WHO' S A FULL TIME LMTV OVERLANDER, ANY OUT THERE?

[PacificNorthWestLMTV]

Defiantly some good reads here for want to be or soon to be full-timers..

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

 

[joeblack5]

I always wanted an LMTV for a camper.
The rigs are cheap but to complicated. Cost per mile is very high. The overlanding crew with big rigs are often people with a lot of money. The capabilities of these vehicles can not be used and if you use them like that then you need the army to pull you back out. Unless you have way to much money an Lmtv is not a smart vehicle to go camping with, cool yes.

We built several camping vans, a low floor bus and now one, just for fun, based on a unimog 404.

We part timed for 5 month with two kids, homeschooling and a dog in our 33 ft very low floor kneeling converted city bus. Bought it at gov deals for $5000... with 420000 miles .. we drove it 9500 miles from the east coast to the south west in 2019, Hope again this coming winter

Being a big Death Valley fan we drove it to the intersection saline valley road / hunter mountain road, camped their till a couple of jet fighters must have gotten upset about our alumimun rig being in the middle of their radar screen when they jump from the canyon over to the valley. Next day a Ranger kicked us out , no explanation.


Before that we converted a small econoline 7.3psd bus to 4x4 for our "normal" camping needs.

A problem with the large overlander vehicles is that the cabin is not part of the living space. so for the size of the vehicle you get only a small usable space. Also it is so high and absolute pain to get in and out.

This is the current photo shopped experiment.

 

[Awesomeness]

I always wanted an LMTV for a camper.
The rigs are cheap but to complicated. Cost per mile is very high. The overlanding crew with big rigs are often people with a lot of money. The capabilities of these vehicles can not be used and if you use them like that then you need the army to pull you back out. Unless you have way to much money an Lmtv is not a smart vehicle to go camping with, cool yes.

We built several camping vans, a low floor bus and now one, just for fun, based on a unimog 404.

They aren't as expensive as you're assuming. I don't have a fancy box on mine, but I definitely get out there in the thick of it, just sleeping in the covered cargo bed. And I don't see how it would be significantly different than a Unimog. Most of the cost for the camper-body vehicles seems to be in all the stuff they put in the box, not really the cost of driving or fixing it.

 

[joeblack5]

I agree, they are cheap for the amount of tech you are getting, just not so handy to use as an overland camper. Not easy or cheap to fix a 7 speed automatic in the middle of nowhere.
To large to turn around on a mountain pass. to heavy to hook to the little tree on the other side of the mud puddle.

But very cool to look at, that is for sure.

Most mogs would have the same issues but they are simpler.
My toy project with a 404, is very small, shorter then a full size pick up. The experiment is mainly to get the cab integrated with the living space and maintain full frame flex , axle articulation. the aluminum bus body is relative light weigh, standing height and sturdy,.... the kids safety.... you know.

Sorry did not want to get diverge your thread.

Johan

 

[Awesomeness]

I agree, they are cheap for the amount of tech you are getting, just not so handy to use as an overland camper. Not easy or cheap to fix a 7 speed automatic in the middle of nowhere.
To large to turn around on a mountain pass. to heavy to hook to the little tree on the other side of the mud puddle.

But very cool to look at, that is for sure.

Most mogs would have the same issues but they are simpler.
My toy project with a 404, is very small, shorter then a full size pick up. The experiment is mainly to get the cab integrated with the living space and maintain full frame flex , axle articulation. the aluminum bus body is relative light weigh, standing height and sturdy,.... the kids safety.... you know.

Sorry did not want to get diverge your thread.

Johan

If extremely technical offroad obstacles are your mission, most are just too tippy for an LMTV. But if you just want to get out there and camp far away from civilization, you can get places in an LMTV that others can't.

I don't want anyone to read your thoughts, and be dissuaded. I think LMTVs are what you want them to be. I have thousands of miles on mine, wheeling it in Colorado, Arizona, Utah, and other western states. I wouldn't list a single one of your "issues" on my list of difficulties with it. They're a totally different animal... things that are easy for a Jeep/Tacoma/K5 are harder in an LMTV, but things that are hard for a Jeep are easy for an LMTV.

The Jeepers are usually amazed at the places I can get my LMTV to, and how nimble it actually is. The height is a problem - have to carry saws and loppers. The weight is a problem - the Earth is not a solid, immovable object to a truck this heavy. Tipping is a problem - though it will actually lean way further than you are probably comfortable letting it (45°!). Width can be an issue, if even psychologically - some of those mountain passes are very narrow, with like a 300' drop off one side, and the LMTV can crush the ground away.

Turning radius usually isn't a big problem (65'... Jeep 2dr 35', Jeep 4dr 40', fullsize pickup 50') - every now and then I have to do a multi-point turn, but often can just straddle over the arc of the turn on switchbacks. Gas mileage isn't a big deal - it goes about as far on a tank as other vehicles (~300mi), just costs 3x more. Water crossings, 4' deep snow, big mini-fridge-sized rocks, steep hills, and trees fallen across the trail are just driven over. You can carry an almost unlimited amount of tools, fluids, food, recovery gear, etc.

 

[Gunny 0369]

Yep,
Unless you own 1, drive1, camped in one,
You may as well be reviewing a battleship brother.
Lmtvs amd Mtvs are not van life, or RV life..
Its awesome life.

 

[B-Dog]

I always wanted an LMTV for a camper.
The rigs are cheap but to complicated.

Most mogs would have the same issues but they are simpler.

