Military vehicles are cool to look at, but in reality, many are disappointing when it comes to real-world usage. It’s a shame because, on paper, these rugged all-terrain machines make sense for their excellent all-terrain capabilities, huge payloads, and towing capacities. And they’re often sold cheaply when released from military duty. However tempting, in a lot of cases, these rigs simply aren’t practical for civilian use with their abysmal fuel economy, questionable reliability, non-existent driver comforts, and size that limits accessibility. Fortunately, there are some outliers, and the Steyr 12M18 is one of them.
Steyr originally produced this vehicle for the Austrian army, but thanks to its reputation for bulletproof reliability and capability, it was soon adopted by other militaries and organizations (including the United Nations). It was such a hit that it soon caught the attention of MAN Truck & Bus, which ended up buying the company, as many of their most successful 4WD trucks of the time were being underpinned by Steyr technology. Ultimately, I think what differentiates the 12M18 from other trucks of the period is that they provide a huge payload (11,500 pounds) without being excessively oversized, and their all-terrain performance is legendary—which is why the design went on to inspire Stewart and Stevenson Tactical Vehicles. Additionally, they’re genuinely reliable and return respectable fuel mileage for this era and size of truck. Today’s offering enjoys extensive premium modifications, a fully equipped habitation box, and is priced at a reasonable $99,000.
From the Seller:
“If you dream of traveling around the world in your van (RV) safely, here is what you need: a Steyr 12M18 expedition truck converted to a motorhome in 2012.”
Steyr 12M18 Expedition Truck
The 12M18 is fitted with a 6.6-liter diesel engine that produces 180 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. A dependable motor is matched with impressive go-anywhere performance, thanks to full-time 4WD, low range, central, front, and rear locking differentials, and more. The 12M18 is often regarded as the military truck by which all others of the period are judged, and this has seen prices gradually increase over the years. Be warned that some specialist parts are becoming increasingly hard to source. The seller states the average fuel consumption is 20 liters per 100 kilometers (62 miles per 5.2 gallons), which, combined with twin fuel tanks (99 gallons total), should provide a range in excess of 1,000 miles.
Distinguishing Features
- Lifepo4 280-amp-hour battery with 550 watts of solar power
- Water purification system with a 55-gallon freshwater tank
- Truma Combi D 6 heating and hot water
- Dometic Waeco fridge
- Dometic generator, 3000 watts
This Steyr 12M18 Expedition Truck is listed for $99,000 and is currently located in California. Check the full vehicle specifications via the original Expedition Portal forum post here.
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