Modding the Hymer ML-t 580 4x4

[BusyBuilder]

I put Flotex in my last B544, got a carpet fitter to install, had it made in 3 pieces so we could access the floor lockers, Really good stuff and easy to clean with a jet washer on the drive. Doggy hairs also don't attach themselves either.

 

[Abgs]

Your new motorhome looks great - it's very smart and modern! We've got an almost identical motorhome to Brains (MLT570 60th Edition), and they used to live almost next to each other, like identical twins!

That aside, we were parked up in Brittany last month beside a new 4x4 MLT580 very similar to yours, and it towered above us! I should have got a photo, but I was wondering how tall your motorhome is please?

I have checked the Certificate of Conformity which shows the height, with the comedy size wheels and tyres as 2930mm .. plus the Sat dish.

That should be suitable evidence to claim class 2 tolls on the French motorways if I need to challenge them as it is under 3m excluding the sat dish.

 

[BusyBuilder]

Does the height exclude any items on the roof ?

 

[Abgs]

It excludes the Sat Dish but I’m not sure about the skylights and roof rails.

However, these are not included in the height calculations for the French Toll motorways, so the vehicle is a class 2 rather than the more expensive class 3.

 

[Abgs]

Exciting hour spent swapping the plugs on my low wattage appliances. It was easier than changing the German sockets to UK sockets.

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[Brains]

Exciting hour spent swapping the plugs on my low wattage appliances. It was easier than changing the German sockets to UK sockets.

View attachment 999185

I'd watch those hair straighteners.
They are notorious for tripping and blowing fuses.

You are also the first MoHo I've ever seen that has an iron!
We have one at home, I'm not sure how many years it's been since it was last used.

 

[Abgs]

And now the packing start’s for it’s first proper trip….

Pretty sure we are gonna get it stuck somewhere so best be prepared!

 

[ChrisL]

You might like to consider a winch and a sand anchor if you intend to go off trails?

 

[Brains]

OK, so if the first big trip is Morocco, you may need that iron for the linen suit and tie in Casablanca!

 

[Abgs]

OK, so if the first big trip is Morocco, you may need that iron for the linen suit and tie in Casablanca!

Exactly ... one has standards don't ya know.

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[Lenny HB]

Exciting hour spent swapping the plugs on my low wattage appliances. It was easier than changing the German sockets to UK sockets.

View attachment 999185

Keep thinking about swapping the 13amp sockets in my Carthago for Euro sockets, much easier to use and we have had them in the last two vans.

 

[Abgs]

Keep thinking about swapping the 13amp sockets in my Carthago for Euro sockets, much easier to use and we have had them in the last two vans.

Agreed - they are a neater fit.

 

[Googlebot]

Exciting hour spent swapping the plugs on my low wattage appliances. It was easier than changing the German sockets to UK sockets.

View attachment 999185

Wouldn’t these be suitable?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-13a-unfused-travel-adaptor-white/820hx?ref=SFAppShare

 

[dom_k]

Agreed - they are a neater fit.

Where did you get the euro plug tops from? I need to do mine really.

 

[Abgs]

Where did you get the euro plug tops from? I need to do mine really.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0CXCQPCW9?tag=mhf04-21

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[Abgs]

Wouldn’t these be suitable?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-13a-unfused-travel-adaptor-white/820hx?ref=SFAppShare

None of the adapters fit that well as the Hymer’s euro sockets are smaller and have pull back covers.

 

[MisterB]

I'd watch those hair straighteners.
They are notorious for tripping and blowing fuses.

You are also the first MoHo I've ever seen that has an iron!
We have one at home, I'm not sure how many years it's been since it was last used.

We also carry an iron (240v)...... SWMS wouldn't be without one, might even have been born with one in her hand lol !

 

[MisterB]

All the air in Hymers are free. Everything else you pay for.

You even have to pay for putting air into your tyres at some places .....

 

[Just smiffy]

All the air in Hymers are free. Everything else you pay for.

To have the “new smell” added to the air is extra ….

 

[DandJ]

Sorry if I've missed it, I have read the whole thread...honestly
Post #35 you mention figuring out solar.....any progress on this aspect as yet?

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[Peter Clark]

Inspired by LennyHB … I thought I’d start a post to details various mods and upgrades.

I have a brand new Hymer Mlt 580 sitting on my drive waiting for a DVLA to assign a registration number. In the meantime, of course I’m going to take take it apart, fettle and modify it …..

Firstly …. Hymer, why no front mudflaps? Genuine Mercedes parts are £75 a pair, could you not include them as standard?

Anyhow, an easy install as all the fitting points are present and line up perfectly.

Ten minutes per side and a great improvement both practically and visually. Should also save the habitation step mechanism from getting covered in mud.

Part Number: Mercedes-Benz Mud flaps Sprinter 907 front set A9078890600.

View attachment 956641View attachment 956642

Tried to send you a direct message - but system won’t let me - can you message me?

 

[Abgs]

Tried to send you a direct message - but system won’t let me - can you message me?



View attachment 999371

Sent

 

[Abgs]

Sorry if I've missed it, I have read the whole thread...honestly
Post #35 you mention figuring out solar.....any progress on this aspect as yet?

I’m still pondering…. There’s not much space on the roof. I’m considering some quality flexible panels as I reckon two 110w would fit either side of the rear skylight.

It’s got quite a long overhang so I’m reluctant to add any fixed unnecessary weight behind the rear wheels. Flexi panels would save about 10kg v fixed.

