Under 7500Kg

Apart from the Unimog, what else is there in the large 4x4 vehicle range that can be driven without needing the HGV license??

I guess it depends on what you term as "large" 4WD Even Unimogs come in a variety of sizes

OKA's are slightly larger than a normal 4WD, not all that well known, but a good vehicle all the same

http://www.oka4wd.com/

Hi, Sorry about the lack of info in my question..........what I meant was:

Apart from the Unimog 1300L, which other large 4x4 in the 7500Kg area would be available to drive with the standard non HGV License? I understand that there might be a MAN, a Steyr 12M18 4x4 or a Leyland Daf but I am nor sure.........and what else could I choose from?

The object for my question is that I am looking for something I could use for a long trip for both me and my wife who are both Disabled..........driving a manual gearbox wouldn't pose any problems at this time but an auto box would be better!

Of course the scale of disability is also a factor. How the hell can either of you climb in and out of a truck?

Have you considered the off-road trailer approach? Tacked on to a 'normal' size 4x4 it'll give you extra space yet it will all be low level. Just don't drive up any narrow blind alleys as you'll never be able to reverse!

LOL! No, the day's of needing to be accompanied by a hoard of Carer's and kind gentle folk willing to do the pushing and lifting of us Disabled folk is long gone..........Thank God! Look here: http://www.unicat.net/en/info/HANDICAPPED48.html

This idea is a bit over the top for us especially as we'd be doing everything second hand, begging and borrowing but it shows that it is feasible. Besides, the idea of living in a tent when it's minus 20 or plus 50 doesn't fill us with any love of the great outdoors..........creepy crawlers or Bears included!

The idea is to be self sufficient apart from needing the RAC or bush mechanics now and again, ok.

WOW...that is extremely good. I'm seriously well impressed, but imagine it would cost a fortune :shock: But what freedom it allows a wheelchair bound person!!

Iveco do a rival to the Unimog based on an iveco chassis, it comes predominantly as a pick up, but other body types can be specified.

Mercedes do a variant of the Sprinter which is 4WD but lacks low range, instead it relies on a crawler first gear.

Ford do a 4wd Transit variant which used to be called a County, some came with low range, others did not.

Tatra do various off road type vans under 7500 Kg, and a range above this, but will require importing to the UK.

Steyr Puch do a range of Unimog rivals, these are proven and very reliable and many are based around VW commerical engines and drivetrains which are modified extensively by SP.

Peugeot do a range to special order, although they are only rated at around 5200Kg maximum.

If you are looking for new or nearly new then the Iveco looks a good bet, it is less than half the price of a Unimog and as a chassis cab it can have a seperate body built to your requirements and specific needs, being Iveco and using predominantly standard components means cheap running costs and easliy repaired due to abundant spares availability worldwide.

It does depend on what you require, your budget, and how much work you could do yourselves; from memory they have been around for 2-3 years so should be in good condition, they have 4WD, low range, axle differential locks front and rear, and a central diff lock; so with around 12" of ground clearance they should perform well offroad.

There's a guy on another site did an MAN truck (ex dutch army I think) and that was sub 7500kg and cheaper than a unimog for the base vehicle and still doing something like 12-14 mpg I think it was. Don't know the model off the top of my head though

One other option is to go for an ex-military truck such as the Bedford or AWD which are rated at 10 tonnes, it can be re rated at the lower 7.5 tonnes.

been to look at these last year as i am after a truck i have had 2 Unimogs but sadly used for work and only the short wheel base ones these are 10 tons but can be down rated to7.5 and the double cab is good to

RLD wrote:

been to look at these last year as i am after a truck i have had 2 Unimogs but sadly used for work and only the short wheel base ones these are 10 tons but can be down rated to7.5 and the double cab is good to

And they're sensible money too now

I'd love to build a truck but problem I've got at mo is that I only passed my test in 99 so am 2 years too young to get C1 (over 3.5t GVW) as standard. Got my B&E aa couple of years ago but still not goty round to taking the C1 test yet.

Assassin wrote:

Iveco do a rival to the Unimog based on an iveco chassis, it comes predominantly as a pick up, but other body types can be specified.

An Iveco 40-10WM, it was the bee's knees!!!

Shame I couldnt keep it in central london!

In Central London you need an even bigger truck, anything to stop the Little Hitlers I mean Traffic Wardens reaching your windscreen.

horacebat wrote:

An Iveco 40-10WM, it was the bee's knees!!! Shame I couldnt keep it in central london!

Dug out a pic ...
Not my pic (sorry Kev if your on here!), but this was an awesome vehicle!... really very robust!, and pretty rare!