SenseMaker2013

Indeed a very beautiful one... yes I like the B10 (see my former posting about the Cargo Coaches and the Volvo B10M) :-) Irisbus... something rings in my head, yes... I remember. And today it seems they like to use an extra ordinary, very progressive design. Future is calling: Iveco has a specific website for used Iris buses.... http://www.irisbus-used.com ----------- PS: Yes, Circus people or Showmen are probably the best experts for "living on the road". :-) Already lurking as they have own websites specifically for their needs where you find used trucks, trailers etc. ... but they love the luxury versions and even use the US 5th Wheelers *laugh* (naturally to undestand as they want have with their families a comfort zone during whole year on travelling from city to city). One trailer of these circus people I found. What an exclusive design it has, very beautifully and for me unpayable ;-) (Original source / more pics: http://www.schausteller.de/anzeigenmarkt/wohnwagen-grass-mit-kinderzimmer-81316.html )

@o_Teunic: you are really amazing I must say... you are really deep in the bus thematic, right ? - I havent notice about that Volvo has middle engines... interesting. So the question would be: where to put the beds/bunks that it does not become too noisy. Yes, by sure a nightmare for the mechanics I can imagine. I only had to maintain my little Unimog while I was soldier for German army... easy to handle. :-) Can you read my mind ? - Yes, I have thought about LPG.... positive (+): high subventions.... its low cost, so you can handle higher consumption. negative (-) The tank volume only can be calculated with 80%, as you need the pressure inside... so its a reduced max. distance with one tank filling. The European network of Propan Gas stations isnt really safe, thats another aspect... maybe I am wrong. I went through the closer and bigger European countires... already in Denmark the net is very low (only 6)... even Italy looks not so good with 2168 (Poland has more: 2995 stations) while Germany has 5777 stations (alone in Hanseatic City Hamburg (as 2nd biggest city in Germany) where I live we have round about 50 stations). So locally and in Germany alone it would be suitable. I still have to proof this aspect more in details. If a good route planning allows to keep enough reserves to come from propan gas station to next station. Yet I have not researched about the question, if there exist engines, who can run both, propan gas and diesel. Probably not naivly/intuitively I would say. (Looks like, that I am not the only guy who has this question in mind: http://www.go-lpg.co.uk/diesel.html ). --------------------------------------------------------------------- Man, this shelter concept is aweseome cool.... I am big fan of Container concepts generally... Why building houses stone by stone ??? - Office containers, kitchen containers, living containers, schools and kinder gardens made of containers... its all possible. (Rec.: For long term we target at an own radio station (a plan of 10 years), where we have the idea to setup a whole media building together by containers - http://www.imcradio.net/thecube40 ) So, naturally I think into this direction, too. Now I drive some folks here in the forum totally mad *laugh*. Yes, guys, I cannot be packed easily and quickly into a board with one simple definition. To imagine for festivals expanding such a 3-in-1-container, unfolding up to 200%, it can become a real media centre... very clever idea. I have not seen this yet. Its really suprising in this project to become aware what huge creativity human beings have around the globe to find practical, easy going solutions. I love that. :-) For such a container I have thought to take a pure tractor; we call them in Germany "Saddle Pulling Mashine" and hook it with a "container bridge". - E.g. using a Tatra truck you get a 6x2 wheeler already for max. 10,000 Euros. Here a Tatra T815-200N32 actually for sales at 9,000 Euros (built in 1995 with 500,000 km). (There are different others here, some with bigger cabins: http://www.mascus.de/lkw-transport/sattelzugmaschinen/tatra,1,relevance,gebrauchte.html ) As yet I have not known about such interesting shelter concepts, I thought about an IsoTherm Container box... they already have a good isolation, and a cooling/heating system. (Rec.: Freezer/Froster Air conditions same can be used for heating.) You can get them for 5-6,000 Euros... with air suspension, a double axe, where the 2nd is a passive stearing (proably I dont use the correct technical term, sorry for my bad English).I mean such semitrailers: Its all from well known and established container builders, e.g. Pacton or Schmitz. Some even have a side door, and in the back a hydraulic lift (some can be falted underfloor like a pocket knife). So the loading of the flight cases of our mobile studio on the backside would be an easy going.... I am very aware, that such an empty container would bring lots of work.... bathroom/shower/toilet installation, electricity etc. .... lets see. The good aspect: I get what I want and how I want it... no big compromises (beside the longer pre-planning). Definitely I will check out your idea of such a shelter (I suppose its a Norwegian company - http://bit.ly/14ISQ5V ) and proof more in details seriously as the Container Chassis trailers are of low prize between 3500-5000 Euros... Tks for inspiring me. ;-) And dont worry: I am my biggest enemy on my own *laugh*. Its only me who can destroy my dreams. - Who else ?! :-) So fare... --------------------- PS: You didnt tell me about the one hand / press the button solution for lazy guys *laugh* The Aussies have an own understanding about the design ;-) Less the name "ModPod" is really funny: +++

