u1300l

[pauld]

Ive just been offered 4 of these wonderfull beasts, ex US Army Europe, no photos yet but they were driven into the yard in the late 90's and have been there ever since, thebodya are getting tatty now but everythings there, the contract plates are still on them anybody in the UK interested pm me

 

[jsalamon]

Are these unimog u1300l 's for sale?

Please email me at jsalamon@xplornet.com

Thanks

John

 

[pauld]

they were for sale, but i beleive theyve been snapped up by a dealer here in the uk

 

[jsalamon]

If you hear of anyother U1300L's come up for sale please let me know. I am interested in purchasing one for hunting. As soon as dealers get them the price more then doubles for these used trucks.

Thanks

John

 

[gdict]

There's a reason why the price doubles. Ever try to buy and import a U1300L from Germany?

Sure, you can buy a truck from VEBEG for about 12-15K Euro, but good luck doing it on your own.

Do you speak, read, and write German? You'll need it.
Got a friend in Germany who can inspect it for you? You'll need one.
You got about $5K+ for shipping? You'll need it.
Know how to get it through customs? Not all U1300L's are DOT exempt.
When importing this stuff, everybody and their cousin has a hand out and wants their cut for their little part of the process.

After all that, what if you end up with a bad tranny or something else major? A transmission can cost as much or more than the truck!

My point is that Unimog and other foreign MV dealers get such a bad rap for supposed price gouging, when most folks have no clue how much work it takes to get these vehicle to the US and on the road.

As for a U1300L for a huinting truck, have you ever seen one in person? They are BIG and EXPENSIVE. A nice example will cost you $30K+. You can get one **** of a 4x4 domestic pickup for that kind of money.

Just my $.02

Cheers!

Greg

 

[BKubu]

Greg is right on the money. I had a hankering for a U1300 at one point. I priced them domestically at between $25K-30K (this was a few years back). I also priced them in Europe. By the time you did all the legwork and paid all the fees, you were looking at near the same money, but with more headaches. The same goes for buying in Hawaii (unless you are in CA and even then it is a real hassle getting a truck out there)...you end up with **** near the same money in a truck as if you bought it in the US.

 

[tennmogger]

Bruce, my reply is to your post simply because your post was last. I'm not picking on you.

I disagree with the comparison of a typical US (maybe) built pickup, say a 1 ton Ford/Chev/Dodge, with all options, Diesel engine, manual tranny, etc. versus a good quality U-1300 Unimog. What are we talking about in dollars, maybe $45k MINIMUM for that PU? Pay that for a Unimog and you get a like-new truck delivered to your door.

For much less than that price one can import (or commission it done) a very well maintained low mileage and hours U-1300 (or 1200, 1250, 1450, 1750, 2450, etc). For that price you get 3 ton or more capability, full offroad capability at rated load, Diesel engine that we mere backyard mechanics can still maintain (no electronics) that can still go hundreds of thousands of miles, a transmission with up to 16 forward and reverse gears, a chassis made for over 30 year life (not 10 years to the trash pile) then rebuild for another 30 years. Hydraulics for plows, backhoes, front loaders, 3 point hitch, power takeoff, hydraulic winch, are all common additions (which I use daily). Of course there's 4wd and fully locking differentials. And they are already single rear wheeled so you don't have to BOB them!!

With no electronic control on the engine or tranny, these trucks are even ready for the zombie apocalypse

European trucks, including Unimogs, are made for efficiency. No, you won't get 500 hp and you'll never smoke the tires. You get a truck that will get much more work done than just hauling a ton of stuff down the road.

Those of you who know me know I'm sort of fanatical about these trucks. I do all the servicing myself. If you have to take a Unimog to the dealer, or go through normal dealership channels for all your parts, there's no doubt a US made truck is easier and cheaper (but not simpler). But then many of us SS people drive big trucks that can't be taken to a dealer for service, parts are procured through 'alternate' channels, and we know how to turn a wrench. Unimogs fit that pattern. I have a '57 mog that still runs like a new one and every component is still available from various sources.

Submitted in defense of Unimogs, LOL

Bob

Greg is right on the money. I had a hankering for a U1300 at one point. I priced them domestically at between $25K-30K (this was a few years back). I also priced them in Europe. By the time you did all the legwork and paid all the fees, you were looking at near the same money, but with more headaches. The same goes for buying in Hawaii (unless you are in CA and even then it is a real hassle getting a truck out there)...you end up with **** near the same money in a truck as if you bought it in the US.

 

[jsalamon]

I have to agree with Bob. A unimog is a very different animal then a F350 truck. The unimogs were designed for hard military use and outstanding offroad ability. You simply can't get this in our domestic trucks.

As far as importation of a unimog, its really not that difficult.

Our Ministry of transportation runs a check of the VIN number and tells you if its admissable for registration. Customs allows importation of vehicles 15 years or older period. After 15 years most restrictions of importation are removed. I believe its to artifically drive up the prices of current vehicles in North America. This creates barriers to entry.

As far as the German language barrier, english is a requirement in this country. Taught as a second language. Most speak it as a second language.

