My 6.0 Diesel Mercedes (pics)
 

Hi all, thought I may have posted this before, but actually I didn't. Someone asked me about it in another thread so I'm making a new thread for it:


What you see in my signature is a Horse carrying truck, with living etc, built by Whittaker in the UK. My Dad toured many custom horsebox manufacturers before deciding these guys really knew exactly what they are doing and plumping with them. It was a lot more expensive than competitors but it shows in the quality and fit & finish. They built it exactly to his specifications (he is picky about what he wants! and did many custom things especially for him).

It is based on a Mercedes 814 7.5 tonne capacity chassis, with a 140hp 6.0 litre straight six diesel. It has done over 500,000 km (!) but has a new engine and all the mechanicals were reconditioned by my Dad before the body was fitted. The chassis was lengthened during fitting.

The living part is trimmed in wood and leather, and the cab, driver & passenger seats etc. have also been fitted with leather. It carries 3 horses (load into the rear), and sleeps 4 people in 2 large double beds (table converts & above cab). It has central heating which burns the diesel in the fuel tank, and uses gas for the cooker. You can't see, but on one side are lockers which open on hydraulic struts to store the horse stuff. It also has an alarm, microwave, toilet, shower, MP3 and DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting, you maybe don't get that in USA) player with MB Quart speakers, TV (which we have removed), and loads that I can't remember.


Some pics:

http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/truck/truck0.jpg
That's at home, next to our stables and my '86 190E
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/truck/truck1.jpg
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/truck/truck2.jpg
That one is at Silverstone race track parked next to a Ferrari 550 Maranello and an Audi RS4 (hidden)
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/truck/truck3.jpg
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/truck/truck4.jpg
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/truck/truck5.jpg
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/truck/truck6.jpg
Up front, matching leather.


bye!

Russ

Thanks for sharing Russ - that is a fine looking vehicle.

Russ,
Is that a tilt cab? It looks like the boot over the cab would prevent it from tilting. How do you get at the engine?
Very nicely done. By the way M.B. is trying to get us to use their 12L in Freightliner but it's not selling very well.
Jerryb

What's the fuel economy?

Yes it's a tilt cab, and doesn't tilt any more. This is pretty common but i think you can get at the top of the engine from inside the cab.
It never has problems and just runs and runs and runs, as these truck engines tend to. I haven't a clue about the fuel mileage but I suspect its around 12 - 14 mpg.

jerryb - how much HP does that 12L produce? Is it a turbo? How many cylinders is it, straight six again I presume?

later!

My indie mechanic is going to be SOOOOO jealous when he sees this!

Very nice vehicle.

Peter

thanks Peter - your indie, is he interested in RVs? Or horse transporters?
It is far better in person than the pictures show - it doesn't really feel 'special' or high quality in the pics.


later!

Russ:

RVs, actually, but I'm sure he could find a use for the horse stall that didn't involve horses!

Really very nice.

Peter

NOW thats a recreational vehicle with off road toys!
 

Hello Russ,

It was I who had asked about it in the other forum. That is one awesome machine, like the fit and finish it looks devine walnut or teak perhaps eh. The leather sofa is great too. You are right on, as to the fit and finish. Is the outside a cutom fabrication or a standard that they adapted for the special functionality?

I have a diesel motor home and once considered having one built, but did not want to undertake the extra risk in the construction as well as the insurance issues after it was built. Over here the standard process for custom is a bus conversion, there are a few truck conversions but they don't look "unitized" and the insides are a bit griz.

The pre-manufactured RVs are good and the price points they provide are unbeatable.

Congratulations to the designer and the builders, the inside has the feel of a top quality yatch (vicariously speaking). It has turned out top notch, you are lucky.

Russ,

That is one fine vehicle!!

My uncle in Texas just gave me a tour of one he's selling for around $80,000 US. I'd have to say between the two, the Mercedes is hands down the nicer of the two in terms of finish and ammenities. I've always planned ot buy a RV someday; maybe I'll hold out for a Mercedes.

Re: NOW thats a recreational vehicle with off road toys!
 

I think the wood is walnut. It's a little darker in real life than in the pictures. The body and interior are all made by Whittaker, who make horse carrying trucks exclusively. But each one they make is different, and built exactly to customer specifications.

Hope this answers your questions!

Gotta hand it to the manuf
 

Hello Russ,

I just showed your RV post to a friend, we viewed it on a proj. It is absolute. The fit and finish on the outside as well as inside is benchmark quality. One major Q, how are the noise levels in the living area while under way and in the cab for the driver and navig. The reason I ask is that most diesels here tend to be pushers with an engine in the back. This reduces the noise in the unit but if the enclosure for the engine is not a good one, there is the diesel perfume in the bedroom, not to mention the noise level. And in the front, one hears the squeaks and rattles and wind noise.

I opted for the steady "hum" of a front engine. It covers most of the other sounds while under way, except when the hound pup barks. To give you an idea of how loud his bark is: The screen on my pc has waves going across it when he barks! The front engines I am told last longer, easier to maintain and importantly a bit cheaper. I was told that mine was supposed to be euro bound when I got it, the engine heater cord has the usual roundpins! But alas its a GM frame and engine not a merc as I would have loved it to be.

Has any one seen the 5cyl diesels that merc has in the "freightliner" vans that are out? On a side note I can't wait for Merc to put the diesel into the ML else its the toureg for me.

A Quote from their site:
Powerful arguments.

There are many reasons for choosing the Sprinter, but most businesses will find the low operating costs a particularly powerful argument.

With its innovative, efficient Mercedes-Benz CDI (common rail direct injection) technology, the outstanding automatic transmission, the optional maintenance monitor ASSYST and the high quality standards, the Sprinter offers high reliability and minimal downtime. Which means low operating, maintenance and incidental costs.

Time for the CDI technology.

State-of-the-art.
One of the most advanced and efficient diesel engines in the world: The 5-cylinder CDI (common rail direct injection), equipped with a turbo-charger with variable turbine geometry, stands out with its excellent torque, smooth and quiet running characteristics and an extraordinary low fuel consumption.

From its 2.7-liter displacement, the CDI generates output of 154 hp at 3,800 rpm and high torque of 243-lb. ft. at 1,600 – 2,400 rpm as illustrated by the accompanying torque-curve chart.

The automatic transmission.

Electronically controlled.
The Mercedes-Benz 5 speed automatic transmission stands out due to its smooth-shifting and high reability. Shifting of the five forward gears and reverse are electronically controlled.

The transmission control unit is in constant communication with the engine control unit to ensure smooth and efficient operation.




Happy trails.

While I live in the US, I own a Mercedes 307d motorhome in the UK. It has a front mount 616 diesel engine. The noise in the cab is not bad. When I pick up the engine cover, it feels as if they insulated it with lead to keep the noise out.
If you want to see lots of Mercedes motorhomes, go to www.mobile.de and do a search for 'Mercedes' under Wohnwagon and Wohnmobile. The results will make your mouth water.

Re: Gotta hand it to the manuf
 

Noise is louder than in a car, but not so loud as to dissaude the passenger and driver talking to each other - in the living area its quieter, and reasonably easy to sleep. There's no smells from the engine at all - Just wood and leather smell!

Well, there has always been a ML270 CDi in Europe - I guess (even though the ML is built in Alabama) they're not giving the US that one?
It could do with the 320 CDi engine (~200 bhp), but the straight six wouldn't fit under the bonnet!