I dont have so much friends in pubs talking about this.. .*laughing*. I would not trust 2 or 3 opinions, not enough. The Inter-net is a good, not to say excellent source to share ideas, get inspirations and critical feedback (so fare one is open for it). What you expect by perfection is a professional project manager who already has 20 years experience in the segment of 4x4, Motor homes etc. and has realized 20 individual truck projects..... For what such barriers in mind ? - We all experienced cool people like Bill Gates (didnt finish a university degree), Steve Jobs (didnt finish a university degree), Richard Branson (Founder of Virgin group, didnt finish a university degree) because these guys never practiced self limitations. And by sure you know some people around in your neighbourhood who are same keen, but less famous. I belong to that kind of people who like to keep open minded, get inspriations, ideas.... as first step. All successfully people writing their biographies (and I have read many different to learn from) explain as one secret: "I am not the most intelligent one, but I never hesitated to ask good people, listen to them." - There are always people better than me, and by sure I am a real fool in 6x6 or 4x4 trucks, Landrovers etc. .... but that does not mean I am not willing to learn. if you think, that a project is defined by a budget, its wrong. How then was possible to fly to the moon or even mars ? - How was built the A380 ? (It costed 12 billion Euros development). Money is just paper printed with ink... All what we have today as so called "modern societies" comes from people who already realized their dreams... and who never allowed themselfs (or by others) to be limitated by money. Which does not autmatically say that all dreams can be realized as failing is part of being successfully. Those people who have plenty of money know that and they are willing to give it (or less lend it) to people who want realize their dreams and are at the beginning. Did a Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook blocked himself to say: I cannot start FB because I miss the money ? - No, he didnt.... he got a funding by Microsoft of 160 million... without this money injection FB never would have become what it is today. All good projects, in small or in big, start with dreams and visions.... and I think, such a forum should allow to present such dreams, ideas, visions.... then naturally, you are right: detailled analysis, conception, budgeting and planning (inclusive all resources) are a must to make a project successfully. What you talk about is the "home work", just a duty which must be done. But let me finnish this comment that way: "Always let sit on your driver's seat your dreams." - Otherwise you end in boringness. :-) Less, thats my philosophy how I move through life. I sit now since nearby 8 years in the studio doing there my recordings... and I tell you, its terrible boring to go there and produce radio shows... months for months, year for year. I like to have a change. I want go on the road, and do cool media projects in different European cities... thats my dream I am driven by. And here all starts. I am thankfully that some came in and gave critics, input and participated to let come this dream true and to reality (in closer future). So all begins... every new way begins like this. If I should have disturbed this forum with my way of thinking, I am sorry. But I will not turn my way around to block myself to find good ideas. Herefore the Internet as a knowledge community (in its original sense) is the right place. :-) And its time now to find the right way to setup this project. Faffing definitely is the wrong term what is going here. Suppose you dont like that way I handle it. So it is... less we should respect each other for our individual way to move through life, and not demanding stereotypical definitions about what has to be or may not be.

