Pinzgauer - Suitable Expedition Camper Conversion?

[JonnyP]

This one for me please..
http://www.unicat.net/en/index2-Special.html

Top left in link, the MXXL 24 AH.

[Donal]

I have a pinz 712 camper, which I've had for about 5 years and have used mostly in the Alps. It has some advantages:
Its narrow enough to fit down any lanes and tracks, and light enough to go across most bridges.
Its low enough to pass under obstructions (and I've left friends behind in bigger campers at low bridges) and cheap on ferries.
You can park it in normal parking spaces.
The Ambulance version is already insulated and comes with TWO hot air central heating systems as standard!
Its extraordinarily comfortable - get it up to about 25 or 30mph on a ploughed field and the suspension absorbs all of it. Try that in a Bedford or Unimog and you'd be in traction for a month!
It'll go over or through ANYTHING (more than any other vehicle I've tried. The only problem is you tend to get overconfident and suddenly find yourself facing a cliff and wondering.......!
I've had no problem with parts - there's loads of them around, and also some US companies are making duplicates. They are also (touchwood) very reliable if looked after.
You don't need to spend money on all the 'upgrade' stuff, it doesn't need it. If ever I needed a winch, I'd have done something REALLY stupid!

Regarding the 3 point mounting on 'normal' trucks; its required because the chassis twists and stresses a fixed body. Pinzes have NO torsional stresses (backbone chassis) so it doesn't need a 3 point mounting and the whole thing can be lighter.

Downsides:
Narrow so unless you're 5'6" you can't sleep 'sideways' across the box. That limits interior layouts.
Its still as noisy as a Unimog (but not as bad as a Bedford!); OK at lower speeds but at 60mph I use ear defenders. You can get soundproofing packs though which are supposed to make a big difference (I've never bothered).
Its petrol and only does about 17mpg on the road. But for £1,500 you can convert it to LPG which makes it the equivelent cost to 30mpg! That's my next mod.

BTW, they're GREAT FUN!

[Donal]

I have a Pinzgauer 712 with the ambulance box which I've used as a camper for the last 7 years; 4 in the Alps and now in Devon, where I go up onto Dartmoor. The reasons I chose it (I was originally looking at Unimogs) are:
- its smaller size. It fits down narrow lanes, over narrow bridges, and under low bridges.
- It's under 3 tonnes, again important on many rural bridges.
- It fits in car parking spaces so you can park easily in city centres (I don't spend ALL my time in the wilds!).
- The chassis design means NO twisting of the accommodation box, so it can be lighter.
- It comes with TWO Eberspacher hot air systems as standard!
- the on-the-fly hydraulic dif locks are magic!
- It is beautifully built. In the years I've owned it, it passes its MOT with no problem every time. Its easy to work on, almost everything can be done with just a few spanners, and parts are generally cheap and easy.
-Aircooled and petrol means far fewer worries in cold weather.
- It's fun to drive. I'll jump in it to go to the shops! (Unlike Unimogs that always feel like a challenge, especially the early affordable ones).
- It climbs anything. Does tempt you into REALLY stupid places!

Downsides? Noisy at 60mph, only does 15-17mpg, only-just headroom in the box (I'm 6'), and box isn't wide enough for a bed sideways.... hard to think of anything else! I'd recommend them.