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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS
APRIL 2015
39
T
he Bimobil EX 460 camper van based
on the robust Fuso Canter 4x4 is
the perfect vehicle for discovering
the world, even off the beaten track. The
high-traction all-wheel-drive light-duty
truck provides the ideal basis for long-dis-
tance campers and expedition vehicles.
Fuso is a Daimler Trucks brand which oper-
ates successfully worldwide.
Bimobil has been known to insiders for almost
40 years now as a brand offering camper
vans that are at once high-quality, function-
al and homely, for use both on and off-road.
The latest creation from this renowned man-
ufacturer is the EX 460 model based on the
Fuso Canter 4x4. This robust all-wheel-drive
light-duty truck provides the platform for a
comfortable long-distance camper with pro-
fessional all-wheel drive which is not fased
when it comes to tackling demanding terrain.
The centrepiece of the Bimobil EX 460’s
camper body is a group of seats for four
people behind the cab. A lockable passage
connects the cab to the body. Leading from
the seats towards the rear are a spacious
kitchen, a wardrobe, a washroom and WC
and a separate bathroom. A large, comfort-
able double bed rounds off the living area
at the rear. Under the bed, large fresh water
and waste water tanks (capacity 200 l and
120 l respectively) and the spare wheel are
accommodated in a generously dimensioned
stowage compartment. There is also space
here for 1.5 m³ of equipment and supplies.
The rear stowage compartment is accessible
from outside by means of large flaps.
The robust, indestructible Bimobil body made
of composite sandwich panels produced in-
house is lavishly insulated. Branch deflectors
protect the edges from damage in rough ter-
rain. Under the camper body, robust grooved
sheet-metal outer valances cover the chassis
of the Canter 4x4.
With its robust truck engineering, including
engageable professional all-wheel drive with
reduction gear, the Fuso Canter 4x4 provides
an excellent base for long-distance campers
or expedition vehicles in demanding use. The
engageable reduction gear halves the max-
imum speed in the respective gears, at the
same time doubling the tractive force. The
standard-specification self-locking differen-
tial on the rear axle further boosts traction.
In contrast to the Canter with rear-wheel drive,
the cab and body are positioned substantially
higher in the interests of ideal handling char-
acteristics on rough stretches. This results in
a substantial approach angle of 35 degrees.
The ground clearance is almost doubled, to
as much as 320 mm.
In rough terrain, the camper benefits from
the exceptional manoeuvrability of the Can-
ter 4x4. A body width of two metres puts the
cab on a par with many a van. The body from
Bimobil is also relatively slender, measur-
ing 2.22 m in width. Thanks to the Canter’s
cab-over-engine design, the camper’s over-
all length is a compact 6.44 m. Last but not
least, the short wheelbase of just 3415 mm
results in an astoundingly tight turning cir-
cle of only 13.5 m/14.9 m (without/with all-
wheel drive engaged).
The high-torque four-cylinder turbo diesel
engine of the Canter 4x4 ensures ample pro-
pulsive power, wherever the camper roams.It
generates an output of 129 kW (175 hp) from
a displacement of 3.0 l, and a hefty 430 Nm
of peak torque.
The robust truck engineering of the Can-
ter 4x4 is designed for tough operating condi-
tions in professional use. This is demonstrat-
ed by high permissible axle loads of 2800 kg
at the front and 6000 kg at the rear axle, for
example, and by the high load capacity of the
17.5-inch tyres. Despite its robust design,
the chassis of the Canter 4x4 is surprisingly
light. Consequently, at a permissible gross
vehicle weight of 6.5 t the Bimobil EX 460
offers a payload capacity of 1.85 t for the
passengers and their equipment – more
than enough reserves even for extensive ad-
venture travels.
b
BIMOBIL EX 460 LONG-DISTANCE CAMPER
based on the Fuso Canter 4x4
CONSTRUCTION: ROAD BUILDING
TRA SP RT