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RE: Euro motorhomes... why don't we have these in the USA?
How would we ever manage to classify a rig like this Hymermobile B-Class Starline
They call them "Integrated" in Europe. They are a Class A looking small Class C. They are on the Ducato chassis , similar power to a Sprinter 130kw(180hp) . Largest size is 23ft. Driving in Europe I can see why they have much smaller versions as the roads away from the Freeways are tiny. Freeways are excellent, but turning off to travel on the very small side roads is a culture shock.
I know that in Europe and South America, the Mercedes Sprinter gets a 4WD/AWD option which would be useful for boondocking.
Same as in Australia.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a186/RobRyan7/Jabirua.jpg
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RobertRyan
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05/24/12 01:48pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Euro motorhomes... why don't we have these in the USA?
Asking the question is a bit like asking why we don't live in 400-600 sq ft Euro houses and drive 2000 pound 50-60 HP cars
There are certainly much bigger double story houses in many parts of Europe. 5O-60hp? extremely unlikely for a modern European car.
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RobertRyan
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05/24/12 01:34pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: TT for offroad travel
RobertRyan is off road camping. That is what I consider off road camping.
Very much a growing area for "Grey Nomads" and now young couples. Where you are from Wyoming ,would be a good area for it. A Lot less elevation but many places like Wyoming here.
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RobertRyan
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05/24/12 03:06am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Diesel ford ranger
Sulfur level permitted in US Gasoline is down to 30 ppm (domestic refineries) / 80ppm (imported fuel) since 2008.
http://www.epa.gov/oms/standards/fuels/gas-sulfur.htm
Now that is a long way away from 10ppm... but it is not as bad as you think.
Pretty similar to ours. Outside of diesel which is Euro spec here., we have the same problem you have getting down to 10ppm. A bridge too far at this stage IMHO from achieving anything like that. A booming global economy would make it a lot easier.
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RobertRyan
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05/23/12 05:48am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Diesel ford ranger
Petrol engines will be effected too. How this plays out is another question.
Originally, the government was proposing to introduce Euro 5 in 2012 and Euro 6 from 2016, but postponed both at the urging of the industry.
Now, Euro 5 will be introduced in two stages, at least partly to give breathing space to manufacturers offering bio-fuel engines – such as Holden’s locally made, E85 ethanol-compatible SIDI V6 for the Commodore – to achieve cold-start emissions standards.
These engines will be exempted from a cold-start test (minus 7 degrees Celsius) on E85 under the first-stage “core Euro 5” standard, which is a watered-down version of the Euro 5 standards already in effect in Europe.
This “core Euro 5” will be introduced on all new-model passenger cars, SUVs and light trucks launched from November 1, 2013.
The more stringent Euro 6 standard rollout starts on July 1, 2017, when all new models introduced from that date need to comply.
By July 1, 2018, all new light vehicles sold in Australia will have to meet Euro 6 standard, regardless of when they were launched.
But again, some finetuning to the technical standards for Euro 6 still has to be done in negotiation with the motor industry as Europe is still to finalise its standards.
According to the federal government, Euro 6 will cut exhaust emissions hydrocarbons by up to 50 per cent, oxides of nitrogen by up to 70 per cent and particulate matter – soot generated mainly by diesel engines – by 90 per cent over the current Euro 4 standard.
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RobertRyan
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05/23/12 04:12am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Diesel ford ranger
I keep seeing the reference to "highly polluting gas engines". Specifically, which pollutants are you referring to?
The US is similar to us in having high sulphur petrol(gas) engines, as yet there is no legislation to make them cleaner. The emphasis has been on diesels.I do not see what is being discussed about in the article happening soon in the US or Australia,the cost would be enormous.
Article on High Sulphur fuels in the US and Australia.
MERCEDES-BENZ is unable to offer the most efficient versions of some four-cylinder and V6 petrol engines in Australia due to the high sulphur content of local fuel.
Mercedes-Benz Australia product manager Gordon Jones told GoAuto the company has to fit homogenous direct injection (DEH) systems instead of the more efficient stratified direct injection (DES) system to cars destined for high-sulphur markets like Australia.
He said that, although fuel economy suffers, power and torque outputs are unaffected by the alternative injection technology because the company’s DES systems switch to DEH mode under greater load or throttle openings.