No need to worry, keep relaxed ;-) .... the project is in a very early stage of "brain storming"... *laugh*. Lets see if we will end up with a Land Rover version ;-)

yes, we are talking with one (and not only with one)... E.g. RedCar is front our door and a very experienced one, evening knowing the business on the road as a "Tour Service Company". RedCar is one of the leading specialists in Europe running Nightliners for artists and music bands. They maintain every detail of the bus by their own and even setup the whole interior design with their inhouse-specialists... its all "home made" beside the chassis. They mainly use Setra buses. Here some pics: (Source: http://www.red-car.de/[sD_Premium_3]/seiten--70/index.html) Same we have other builders on hand who like to follow our concept of a more "simple design", as these luxury coaches of RedCar aren't the direction we like to go. Keep it simple and clean to have a working space which let you focus on the job, thats the philosophy. Too much blinking around isnt what helps us to keep the feet on the ground.... :-) So we have some different design concepts in mind from where we decide which kind of vehicle might be suitable for us, we build "from inside to outside" and not the otherway round... here some beautiful but simple designs which can be done "low cost prize" as all these designs already have been built, e.g. in promotion vehicles: These designs are all setup for vehicles with less than 7.5 tons total weight... :-) So the 5th wheelers can even be pulled with smaller pickup trucks. Lets see.... yet there is no urgent need to make any decision... its time for collecting ideas.... have a look here and there and then a good basis of datas to make a good decision. :-)

we know about the Euro6 coming from Sept 2014 in Europe... I am not interested to pay annually some hundreds of Euros because we miss the "Green Vignette". In Germany we have the possibilty to registrate elder trucks as so called "H" (Historical vehicles) which keeps us away from such reglementations. Environmental aspects nowadays are a must which must be proofed seriously... no doubt. I am not just a guy who likes to have fun (Privately I am not a car owner as I dont need one working in a home office). I am proofing same seriously (beside this spinning around) to setup a project with a new built vehicle. Financing projects never is so cheap as these days.... :-) I just want say: for now its open into every direction.... getting ideas, being inspired, having an open mind to proof different options. From there then, after a detailled check and pre-selection it moves concretely into one direction. Yet the project is not in this phase. About budgeting: We do not talk about one of these TV broadcasting trucks... I know very well, that the big broadcasters, e.g. Europe's biggest ARD ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARD_(broadcaster)) uses trucks with a single prize of 20 million each. They have an annually budget of 5.5 billion Euros, so money doesnt count there. The best is good enough for them. We are in a different situation. We have our focus on radio production, which makes it more simple as 95% the whole data work flow process is software/computer based. Even a well working Web-TV studio can be realized at the prize of 60,000 Euros... no need to buy an extreme expensive HD camera each 100,000 Euros as the big TV studios use it. Our working processes are already established fully, since years (I produce since 2 years in my own radio studio), before I produced in a radio studio of my home channel knowing in details how the internal work processes are structured. - On the road within Europe we just need LTE (Mobile Internet) to have a quick access to our file server from where the radio stations pull the produced files by individual FTP accounts). Very simple to handle at low prize. The miniaturisation by digitalisation makes radio as the quickest and cheapest media format... :-) We are collaborating with research institutes of Universities to optimize these processes for international media distribution. Therefore we can fund parts by European funding programmes/government subventions. :-) But tks for the warning.... being realistically at the end of the road is relevant for an economically surviving. :-)

