Capital Equipment News April 2015

CONSTRUCTION: ROAD BUILDING TRA SP RT

BIMOBIL EX 460 LONG-DISTANCE CAMPER based on the Fuso Canter 4x4

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

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

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-

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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS APRIL 2015