The Unimog is the workhorse of the vehicle world. Designed and built by Mercedes-Benz, this “implement carrier” has been used for everything from airport and highway maintenance to fire and rescue services.
However, this beast of a machine has a tender side. Creative individuals around the world have taken the Unimog to new heights in the form of food trucks, small homes, and full-time RVs. The vehicle is so popular it even has its own museum in Germany.
The Unimog has become popular DIY projects for food trucks, overland vehicles, and rugged RVs. Photo by Mogrog Mobile Rotisserie
The 7.5-ton truck was designed by Mercedes Benz as a 4-wheel drive, multipurpose truck in the early 1950s. The word Unimog is actually an acronym for the German phrase, “UNIversal-MOtor-Gerät.” Gerät means device or machine.
Many early Unimogs were utilized by militaries around the world. Most Unimogs have rear-wheel drive and switchable front-wheel drive, equal-size wheels, and high ground clearance.
Unlike other utility vehicles, they can be driven on standard roads and highways. But they are not fast; the maximum speed for a Unimog is about 56 miles per hour.
Because of their strength and versatility, both new and used Unimogs have become popular among DIYers and have been turned into overlander homes on wheels and businesses.
1. Mogrog Mobile Rotisserie
The food truck industry has exploded with vehicles housing delis, ice cream shops, and mini bistros. The Mogrog Mobile Rotisserie is one of these. Mogrog is owned by Alex in Truckee, California.
The food truck serves rotisserie meats, kebabs, and wraps, and is available for special events. Alex stripped the vintage Unimog down to nearly its bones and installed a kitchen with a rotisserie oven on the back.
Mogrog’s exterior has a whiteboard where the daily menu is written for customers and the original Unimog logo was traded for the Mogrog logo.
2. Sami Repo Food Truck
On the other side of the world, another creative chef has turned a Unimog U 318 into a food truck that is serving barbecue to the people of Finland. Sami Repo’s Unimog food truck includes a 400 lb. barbecue oven from Spain.
Photo by Mercedes-Benz
It also has a wash basin, gas stove, copper water boiler, and work surface. The entire side of the Unimog opens up to serve customers and the rear wall is covered with pictures of whales. The exterior is built to look like a Finnish sauna and made of wood panels covered with natural tar.
3. Mowgli the Traveling Unimog
Mowgli is a flatbed German defense force Unimog owned by travelers Angela and Graham. While the outside of the truck still looks like it belongs in the military, the interior features a very comfortable space for full-time living on the road.
Photo by Mowgli Adventures
Mowgli has a double bed, railway-style seating and a table for four, a refrigerator and freezer, oven, and four-burner stove. Hot filtered water is heated by the engine exhaust for the indoor wet room that includes a cassette toilet.
Heating is done with a diesel fuel Eberspaecher air top heater. Angela and Graham have driven Mowgli through Northern Africa.
4. Silipint Unimog Billboard
Silipint is an Oregon-based company that makes unbreakable, silicone cups that are insulated for both hot and cold beverages. The simple, little cups have a mega-sized road trip in the works.
Photo by Rick Fredland/Silipint
The Silipint Unimog is the company’s newest promotion and is screen printed with a massive Silipint design by Green Screen Graphics. The Unimog will be visiting various towns on the U.S. West Coast while engaging with the company’s customers and fans.
5. Atkinson Vos Unimog
Atkinson Vos is the world’s leading specialist in Unimogs. Located in the United Kingdom, the company offers both used and new Unimogs and refurbishes the vehicles for both businesses and private owners.
Photo by Atkinson Vos
They also sell accessories and parts for the vehicles. Some of their best projects include a Unimog wedding “limo” for one of their employees and their own portable billboard complete with an interior workspace and cabinets.
