Award-winning Unimog camper

A labour of love.

Mark Ribbands lives an exciting life; he’s travelled all over the world and now has one of the coolest vehicles around! His 4x4 Unimog camper is incredible, but even more impressive is the fact he transformed it himself.

The project was a ‘labour of love’ and took only six months during a two year period. He explains his reasons for taking on such an ambitious task, “I’ve seen Unimogs in some pretty far-flung places down the years, and they’ve always impressed me as a very civilised and capable means of travel. Given that I’m not so young anymore, I thought now was the time to treat myself to a little more comfort than you get sleeping in a tent.”

A rewarding challenge.

Mark bought the vehicle three years ago. The 7.5 tonne U3000 model was built in 2005 and had been fitted with a hydraulic access platform so it could be utilised in the forestry sector. With only 20,000 miles on the clock, it still had so much more to give and after seeing its potential, Mark began the process of making it the ultimate travel home.

Work commenced at his home workshop in Norfolk; the very heavy sub-frame was replaced with a new, much lighter alternative from an Atlas 4x4.

The months that followed proved to be busy ones. Mark fabricated the demountable camper body from a combination of steel, aluminium, fibreglass and timber before equipping the interior.

Mark described the operation, “I’ve made things all my life, but this camper is one of the most challenging and satisfying projects I’ve ever undertaken.”

Equally impressive inside and out.

Step in to the Unimog today and you’ll find the striking results of his efforts; a kitchen area complete with hob and sink, a cassette WC, basin and separate shower, two permanent beds (a double and single) along with an external shower and washdown hoses. The power for cooking, heating and hot water is supplied by diesel and electric sources, as the truck doesn’t carry gas, whilst additional batteries can be charged by two roof-mounted solar panels, the vehicle’s alternator or a generator.

There are also main, reserve and grey water tanks plus radio communications technology including a fixed UHF business system and a 10-metre pneumatic mast which serves as a high-frequency antenna.

- Mark Ribbands

Built for all terrains.

Mark has clearly thought of everything. It’s the perfect home from home and he now also uses it as an office when he is working away.

It’s clear to see why the unique truck was crowned the winner at the ‘Unimog on the Farm’ event at Jimmy’s Farm in Ipswich. Katie Purcell, Head of Special Trucks at Mercedes-Benz, described it as “amazing” and couldn’t be happier to award him the trophy.  

Mark now has a major ambition for his ultimate powerhouse – he plans to explore South Africa, Botswana and Namibia with his partner Muitsun and their teenage son James.  “I love the sense of freedom and independence it represents. We took it over to the Hebrides last summer and it performed brilliantly,” he said.

We have every faith the Unimog will deliver, whatever the situation or terrain; as Mark puts it, “that’s the kind of trip this vehicle was really built for.”

We wish him all the best!

Were you wowed by Mark’s Unimog?

Is it the coolest Unimog you’ve ever seen? Or have you seen an equally superb truck? Perhaps you have undertaken a similar ‘labour of love’ project? Share it with us and your fellow RoadStars below and it may feature in an article.