ANDYLASER
22-05-08, 11:38 PM
I had a wonderful afternoon at work today. We had a visit from a customer to have his sat nav updated and enquire about purchasing a newer model. Normally, this is not done as a "while you wait" service. However the gentleman explained his situation and in this case, we made a special exception (because we care about our customers).:)
Whilst the unit was being updated, I tok some time to talk with the chap. Although nearing 60 years old, (looking and sounding rather like Patrick Stewart), he has decided to go on a little adventure. He has sold his house and purchased an off road camper (and a small flat as a UK base). As you know, there are campers and there are campers. This is definitely the latter.
As soon as I expressed an interest in the vehicle, I was given the "full tour". I shall repeat it for your benefit.
The vehicle is a 12.5 ton MAN. It has a 250 HP turbo diesel engine and an automatic gearbox. There is permanent 4 wheel drive and locking diffs. It carries enough fuel (in armoured tanks) to propel it 1500 miles without stopping.:O The 385 x 22" off road tyres are good for 80K.
The rear body is of composite monocoque construction. It is attached to a sub frame which is then separately sprung from the main chassis. This prevents undue twisting when on the rough. Obviously full thermal insulation is included.
There is also 300 litres of water and a 200 litre waste water tank.There is a gas heater to provide hot water for either the inside or outside shower and a flushing toilet. The gas heater will also provide for the underfloor heating. Should you run out of gas, there is a secondary system which is diesel powered. There are also 5 stainless steel rediators for extra heating in cold climates. And air con for use in hotter places.
Electricity is provided either fron the second alternator, diesel generator, mains hook up or solar panels. There are dual inverters as redundancy. The electrical panel inside monitors this system and can provide detials of battery charge, voltage and temperature. This also applies to the vehicle batteries as well. Additional data sensore will let you know the contents of both water tanks and the temp in the fridge.
I suppose you would like to see some pictures now?:D
Well check this baby out.:D :D
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/1.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/2.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/3.jpg
The bike ramp is electrically operated and will lower to the ground to enable easy loading of the 250cc trial bike (although this was at home today. The awning has LED lights fitted in the end rail to provide soft lighting when cooking outside at night. The window are double glazed and titanium vapour coated to help prevent sand abrasion when in the desert.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/6.jpg
The double bed is electrically operated to "tilt up" at the pillow end. This allows a better viewing position for the LCD TV fitted to the end wall. The roof hatch is 5' square and electrically operated. It fully retracts so you can look at the stars. Unfortunarely you cannot see the fridge, mocrowave and electrical panel (these are to the right hand side).
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/5.jpg
The worktop is "black granite" corian the cooker, oven & sink are in stainless. Notice the funky taps and LED lighting. Notice the flush mounted drawer knobs? These are machined aluminium. Press lightly and they will "pop out" to allow for easy opening. They "pop in" when you close the drawers.:O
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/4.jpg
The table is on an electric ram and will lower to form a bed witth the seats by pressing a button. When in the lower position, you can access the cab through a flexable coupling. The music system and CD autochanger (with 8 speakers} are by Alpine.
He said he went to the maker Action Mobil (http://www.actionmobil.at/index.html)in Austria. All their vehicles are custom built to order and to the customers specification. His spec? "Something comfortable to live in for 1 year". You see, he has a plan. He is going to drive to Mongolia. Via Morocco, Cape Town, Mumbai and Nepal.
So, in a week time he and his dog are off on their epic adventure. Due back sometime next Autumn. What a top guy? And what a thing to do, I was quite jealous. :love29:
I know you all want to know "how much"? Well being a decent chap, I thought it far too rude to ask. However, he did leave a couple of clues.:D :D
Not much change from £200K :O :O
I'm sorry, but we must have one more look at this amazing vehicle.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/1.jpg
Whilst the unit was being updated, I tok some time to talk with the chap. Although nearing 60 years old, (looking and sounding rather like Patrick Stewart), he has decided to go on a little adventure. He has sold his house and purchased an off road camper (and a small flat as a UK base). As you know, there are campers and there are campers. This is definitely the latter.
As soon as I expressed an interest in the vehicle, I was given the "full tour". I shall repeat it for your benefit.
The vehicle is a 12.5 ton MAN. It has a 250 HP turbo diesel engine and an automatic gearbox. There is permanent 4 wheel drive and locking diffs. It carries enough fuel (in armoured tanks) to propel it 1500 miles without stopping.:O The 385 x 22" off road tyres are good for 80K.
The rear body is of composite monocoque construction. It is attached to a sub frame which is then separately sprung from the main chassis. This prevents undue twisting when on the rough. Obviously full thermal insulation is included.
There is also 300 litres of water and a 200 litre waste water tank.There is a gas heater to provide hot water for either the inside or outside shower and a flushing toilet. The gas heater will also provide for the underfloor heating. Should you run out of gas, there is a secondary system which is diesel powered. There are also 5 stainless steel rediators for extra heating in cold climates. And air con for use in hotter places.
Electricity is provided either fron the second alternator, diesel generator, mains hook up or solar panels. There are dual inverters as redundancy. The electrical panel inside monitors this system and can provide detials of battery charge, voltage and temperature. This also applies to the vehicle batteries as well. Additional data sensore will let you know the contents of both water tanks and the temp in the fridge.
I suppose you would like to see some pictures now?:D
Well check this baby out.:D :D
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/1.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/2.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/3.jpg
The bike ramp is electrically operated and will lower to the ground to enable easy loading of the 250cc trial bike (although this was at home today. The awning has LED lights fitted in the end rail to provide soft lighting when cooking outside at night. The window are double glazed and titanium vapour coated to help prevent sand abrasion when in the desert.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/6.jpg
The double bed is electrically operated to "tilt up" at the pillow end. This allows a better viewing position for the LCD TV fitted to the end wall. The roof hatch is 5' square and electrically operated. It fully retracts so you can look at the stars. Unfortunarely you cannot see the fridge, mocrowave and electrical panel (these are to the right hand side).
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/5.jpg
The worktop is "black granite" corian the cooker, oven & sink are in stainless. Notice the funky taps and LED lighting. Notice the flush mounted drawer knobs? These are machined aluminium. Press lightly and they will "pop out" to allow for easy opening. They "pop in" when you close the drawers.:O
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/4.jpg
The table is on an electric ram and will lower to form a bed witth the seats by pressing a button. When in the lower position, you can access the cab through a flexable coupling. The music system and CD autochanger (with 8 speakers} are by Alpine.
He said he went to the maker Action Mobil (http://www.actionmobil.at/index.html)in Austria. All their vehicles are custom built to order and to the customers specification. His spec? "Something comfortable to live in for 1 year". You see, he has a plan. He is going to drive to Mongolia. Via Morocco, Cape Town, Mumbai and Nepal.
So, in a week time he and his dog are off on their epic adventure. Due back sometime next Autumn. What a top guy? And what a thing to do, I was quite jealous. :love29:
I know you all want to know "how much"? Well being a decent chap, I thought it far too rude to ask. However, he did leave a couple of clues.:D :D
Not much change from £200K :O :O
I'm sorry, but we must have one more look at this amazing vehicle.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/1.jpg