Alright, I'll play because you've piqued my interest. Full disclosure, I have zero Mog experience except that I've seen/read about them and completely agree they are awesome.
What is simpler on a Mog, and I will preface with 'A0', LMTV?
I have years of wrenching, wheeling, racing, so much that I became disgusted with working on vehicles. However, working on LMTVs has been a complete delight most likely because it's different but more so because of the simplicity. Hands down, my biggest complaint on FMTVs is that every fastener has a nut instead of a tapped hole. I understand the advantage of a replaceable nut vs. cross threading a hole is catering to the military but it's so irritating.

All that being said, I have a broken A1 that won't start. I honestly haven't put in any time to figuring out the problem but it's computer related and that alone makes me favor the A0.

 

[Reworked LMTV]

Alright, I'll play because you've piqued my interest. Full disclosure, I have zero Mog experience except that I've seen/read about them and completely agree they are awesome.
What is simpler on a Mog, and I will preface with 'A0', LMTV?
I have years of wrenching, wheeling, racing, so much that I became disgusted with working on vehicles. However, working on LMTVs has been a complete delight most likely because it's different but more so because of the simplicity. Hands down, my biggest complaint on FMTVs is that every fastener has a nut instead of a tapped hole. I understand the advantage of a replaceable nut vs. cross threading a hole is catering to the military but it's so irritating.

All that being said, I have a broken A1 that won't start. I honestly haven't put in any time to figuring out the problem but it's computer related and that alone makes me favor the A0.

I'm sure there is someone out there who can weld your nuts and make your life easier

 

[humbird2003]

Wanted to throw some updated pictures. Now that I have lived in the rig for some time, I can honestly say I'm enjoying the experience. Almost anything I plan goes out the window the moment I try to implement it, so it's taught me a hell of a lot of flexibility. At the end of the day you make it what you will. Yes I have been slowly painting over the black paint. Funny thing about all the heat the black color collects

 

[19Detail]

I'm sure there is someone out there who can weld your nuts and make your life easier

You and I have a different idea of a good time... : )
One thing I don't see mentioned here is the hidden costs of an LMTV. Mine was cheap on GovPlanet, but it was an additional $35,000 for the camper my wife wanted to keep the title "wife". Still, cheaper than a divorce...

 

[PacificNorthWestLMTV]

Wanted to throw some updated pictures. Now that I have lived in the rig for some time, I can honestly say I'm enjoying the experience. Almost anything I plan goes out the window the moment I try to implement it, so it's taught me a hell of a lot of flexibility. At the end of the day you make it what you will. Yes I have been slowly painting over the black paint. Funny thing about all the heat the black color collects

View attachment 836551
View attachment 836550

Nice job on the rig and setup... thank you for sharing...!

 

[dbduchene]

Here is a new to the full timing in an FMTV thing on YouTube. That said I am not sure how active they will be for the next 4 to 6 months as he broke his leg BADLY in a motorcycle vs quad crash and is headed for home base for surgery.

 

[Third From Texas]

Yeah, I saw where he had crashed earlier in the month. Sucks as they were just getting into the maiden voyage.

btw: if you've not seen how he made his slideouts, you should check it out...

 

[dbduchene]

Yeah, I saw where he had crashed earlier in the month. Sucks as they were just getting into the maiden voyage.

btw: if you've not seen how he made his slideouts, you should check it out...

Yes I did see how he made his slide outs. I have gone and watched all that he has posted. I am in the very beginning stages and still trying to decide what I really need vs what would be cool or fun.

 

[ramdough]

Yes I did see how he made his slide outs. I have gone and watched all that he has posted. I am in the very beginning stages and still trying to decide what I really need vs what would be cool or fun.

That is always the debate. It only costs Time and Money. But then again, if you run out of one of those, you don’t finish and have nothing to show. I iterated for years and ended up deciding that simpler was better.

Good luck on your decision.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BERZERKER888]

Yes, Martin and Bethany. I have followed them since the beginning. They bought theirs from GXV and do not appear to be mechanically oriented.

What I have found is that people who are young eventually want a home later, or again. Makes sense. I think there is more to it though. It took a while for the problem areas of the truck to get worked out. The problems, like the oil line and the driveshafts cost the initial Overlanders a fortune.

so true ..but when Daddy's money pays for everything since birth...

 

[Mullaney]

so true ..but when Daddy's money pays for everything since birth...

.
Yeah. That happens. Guess that is why all my projects take more time than I ever seem to plan for. Between the wallet and getting older, things take more time and effort. THANKFULLY my dad didn't pay for my toys. He sure enjoyed working on projects with me though!

 

[Reworked LMTV]

so true ..but when Daddy's money pays for everything since birth...

You know this for fact?

 

[BERZERKER888]

You know this for fact?

statistically they're aren't many 30-somethins' that have half a million to spend on an RV, broadcast their scripted "adventures" all in an suffocating need for self affirmation whose self worth is soley based on the number of "likes" they receive...

a true test of their intestinal fortitude and quest for "roughing it " , would be to put them on a NYC subway car at 0300 between Bed Sty and the South Bronx..

but God bless them on their next half million dollar adventure...

 

[BERZERKER888]

.
Yeah. That happens. Guess that is why all my projects take more time than I ever seem to plan for. Between the wallet and getting older, things take more time and effort. THANKFULLY my dad didn't pay for my toys. He sure enjoyed working on projects with me though!

there is the difference between us and them ..we do the work ourselves, the labor,the pain, the sweat the joy...if we don't know how to do it, we rely on ourselves to learn as opposed to whipping out a poser check book..... you can't buy respect