Yes, ZIL.... I have searched for after you have sent me the pic of the 6x6.... one of the best markets I would say is Cech Republic, indeed. There is a company called "Mortar Investments" - http://www.mortarinvestments.eu . They just offer a ZIL-131, for only 2,842 Euros... a real cheap prize. The Container Box is great... good for setting up a studio inside. But there is a big but: the ZIL 131 has Gasoline engine... at the prize of 2 Euros per litre and the thirst of 45 litres/00 km such a truck would be a diseaster, economically. Another option is a Tatra... a real monster absent the street.... I love the youtube videos about the Tatra 8x8 Kolos.... unbelievable what hill (or better to say mountain) climber these robust vehicles are. :-) Mortar Investments has such a Tatra for now in sales.... a T-815 Kolos model at the prize of 14,210 Euros . I like the cabin size (Rec.: Yet I have no pics of the cabin inside). On the bridge it should be possible to fix a hitch for a 5th wheeler plus enough space for a medium sized container box to store flight cases, install extra water tanks etc. ...

Ah... Lancia... I drove a nice Lancia Beta 2.0... lovely.... very sportive. :-) http://www.bestautophoto.com/images/lancia-beta-2.0-coupe-02.jpg Yes, I have thought about such a Dolly Hitch... but I must say: its only functionally... but doesnt look really cool... to imagine a 5th Wheeler behind a regular cabin car, not very good looking I would say :-( Today I found another word, never heard before. Its called "Cargo Bus". Very cool concept... I never have known about such busses... and never seen one. By the pics I found it looks like that in South America they used these Cargo Freight Coaches heavily. I suppose in some (Anden) regions they dont have a good logistic infra structure with railway cargo. A very interesting concept... If I should follow this conception it would be suitable for a smaller crew... in the cargo part could be setup the studio, even with a hydraulic lifting platform in the back it would make it possible to overcome the inner-city parking problem... just a short park front the concert hall after arriving... opening the cargo door in the back, taking out all flight cases and the switch of the mobile studio into the concert hall would be done quickly.... the driver would park the vehicle little bit ouside and coming back with an eBike to support the crew during the concert recording. It seems Volvo did the best Cargo Coaches, called "Volvo Carrus 9700 H Cargo" (based on a Volvo B10M chassis). The prizes for used B10Ms 6x2 in the market are OK. But very, very rare to get... mostly in Sweden and Denmark. Further Volvo experimented with a more modern concept called DCV (Distribution Concept Vehicle)... but yet I havent found lots of informations about... :-) From the driver cabin its possible to walk directly into the container without leaving the vehicle. Its a modern, fresh look by the whole design and therefore not of that budget size. I dont know lot about trucks. What about the service network for Volvo Coaches within Europe ? --- Today I have thought about where to look... beside military sources, fire brigades. I found specific websites for Showmen who travel from city to city for circus (and October Fest) ;-). They are used since long time to live on the road and travel all year... a good Iveco container vehicle is just in the market for sales. Looks nice... so the regular broadcasting trucks for BBC etc. are typically look like. Its standard, so nothing special. These "show people" even like to use (American) 5th wheelers... in Germany we have specific websites and market places so lets see what is coming around from there. ----- PS: If you want know more about Cargo Buses, take a look at the Blue Volvo.... its used by a racing team... the photo gallery is here: http://www.abmracing.se/images/byggbilder%20bussen/Bussen%20oktober%202010/index.html . :-)

In UK the Skyliners of Neoplan are very common. I just got the info that Neoplan has lots of economically troubles in UK... seems they missed to get the turn around in Coach businesses.... the most well known project was the Neoplan JumboCruiser... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoplan_Jumbocruiser They use it in Germany for a NGO in the segment of "Street Youth Work"... I like these monster buses a lot. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Neoplan_Jumbocruiser_(Doppelstockgelenkbus)_der_Treberhilfe_Dresden.jpg How to handle them in the inner city areas safely where we have to go for concert recordings ???!!!! Imagine to be in Spain or Italy... :-) You can see how challenging this bus is to handle in the city in this video: If you appear with such a N138 you have guarantee to be an eye catcher by sure... :-)

Tks for your critical advices... you are right, is has to be proofen very critically about the "whats" and "whys". As its not a "just for fun" vehicle the decisions and selections must be made wisely... Isnt it tricky to setup a project with just buying a chassis and fitting into a mashine... I am not an expert, same I am not one of these fantastic do it yourself "screwer" who can invest hundreds or even thousands of hours till they get what they want as their dream project. Since I am going through this project by pre-research never I fell over Volvos... indeed, they are well known as big trucks, but a middle sized as we need it probably up to 12 tons it didnt come across my path yet. Not a single one...