Most dealers importing these trucks into north america offer no warrantee or guarantee. They recieve the vehicle, change the oils, make sure everything works on it and mark it up.

I can purchase two unimogs dirct from mil surplus for the price of one from a dealer. Shipping for two is the same as well and arrangements can be made to deliver it only a few miles from my house. I looked into this before.

All I need is the contact number for the military surplus operation in Germany that deals with their governemnt liquidation of surplus stock.

I regret that I didn't purchase one before Germany adopted the euro currency. Overnight this doubled the price of these trucks.

If anyone has the contact number/email for the German liquidation department of defence please let me know. I need to start somewere.

As long as these local trucks demand $40,000-$60,000 I will never be able to afford one.

John

 

[gdict]

I think Bob missed my point a bit and as a certified Unimog fanatic, he went on the defense of the Unimog. Even though I have only ever owned one Unimog, I also consider myself a fanatic and I certainly am not dismissing the abilites of an Unimog in any way. My point was simply that an Unimog, especially a U1300L is a bit overkill for a "huntin' rig".

Now John, no offense intended, but you speak a lot of theory and little practice. First off, are you in MN as your profile implies or Canada as your reference to a "Ministry" implies. As far as I know, we have no ministries of anything in the US.

If Canada, yes, it is easier to import later Unimogs. In the US, not quite as easy. DOT exemption occrurs only at 25 years of age. Then you need to convince customs that you are going to convert it to a camper so you don;t get hit with ridiculous customs duties in place to protect the US truck manaufacturers. Then there are 50 different states with 50 different requirements as titling and registering the vehicle.

Yes, English is taught universally in Germany, but that means nothing when it comes to dealing with civil servants and other clerical type folks. Many are very hesitant to use their English or it is simply very poor from lack of use. I have experienced this first hand taking vehicles both to and from Germany and dealing with thing like car registration while living there.

Every dealer has different policies in regards to warranties. A blanket statement like that is simply wrong. At minimum, you can at least inspect and drive a vehicle that is already in country.

Sure, you can buy two trucks for half the price of one in country at a dealer. I agree with that. But the end cost will reflect a much smaller margin than you think.

The most amusing statement you make is about the Euro conversion. Price increases in Germany are attributable to one thing only and that is called INFLATION. You sound just like all the pissy Germans whining that the Euro made everything more expensive. The Euro was permanently tied to the Deutschmark at DM 1.93 to 1 Euro years before the introduction of the Euro. For an entire year, both currencies were in use simultaneously so the DM could be phased out smoothly. The reason the trucks are more expensive to us in the US is because our dollar is in the shi##er and worth very little against the Euro right now. This is the number one reason why I haven't imported anything recently.

I'd like to know what magical method you would use to ship two trucks for the price of one? Sure, a container cost a flat amount up to its weight limit, but I'm not sure if you can even get a 1300 into a container. I've heard of three 404's piggybacked into a forty forter and I have done two Iltis and Thing in a forty footer, but single vehicles are far more economical to ship via RoRo. RoRo is priced by cubic volume of the vehicle, so 1=1 and 2=2. No economies of scale with that one.

As for where to buy German surplus, here you go:

www.vebeg.de

Knock yourself out. I'd love to hear about your 1300L when you get it and what your final cost is.

Cheers!

Greg

I have to agree with Bob. A unimog is a very different animal then a F350 truck. The unimogs were designed for hard military use and outstanding offroad ability. You simply can't get this in our domestic trucks.

As far as importation of a unimog, its really not that difficult.

Our Ministry of transportation runs a check of the VIN number and tells you if its admissable for registration. Customs allows importation of vehicles 15 years or older period. After 15 years most restrictions of importation are removed. I believe its to artifically drive up the prices of current vehicles in North America. This creates barriers to entry.

As far as the German language barrier, english is a requirement in this country. Taught as a second language. Most speak it as a second language.

Most dealers importing these trucks into north america offer no warrantee or guarantee. They recieve the vehicle, change the oils, make sure everything works on it and mark it up.

I can purchase two unimogs dirct from mil surplus for the price of one from a dealer. Shipping for two is the same as well and arrangements can be made to deliver it only a few miles from my house. I looked into this before.

All I need is the contact number for the military surplus operation in Germany that deals with their governemnt liquidation of surplus stock.

I regret that I didn't purchase one before Germany adopted the euro currency. Overnight this doubled the price of these trucks.

If anyone has the contact number/email for the German liquidation department of defence please let me know. I need to start somewere.

As long as these local trucks demand $40,000-$60,000 I will never be able to afford one.

John

 

[Snarky]

My point was simply that an Unimog, especially a U1300L is a bit overkill for a "huntin' rig".

No offense, as I have no idea what kind of hunting California offers, but here in Texas hunting usually involves multiple people going out into rugged remote terrain where the few roads can turn into mud rivers in a matter hours if they even exist. Most of the transport is through grassy or rocky areas, and the goal is to shoot and retrieve heavy animals to process for food either in the field after they are transported home depending on the animal.

