome with snow, not even a little. Also in general my camping (Motorhoming) has been mainly in remote areas. A campsite is my idea of hell
. Only for serious battery charging and black water dumping. I don't really need to off road in the way you have described with cans all over the floor. But even in the summer, a lot of my time is spent threading my motorhome through places it shouldn't really be. On narrow roads pulling over can be a dodgy exercise as you may not get out again! So to sum up and answer your question I want to go where you might take a decent car but can't take a motorhome. People generally think it's the size of a motorhome which is the limiting factor but it's not really. The average motorhome is not much wider or much longer than a big estate. It's the height that makes them look so big. The actual limiting factor is its 3.5 tonnes on small wheels that are fwd and not an abundance of power when you need it low revs. Getting a rear wheel drive merc might be a partial compromise solution if all else fails. That said, if I did have a proper 4x4 I could probably do dry river beds and rough Forest logging roads. As I said at the beginning it is a case of finding that balance between comfort and being able to access more remote areas.
Very envious of your vehicle collection, I can only afford one
mikescuba
Well-Known Member
Many be something like this and convert it yourself if your a handy DIY : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ex-Army-l...458819?hash=item1a18a298c3:g:3SwAAOSwGXtXhQ3Z
If your in the Alps over the winter you will want something with a good heating system and inboard water tanks that don't freeze. I have been up to the Alps in a camper with good snow chains. Sounds exciting, hope you find something that works for you.
If your in the Alps over the winter you will want something with a good heating system and inboard water tanks that don't freeze. I have been up to the Alps in a camper with good snow chains. Sounds exciting, hope you find something that works for you.
julianf
Well-Known Member
Ive seen those converted to nice campers.
You get companies who cut this stuff, thats like cellotex, but with a ply skin, then vinyl... Basically, you do the whole lot in CAD, send them the files, and you get a self-assembly camper shell in the post.
Thats what those flash campers like actionmobile are made of.
Then is just fitting it out.
The build would go over your budget, but you could do it sequentially.
You get companies who cut this stuff, thats like cellotex, but with a ply skin, then vinyl... Basically, you do the whole lot in CAD, send them the files, and you get a self-assembly camper shell in the post.
Thats what those flash campers like actionmobile are made of.
Then is just fitting it out.
The build would go over your budget, but you could do it sequentially.
John Laws
Member
Thanks Mike. I did briefly look at these dafs but they are too big and ott for what I want. I'm trying to downsize! That said one of the posters here (Julian) has me hooked on getting a 101 lol
John Laws
Member
I've been researching your 101 suggestion. Luv 'em. I think it would fit the bill very well. Only problem is I'm not in a position to take on a project. Don't mind fitting one out... Keep your eyes peeled for me mate..... (I think you have a certain responsibility in this lol ;-) Joking aside, really appreciate your advice. Btw read your post thoroughly on roofs. Has me thinking too!
