Mercedes-Benz is most known as the builder of ultra-lux automobiles. Youâd be forgiven for thinking that this is all it does⌠Crafting top-of-the-line magic carpets that ferry around world leaders, movie stars, affluent executives, and industrial magnates. Itâs easy to forget that they also have a utilitarian side to their suited-up, champagne-sipping personality, proven by the popularity of a Unimog camper.
Itâs not a new idea as well, seeing just how many people are camping out in the wilderness, hopping over mountains in their Unimog campers. Indeed, this hardy nature isnât foreign to Mercedes, whose line-up includes tough and tumble commercial machines. Everything from cargo vans to giant freight haulers, as well as construction vehicles and passenger buses, Mercedes has a knack for this.
Fun fact, Mercedes is also recognized for inventing the worldâs first truck in 1896, back when cargoes are typically moved by horse-powered carriages. As such, making go-anywhere, do-anything, houses on wheels isnât a far-off imagination. Placing a motorhome on top of a Unimog, however, creates an otherworldly, all-conquering beast. So, letâs take a peek at this Unimog camper, and what it can do.
- Whatâs A Unimog?
- How Did It Begin?
- The Best Campers
- Is It Worth It?
- Benefits
- Downsides
- Should You Get It?
- Final Thoughts
What Is This Unimog Thing, Anyway?
Before we can properly assess the magnificence of a Unimog camper, we should take a gander and discuss its underpinnings. Just what is a Unimog, anyway? The clue is in the name, âUnimogâ. Itâs a portmanteau of âUniversal Motor-Gerätâ, which in German roughly translates to a universal, multi-purpose machine. Its origins began in 1948, though it wonât carry the Mercedes badge until 1953.
The goal behind it is simple â make a utilitarian vehicle that is unmatched and unbeaten for its sheer ruggedness and practicality. In more ways than one, it worked wonderfully. If we look at the innards of a Unimog, itâs generally quite simple. A robust and bulletproof engine and transmission are fitted on top of a highly flexible frame. The drivetrain can be switched between RWD, FWD, or go full 4WD.
In addition, every Unimog should have as high of ground clearance as possible, aiding it to traverse even the most treacherous terrain. Then, combine it with short overhangs front and rear, with portal axles, off-road-ready suspension, and power-take-off capabilities. What you get, in the end, is a truck that can take on the worst of Mother Nature. At first, the Unimog is a staple agricultural vehicle.
But owing to its immense all-terrain potential, youâll happily find Unimog working in every landscape. For instance, being used as logging trucks in thick forests, or adopted as fire trucks for emergencies, or converted to carry and power construction equipment. In the military, the Unimog works wonders as a personnel carrier, just as youâll see the Unimog competing in truck trials or even the Dakar rally.
How Did This Concept Began?
As you can imagine, practically any tough terrain can be tackled with a Unimog. Although it isnât able to carry as much load as a typical truck might, itâs a (very) small drawback to its skillset. What youâre getting in return is a truck that can quite literally go anywhere you point it to. For that reason, as one also takes into consideration its large empty chassis, the idea of a camper-slash-motorhome is born.
So, how did this concept turn into reality? Well, as folks in their Unimogs had to spend long hours, or sometimes days and weeks out in the middle of nowhere, why not turn it into a portable home? This thinking became so widespread, that Mercedes themselves offer Unimog campers to anyone whoâs yearning for one. More specifically, theyâre marketed as âexpeditionary campersâ, not merely RVs.
Imagine if youâre an explorer wanting to map out remote regions. Or, perhaps a geologist or a ranger that has to camp out amidst deep jungles. Maybe youâre a researcher that needs to head out into the unknown. Possibly, youâre just an avid outdoorsy enthusiast that wants to go where your typical RV or motorhome can never go. This is where a Unimog camper can help you out, big time.