DES comes into play when the engine is under light load, such as at cruising speed.
Mr Jones explained that DES works in regions like Europe and Japan where low-sulphur fuel is commonplace, but said the injection systems for larger engines, such as V8s developed primarily for the North American market, are unchanged because fuel there also has high sulphur levels.
Unlike diesel, which has had a mandatory maximum sulphur content of 10 parts per million in Australia since 2009, there is no legislation in place to force the introduction of low-sulphur petrol, which would require significant investment by the oil refineries.
Mercedes argues that higher fuel consumption results in higher CO2 emissions, so if Australia’s goal of reducing the transport carbon footprint is to be realised, itfollows that adopting low-sulphur fuel – as has taken place in regions such as Europe, where sulphur is limited to 10ppm across all fuels – could be a key step in the process.
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RobertRyan
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05/23/12 03:53am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: GM's new 2013 tow ratings
The SAE standards was what can be hammered out in a committee that is dominated by the vehicle manufactures.
Everyone on the committee (for those who ever sat on one) know the job of the corporate rep is to make sure the standard do not materially undermine what the firm is presently doing, and ideally, is biased against competitors, especially those who are weak on the committee or have poor representation.
That is where the "leeway" I referred to earlier in a post comes in.Here in Australia you would see more spectacular drops than 4,800lb.
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RobertRyan
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05/22/12 06:17pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: GM's new 2013 tow ratings
The engineers finally win one over the marketing execs. Who would have thought that day would ever come, certainly not me. Of course this is forced on them, not by choice.
Still think they allowed some leeway to the manufacturers. Too much of a drop would make potential buyers wary of the manufacturers products.
Still a 4,800lb drop is a rather big "mistake" too make?
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RobertRyan
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05/22/12 04:46pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Diesel ford ranger
The World body Ranger is a bigger, heavier truck, almost as big as an F150, so it would need a bit bigger motor. I don't see a need for the World body Ranger here in the US, since we already have the F150.
The Ranger has a 3,300lb payload as well.
The problem you refer to is a function of refiners who don't want to spend the money to take the sulfur out.
The problem I am talking about
Exactly The reluctance due to expense in the US to get US refineries to a European standard, is what killed the prospect of more European or other Japanese vehicles being sold in the US. Getting vehicles to meet the emission standards required a lot more expense on the part of manufacturer as the quality of the fuel was pretty poor. Makes sense for people selling large trucks as that expense can be factored into the price more easily(Trucks, HDT Tractors not Pickups)
Still the US relies on highly polluting gas engines for a lot of its light commercial vehicles with resultant poor fuel mileage.
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RobertRyan
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05/22/12 03:23pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Diesel ford ranger
The diesel bottom end is inherently longer lasting than comparable gas engines because the diesel bottom ends are built much stronger and also diesel fuel is oily and a lubricant for the cylinder walls, whereas gasoline is a solvent and washes away lubricating oil from the cylinder walls. That is why it is not uncommon for a diesel bottom end to go twice as many miles as a comparably sized (displacement) gas engine bottom end.
Yes very true or much longer. Diesels are rapidly replacing Petrol(gas) engines in Australia. As far as Petrol Trucks and Vans they died out in the 1950's here. A 4 litre V6 Petrol engined Sprinter sounded almost like an April Fools joke to me. Ford , Isuzu and now Holden(GM) have abandoned selling Petrol engines pickups. Toyota still sells a V6 Petrol engine in the Hilux, but that maybe going out with the new Model in 18mmonths time.
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RobertRyan
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05/22/12 03:21pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Diesel ford ranger
Diesel quality in North America is a function of the crude oil --- and the high amount of aromatics which makes for expensive refining to raise the cetane by converting them to aliphatics.
Same problem we have in Australia, although we have got diesel down to the European level. Petrol(gas) is pretty similar to the US and as a result still highly polluting.
Gas(Petrol) quality in Australia
Mr Jones explained that DES works in regions like Europe and Japan where low-sulphur fuel is commonplace, but said the injection systems for larger engines, such as V8s developed primarily for the North American market, are unchanged because fuel there also has high sulphur levels.