I had some Sunpower flexi panels on a previous van and performed very well.

As I’m leaving on a 5-6 week trip next week I might pick a 100w folding panel just so I have something to use if needed.

 

[Westbarn1]

I've got 2 Hymer factory fit flexy solar panels either side the rear skylight on my BMC600, so you may find some pre installed solar wiring in yours somewhere.

 

[Abgs]

I've got 2 Hymer factory fit flexy solar panels either side the rear skylight on my BMC600, so you may find some pre installed solar wiring in yours somewhere.

It’s on the build sheet but I’ve yet to find it. It’s going back for some warranty work in April and the dealer has said that if he can’t find it he will refund the cost of it as it was itemised on the bill - 195euro option I think.

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[Clive Mott]

MLI 540 here, the smallest model with all the toys. 3 litre V6 auto, Alde heating etc. Have replaced 3 X 95 AH lead with 150AH lithium. B2B unit updated by Votronic etc. Propper glass solar panels, 6 extra 13A sockets, 6 extra USB sockets, Table lamp with two bright downlighters and another twin USB thingy, a new sea through shelf in the kitchen above the cooker. and replaced that arty farty Hymer table with one that folds to small or opens up to large when needed. Just two drive wheels at the back close to the tow hitch that pulls our trailer with a motorbike and sidecar inside.

 

[Peter Clark]

I’m still pondering…. There’s not much space on the roof. I’m considering some quality flexible panels as I reckon two 110w would fit either side of the rear skylight.

It’s got quite a long overhang so I’m reluctant to add any fixed unnecessary weight behind the rear wheels. Flexi panels would save about 10kg v fixed.

I had some Sunpower flexi panels on a previous van and performed very well.

As I’m leaving on a 5-6 week trip next week I might pick a 100w folding panel just so I have something to use if needed.

Been doing some research on highest value solar panels that will fit on MLT - from the measurements I have it looks like 2x150 Tiger Exped will fit.

 

[Whippet93]

Dash-cam and more sound deadening ...

The Sprinter cab on the MLt is way quieter than my 21 Plate Sprinter PVC but as I had to buy another box of sound deadening I thought I look at other areas where panel resonance could be improved.

Looking at the Mercedes build sheet the Mlt has Code XM4 Acoustic Package. This adds a sound deadening blanket to the bulkhead on the engine side. You can’t really hear the engine on tick-over and it’s pretty quite on the road.

There is a bit of a drone noise - most likely due to comedy ‘let’s go off-road’ tyres.

Looking at various USA Sprinter Van Life build videos a common upgrade is to sound deaden the cab floor and footwells.

So … plastic stripped-out and cover the floor and footwells with sound deadening. Easy enough but tedious.

View attachment 956698

Note, dash cam wiring fitted while I had the floor trim out. Dual power feed so I have 'always on parked' mode and regular driving mode. Also means I have a flashing security light on the camera at night which may be act as a deterrent.

View attachment 956699

All back together ….

View attachment 956700

Dash-cam with wiring hidden behind the blinds.

View attachment 956701

Was the sound deadening worth doing ? No idea as I can’t drive it until a registration pate is issued and by then I won’t remember how it sounded before!

Parts: Dodo Matt
Dash Cam: GNet G-ONX - Not new, I have moved this camera from vehicle to vehicle - this is the third time I've fitted it!

Dash-cam and more sound deadening ...

The Sprinter cab on the MLt is way quieter than my 21 Plate Sprinter PVC but as I had to buy another box of sound deadening I thought I look at other areas where panel resonance could be improved.

Looking at the Mercedes build sheet the Mlt has Code XM4 Acoustic Package. This adds a sound deadening blanket to the bulkhead on the engine side. You can’t really hear the engine on tick-over and it’s pretty quite on the road.

There is a bit of a drone noise - most likely due to comedy ‘let’s go off-road’ tyres.

Looking at various USA Sprinter Van Life build videos a common upgrade is to sound deaden the cab floor and footwells.

So … plastic stripped-out and cover the floor and footwells with sound deadening. Easy enough but tedious.

View attachment 956698

Note, dash cam wiring fitted while I had the floor trim out. Dual power feed so I have 'always on parked' mode and regular driving mode. Also means I have a flashing security light on the camera at night which may be act as a deterrent.

View attachment 956699

All back together ….

View attachment 956700

Dash-cam with wiring hidden behind the blinds.

View attachment 956701

Was the sound deadening worth doing ? No idea as I can’t drive it until a registration pate is issued and by then I won’t remember how it sounded before!

Parts: Dodo Matt
Dash Cam: GNet G-ONX - Not new, I have moved this camera from vehicle to vehicle - this is the third time I've fitted it!

Is the rear dash cam suitable for external mounting?

 

[Abgs]

Is the rear dash cam suitable for external mounting?

Yep .. I've got it mounted under the bumper as I didn't want to drill into the painted panels.

It's maybe a little low but it still captures a decent view.

 

[Abgs]

Been doing some research on highest value solar panels that will fit on MLT - from the measurements I have it looks like 2x150 Tiger Exped will fit.



View attachment 999555

I measured again this afternoon. I've got three spaces left:

• RHS Rear adjacent skylight 100 x 56 cm
• LHS Rear adjacent skylight 130 x 56 cm
• Mid section between rear skylight and Maxxfan 55 x 120 cm

The brackets for the roof rails impede on the width available, as does the cable entry gland on the LHS for the awning light.

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