Till today, the Unimog is still being used as the official support truck for the Paris-Dakar rally, as they travel across some of the harshest sceneries known to man. All the while, they have to carry around spare parts, communications equipment, as well as mobile accommodation for the support crew. It goes to show the immense versatility and dependability of a Unimog being turned into a camper.
What Are Some Of The Best Unimog Campers?
To better give you some inspiration of what to look out for, thereâs no shortage of awe-inspiring and mind-boggling Unimog campers out there. Some are built for chilly tundra or frosty woodlands. A few others, meanwhile, are made for camping on the go in the barren outback and hot deserts. All it takes is a quick Google search and perusing through the forums, and youâll find campers aplenty.
As a bid to your mind racing along, here are some of the best Unimog campers that weâve found, as a basis for your imaginary buildâŚ
1. Zeigler Adventureâs âMog Homeâ Unimog Camper
So good is the âMog Homeâ, that Zieglerâs home-away-from-home Unimog is officially endorsed by the overlords at Mercedes. The basis of this all-weather and all-terrain adventurist motorhome is the relatively compact Unimog U 4023. It features a 3,850mm (roughly 151.6 inches) wheelbase, which makes it among the shortest of Unimogs out there. In total, itâs just 6.76m (or 22.18 feet) long.
Consequently, youâre not likely to get yourself stuck in between some trees. And youâll undoubtedly be doing a lot of overlanding in this. It has ground clearance as tall as 50cm (or 20 inches). Plus, the Unimog can also wade through water as deep as 1.2m (or 3.9 feet). Be it driving over boulders or zooming past rocky passes, itâll manage it just fine. Ziegler takes this recipe and makes it comfier.
The cozy cabin can snugly fit up to two people, with a large drop-down bed. The rest of the interior is packed tight with cabinets and tough aluminum storage boxes. To make it truly house-like, standard fitment includes a full kitchen with a Miele-branded oven and dual induction hobs. In addition, youâre getting a full shower and toiletries. Plus, youâll be kept warm with a Webasto diesel heater set.
To make sure it continually keeps running, thereâs a gargantuan 320Ah lithium-ion battery pack that can be charged with 240W solar-roof panels. Oh, and letâs not forget the ample 230-liter water tank. However, you can also specify optional equipment, if these arenât enough. This includes nice-to-haves like an air conditioner, bike rack, or a flat-screen TV. The Mog Home is priced at a hefty $420,000.
2. EarthCruiser Australiaâs Expandable XPR440 Unimog Camper
Australia is a vast countryside and one where the idea of campervans or motorhomes have become quite popular. Nevertheless, itâs also a very difficult landscape to navigate, especially if you venture further into the Outback. For that reason, youâll need a mighty RV to cross the bone dry plains and then stay put once you find a scenic spot to camp for the night. What you need, is a Unimog.
But just not any Unimog, but one specially modified by EarthCruiser. At the very bottom is a slightly bigger U 430, with all the bells and whistles that youâd expect out of any Unimog. This means a full-time four-wheel drive system, with diff locks and a low-range gearbox. And since youâll likely be away from much of modern civilization for a little while, why not fit in a colossal 211-gallon fuel tank.
That should give the XPR440 an operational range of about 2,100 miles. Just for a bit of context, the width of the United States is around 2,800 miles, from East to West. Accordingly, the XPR440 is also fitted with a massive 227-gallon water tank. In case you get stuck between a rock and a hard place, it comes equipped with a winch. On top of that, thereâs a four-point lift to help you change the tires.
Perhaps the most notable highlight of the XPR440 is the pop-out roof, which extends the length of its motorhome-y cabin. Thereâs of course a bed, a full kitchen (including a fridge!), a bathroom (donât forget the shower), as well as a washing machine to keep your laundry up to shape. There are various nooks and crannies filled with goodies, which Iâm sure youâll need on your next outdoor excursion.