Unlike diesel, which has had a mandatory maximum sulphur content of 10 parts per million in Australia since 2009, there is no legislation in place to force the introduction of low-sulphur petrol, which would require significant investment by the oil refineries.
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RobertRyan
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05/21/12 10:40pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: RVing in Germany
Ok so I am in Munich for work this week and as I am traveling from the airport to the hotel I am AMAZED at how many vehicles are pulling RVs. The shocking thing is not the popularity of RVing here as it is simply beautiful country, but the tow vehicles pulling them! I saw nothing larger than a Mercedes SUV, actually looked smaller - like a crossover style, pulling very large trailers. Not pop ups, not hybrids, but full size TT's!
I cannot help but wonder if they use extremely lightweight construction materials here or if the Mercedes is some how capable of handling these TT's - oddly enough it was always a Mercedes doing the pulling and while that is of course a highly popular brand here there are other brands sold so it could have been coincidence or something to it?
They and us (From Australia) would be shocked to see you using Pickups to move things when a full size truck moves much more faster and cheaper.
The European RV's are lightly built and are perfectly suited for their needs. Each country in Europe has its own specific needs and they have RV's designed to meet those needs. A US 5ver and a dually would be a nightmare on European roads. Even US Travel Trailers would be a problem, they would not like the interiors to begin with and the width and lengths would not work on their narrow non- Freeway /Toll roads.
The European RV Industry is huge and the Caravan Salon held in Germany is the biggest RV Exhibition globally. What you saw in Munich is similar to Australia a lot of vehicles towing all year round though.
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RobertRyan
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05/21/12 10:00pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Diesel ford ranger
We can give up on North American light duty diesels --- it is a niche product that is making no headway.
Gasoline direct injection with turbocharging is around the corner for just about all makes and models.
Why bother with diesels when the infrastructure here can't support it?
We already have that. A second best option, but if your infrastructure cannot support it so be it. I agree with you the US infrastructure is hard pressed to have adequate supplies of high quality diesel fuel. Still the emissions from Petrol(gas ) is going to be much higher. A very hard problem to solve.
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RobertRyan
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05/21/12 09:22pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Diesel ford ranger
also the pricing would be to close to the f-150. ford thinks sales of the f-150 would drop.. of course it would, with a decent smaller truck...
parking a full sized 1/2 ton is just asking for dents in the sides of your doors.. unless you take a bit extra from the space next to you.
Not by much. They are at least 90% of a F150. The GVWR can be increased to 7,700lb, payload is 3,300lbs. Can tow 7,300lbs, but can also tow a lightweight 5Ver, 8500lb quite effortlessly on the flat and do 50mph up a 1 in 6 hill.. Fuel economy is in the 12.5-13mpg towing.
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RobertRyan
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05/21/12 09:18pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Diesel ford ranger
That's pretty cool! Although I don't buy the tow rating. I did see in the hybrid forum that the Jeep has a higher tow rating in Australia then in the USA, so maybe they rate everything higher down under.
No they generally do not. A US Pickup loses several thousand pounds in rated towing capacity in Australia. i.e. A Silverado HD 2500 diesel is rated at 9,900lbs. They give higher ratings for the diesel powered Wranglers but no-one in their right mind would tow anything with them ON THE OTHER HAND, the Grand Cherokee 3 Litre CRD diesel OUT TOWS the 6.4 Litre Gas Hemi engine.
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RobertRyan
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05/21/12 09:10pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Sorry state of fuel in North America
Explain to me why VW, BMW, Mercedes, etc. all have no trouble meeting the identical specs?
And VW products are not "priced through the roof".
Can add the Japanese Truck Diesels of Fuso, Hino and Isuzu, possibly Fiat sourced diesels further down the track.
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RobertRyan
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05/21/12 01:16pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 1/2 tons and 5th wheels. Trailer Life magazine article.
Have you ever had a "vegemite sandwich"?
It is as common as Peanut Butter in the US. Most school kids get at least one per week or used too.Just vegemite /butter on bread. Most people have it on toast in the morning(to be applied thinly}, very very high in Vitamin B, so you get a "high" early on. I know a few people from the US who now use it. It also goes well with cheese.
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RobertRyan
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05/21/12 01:03pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 1/2 tons and 5th wheels. Trailer Life magazine article.
