Meet “Dolly”………

In 2016 we bought this Land Rover Discovery 3 G4 Challenge. Abolutely loved it, but soon realised that a roof tent wasn’t going to be the best accommodation for an extended trip.

February 2017 and we buy a Land Rover 101 Forward Control ex-military ambulance. At least once converted you can sleep inside the vehicle, you just can’t stand-up in it (even us!).

A year and lots of grazed knuckles later and we realise the 101 isn’t big enough. So in 2018 we discover the Unimog. This is our 1981 ex-German military U1300L. Time to start again on the conversion…..

In 2019 we’re about to start the conversion when one pops up on ebay – already converted. This one has great pedigree and has already been to Namibia & back with the previous owners Marc & Rosana……

dumatravels.blogspot.com(opens in a new tab)

We had some great trips in “Big Blue”, including Ireland, Wales and Cornwall. Big Blue was a 1981 ex-German military Unimog U1300L which had benefited from lots of work by Atkinson Vos, ACPrice and by Dan. However, she also had a 1981 ex-military gearbox which Geraldine found rather challenging. So in 2020, when a 2006 ex-Red Cross Unimog U3000 came on the market which had a longer wheelbase and an automatic gearbox, we decided it was fifth time lucky…..

Earning a living with the Red Cross
Only saw action a couple of times in Avon & Somerset
How she looked when be bought her
Heading off to Motorcraft
Work is underway
The box is complete
Now to design the interior
Can we move that window?
Trickier than it looks
Better get this right
Do we have enough storage..??
Phew – the fridge freezer fits
The spare wheel lift
Spraying the cab
and the grill
It’s getting close now
Loving the contrasting edges
nearly there….
She’s finished & ready to go
Must remember to add the spare wheel…
“Cheese”

The conversion was undertaken by https://www.motorcraftadventuredevelopments.com/ in Doncaster, England. We chose them to do the conversion having seen the quality of their work at the Adventure Overland Show in Stratford upon Avon.

While in Brooklyn, NY we met Patrick who runs the New Jersey Outdoor Adventures channel on YouTube and did a van tour video with him…..

Specification:

  • Based on a 2006 Unimog U3000
  • OM904LA 4.25 litre Euro 3 engine with 177 hp
  • Long wheel base chassis – 3.85m
  • Synchronised 8-speed electropneumatical shifting (EPS) gearbox with integrated transfer box and pneumatically switched drive for both axles.
  • Electronic quick reverse
  • Electropheumatical forward/reverse shifting
  • Increased fording ability – upto 1200mm
  • Hydraulic winch at front (details TBC)
  • Extended range 250 litre diesel tank
  • Habitation box is 4.5m long & 2.2m wide
  • Built from composite panels with 50mm internal insulation
  • Double glazed glass windows
  • 280 litre fresh water tank
  • Composting toilet
  • Alde lpg gas central heating system
  • Twin internal lpg/propane cylinders
  • Solgaz SP-34 Compact Convection oven / Microwave / Steam oven