Any converters using the Ducato 4x4? (1 Viewer)

mikebeaches

LIFE MEMBER
Feb 22, 2010
5,346
8,469
Bristol
Funster No
10,377
MH
Rapido V68 Van Conversion
Exp
Since 2009
Just wondering if there are any converters selling PVC or coachbuilts using the Fiat Ducato 4x4 chassis?





Reckon it would be cool to have one - extra traction and ground clearance would come in handy. ;) :)
 
Jun 30, 2011
7,190
19,911
Barnard Castle, UK
Funster No
17,128
MH
Concorde Concerto
Exp
Since 2007
The Dangel system they use, French made, I read years ago someone got a motorhome made with one in the UK and the 4x4 system went wrong it was a nightmare getting it repaired, the converter didn't want to know and it had to go back to Dangel for repair.
 
OP
OP
mikebeaches

mikebeaches

LIFE MEMBER
Feb 22, 2010
5,346
8,469
Bristol
Funster No
10,377
MH
Rapido V68 Van Conversion
Exp
Since 2009
The Dangel system they use, French made, I read years ago someone got a motorhome made with one in the UK and the 4x4 system went wrong it was a nightmare getting it repaired, the converter didn't want to know and it had to go back to Dangel for repair.
Interesting - so is that the system the Fiat have adopted for their latest 4x4 version?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Oct 2, 2008
4,434
7,886
Salopia
Funster No
4,247
MH
Duro 6x6 Overlander
Exp
since 1968
Doesnt look the most robust of systems , can see two main areas for concern . The Iveco system better IMHO .
 

Minxy

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 22, 2007
32,489
66,015
E Yorks
Funster No
149
MH
Carthago Compactline
Exp
Since 1996, had Elddis/Swift/Rapido/Rimor/Chausson MHs. Autocruise/Globecar PVCs/Compactline i-138
I think Hymer do a 4x4 coachbuilt but don't know what it uses.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Armytwowheels

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 10, 2012
6,446
14,775
Market Harborough
Funster No
22,346
MH
Carthago S Plus - Iveco
Exp
Since 2011
Doesnt look the most robust of systems , can see two main areas for concern . The Iveco system better IMHO .
Out of personal interest, what are your concerns with the Fiat and why is the Iveco system better. I ask as we were only talking about these base vehicles today as possibly going down the 4x4 route for our next van.
 
Jun 30, 2011
7,190
19,911
Barnard Castle, UK
Funster No
17,128
MH
Concorde Concerto
Exp
Since 2007
Out of personal interest, what are your concerns with the Fiat and why is the Iveco system better. I ask as we were only talking about these base vehicles today as possibly going down the 4x4 route for our next van.


Iveco system is a proper 4x4 one with diff locks etc, Fiat is not.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Jun 30, 2011
7,190
19,911
Barnard Castle, UK
Funster No
17,128
MH
Concorde Concerto
Exp
Since 2007
Fiat definitely last, Iveco and Merc good systems, Iveco best but you can get a wonderful Merc engineered by Oberaigner but I don't think that is what you get if you order a Hymer 4x4 etc.
 
Oct 2, 2008
4,434
7,886
Salopia
Funster No
4,247
MH
Duro 6x6 Overlander
Exp
since 1968
Out of personal interest, what are your concerns with the Fiat and why is the Iveco system better. I ask as we were only talking about these base vehicles today as possibly going down the 4x4 route for our next van.
The problem arises with adaptions to FWD vehicle to get a 4wd system by its method most drive taken from one side of front diff to provide drive to rear , also has a external sealed viscous coupling , similar to as used on Freelander, which requires replacement at certain mileage to prevent lockup and which if not can cause damage further along system . They seem to be used to mostly doing conversions to passenger car size vehicles , and a heavily laden camper might find limitations in the longevity of the system esp if used in arduous conditions , rather than just used to get off muddy site . The Iveco pedigree and being manufacturers of H/D
4wd systems for heavier vehicles , and also being a RWD vehicle with inline drive train and separate in line transfer box much more robust JMHO

ps the Iveco has been well received and tested in Australia in sveral camper versions .
eg http://earthcruiser.net.au/

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Aug 18, 2014
23,539
131,310
Lorca,Murcia,Spain
Funster No
32,898
MH
Transit PVC
Exp
16 years since restarting
but you can get a wonderful Merc engineered by Oberaigner but I don't think that is what you get if you order a Hymer 4x4 etc.

saw one of those parked up O/night by the old station at Som port tunnel on French side a couple of years back. Like the Iveco a serious piece of kit.
 
Oct 2, 2008
4,434
7,886
Salopia
Funster No
4,247
MH
Duro 6x6 Overlander
Exp
since 1968
Another Iveco serious bit of Camper kit
ivecoastra8x6expeditontruck28.jpg

http://www.expedition-trucks.com/brokers/iveco-astra-hd8-8x6-expedition-truck
 

Armytwowheels

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 10, 2012
6,446
14,775
Market Harborough
Funster No
22,346
MH
Carthago S Plus - Iveco
Exp
Since 2011
Colin has fallen for a C3 Cartier 6x6, but we cannot even find the price of them, let alone find a 2nd hand one for sale. We parked next to one in Italy and it quite turned his head. :RollEyes:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
mikebeaches

mikebeaches

LIFE MEMBER
Feb 22, 2010
5,346
8,469
Bristol
Funster No
10,377
MH
Rapido V68 Van Conversion
Exp
Since 2009
I think Hymer do a 4x4 coachbuilt but don't know what it uses.
It's on a Mercedes chassis - I've seen a couple in the flesh so to speak, one at our local dealer and another owned by a German couple on the top of the Grosssglockner pass in Austria.

They said they'd had it shipped to New Zealand for a year, then had it brought back to Europe after there exploits in the southern hemisphere.

Nice machine and loads of ground clearance.
 

Armytwowheels

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 10, 2012
6,446
14,775
Market Harborough
Funster No
22,346
MH
Carthago S Plus - Iveco
Exp
Since 2011

Armytwowheels

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 10, 2012
6,446
14,775
Market Harborough
Funster No
22,346
MH
Carthago S Plus - Iveco
Exp
Since 2011
The thing we have wondered about with the 4x4 Hymer is how well the actual habitation area will stand up to a bit of off-roading. Have they made the inside extra tough as well as the outside.
 

Dognewf

Free Member
Nov 4, 2015
310
257
Glasgow
Funster No
40,010
MH
lunar newstar
Exp
1 whole year now
i remember seeing a Fiat advert a couple of years ago showing a serious looking expedition van on a 4x4 chassis.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Northernraider

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 30, 2017
27,132
173,762
On the sofa ....
Funster No
49,727
MH
Mobilvetta eurayacht
Exp
On and off since 95
The thing we have wondered about with the 4x4 Hymer is how well the actual habitation area will stand up to a bit of off-roading. Have they made the inside extra tough as well as the outside.
I guarantee the eggs and beer bottles in the fridge still break :p
 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top