If you do your hunting in Mexico then the environment is often even worse than Texas, with long tough rides that can and will destroy vehicles, and that's all in the pleasant south! I'm sure that in the cold north towards Canada or near the Rockies it's even worse than that, where you have to contend with possible snow, ice, and even more rugged terrain.

Not every hunter is bubba in the field with a .22.

I'da say bring the most durable vehicle you can.

 

[pauld]

jsalmon, if you are serious about a U1300 you shuold get in touch with Atkinson-Vos here in the UK (unimog.co.uk) they are the folks that picked up the 4 I knew about. They are "the" unimog people here in the UK and regularly export to the states. see what they can offer you,the U1300's they have are ex US Army Europe models and still have the contract plates on them so you could trace the history through medlog if you get one, remember though, the U1300 was amilitary spec model, 24v, no hi/low, no hydraulic system, and only basic trim!!, even for a mog.

 

[southdave]

Shipping cost are down to 30% of pre-crash prices according to some maritme news 493,000 boxes are idled. Now maybe time to do it.

 

[duncan]

Yes, English is taught universally in Germany, but that means nothing when it comes to dealing with civil servants and other clerical type folks. Many are very hesitant to use their English or it is simply very poor from lack of use. I have experienced this first hand taking vehicles both to and from Germany and dealing with thing like car registration while living there.

My experience in dealing with germans is quite opposite, most of them are quite happy to do their best at english, though it might not always be very good. However, the better the english, the higher the price most of the time. Goes for most countries, not just Germany.

The most amusing statement you make is about the Euro conversion. Price increases in Germany are attributable to one thing only and that is called INFLATION. You sound just like all the pissy Germans whining that the Euro made everything more expensive. The Euro was permanently tied to the Deutschmark at DM 1.93 to 1 Euro years before the introduction of the Euro. For an entire year, both currencies were in use simultaneously so the DM could be phased out smoothly. The reason the trucks are more expensive to us in the US is because our dollar is in the shi##er and worth very little against the Euro right now. This is the number one reason why I haven't imported anything recently.

You're right on the dollar taking a dive, but dont underestimate the influence of the euro. It's called inflation, indeed. But what happens is that with the weird conversion rates, all prices changed, mostly for the worse. Yes that is inflation too, but the inflation rate skyrocketed for a few years after the euro was introduced. You dont see that in official studies and graphs, because it was mainly the cheap stuff that got round up. Cheap stuff like food and other daily necessities. Switching to a coin that's worth twice as much makes a little price increase look half as bad. But this still is a heated discussion even over here, lets not get into it more, seeing as this is an MV forum.

Back on topic then, as with any overseas purchase, some good contacts can make all the difference. You can buy high quality mogs for around 15 000 euro here. That should leave you plenty money to arrange shipping and titles when coming from a $50k perspective. With prices that high in the states it might even be profitable to use a 40 ft container and get 2 mogs and as many spares as you can fit, and sell whats left. A mog can get into a container easily, but depending on tire size you might need to remove the wheels.

 

[duncan]

GDict was corrent with Vebeg btw, their mog list is here:

https://www.vebeg.de/web/en/verkauf...H_ORDER=A&SUCH_AUS_ID=&SUCH_LOS_ID=&B1=Search

 

[saddamsnightmare]

April 20th, 2010.

I'll weigh in on the side of the Unimog almost 99.9999% of the time. Why? I've had lots of American light and heavy duty trucks from a 1951 Ford F6 dump, to a 1985 Chevrolet S-10 (a very big mistake), to a 1989 Ford F250 4X4 that was an exceptional truck and an oddball from day one (it had 1-1/2 ton axles from the factory)..... All of them did something, sometimes very well and reliably, sometimes not at all well. I used to have to go into the worst country in the east back in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and sometimes Eastern Ohio on railroad repair jobs that were, for want of any better terms, far beyond BFE! Sometimes complicated by rain, snow, ice or mud, and trails a goat would not have taken.... Often the 3/4 ton F250 had to haul in two tons plus in equipment to go where nothing else could make it.. I would have loved to have had Hy-Rail units to go in on the tracks, but I didn't want to drag that dead weight around when I could avoid it (like the other 75% of the time in road transit mode).
I also had experience with M135/M211's in construction, a Unimog or an M35A2 is light years ahead of those trucks for power and useability. I saw my first Unimog 406/408 on the C&O Canal NHP with a knuckleboom crane and a flat bed moving a railroad signal house for us, and I decided there was the truck for me.... I ended up with a Swiss S404.114, and other then teething problems from 43 years and only 10,000 original miles (1963-2007), the truck has done everything expected of it but go fast, and the only problems have been from pitifully dirty gas here in East Texas..... It runs all the time, everytime, in snow and mud, and does what no other commercial equivalent truck can do... If I was looking for a hunting truck, a Swiss S404.114 would be it. Yes, a diesel (MB) would be nice, but for the money, you can't buy a used American truck with the abilities the Unimog has built in, and they are long lived beasts. One of these days I will hunt down a U1300L, deuce capabilities in a truck that has no need to be bobbed, and if I can find one with the utra high speed axles, so much the better...

Drive one, you'll buy one, I can just about guarantee, and the Unimog still wins hands down over the HMMWV too....

Just my worth,