3. John Marshallâs DIY Unimog Camper With A Unique Drivetrain
While we may gush over the bespoke Tier-1 builds, these are costly. Several hundred thousand on top of the cost of an already pricy Unimog is no small price to pay. For that reason, youâll encounter a lot of custom builds by DIYers who want to live that Unimog camper life. But⌠Without needing to have as big of a bank account. John Marshall is one of them, and heâs even taken the extra leap or two.
What you see here is almost like any other U 500 Unimog camper. However, Mr. Marshall decided to tinker a bit with the Unimogâs innards. Call it a passion project, if you will. First, and to aid traversing through tough terrain, heâs shortened the U 500âs wheelbase. Cutting it from 216 inches to just 156. If thatâs not difficult enough, he also wanted to make some changes with the driving position, too.
His project camper had a complex steering and pedal setup that can move. So, and at the press of a button, the entire steering column and pedals could shift from right to left. Itâs both left- and right-hand drive truck all at the same time, whenever you needed it. The transmission is also adjustable, as you switch between automatic and manual. In the back, youâll find a military surplus camper.
This âGichner Boxâ has a full kitchen space, sleeping area, and bathroom. Keeping it powered is an array of solar panels on the roof. You could then enjoy a warm shower, thanks to the diesel heater. Amazingly, John Marshall jerry-rigged a deployable patio, with pine wood decking. The rest of the cabin is down to earth but is nonetheless a most pleasant place to spend those cold nights in.
Is Getting A Unimog Camper Worth The Expense?
Well⌠Only you can decide that. Weâve covered various types of mobile houses before. Among them are truck campers, where youâd bolt on a miniature RV-style home on top of your pickup bed. Then, weâve also discussed the idea of simple #vanlife campervans, simply turning the vast cargo space in the rear into a tiny apartment. More recently, weâve thus gone through box truck conversions, too.
Essentially, take a U-Haul and turn the freight area into a compact flat. While each motorhome does vary significantly in price depending on how much dĂŠcor and furnishings youâd like to install, they can be inexpensive if you choose carefully. More often than not, you can get away with a fully kitted-out campervan, truck camper, or box truck motorhome for far less than $20,000, including the vehicle.
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Unfortunately, Unimog campers do cost a bit more. The price of the Unimog itself averages around $20,000 to $40,000, based on data from Bring A Trailer. That differs based on what particular model of the Unimog you get. A more Spartan and older variant from the 60s and 70s, for example, could cost you as little as $15,000. Unimogs are rare in the States, to theyâre quite hard to come by.
As for the camper, itâll also cost a pretty penny. Expect a few grand once youâre done with procuring the box itself, and have the plumbing and electrics done. After that, youâll have to consider including storage space, bedding, a kitchen, as well as a very basic bathroom, at least. Unlike most other types of RV conversions, a Unimog camper is inherently expensive, and you canât cut corners too easily.
What Are The Benefits Of A Unimog Camper?
But how can you justify that expense? Consider the upsidesâŚ
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- We neednât remind you of how capable the Unimog is off-road. Just a few YouTube videos should be more than enough to convince you. Unlike most other motorhomes, a Unimog is more than capable of handling difficult terrain.
- Despite how large it might seem, the Unimog is fairly compact for a vast truck of its capability. This means that you wonât be weighed down while trekking the trails. Or, being forced to pick a different route because your big truck couldnât fit between the narrow passes.
- Since it was designed for utilitarian applications, the Unimog is thus not only easy to drive but rather surprisingly simple to maneuver. It has an extremely tight turning circle, which makes navigating around obstacles like trees or rocks effortless.
- The Unimog is well-known for its dependability, as it was engineered to work reliably under duress and hard conditions without ever breaking down. You can thus be quite certain that you wonât face mechanical or electrical woes as youâre hundreds of miles away from the nearest workshop.
- Any Unimog is like Lego, as one can practically build anything on top of it. Owing to its diverse use in many industries around the world, itâs incredibly easy to modify. Its modularity makes the Unimog a DIY-friendly truck, and you can tinker around with it as much as you want.
