How far do you drive your Pinz?

[bassman2]

I've had my Pinz 712 for a few years - but it's been sitting in my shop more than it's been driving on the road or off the road!

I'm thinking about taking it over the mountain pass to central Oregon in the spring. In a regular vehicle it's about a 3:30 hour drive. I know it will be a long, slow, slug in the Pinz.. I forgot loud too. My original Malloy tires aren't the best for road travel!

I'm concerned with - heating up going over the MT. Hood Pass, gas range (I'll have to carry extra) and general road worthiness on the freeway! My rig is very clean and seems to be in perfect working condition...

How far are you comfortable driving your Pinz? What preps do I need just in case / based on experience.

[VinceAtReal4x4s]

Those tires should really go to a farm vehicle. It would drive so much better with something new.

[bonefish635]

Those tires should really go to a farm vehicle. It would drive so much better with something new.

Listen to Vince on that. I changed from Maloya equivalents to modern BFG KM2s recently and the difference/reduction in road noise is substantial. Yet they seem to have about the same mud ability as the old chunky tires I took off. Win/win.

Tony

[edzz]

When I lived in California I was always more worried about me overheating than my Pinz, unless there’s something wrong with your truck I don’t think you’ll need to worry.

I don’t remember bernhard mentioning any over heating problems towing his trailer from southern California to Alaska and back. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7M3m04IUh0

Now as to carrying extra gas that’s a different matter, I always scold myself when I get low enough that I have to break out the spare gas can.

Remember to bring your ear plugs and factor in the added time answering questions at your gas stops

[CentAr712]

I drive mine about 150 miles one way and it takes more than twice as long as a normal vehicle. Gas is definitely my biggest concern; there aren't many gas stations where I go, so I bring a lot of full jerry cans along. I just take it slow and enjoy the ride.

[4x4Pinz]

when I was a boy scout leader I would pile in 10 boys in the back of my 712 and put the pinz trailer behind it with all there gear in it. I would drive it five hours from Phoenix to the Sunrise ski area (1200ft elev to 9400ft elev) in the summer where we would camp out. The truck always did very well. Now the truck has been remodeled into a camper and is substantially heavier then most 712's. I notice a rise in engine temps in the summer when on grades of 10% for sustained periods. All I have to do is back off just a little and the temps drop back down to normal.
Our group of pinzies here have done several multi day trips with no issues, other then having enough fuel. A number of us have larger fuel tanks and rear tire/jerry can racks so fuel is usually a mute point.

As others have already said, get rid of those Maloyas, check the fluids before you leave and allow plenty of time. After eight years with my pinz I still enjoy the ride.

[krick3tt]

I have driven my pinz from San Diego CA to Seattle WA to Denver CO several times...and from Denver to the NWMF in OR three times.
It is a hoot to get out on the road and enjoy the beautiful scenes passing by. I have driven in the desert at 113 deg and not worried about
the vehicle heating up, only me. I do carry extra gas on long trips and a radio helps with the distances. Biggest issue is speed or lack thereof.
Get out and enjoy yourself.
No it doesn't float and it is called a Pinzgauer...get ready for the questions.

Get new tires.

[Stekay]

I don't worry about the engine overheating, but I do concern myself with the gear train. I check or change the gear lube before any longish trip. Though not at all heavily loaded due to the multiple gearboxes and low overall gearing, they are spinning pretty fast. I usually try to keep a steady 62 mph and schedule 50 mph as an average when figuring trip duration.

[spectactical]

I bought mine in Colorado back in March. I then drove it home to North Carolina. I have also been up to Maryland. I am not too concerned if I have some tools with me but that first ride to NC was nerve wracking since I didn't know the vehicle at all and had just cleared out the bank purchasing it!

[westernair]

Same story here back and forth to California. Monthly trips fully loaded with Boy Scouts 1 to 4 hours each way. Out to Yellowstone, down through Jackson hole, San Francisco and back to Tacoma trip.
Quality tires are your first order of business. BFGs are expensive but I would drive on nothing else.

[ScottishPinz]

In 2008 I drove my truck around Iceland for Two weeks. Covered 2629 km in that time. Never missed a beat. Same when I took it through Europe to Poland, and on my drive to the South coast of England from Edinburgh in Scotland. My Pinz has never had a problem in covering the miles. Its a little slower than my car, but cause it's a camper I can easily pull over for a rest or a brew up.

[MadMax]

Cant say I broke any records, but was very pleased that I made it home safe from Vancouver BC down to Gig Harbor, about 4 hours, on the highway after buying the C303 to get it home. Thats my longest trek so far. Ive been across the bridge to Tacoma a handful of times, and lots of to the store and back trips. Not really confident enough to go offroading with it yet, but will get there someday when Im done restoring and know it inside and out.

[Dreadnought]

I suppose I could say that I drive the Pinz every 3rd 4th day.......we try to alternate with the UAZ 469b.....to keep them both in ready to go condition. The furthest we drive it is to the nearest big town if we have something to pick up from a store that is too big for the UAZ and too small for the Unimog. Plus we prefer it for exploring due to its superior off road ability.....the UAZ has a winch, but that only makes up for it,s lack of difflocks. (on our exploring days we could be out all day, but that would mostly be off road on the tracks and lanes crossing the hills around here...so no idea of mileage) and of course I have to mention that my 710K is a bit of a mongrel due to it having a Mercedes OM 602 n/a diesel engine from a european sprinter van (model 110) along with it,s primary geartrain. The economy of which bears no resemblance to a Benzin powered Pinz, though in a sprint the Benzin engine would have an edge.