The Incredible Mercedes Unimog The Worlds Finest 4×4 Workhorse?

Article written by Ascenso Tyres UK

The Humble Mercedes Unimog

The Mercedes Unimog, without doubt is one of the finest 4×4 workhorses on the planet. Production first began way back in 1948 however the example shown here is a is a much later version which dates back to the mid 1980’s.

Unimogs can be found all over the world working in some of the planets most challenging environments. As a consequence of it’s go anywhere persona, this particular Mercedes Unimog and many others like this one operate on specially engineered Trilex wheels which are designed to separate into smaller sections, with just basic tools. This design allows the operator to change the tyres in the field without the need to return to the workshop.

Theory is one thing and practicality is another, whilst it is true that Trilex wheels can easily be worked on, and Trilex wheels may well have taken inspiration from the American Willys Jeep of the 1940’s which featured split wheel hubs, putting the wheel back together following an inner tube or tyre change can prove difficult if you don’t know what you’re doing.

There is no doubt though that the idea of split rims is a good one and for many Unimog owners, this systems works really well. However, as you fit larger & larger tyres the weight of the tyre increases.

Usually around Christmas time in the UK, the Worlds Strongest Man competition is broadcast, it usually features a tractor tyre flip. This is where contestants with necks wider than most peoples legs, try to raise a tractor tyre, which is laying flat on the floor into the upright position and down to the floor again so that the other side of the tyre faces the sky. The upshot of this, and with the Mercedes Unimog, is unless either you are a competitor in the Worlds Strongest Man, or your companion in the cabin with you is. Changing a large tyre in the field on your own could be nigh on impossible.

That said a tyre change can easily be performed by an expert fitting team as long as they are able to reach you.

So if you’re quietly working away in your Mercedes Unimog in the middle of nowhere hundreds of miles from civilisation and up a mountain on the side of an active volcano with a flat tyre, the question of which 4×4 vehicle is the most capable in the world would be answered by?

The vehicle that brings the replacement tyre to rescue you!