Yes, Santana I have noticed about... they stopped their production meanwhile. The company has been sold. And yes, looking to East Europe is an option. We have many traders in Germany dealing this military stuff... :-) About the seats... we'd need less 7-8 seats... best 9-10.... so thats why I liked to focus on 5th Wheel. The 36-40 Feet trailers have 9-10 beds with bunk houses... :-) This is a very cool 6x6 truck indeed.... little bit small cabin (I'd prefer a double cabin).

naturally I have noticed of.... its a huge bus, indeed.... the fame of this bus, its story probably will be more disturbing than helping. ;-) Yes a beautiful concept and very cool design. We'd need more office space to work for our media productions... less loungery would be more usefully, otherwise the team will hang around all time at the bar and have drings. *laugh*

The funny thing looking at all your comments, postings, suggestions and ideas: in tendency you push me back from where I come. The Land Rover 6x6 is the last version of conceptual idea. But first let me show you the 3 other versions I started with. 1.) In USA long time ago started the so called NightLiners, some know it as "sleeper buses". You have capacities of 15-16 beds regularly. Lots of space for bigger crews inclusive 2 drivers, cook, the studio team and the musicians whom you can pickup and deliver from city to city. Yes, Rock stars like Madonna, U2 and Lady Gaga or Bon Jovi are on the road in such luxury vehicles travelling through USA or whole Europe... no boring, stressfully and time consuming hotel check-ins every day and driving back into the hotel after the concert.... jumping on board of such a coach waiting backstage of the concert hall, and quickly you have your own cosy living room with your own way of cooking, cool drivers around who care for everything and over night you drive to the next gig with.... its the best way to live on the road in the music industries business by sure. In my understanding, too much luxury... but for rock super stars probably the right thing to feel cool *laugh*: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56lCiZ7aL4Q So here the functionally idea of a Double Decker Coach I have drafted 1st. Nowadays the best probably is a Setra model.... (Rec.: The Neoplan Starliner has not the European network for maintenance.) Such a Setra is in the market as used version very rare, just missed to get one (a S 228 DT) for a good prize of less than 30,000 Euros... the design and interiour concept was exactely what I was looking for, but it was sold front my nose on 1st June: As new S 431 DT you get at the prize "naked" from Setra (its headquarter is settled in South Germany) at round about 380 Thousand Euros + individual interior design + studio so we can say: round about half a million. Definitely not that size of money pockets I have available for now. If you run such a studio recording coach for 10 years, doing 2 concert recordings per month then the refinancing works. But as mentioned, its a start up project I am moving into and yet we are not established in the international market of radio broadcasters... this step for now would be little bit risky. Another beautiful double decker is produced by Van Hool, the T8 82403... ------------ 2.) Another option of a coach version is that what "o_teunico" presented here... an articulated Double Decker long version as typicyally PreVost H5-60 built it... very beautiful. Such Buses of 700-800,000 km on the clock are in the market for less than 30,000 Euros... In Netherlands there is one available of Suzuki Racing Team... its a Van Hool TG 822 Altona Personally I like this kind of articulated double decker as Nightliners most. Yet I have not proofed (I mean calculated) the maintenance, wheels, running costs ect. ... Fuel consumption is OK, its round about 30 litres per 100 km. If you have 10 people on board, its only 3 litres per person. Acceptable and less compared to smaller cars I would say. ----------- 3.) For a compromize I have looked around for used smaller "Motor Homes"... less capacities of beds (up to 9-10), but still attractive... looks like this: Mainly such "Motor homes" of 36-40 feet length (all with Bunk Houses), imported from USA. A qualified importer very view exist in Europe is the company Stingray in UK - www.stingrayrv.com . The prizes of used Motorhomes are attractive of round about 40,000 Euros, but the US interior design is "very old fashion". Everywhere 'heavy dark wood'. Not really what I like to have as a cool image. There are different, modern, light and fresh designs out there which I'd prefer compared to the typical heavy wooden look of the US Motorhome vehicles.... ----------- 4.) So why I came in here with a 5th Wheel + Land Rover 6x6 Pickup concept as 4th alternative ???? - One important aspect (beside the budget) is: How to park such a huge coach in midth the centres of the European cities drowned in traffic jam.... the studio shall be used for recording concerts... so we'd need to be front the door of the concert halls with the coach.... mostly close around in the bigger cities there is no parking space. Logistically its a challenge. So I have thought: lets park the 5th Wheeler little bit outside the centre, load flightcases onto the pickup, drive into the centre of the city. Do the recording and after the concert at midnight or 01:00 am (mostly thats the time to finish such a job) going back to the trailer, hook it on the hitch and have a break/sleepfully night. Sometimes we are scared of our own big ideas.... *laugh*. Let me rethink to where you lead me. Sometimes we should trust our first intuition. ;-) Tks all guys here for your inspriation... its a good motivation you take part in my project.

