L408D camper - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

d71889b · #1 04-01-2009, 03:58 PM

so i'm looking for a diesel motor home, and i came across this:

http://burlington.craigslist.org/rvs/1064466235.html

i've been emailing the guy about it and he's sending me some "brochures" through the mail.

does anyone know anything about it? i've found plenty of info on the chassis, i'm pretty sure it's the same or similar to winmutt's 309D

ad says 5spd??

it looks really cool, but i can't find anything about it anywhere. i would like to know how the interior is setup and things like that, before i drive up to vermont to look at it. i think it could be a Westfalia

he said he just spent $1500 on all new cushions, so i'm hoping the interior is really nice

i would absolutly looooveeee to have one of these in my collection of Mercedes-Benz!

any info would be great!!!

thanks
-Dave

kerry · #2 04-01-2009, 04:10 PM

I've never seen a Westphalia 408d. If you go to www.mobile.de and search on 408d's you should find a lot of them. There were a fair number of different companies making motorhomes on that chassis back in the 70's as well as a lot of individuals doing their own conversions. Be advised that typical top speeds on those vans are around 55mph. Some did a little better.

winmutt · #3 04-01-2009, 04:14 PM

Mine is not a 309 after all, it is an L408D as well. 5spd, 1st is granny gear. I have FSM pdfs and lots of other info, pm me.

d71889b · #4 04-01-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

I've never seen a Westphalia 408d. If you go to www.mobile.de and search on 408d's you should find a lot of them. There were a fair number of different companies making motorhomes on that chassis back in the 70's as well as a lot of individuals doing their own conversions. Be advised that typical top speeds on those vans are around 55mph. Some did a little better.

thanks!

this is the closest i can find, it looks pretty custom

http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/showDetails.html?id=109752344&__lp=1&scopeId=MH&sortOption.sortBy=price.consumerGrossEuro&sortOption.sortOrder=ASCENDING&makeModelVariant1.makeId=17200&makeModelVariant1.modelDescription=408d&makeModelVariant1.searchInFreetext=false&makeModelVariant2.makeId=25600&makeModelVariant2.modelDescription=408d&makeModelVariant2.searchInFreetext=false&makeModelVariant3.searchInFreetext=false&vehicleCategory=Motorhome&segment=Motorhome&siteId=GERMANY&negativeFeatures=EXPORT&damageUnrepaired=NO_DAMAGE_UNREPAIRED&export=NO_EXPORT&customerIdsAsString=&lang=en&pageNumber=1

Mr.Kenny · #5 04-01-2009, 04:20 PM

You must buy that motor home; some call it an eyesore or a nuisance. But it looks like home to me.

d71889b · #6 04-01-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Kenny

You must buy that motor home; some call it an eyesore or a nuisance. But it looks like home to me.

i know!!! i really want to buy it, but it will have to pass many tests first

i originally wanted a 4x4 to take on the beach and way out in the mountains...but this might be too good to pass up

winmutt · #7 04-01-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d71889b

i know!!! i really want to buy it, but it will have to pass many tests first

i originally wanted a 4x4 to take on the beach and way out in the mountains...but this might be too good to pass up

I talked to a few guys that have had these, they said with the granny gear they are just as capable as the unimogs in all but the most extreme situations. Take that with a grain of salt but these were some serious mog heads saying it.

d71889b · #8 04-01-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

I talked to a few guys that have had these, they said with the granny gear they are just as capable as the unimogs in all but the most extreme situations. Take that with a grain of salt but these were some serious mog heads saying it.

i believe it, with the right set of tires

kerry · #9 04-01-2009, 04:37 PM

MB did make some of that same van type in 4wd. They are extremely rare. A newer model of a similar style van did the Paris-Peking trip with the Silk Road club a few years ago. It may have been the same trip that the Fuso Bigfoot was on. There's a trip report with pictures somewhere on the web. Can't recall if that one was the 4wd version or not. One big difference between the Unimogs and vans is the departure angle. Angle is typically very low on the vans. Both my 307d and 409d had the granny gear and it is very low.

Do your search again at mobile.de but search for all 4wd MB motorhomes if you really want to start salivating.

d71889b · #10 04-03-2009, 10:34 AM

heading up to vermont tomorrow to take a look,

anything special i should look for?

d71889b · #11 04-03-2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

MB did make some of that same van type in 4wd. They are extremely rare. A newer model of a similar style van did the Paris-Peking trip with the Silk Road club a few years ago. It may have been the same trip that the Fuso Bigfoot was on. There's a trip report with pictures somewhere on the web. Can't recall if that one was the 4wd version or not. One big difference between the Unimogs and vans is the departure angle. Angle is typically very low on the vans. Both my 307d and 409d had the granny gear and it is very low.

Do your search again at mobile.de but search for all 4wd MB motorhomes if you really want to start salivating.

a 4wd MB motor home would be perfect.

i would want a turbo diesel though

maybe if i buy it i will put my spare OM617 turbo in it

then maybe i can tow my W123 behind it!

wouldn't that be a sight to see!

d71889b · #12 04-04-2009, 12:56 AM

if i buy it, i'm sure it will eventually look like this...

d71889b · #13 04-05-2009, 09:23 PM

well i went and looked at it today, NOT what i expected. its not much of a camper, more like a van. also looks like its been sitting for a while, and needs alot of work.
i was so disappointed i didn't even take pictures!! haha

now i have to find an regular RV. i'm trying to find a diesel pusher with a cummins or something. but i can't find anything under $10,000. looks like i might have to settle with a chevy 350...i hate those

kerry · #14 04-05-2009, 09:54 PM

Sorry to hear that. I've had a lot of trips like that. I've got a Bluebird Wanderlodge. Forward control Cat 3208. I like it. You might be able to find a 70's or 80's FC in your price range in this economy.

lietuviai · #15 04-05-2009, 10:01 PM

A 350 isn't that bad. It's easy to work on and parts are cheap and plentiful. Just about anyone can work on one. In a RV, the last thing you want is to do is break down somewhere with something exotic. You could end up spending your vacation in one place.