What's THAT????? - Page 4

vwteleman · 06-10-2015, 02:25 PM

Have you contacted ATW and asked if they'll provide a) number of units they've sold, and b) contact info for owners?

Cheers,
Brent

**daveb** · 06-10-2015, 03:42 PM

ATW contracted SMBW to build these to ATW specs. SMB did have a concept model but it is way different. ATW brought in their own people from Australia to show SMB how to build them and IIRC supervise at least the first few builds. I don't think there is room for much custom options as far as model design but ATW or SMBW would be the people to talk to about that. Also IIRC, I was told there were about three being built last year but not sure if they were being shipped overseas. I can understand owners being reluctant to put the spotlight on them...many Ford owners do the same.

DUKCSUN · 06-10-2015, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwteleman

Have you contacted ATW and asked if they'll provide a) number of units they've sold, and b) contact info for owners?

Cheers,
Brent

I have in fact. Awaiting answers. Thanks.

DUKCSUN · 06-11-2015, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveb

ATW contracted SMBW to build these to ATW specs. SMB did have a concept model but it is way different. ATW brought in their own people from Australia to show SMB how to build them and IIRC supervise at least the first few builds. I don't think there is room for much custom options as far as model design but ATW or SMBW would be the people to talk to about that. Also IIRC, I was told there were about three being built last year but not sure if they were being shipped overseas. I can understand owners being reluctant to put the spotlight on them...many Ford owners do the same.

Dave,
I'm not trying to be daft, but I didn't understand the meaning (implied or otherwise) of your statement (in bold)

**daveb** · 06-12-2015, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DUKCSUN

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveb

I can understand owners being reluctant to put the spotlight on them...many Ford owners do the same.

Dave,
I'm not trying to be daft, but I didn't understand the meaning (implied or otherwise) of your statement (in bold)

Shear privacy. I'm surprised how many people owning SMB's I've met don't post or even want to belong to this forum but I understand it.

carringb · 06-12-2015, 01:46 PM

DUKCSUN - Have you ever driven a box truck on that chassis? Or any other low cab forward?

I have. Enough to know I could never pay to subject myself to that torture ever again. The ride is my main complaint, but climbing hills in hot weather also is uncomfortably hot behind your legs, and they don't have enough power to tow anything decent (if that's a consideration.... not everyone needs to tow).

DUKCSUN · 06-12-2015, 03:27 PM

DaveB, Thanks - Got it. I just didn't understand the comment. I think I do understand why some don't want to though.

CaringB,

I used to drive delivery truck. Not the Mitsu but I have driven the Isuzu counterpart. Most of my true truck experience is with the larger stuff. I agree about the ride, which can be pretty brutal. But the heat can't be worse than sitting with your leg 10 inches from the cylinders on an E350 van IMHO. We've done a lot to try and help there on our van.

The towing piece is definitely a consideration and we are experimenting with it. The GVWR and GCWR certainly has enough runway with the low cab overs (unlike many SMBs) but on-road performance may not be great.

Its already an interesting search as we are exploring all manner of true expeditionary vehicles which have a ton of great design ideas and interesting use cases. The ATW is on the list of vehicles to explore fully. I was just hoping to connect with someone with real-world usage and knowledge on it.

CaringB, have you driven any of the "tricked out" low cab overs? There are a number of manufacturers making them now with various spring packages, suspension mods etc. We will be test driving some soon and It will be interesting if they truly change the ride dynamic or if it's just polishing a turd.

carringb · 06-12-2015, 11:37 PM

I haven't driven any of the newer ones with upgraded suspension. The only cabover I've seen with a decent suspension setup was a 12-ton MAN cabover. That thing was NICE, but definitely way to big to turn into a camper (I think it had a 13-liter).

Oddly, I don't have the slightest heat problem in my van. I've heard some of the motorhome guys complain too. Mine came with an insulated doghouse and it's stamped DIESEL. I'm guessing Ford put the upgraded diesel doghouses in the Wagons, but saved a few bucks on the rest of the lineup.

DUKCSUN · 06-13-2015, 05:21 AM

Hmmm, since ours is diesel that is interesting for sure. I added yet another layer (I think its three total) of heat shield to it and that seemed to help .

The MAN trucks are awesome but as you say, a bit overkill for anything short of the siberian tundra its seems.