Reviving a classic long distance truck and trailer combination with a conventional MAN model that was never used in that category of on-highway trucking. The additional fun factor is its current registration as a recreational vehicle. The whole accommodation unit rests on the truck bed, completely out of sight, thanks to the tarpaulin cover.
The 320 DIN-hp, 1988 MAN 4×2 started its working career in Portugal, it was imported into the Netherlands in 2010. Noteworthy is that it originally was a tractor unit.
The transmission was sourced from Fuller. According to the MAN factory specifications and brochures from the eighties, that must be the RTO 9513.
Now wait a minute here, a 1969-1994 MAN Ponton Kurzhauber with a sleeper cab? To my knowledge, that never happened.
Well, evidently it happened at least once. More precisely, the cab extension was realized in the shop of truck restorer Peter Visser, as I found out after a little bit of interwebs digging.
A fine piece of craftsmanship I can highly appreciate and admire. The name of the MAN’s previous Dutch owner is still on the doors (photo courtesy of Visser Truckrestauratie).
Such tarpaulin covers predate the curtainsiders as we know them now. Both the classic and the modern set-up can be best described as a hybrid of a flatbed and a box truck.
An example of a similar, old-school construction, sans tarps. Wonderful Volvo G89 6×2 truck, by the way! (photo courtesy of Zeilmakerij Van Horssen B.V.)
The MAN tows a matching, 1992 Floor full trailer with a wide-spread tandem and dual wheels on all axles, rated at a GVW of 28 tonnes (61,700 lbs). Serious business, then and now. As far as I know, the Floor is not used as a camper trailer.
‘Luchtvering’ means air suspension. The Floor company was also known for their heavy-duty, Detroit Diesel powered FTF trucks and tractor units.
Like this 6×2 truck from the early eighties, towing a full trailer with two axles. A combination with five axles, perfectly suited for traveling abroad.
Unsurprisingly, our happy camper is a retired hauling company owner. Back in the day, many MAN vehicles were part of the fleet, in the exact same color scheme as the unconventional RV.
That’s some serious MAN love there.
Ok, Msr Dutch, here comes the dumbest comment I’ve ever left on CC (though I’m sure others might say it couldn’t possibly be, but I digress).
In all these years of restored trucks, it has never, ever occurred to me that there are truck restorers! I’ve always thought there were enthusiasts, probably retired, former drivers, or owners, and truckies have always tended to be an interesting and multi-skilled lot in my experience, but dedicated restorers never occurred to me. Hard to imagine old trucks having the investment capability of old cars, but, as this comment proves, what the goodness-me do I know?
Anyway, so, confession over, do we take it that the entire double trailer thing is RV? ‘Coz that’s a case of taking everything, not only including the kitchen sink but possibly half a hardware store of associated plumbing fitments with it, to rather a new level!
Especially extensive sheet metal work (like that cab extension) is done by professionals. Restoring a big truck cab isn’t a DIY job if you want a good or perfect end result. Most old cabs have very serious rust and rot issues, prior to the job.
There is certainly an international market for old and classic trucks. For example, a hauling company nearby (a father and son business) has more than 30 classic heavy trucks and tractors. They buy and sell all over Europe and beyond. Many are keepers, others come and go. With or without restoration.
More pictures of Visser Truckrestauratie in his album, I recognize many of them (seen at shows, that is):
https://www.vissertruckrestauratie.nl/fotoalbum.html
it’s a quite extensive hobby/business in the US. I run into them in my internet travels, as well as on the road where it’s not too uncommon to add an RV on the back of a vintage truck.
I suspect many/most are retired truckers who want to relive their noisy, hard-riding younger years spent in them.
There are a number of antique truck museums, including one nearby. And truck shows.
They must be insane or maybe never tried quiet comfortable European trucks, I’m seriously thinking od putting my caravan on a truck chassis when my tow car wears out but a later light Japanese truck chassis not something like this, We suddenly got regulations from hell surrounding converted trucks and buses, not sure why.
MANly indeed! That sleeper addition looks pretty petite compared with the norm in the US, but then European drivers are probably a little less “expansive” too. 🙂