Thanks for the replies....

I'd not twigged the fact that the Mog cab rolls forward... so that's that sorted then.

Thanks for the info about overnight camping. The area (at the moment) I had in mind is around York racecourse Monster.

I've located a couple of quite carparks and main drag to the race course is used by horse haulers during race weeks anyway and more importantly it's about 300m from the nearest house (but visible).

Normally I either hotel it or B&B it (two years and counting now), but I'd like my own space that I don't have to pack away each week now... and be able to tinker with the bike.

RTS.

Worry not about the tipping cab. Charlie's is a super modern and really very nice U500.
The ones in the available from Jacksons (and the ones my budget can reach) are not tipper cabs. The U1000 and 1300 are noisy, slow, thirsty and utterly fantastic at crawling over obstacles (which you'll be doing about 0.05% of the time you're overlanding). and so high off the ground you end up with a target for international terrorism once you've put the camper body on the back.
If that's what you like why not browse through VEBEG - Das Verwertungsunternehmen des Bundes all the german ex mil stuff comes through there, and you see Mogs & MAN KATs go for considerably less than 10000 EUROS, not pounds. There are dozens of Merc 1017s available at the moment; or even cheaper and just as reliable is the Iveco 110-17 with the indestructible deutz engine (separate cylinder heads so even if one blows you just drive on without losing coolant or anything, until you can stop and bolt on a replacement). It's all done by sealed tender, but there's a list of successful bids available to give you an idea of how much to bid.
Ideally however you need time to go and look at the trucks before bidding.
I was sold on the ex mil route for price reasons, but now and then a civvy gem pops up: 1996 N Reg VOLVO FL6 4WD MANLIFT WITH KING 22M TELESCOPIC SKY LIFT. that's going to be more civilised to live with...
So nothing's written in stone.
Whatever I end up with (and that's soon I hope) I've got lots of modifications to do to get it to my spec, not least of which is extending the cab to accomodate the kids, I concluded (with the help of a friend Q ;-) that the official double cabs trucks take up way too much camper length and really restrict your choice of truck.

Happy hunting
Luke

Hmmm,

Having stuffed my knee up racing, the whole racing scene and having to get the bike ready on the road is looking a bit suspect @ the mo' (i.e. family is stating....sell up you ol' gimp).

Kids are still up for camping and climbing so a camper is still on the books.

Does anyone know anything about Star 266's???., they look similar to Zil131, but a bit cleaner on the look.

I could just buy a "normal" camper.... not sure I could live with the looks though

Cheers!

RTS

This outfit in Poland is the specialist for the Star 266. They re-sell ex.mil trucks many of which have never been really used and can fettle them to make them reliable.

If you want a camper try for the incredible expanding 266! the rear expands each side to give you 30 square metres of tented space, used as a field hospital or command space etc so they can sell you the heaters etc (get's cold on the eastern front!).

Only problem is the NEVER respond to e-mails so you'll have to have a Polish speaker call them on your behalf. The man to speak to is Janusz Dunder - call him on his mobile. The guys on Zil131.com may be able to help you out here is you ask nicely.

P.W. Motodemont- STAR - RÓ¯NE MODELE

P.W. Motodemont- Star 266, Sprzêt wojskowy, T-55, BMP-1, BRDM, MTLB, P³ug wirnikowy-dmuchawa do ¦niegu

The star is of course a diesel, Zil is petrol but the Gaz 66 has the same engine, is very capable and looks like Start 266. Prices for Gaz & Zil are very low - around £1.5k should get you on six (or four x four) wheels

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Sounds interesting - does anyone have any pictures of the expanding 266 with the canopies up?

Seems like a lot of truck for the money, but what to do about spares when you are overlanding with a rare truck like that?

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www.overlandcruiser.wordpress.com

Sure - there ya go:-

For spares - buy two trucks and keep one for spares! The parts for these are stupidly cheap you can stock up on even complete axles for £30 but the Polish guys are best to advise. You have to get real though - these are ex mil trucks not brand new Mercedes Benz with world wide support who will fly you out a water pump direct to you in the Gobi Desert handed to you by a man in a white coat!


[IMG]file:///C:/WINDOWS/TEMP/moz-screenshot.jpg[/IMG]

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Personally I'm not too worried about spares (I won't be going to Africa without a divorce)...

The expanding Star is pretty much king of the "Top Trumps" for trailer tents... not sure how much space is in the inside when it's packed away... another truck behind carrying the gear methinks????

I did look at ISO 20' expanding containers, as they have a central core where kit can fit, but you're into HGV land.

Anyway.... the schools hols are here!!!!!. We can't go abroad as I'm the only one with a passport... wife has NVQ work to complete..... I suggest camping with the kids on my own, no resistance... wales in a tent, followed by renting a full on campervan for Scotland later on.... kids are stoked and that would make it 3 to 4 in favour.... flipping it to a 6wd camper shouldn't be too hard .

RTS

Nice looking trucks!

What's the top speed and fuel consumption like?