Ford Transit vs Nissan NV

[E350]

carringb: Yes, I see the Daily is body-on-frame and tows 7,716 lbs. Not alot compared to a dually E350, but probably enough for a SMB towing a boat or other trailer packed with recreational gear. And it is rear wheel drive unlike the front wheel drive Sprinter and is available in 4x4. Unfortunately, no Iveco's are imported into the US or Canada.

"Daily Range

The Daily drives like a car, yet is built on a solid steel truck chassis. It offers a superior turning circle, up to 40,000 km engine oil service intervals and up to 3,500 kg towing capacity. The Daily offers a wide range of engines, wheelbases, load volumes, carrying capacities and axle ratios. There is a choice of two gearboxes: the 6-speed manual and the AGile™ automated 6-speed.

The Daily range includes:
•Van
•Cab Chassis
•Dual Cab"



from:

http://www.iveco.com.au/index.php/on-ro ... ight/range

FYI, here is the Daily van:

http://www.iveco.com.au/index.php/on-ro ... /range/van

"Daily 4 x 4 Range

The Daily 4 x 4 offers the best combination of payload and off-road performance in the toughest conditions. Built on a solid steel truck chassis, it comes with permanent all wheel drive with three available differential locks (front, rear, and central), 24 forward and 4 reverse gear ratios. There is also the option of selecting the first synchronised reduction (half speed) with the vehicle in motion. The Daily 4 x 4 is also fitted with parabolic suspension with a live front axle to cushion the shocks of road surfaces.

Thanks to its design, the Daily 4 x 4 guarantees the performance of a true off-road vehicle with a:
•51° departure angle
•27° approach angle
•36° departure angle, with rear bar raised
•fording depth up to 700 mm."



from:

http://www.iveco.com.au/index.php/off-road/daily-4x4

Looks like the Aussie's may have had a hand in the engineering or production of the Daily 4x4. Any experience with it by you downunders?

[UJOINT]

That crew cab flat bed is sick!

[E350]

Yup, I thought of you when I saw it. Didn't you put an XP Camper on a flatbed van you converted to 4x4?

[derJack]

Originally Posted by E350

Just curious. Does the Sprinter have a frame? Or is it unibody?

I have heard that some larger rvs when towing actually have had the back of the rv bulge out due to the lack of a frame under the body.

And finally, does the Iveco have a frame? They have always been the most intriguing Euro van to me.

All European Vans up to 3.5 tons are Unibody as far as I know. Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit, Peugeot Boxer, Renault Master, VW Crafter ...
This Layout is much more convenient for onroad usage, lightweight, low floor to enter payload, best steering/handling, center of gravity.

Plus note most European cities are much tighter, these rigs need to turn on small roads etc.

[E350]

Hmmm...

Well I guess that begs the question of what Iveco means by a "solid steel truck chassis." According to dictionary.com "chassis" means:

"Automotive. the frame, wheels, and machinery of a motor vehicle, on which the body is supported."

Ignoring Iveco's written advertising for a moment, and regardless of whether or not the cargo vans are unibody or not, can't we all agree that just by looking at the two pictures of the flatbed vans in both the Daily and the Daily 4x4 pictures above, that the flatbead portion is not unibody becuase it looks like there is a frame under those flatbeds?