We have two MW/SNG Wolfcoaches (Wolfceech??) One chassis is branded "Freightliner", and the other "Dodge". Both are powered by Mercedes-Benz. Other than than that, they are identical.
I like them a thousand times better than the E-350 they replaced. My former station has a bookmobile-sized Frontline which, as a photog, I loved. Spacious, DSS, microwave for meals, and wall mounted Jackalope. That truck was terrific for the faraway, weeklong hurricane type stuff. This little Euro truck is for the town just outside microwave range. Two different tools.
The new trucks a one and two years old. They offer enough space for four people. The front passenger seat swivels 180 for reporters, and we have two small office chairs in the back. The rear cargo area is huge. I would recommend some custom shelving or other way to organize the space. We have a blessed amount of equipment back there.... on top of each other. Our mast is mounted behind the driver, to my dismay. They run off quiet diesel generators, and have been reliable. The monitors are LCD, and are often a pain in the butt to view. The controls for making it go are fine, but the accessories are a cryptic mess. The "snowflake" is for A/C, but I guess the "wavy lines and plus" button is for the mirage generator. Also, the brake pedal is too small for four tons of diplomacy.
On the road, the diesels have a bit of pickup in the right RPM range after the turbo spools up. Go for the "Type R" version. They have an astonishingly tight turning radius. On a smooth, dry highway, you float along at highway speeds. Vision is fantastic. Spend the $$ for a video-assist reverse camera.
On the downside, their little wheels (smaller than Explorer) make them a little squirrely on bad roads. There is also a lot of body roll to get used to. The low ground clearance excludes them from curb-hopping; a common practice for our trucks here.
You mentioned mountain roads: We have a safety device mounted on the driver's side to prevent driving off with the mast up. It is a wire connecting the stowed dish to a wedge that inserts into a box. If the dish and/or mast aren't all the way down, there's not enough wire for the connection. I don't know if this is a standard or custom feature, but if you drive near trees, think of a better way. When I drive along wooded country roads, it often gets snagged and sets off an ear-splitting alarm.
In conclusion, I would buy one, but impress upon the drivers that it is in no way like the Ford it replaces.
[ July 23, 2005, 01:35 AM: Message edited by: focusthis ]