If someone would come up with a 400 hp 1/2 short bed reg. cab. that can pull 10,000 lbs up a hill at 85 mph. Or maybe one like mine with a supercharger on, that will pull 10,000 lbs up a hill at 85 mph
From a local Caravanners Forum. I did conversion on the figures in brackets.
Picked up a 2nd hand 7 month old combo - Play Mor custom built 26ft 5th wheeler with large slide out as well as very customised Navarra ST-X 550 turbo diesel. Had a shakedown for a week and highly impressed with combination. Navarra suspension upgraded to legal 3420GVM(7500lb GVWR) and both 5th wheeler and Navarra have Tough Dog suspension units as well. 5th wheeler is beautifully fitted out with loads of storage inside and PlayMor is manufactured to Aussie specs in US and also fitted out here for more. Towing with Navarra a breeze, 7 speed auto but run at max in 5th when towing, fuel usage 18.3l per 100km (12.85 MPG US)which is awesome for this as van weighs in at about 3800kg(8377lbs) and was most happy to tow up Mt Ousley pass at 80kmh.(50mph , 1 in 6 gradient) Blew me away!! Happy to provide more details and have extensive pic's of inside / out.
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RobertRyan
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05/21/12 04:09am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Which Class B should we purchase?
I noticed this when I got my very first diesel in 2000. I was stunned how they perform going up grade.
Every Gas engine I've ever driven on a MH, whines and revs in the red all the way to the top of any hill. They are exhausting to operate with the heat and engine whine.
That aspect is pretty prevalent in Diesel Pickups sold in Australia. Diesel is becoming rapidly the engine of choice in virtually all Pickups(Not Car/Utes, they are more performance orientated). Ford sold 97% diesel in their last Asian Ranger model, so they have dropped any Petrol(gas) engine.
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RobertRyan
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05/21/12 03:52am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: TT for offroad travel
why not give us some more info ...websites, links etc....any possibility that one could import such a TT
If you search under my NAME on RV NET Forums , or search for OFF ROAD CARAVANS;OFF ROAD Campertrailers(Folding Trailers) you will get some.
ARB organize OFF ROAD events and seminars in the US for Springs , canopies etc. There are HUNDREDS of OFF ROAD RV suppliers in Australia, to see if they supply to the US is another matter.
Here are some examples:
AKEDRON OFF ROAD CARAVAN(Their Videos are well known in the US) look for the GALL BOYS on Youtube.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a186/RobRyan7/TheGallBoys-FarNQ-PicsGlenGall79.jpg
Inside an Off Road Caravan
http://www.tradingpost.com.au/is-bin/intershop.static/WFS/Telstra-TradingPost-Site/Telstra-TradingPost/en_AU/UserImages/IMPEX_IMAGES_NDS/nds_9179/D917902028689/Resized/Resized640x480_D917902028689_D.jpg
Dirt Road Caravan not a true Off Road
http://www.tradingpost.com.au/is-bin/intershop.static/WFS/Telstra-TradingPost-Site/Telstra-TradingPost/en_AU/UserImages/IMPEX_IMAGES_NDS/nds_14048/D1404802012513/Resized/Resized640x480_D1404802012513_B.jpg
http://www.tradingpost.com.au/is-bin/intershop.static/WFS/Telstra-TradingPost-Site/Telstra-TradingPost/en_AU/UserImages/IMPEX_IMAGES_NDS/nds_14048/D1404802012513/Resized/Resized640x480_D1404802012513_G.jpg
Off Road Camper Trailers
http://www.georgeday.com.au/files/8812/7985/5188/ultimate_hero.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a186/RobRyan7/KimberleyKamper1.jpg
http://www.kingoftheoffroad.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Day5-Filming-at-Billabong.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a186/RobRyan7/UltimateRV3.jpg
http://www.vistarv.com.au/gallery/exterior/exterior_gallery_files/1.jpg
http://liveimages.industrysales.com.au/caravancamping/general/content/gc5602857257156161974.jpg
http://liveimages.industrysales.com.au/caravancamping/general/content/gc4612039185374558722.jpg
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RobertRyan
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05/20/12 02:27pm |
Travel Trailers
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