Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - Iveco 40.10 4wd suitable as tow vehicle?

Hi Goldy

We have a 1995 version of the truck you talk of.
Ours is ex-military and when purchased had done about 80k kms
we self-converted for a journey for 2 of us to travel to Mongolia.
have now been living in truck for over 2 years and currently in USA touring.
we have completed about another 70k kms since getting vehicle.

i believe they are great ! It's a good, solid, strong n tough vehicle.
We thought long n hard on what to buy and decided this was most approprite option for our circumstances, may not have the off-road capabilities of say the landcruiser or landrovers but is has far more internal space, width and height, which makes use of it comfortable and practical for any weather.

Ours has the 2.5 TD engine (there is also a 2.8 version), the engine is low powered, thi truck goes nowhere quickly ! I have a comfortable cruise speed of about 85kms/hr, it will go little quicker but feels bit unnecessary to be pushing it that hard.
It has good driving position and is comfortable even after long 10 hr days on road.

fuel consumption is about 8.5kms per litre (that's an average of both on and off road).

We too have been thiking of mounting a motorbike on back. But I am concerned about 'overloading'.
It's surprising how a conversion cn really add the weight to the vehicle. If we fill our tanks (water - 100litres, 2 fuel tanks total of 180litres and propane of 30litres) then we weigh in at total weight of 4400kgs.
So if we added a rack and bike to back i'd be overloading the vehicle from it's original design capabilities. i think it would cope but maybe extra stress on suspension and brakes.
I think I will upgrade the rear leaf springs to compensate and then mount a rack and just try for light bike (KLR 650 ).

ISSUES :
We have had to service the steering rack, after about 140k kms they are known to require overhaul (especially if been used for off road), not a major issue but proved tricky to get done here in states.

brakes - the brakes are poor and on long downs can easily overheat. Front pads are an easy replace and I have fitted replacements twice since we've had. Rear shoes are an expensive item but very long lasting mine have not been replaced and still look excellent.

bearings : my front wheel bearings collapsed at about 100k kms, easy to replace but try and save some money by NOT sourcing IVECO branded.

engine - feels under powered when on long highways, maybe nice to have that toyota 3.5 litre but fuel economy would suffer. It's an acceptable engine just little embaressing at times !

My biggest crticism is cost of IVECO parts and availability when not in a country serviced by iveco. For example here in USA.
std item are okay, filters etc but all else is a ship in from europe problem.

We rolled ours in Mongolia and caused considerable cosmetic damage but got it back on wheels and we were back on road within a week ! check our website for details.
Also en-rout from Mongolia through to Vladivostok we met some guys from ustralia in a 40-10 with a very nice conversion on back (they obviously had more money than us to spend !) looks good though, check it out.

All in all, I'd say for the money (out total cost of conversion and vehicle buy was $15k (US$) about 2 and 1/2 years ago in UK) we've got a great robust vehicle. I'd certainly buy the same truck again.

Good luck.

Phil

www.travel.uklinux.net