- Finally, thereâs the cool factor. Letâs face it, most people will never, ever get to see a Unimog (quite literally) out in the wild. Very few of them have made their way to the US and seeing one parked at your local campsite or park trail is a blessed sight to see.
Are There Any Downsides To Living In A Unimog Camper?
Where thereâs good, thereâs also the bad. A Unimog camper isnât all sunshine and rainbowsâŚ
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- As we mentioned, itâs expensive. A Unimog itself is a costly affair to invest in, and then thereâs the motorhome. Remember, the Unimog is a serious off-roading machine. With that in mind, youâll have no choice but to spend heavily on getting a proper cabin fitted on the back.
- While its reliability may be somewhat bulletproof, pray that nothing breaks. Since the Unimog is a rare treat Stateside, finding spare parts or workshops who know how to work on a Unimog will be a chore. An expensive chore at that, as any spares will possibly have to be imported in.
- It may be quite capable off the beaten path, but donât expect it to be fast. The Unimogâs performance can only be extracted through its flexible frame and heightened suspension. Otherwise, many old Unimogs come fitted with a diesel 6-cylinder, often with less than or just around 200hp.
- Compared to most other trucks of its size, the Unimogâs payload capacity is oddly meager. This would impact your camper conversion, as youâre limited to how large the rear cabin can be. Most Unimog campers can only accommodate two or four people at the most, constrained by interior space.
- Moreover, Unimogs arenât the most refined vehicles on earth. Itâs a utilitarian truck, remember. The interior is barebones, with few luxuries and creature comforts. Get it moving quickly, and its boxy shape wonât just create a strong draft but also forces it to drink quite a lot of fuel.
Should You Get A Unimog Camper, Or Consider Something Else?
Camping on the move isnât a one-size-fits-all scenario. If you donât mind comfort too much, a lengthy station wagon with enough room in the rear for a sleeping bag would fit the bill nicely for a camper. Weâd argue that anything could be turned into a motorhome, even something as small as a bike. For that alone, opting to spec a Unimog camper shouldnât be your only choice.
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Do get a Unimog camper if:
- The terrain where you plan on visiting, camping, and exploring is challenging, with an abundance of obstacles along the way. Think rocky passes, grassy hills, uneven terrain, deep snow, waterlogged paths, or all of them combined
- You want a reliable and trustworthy truck that can accompany you anywhere you go. Plus, itâs easy to drive and not at all that lumbering to maneuver. And, it should be simple to modify and upgrade, however you wish to approach it.
Donât get a Unimog camper if:
- Your budget is too tight. Believe me, you can find camper conversions oftentimes for a piffling, but a Unimog is one of them. Be prepared to spend a lot on acquiring the truck, undertaking the camper conversion, as well as the running costs and maintenance.
- Maximal interior space is a priority. Owing to its relatively low payload capacity, you can only fit so much stuff with so few people in the back. Itâs bigger than most motorhomes but smaller than your usual all-American RV.
Final Thoughts
Well then, that should be a good place to round up our look at Unimog campers. In short, theyâre an incredible creation, and one that has no doubt filled the hearts of many with joy. To think that this all began with a simple truck built to keep farmers going in a land-ravaged and still-recovering post-war Germany. To this day, the Unimog is a hard worker across the globe in endless professions.
From the official support truck of the Dakar Rally to being adopted for construction, forestry, search and rescue, the military, humanitarian operations, expeditions, as well as holiday excursions. Barring its high price and upkeep, few could match the sheer abilities of a camper built atop a Unimog. There ainât no mountain high enough, or valley low enough, where a Unimog canât possibly go.
But are they necessarily the end-all and be-all of motorhomes? Of course not! At the end of the day, it all depends on your needs in particular. One could argue that a pickup truck camper conversion is just as capable off the road. Yet, itâs more cost-effective, albeit smaller. Perhaps even a Delica should be enough to suit your needs. Then again, is there really anything out there as cool as a Unimog?
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