Unimog through the Sahara
 

Is there anyone out there that has experience of taking a Unimog through the Sahara, especially all the wonderful places mentioned in Chris Scott's book.

In case Chriss is online I would like to hear his comments on a Unimogs capabilities especially after his trip with the MAN

Greetings

Loot:helpsmilie:

Plenty of people have done it Loot and a powerful diesel Mog from the late 80s onwards would perform no worse in the desert than a MAN like mine. Heavy work, but fun. You just want to be careful in dunes where getting stuck can lead to a whole lot of digging. A few people can help push a car out of a hole - doesnt work with a small lorry.
Nice tho it is to be invincible, IMO these sort of things are best as support vehicles/load carriers in the desert - or on a longer trans-continental trip where a cabin on the back is useful. But if you're a Mog fan you know all that!

Ch

I followed a flat bed 404 through some very soft, choppy dunes once and it was amazing to see how the chassis flexed with the contours - the bed and cab were 30degrees out at times. You must use the 3 point linkage system for a box on the back. Ever since then I've allways fancied one. With a roof tent on the back, traveling light with good sand ladders and a shovel I can see a lot of fun but wouldn't thank you for a big, fully fitted out camper - too much hard work but horses for courses.
Chris
(a different one)

I've driven various Unimogs in desert conditions and can say the right Unimog is one of the best desert vehicles around. It all has to do with power + weight + floatation. If you have a Unimog with decent floatation and a good power to weight ratio then you have an awesome desert vehicle that provides freedom and ability that few vehicles can match. Unimog U1100 (416) and U1300 (435) are two examples of Unimogs that can be easily be set up for desert expedtions. Properly set up there is not much that can come close to a Unimog.

Land Rovers and Land Cruisers are fun for jumping dunes and playing in the sand but they can't come close to a Unimog for true expedition travel. Friends of mine used to take their Unimogs into southern Libya and Egypt to explore open desert. They were gone for up to three weeks at a time without seeing anybody and were able to camp in remote areas for days at a time. They didn't have to worry about running out of fuel or water because of the capacity. They were also able to explore areas one would never get a Land Rover or Land Cruiser. Also with a Unimog you have the option of bringing your bike along!

I drove my U1300 in Botswana across the Khalahari using 90% trails. People in South Africa told me it was too big or too slow and it would only be problems. I traveled for a while with a newer diesel Land Cruiser. At one point the sand got soft and deep. The Land Cruiser struggled, getting stuck or having to travel very fast. The Unimog had no problems at any speed. At the end of the day, we were refueling and I even got better fuel economy! You can see some of the pics on my website unimogcenter.com if anyone is curious. There was no where a Land Crover could go where I couldn't follow but several places where a Land Crover could not follow.

Overall no vehicle is perfect and each has it's strengths and weaknesses but having driven and owned Land Rovers, Land Cruisers and Unimogs, and have done Africa North to South, East to West and West to East I can say hands down the Unimog is the best mix of capability, reliabilty and strength.

Cheers,
George

really good website George - now I do want one

"... Land Rovers and Land Cruisers are fun for jumping dunes and playing in the sand but they can't come close to a Unimog for true expedition travel..."

"...There was nowhere a Land Crover could go where I couldn't follow but several places where a Land Crover could not follow...."

Tongue firmly stuck in the cheek, George?

I'm sure it handle what the Sahara has to offer, but it is a vehicle that may seem attractive to some of the desert wanderers...be careful about that.

Being conspicuous has its liabilities...

Hi Ya
I looked at one, amazing machines, one reason i didnt was the sheer size, tried turning a mog wheel and tyre from flat side to standing up, not a chance on my own. Was wondering how to people get around this? Bought an iveco 4x4, gonna but an iveco 3 point system on it. Did;nt realise what a monster of a mog was until I was parked nexted to one dwarfed my iveco.

good luck

Mark

I am only 5'-8 1/2" (1.75m) and not particularly strong, and 58 years old, but I can barely get a 395/85R20 XZL on a 3 piece rim (340 lb/154kg) upright.
Basically I don't go out on a long trip without my wife, one of my daughters or other company. I'm planning Australia in 2009; then SE Asia to Europe in Feb-October 2010, if anyone wants to accompany us, especially in another large 4X4.

Charlie