kamaz trucks

[Surfer]

Any one had any dealings with these trucks. IE parts, wear tear, reliability.

They look great and drive like hell!

[gilghana1]

Can't claim any experience of Kamaz, but we bought (for evaluation) a Kraz who are the Ukrainian equivilent of Kamaz - i.e builders of tough, rugged trucks in various off road configurations etc. On paper it looked great: 6x6, 370hp V8, super heavy chassis and suspension. I am so glad we didn't buy more - complete piece of crap, after 2000kms on gravel roads it had:
cracked radiator mountings
radiator header tank snapped off!
Diesel tank started leaking at the seams
It appeared to be made of recycled baked beans cans...

Shortly after the first service (5,000kms) the chassis was cracking and the gearbox was stuffed - that was three months ago... still waiting for parts to fix it and sell it! a 13 year old MB 2624 is more reliable.

Now kamaz might be a totally different kettle of fish, but I cannot see their regular trucks being any better than a Renault Kerax, MB, MAN etc but probably a bit of a parts nightmare?

Gil

[Surfer]

enough said thanks. Stick to the m a n. The trucks look great and drive ok. Just worried when they say the truck comes complete with full set me spares. . . Hmmm

[Rob Reznik]

I own a Zil 131, Ural 375 and a Zil 135 (a bit to big) - the Zil's and Ural's are very good for off roading with 4 or 6 wheel drive - very basic and crude but work well and are very strong - have a look at the Zil website ZIL131.CO.UK - Free to use resource for Zil & other Russian vehicle owners. Zil owners club UK for more info if you have time. Whilst they have big low stressed petrol engines a lot have been converted to diesel and an Ural is available with diesel as standard in the 4320 version - petrol engined trucks are cheap to buy and many have been converted to expedition vehicles. If you want comfort though stick to the German models!!!

All the best

rob

May not be able to reply for a while as I'm on my way to Cape Town from the UK tomorrow on my Royal Enfield!

[Surfer]

Good luck mate. thanks for info. post pics. Just got back

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by Rob Reznik

May not be able to reply for a while as I'm on my way to Cape Town from the UK tomorrow on my Royal Enfield!

Rob,

You've kept a low profile in here about that trip and I, for one - I reckon that there are others, would like to know more about that!
Please let us all know through this website about how you get on with the RE in Africa.

Have a good trip!

ps What model of Enfield???

[Rob Reznik]

apologies but I've been busy with everything and not had time to post much - I'm running a blog here http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/reznik/ so you should be able to see how me and the bike are getting on.

Its the 350 bullet.

Many thanks and all the best

Rob