OK, folks.... its amazing how you come in and present these cool ideas... some trucks really look amazing... pls check my next posting so you will see and understand, that we arent fare away from each other... :-)

actually I have a 2.5 x 2.5 metre studio in my office ( http://www.imcradio.net/studio ) and reducing it to a "street version" of 2 x 2.5 might be the quickest turn to come onto the road. As an interims solution I could live with that for maybe 1 year... but what then ? - We'd need a following up project.... personally I like to know whats coming behind the horizon (better way for safe business planning), especially in times of world recession, bank & euro crisis.... :-) The 2nd miliary look truck version is really great. What model is it ??? Looks like an East European type... :-)

oho... cool idea... I am not an engineer or car expert.... and as I have lack of time to screw around in the garage I suppose I'd need an expert around to plan such a conversion project. Little bit risky, time consuming and the budgeting isnt of a safe planning as many unexpected surprises might appear. :-) And personally I prefer the original... it would not give me a feeling to drive a "fake version" ;-) Lets search further on to find the right solution. Tks anyhow for your idea.

:-) already in dialogue with Sam.... I suppose he has little bit high expectations about the prize for part financing buying a house *laugh* . Lets see. :-) Tks anyhow about the tipp.

@ honitonhobbit: Tks... this dark blue DEFENDER GENUINE 6X6 1986C really looks great and beautiful. (I think you mean this: http://millin.biz/6x6-defender-tipper/ ). It would be a pitty to tear off the cage as the whole look is amazing (Rec.: Today (as non native English speaker) I learnt what a "chipper box" is.) The option fo such a LR in my specific case and needs would be using it as a stand alone solution for transporting the flight cases of a mobile studio to do concert recordings... and maybe use on top a "tent camper solution". The camper version (6x6 Camper 300TDI) has its attraction, too. (Fully picture gallery here: http://bit.ly/12zKtKA ). This version might replace in my office the current radio recording studio (which has a size for now of 2.5x2.5 metres but could be reduced by a more efficient interior design using undertable racks down to 2x2.5 metres). The camper of "stanstorey" has a very intelligent room concept... well done I must say. (Rec.: I know this to validate as I was professional skipper in the 90th for sailing yachts, which is very similar like camping always with lack of space, tons of technical equipment and the need of clever solutions for using every milimeter space). This "Silver" would be an intermediate step fo next 1-2 years and would give more time to plan the bigger project of a 18 metres long "vehicle combination". So lets see what stanstorey expects as prize... :-) I wonder little bit about that this beautiful camper already was in auction on eBay two times without any concrete bid result. After ending the auction time twice till April (as 1st attempt) and 27th May (as 2nd attempt) its not yet re-listed. ( http://bit.ly/12zKi25 ). Seems this silver beauty didnt find a buyer yet. :-) As you named "TÜV" as the technical certification institution. Yes, in Germany its a real drama to get the registration realized... but I have a Land Rover service company front door in Hanseatic City Hamburg who built on their own a 6x6 as a former project.... http://www.thomasschnell.de/land-rover-109-6x/ (109 chassis) So I think, I would not be lost with such a UK vehicle as personally I have lack of time to do any maintenance on my own. for commercial use and registrating it as "truck" (LKW) to get benefit of lower tax rate it even must be proofen and tested annually. Luckily we live in free Europe and a right steering version isnt a problem for me to drive with on European streets "right traffic". So it can make sense to registrate a "production ltd" in UK and let run the car by insurance further on in UK, so it would be much easier to handle the legal aspects *laugh*. -------- @Steve_B: Yes, its fun.... but same lots of work and time consuming