I’m finally making some progress on my Promaster conversion van, although it’s all taking a lot longer than I expected. But the electrical system is working, including the solar panel. And I’ve got most of the rest of it fleshed out in my head and the parts are in the garage. I’ll give you an update shortly.
But as I start to think about heading off in the boonies, I accept the fact that it’s not going to be as off-road capable as this Sprinter 4×4. So maybe I need me a little Suzuki Jimny/Samurai behind it for that purpose.
Based on their location and the personalized plates, I know these two are a bit of a couple. I saw “Jegy” arrive a couple of years ago, and I talked to the owner who then said he was thinking of swapping in a VW TDi diesel four.
A diesel lover, apparently. But I’ve seen the little Suzuki in traffic once or twice, and its engine sound was decidedly non-diesel. It seems like a lot of work just to make that happen, and to what gain?
These obviously make great little “tenders”, as they’re light and are quite capable off-road.
Of course the soft top version would be even better for just pure off-roading.
One of our more memorable trips in the old Chinook was to Four Corners in October of 2003. It was so warm, we detoured up into Colorado and camped up in Silverton, where we rented a Wrangler for the day and did the famous Alpine Loop, an incredible loop drive over mining/jeep roads, including this stop at Engineer Pass (elev: 12,800′). The top just had to come down, despite it being late October and the high elevation. I’d like to be doing more of this.
Looks like “Juje” is all ready to haul Jegy. My van came with a hitch too. Now it just needs something to tow.
Nah, you should import an old Panda 4×4, jack it up a bit, and badge the Promaster as a Fiat.
A Fiat-Steyr-Puch-Niedermeyer outfit seems a good fit.
It would suit Paul better to rebadge it as a Peugeot Boxer!
Paul, would a couple of little motorcycles give you the same utility as a Samurai?
I think you’ve got the right idea!
These, along with the Tracker/Sidekick cousins, were very popular as RV “tenders” in their day. I’ve also heard the term “toad” used, an a homonym for “towed”.
Anything with a manual transfer case makes for a great choice to flat-tow behind an RV.
But I’m not sure this Sammy is a “toad”. I don’t see any towbar hardware on the bumper. (another good reason to use the Sammy was that it didn’t have 5mph bumpers, so the towbar could simply be bolted to the bumper)
Campervan Kevin on YouTube tows a Tracker today.
Seconded on Tracker. There’s even a few places that will put in a 4.3 V-6 in one.
http://www.suzukiconversion.com/suzuki_137.htm#
There should be a lot of good choices available in your climate. I am also thinking of the old Mitsubishi/Dodge Raider.
Those little Samurais are fantastic. I would love to have one but they seem to hold their value really well. A lightly used import Japan might be the ticket.
If you want to go oddball then this convertible Lada Niva would be tempting. The soft tops were sold new in Canada but are rare these days. Sadly this one has the rare (but ugly) body kit.
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/lethbridge/potentially-sold-lada-niva-everest-cabriolet-edition/1361251896?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
I would try to find a Suzuki Brute myself….
Something like a Suzuki Mule would be ideal exc it can’t be road licensed so it can be driven three miles to the trail head or dinner or the store.
Those are excellent offroaders…problem is most of them have been chewed up doing just that. My biggest concern would be availability of parts.
Actually Paul, Oregon does not allow vanity aka. customized plates on their four letter speciality plates so these plates are just dumb luck. I have KLQB on my speciality plates.
Glad to hear you are making headway with your Promaster.
So what’s the deal with flat towing anyway? As far as my knowledge goes it’s completely unheard of on this continent and seemingly even illegal apart from rope tows to the next gas station or something in the event of a breakdown.
Does it make the combination any more or less maneuverable or stable than towing on an actual trailer, or does it have the potential to damage anything about the driveline of the towed vehicle? What about reversing? And what about brakes and lights? I’ve seen magnetic brake lights for flat towing, but will the towed vehicle be completely brakeless?
Flat towing behind RV’s is very commonplace in the U.S. Not all vehicles can be towed with the driven wheels spinning. Some vehicles with automatic transmissions will be damaged if they are flat towed in neutral for long distances.
Hence the reference to the manual transfer case/manual transmission–this allows the rear wheels to spin without the transmission spinning. With the front hubs on the 4wd disengaged, the front driveline will not spin either.
My Versa can be a toad since it is a 5 speed stick. Just start the engine and let it run for 2 minutes every 500 miles to stir the tranny oil a bit.
I’d put on a full bra on that Suzuki (or any toad) so they don’t get nose rash from the road grit being kicked up by the RV.
IIRC, Saturns could all be flat-towed, even automatic models, because the trans fluid continued to circulate when it was in N.
Thanks for the reply. Sounds easier and safer to tow with a trailer though. Has brakes, can be reversed, no risk of mechanical damage.
Nice photographic catch- I would call it “oddfellows juxtaposition”.