NewsW wrote: Europe also have a bunch of builders for "expedition class" vehicles that are intended for the relatively undeveloped / not developed roads in places like the Sahara or their "near East" that one can, actually, drive to.
The problem of living in North America is there are very few places where such a vehicle is needed -- unless one is going past Mexico and onto Central America.
Few Americans are interested in making that kind of a trip.
We have the same needs, and people who build Off Road Motorhomes here.
For quite a few people seeing all of Australia, does require a Off Road, Caravan, Off Road Motorhome, Truck Camper or Slide on and a Off Road Campertrailer. You can stick to roads and moderate dirt roads, but seeing the "hard to see bits" you need something else.
ron. dittmer wrote: If this Euro-thing was offered, it too would have been considered, assuming it would fit in our garage, was priced reasonably, and it's features were practical. It is very hard to tell from their website if the unit is practical
Very practical. You see these Motorhomes in the Middle East and around Asia.
NewsW wrote: American motorhomes are large homes on wheels -- European motorhomes are basically mobile bunk houses.
Depends on what you are talking about. Yes they do have large houses on wheels, but the side roads are narrow(Freeways and TollRoads are great)so bulk of Motorhomes in European fit the needs of the owners.
A Dually pulling a 40ft 5ver down European roads would be an absolute nightmare.
Jim Shoe wrote: I suspect that in order to build for the US market, they would have to comply with the current EPA regulations in the US. That, of course, would ruin the mileage and make it cost more
Not a major problem. From our experience, it is a case of "lost in translation" They tend to build for European conditions and seeing these Motohomes roam the globe, think that the US/Canada/Australia should be the same.
Like others have said, "micro" motorhomes have been tried before and they just don't catch on. Reasons why are simple, 1) they cost more than a big motorhome, and 2) they don't have room to change your mind in. It must be an American thing, we don't like to spend more money and get less for it. Higher fuel prices may eventually play a part but even with gas at $4.50 a gallon fuel plays a relatively small part in the overall cost in owning and operating my 30 foot gas guzzler.
1998 Gulfstream Ultra B/H Ford E450 V10
2005 Chevy 2500HD 6.0 w/ Maxidump insert
2006 Ford Escape Hybrid
1998 Saturn SL2 toad
2012 VW Jetta S
We have the same needs, and people who build Off Road Motorhomes here.
For quite a few people seeing all of Australia, does require a Off Road, Caravan, Off Road Motorhome, Truck Camper or Slide on and a Off Road Campertrailer. You can stick to roads and moderate dirt roads, but seeing the "hard to see bits" you need something else.
RVs built for real roughing it in Sahara include provisions for surviving the small land mines that are still found and live in much of the Libyan etc. desert.
Probably can't survive an anti-tank mine, but the anti-personnel mines from WWII.
rjstrator wrote: Like others have said, "micro" motorhomes have been tried before and they just don't catch on. Reasons why are simple, 1) they cost more than a big motorhome, and 2) they don't have room to change your mind in. It must be an American thing, we don't like to spend more money and get less for it. Higher fuel prices may eventually play a part but even with gas at $4.50 a gallon fuel plays a relatively small part in the overall cost in owning and operating my 30 foot gas guzzler.
This is a Micro Motorhome built on a European Sprinter chassis that is sold in the US. There are other European Integrated models that are much larger. You get 29-30ft models based on Ducato/IVECO chassis
* This post was
edited 05/25/12 11:24pm by RobertRyan *
NewsW wrote: RVs built for real roughing it in Sahara include provisions for surviving the small land mines that are still found and live in much of the Libyan etc. desert.
Probably can't survive an anti-tank mine, but the anti-personnel mines from WWII.
I hope your joking!!!. MRAPS are military vehicles for use by Police/Defence Forces in places like Detroit or Afghanistan.
Europeans go to Turkey and Central Asia as well as North Africa, Algeria and Morocco.As well as Russia and Eastern Europe in their Motorhomes..
NewsW wrote: RVs built for real roughing it in Sahara include provisions for surviving the small land mines that are still found and live in much of the Libyan etc. desert.
Probably can't survive an anti-tank mine, but the anti-personnel mines from WWII.
I hope your joking!!!. MRAPS are military vehicles for use by Police/Defence Forces in places like Detroit or Afghanistan.
Europeans go to Turkey and Central Asia as well as North Africa, Algeria and Morocco.As well as Russia and Eastern Europe in their Motorhomes..
Jim Shoe wrote: I suspect that in order to build for the US market, they would have to comply with the current EPA regulations in the US. That, of course, would ruin the mileage and make it cost more
Not a major problem. From our experience, it is a case of "lost in translation" They tend to build for European conditions and seeing these Motohomes roam the globe, think that the US/Canada/Australia should be the same.
Not true. At least in the US, the EPA has pretty strict emissions standards that affect fuels and vehicle emissions. In many states, annual emission testing of your vehicle is required in order to register the vehicle and get license plates. California's standards are even more strict. Unlike other countries, we don't rely on public transportation and its pretty easy to get a driver's license. Everybody owns at least one car. Turn signals are rarely used after your driver's test, we use our horns for doorbells, traffic lights are considered a challenge, and we consider a speed limit a suggestion.
Retired and visiting as much of this beautiful country as I can.
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