planning. Anyhow.... there is no lack of creativity and it feels to move into the right direction having such "crazy ideas". :-) Lack of money often forces us to be creative. In my case, "little money" same forces to be creative. As we are in radio and music that remembers me guitar god Brian May from Queen, who loved his unique sound of the original guitar. Till today he let produce expensive replicas. But the original is the original. It was made by his dad, in his shed. Nearby unbelievable: the guitar body came from an old wooden mantelpiece, the tremolo arm from a bicycle saddlebag carrier. The knob on the end from a knitting needle and the springs were valves from an old motorbike. Brian and his dad had no money so he was forced to be creative. Today Brian uses heavy money to try for replicating the original creativity of his dad. :-)

tks for all the comments till now... :-) Pls see my next posting as answer (I am still figuring out the technical procedure of this FORUM platform, seems one posting was doubled and I do not get rid of the attchments ???). Little bit in chaos as camper life can look sometimes...

tks folks, taking notice and answering me... and dont worry about destroying my dream *laugh*. I am robust as a LR :-) About Foley: I contacted them and other specialists but yet didnt get an answer from anywhere. Foley offers a convention of 6x6 at the prize of 14.5T British Pounds, a double cabin... http://foleysv.com/land-rover-conversions/6x6http://foleysv.com/land-rover-conversions/6x6 I am just in the proof about what is possible and what makes sense (or no sense).... :-) So no self limitation to think in this or that direction. ----- @"Old Hand": When I was soldier in German military, that time already I was a military radio operator (not by purpose just happened). And I had my own 4x4 truck, an Unimog. This vehicle is a fantastic working horse, and even on street very comfortable to drive with... I have good memories as 4x4 in snow and mud, too. ;-) 25 years ago we still had the old Unimogs, we just called them "Case" as they had a tinny "office" on board which gave you the feeling to be imprisoned... the steering of these old Unimogs was really body building work. :-) Luckily on my own I drove the modern model of 424 series which was built from 1976 on as you posted. Its nearby same look till today. Whats the current prize of a used double cabin one in Europe ? --- Naturally such a "mobile recoding studio" should have a cool look, too.... its a woking place and the well being is an important factor to challenge the intensive work in journalism and media prouctions. - In medias we use such a vehicle as promotion tool, too (naturally). It should be something cool, something extra ordinary to get attracted. Here a first "draft" how it might look in combination from outside. ( PDF: https://www.box.com/s/360rews82zyske2nufsg ) The estimated budget I have calculated for now is round about 50-55 TEuro (for the 5th Wheel trailer, the studio equipment plus the truck) as our own share (equity). Its a "start up" project, and if we are doing the conception right waywe might get extra funds from government programmes. But its not mainly the look what counts, of course. (Technical) Functions come first (design always has to follow function). Lets see what the future will brings. --- Another option I am checking out to take a LR 147. Have you noticed about? - It was produced in South Africa (some notices on the web say it is stil produced there.) The big cabin with less 7 seats would be more suitable as we dont like to have another car following the studio to transport the studio workers (audio engineer, editor/cutter, journalists, event organizer etc. ...) and musicians/artists. - Do you know any sources from where to get one ? (PDF: https://www.box.com/s/0shkll0enub9mgbv1wa1 ) Anyhow what kind of options will overstep the finish line pls feel free to give further critics and ideas... I will check the Unimog option... mostly its difficult in Germany to get access to military vehicles... The project is in a very early stage so we have no urgent hurry. ;-) Tks in advance. Have a chilly weekend ! ;-) TC. +++

Hello, dear Folks & guys ! ...I am new here in this forum and its a pleasure to know all the wheelers around the globe. Actually I am in a new project for planning a "mobile recording studio" based on a so called 5th Wheeler (pls see the dimensions of the trailers we need here as PDF: http://bit.ly/1ab0SqG ) We have thought a lot about whats the right truck to pull such a 5th Wheeler, and against the common opinion to decide for a Ford Ranger or Dodge Ram we target at a Land Rover based Chassis 6x6. Hopefully you can help me out by your experiences with some questions to get the right truck ------------------------------ The first important question is: Where to get a LR 6x6 in Europe (for European streets) ? - I did little bit research on the web as you can see here or in a better quality as pdf: http://bit.ly/120ceWs The Perentie version (from Australia) looks nearby perfect what we need: a trustable and robust working pull horse on the road through whole Europe the right solution: double axe + 6x6 (I have watched many videos comparing a 4x4 to a 6x6 LR) double cab (best with 7 seats) pick up version for installing the 5th Wheel hitch I suppose it does not make sense because of expensive shipping costs to order a LR6x6 from Australia. (Rec.: If you have any ideas about to bring such a LR to Europe by shipping at low cost (without expensive import tax) to EU feel free to let me know.) 2nd question: From where to get a used LR 6x6 in Europe ? - We'd prefer traders who have experiences with LR... the available budget is at max. 15,000 Euros (inclusive the adaption to European norms) frankly to say as we have to invest into the 5th wheel trailer and studio equipment. Maybe AFLM has partners in EU you can suggest. 3rd question: What is the right engine ? - We will have a weight of the 5th Wheeler up to 8.5 tons. So at all inclusive the pickup truck its up to 10.5-11. tons gross weight (Rec.: In Europe the max. weight for such a car+trailer combination is 12 tons :-) ). I have read that the 6x6 in Australia as "Long Vehicle" (length 6.020m) used as engine "ISUZU 4BDIT Turbo charged 3.9" (Source: http://bit.ly/178meGt ) - I am not a motor engine specialist, I like the sound. Its not bad nailing . Is the power enough to pull 10-11 tons total weight ? - The power output is very low, isnt ? ( Only 139 hp - http://wiki.planetisuzoo.com/index.php/Engine_Specs#Diesel_fours ). Another aspect of the engine: If its such a Diesel we have to take care about the European emission reglementations (Euro6 from 2014 on) as we need the "Green Viniette" to be allowed to drive with our mobile recording studio into the centres of the bigger European cities. Otherwise it becomes very expensive to pay mout fees with lower European emission standards - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_emission_standards ). If we take an elder model less we might need to install a filter system, another extra costs eventually, between 1-2000 Euros. Hopefully you can advice me and where to get such a used LR 6x6 as described, concretly. Many thanks in advance giving attention and orientation. Hearing from you asap... Warm greetings from Hanseatic City Hamburg/North Germany. --------------- PS: The habit of a LR 6x6 offroad as seen in this video gives me a lot of trust even to handle a 8.5 heavy weight trailer hanging on the hitch... :-) Much more trustable than the US SUVs in my understanding, isnt ?! :-) +++