Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > 4 wheel Overland Travel
2wd vs 4wd for SA 2wd vs 4wd for SA
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
4 wheel Overland Travel NON-technical 4 wheel forum, for subjects specific to TRAVEL with 4 (or more!) wheeled vehicles. e.g. Driving Techniques, Shipping etc.
Photo by Carl Parker, Always curious Tibetans, Tibet, China

Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!


Photo by Carl Parker,
Always curious Tibetans,
Tibet, China



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12 Nov 2008
Crusty's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Herts, UK
Posts: 216
2wd vs 4wd for SA
Hi all,

I'm plannning a trip around South America next year with my gf and will be looking to buy a vehicle over there, probably in Peru or maybe Chile (or wherever it's easiest)!

We have a minimal budget and want to see as much as possible over about a year. I've been considering a 2wd van as they are cheap, we could sleep in the back some of the time and they don't mark you out as a rich tourist. Also, spares should be readily available and most are simple to work on.

However, for similar money I could probably get an older, small 4x4. I don't think the extra off-road capability is essential, (or is it?) but would it survive the pounding from a year of travel on bad/dirt roads better than a van? I imagine spares might be harder to find and more expensive and obviously we couldn't sleep in it but that would be a worthwhile compromise if it meant less breakdowns. Might get to some less accessible places too. I'm thinking of a Daihatsu Rocky/Feroza, Suzuki Vitara for the 4x4 or a Chevy panel van for 2wd. Fuel economy should be roughly the same for a bigger van/small 4x4, if diesel, no?

Any thoughts appreciated.
__________________
Beware the dark, mechanical bird.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 13 Nov 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Denmark
Posts: 80
2wd Enough
a 2WD will be more tha enough for the whole loop, however if you have the money, then a 4WD will be easy to sell when you finish the trip, go for a Hilux or a Mitsu L200, they are good value for money.
__________________
Mario T. - southing
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 13 Nov 2008
lorraine's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Definitely Nomadic
Posts: 523
I've been traveling in SA for 3 years in a 1978 Chevy van. I go off road a lot, and I get stuck a lot. I take a lot of chances. Now I'm traveling with Smellybiker it's not a big problem as I can get an easy tow now and then. :-) (Having said that, last week I needed a tug from both Smellybiker PLUS another 4x4 with a chain. :-( As I said, too many chances....)

Parts are easy to find, and because it's old, ALL mechanics know how to work on them. In some cases, they drool with happiness. Might be selling it next year and if I hadn't already put it through so much hell, I'd start my sales pitch about now. But trust me, you don't want to buy it. In Chile, they have vans made by Mitsubishi which are 4x4 and this is what I'd buy if I was you. High clearance, a local vehicle and an older one is good value for the money. Or, make Smellybiker an offer on his custom Nissan 4x4. You can sleep in it.
Lorraine
Last edited by lorraine; 13 Nov 2008 at 15:36.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 16 Nov 2008
Crusty's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Herts, UK
Posts: 216
Thanks for the replys.

Mario, glad you reckon 2wd will suffice, having done a bit of searching I'd say (good) 4x4's are beyond our budget!

Lorraine, I've been following your adventures on your blog for some time now (I think it's great, by the way) so I've an idea what your van's been through..! It's still going though, which is what matters.

Coincidentally, one of the reasons I'd like a van is so we could take a dog along with us. More space than a little 4x4.

Come to think of it, your van's pretty well set up for this kind of trip..! I doubt if I could afford the fuel costs though. Mind you, a low purchase price buys a lot of bencina... And it's almost something of a legendary vehicle!
__________________
Beware the dark, mechanical bird.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 19 Nov 2008
lorraine's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Definitely Nomadic
Posts: 523
Crusty,

PLEASE let me know when you're hitting the road with your dog! I have a publisher for a book about traveling with dogs in the works and always looking for new ideas/contacts.

As for the van, I have a friend in Oxford and her spare room can't be much larger than the van's interior. For me, having a van means having a workable place to live with minimal daily set up or breaking down, which is important if you're mobile for a long time. I'd investigate alternative fuels, or perhaps VW which might give better gas mileage. The other key is staying in one place for longer than a few nights, which is important for the dog's well-being too. He needs to know if he's buried a bone, it'll be there tomorrow.... ;-)

Lorraine
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 19 Nov 2008
Crusty's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Herts, UK
Posts: 216
Hi Lorraine,

we won't be on the road for a while yet, provisional date is around Oct/Nov next year. We had originally planned this as a bike trip but ongoing health problems have ruled that out. As we're going with four wheels, I thought it would be great to have four legs along too..!

The van idea came about as a way of keeping costs down, as we're still on a 'bike' budget, and from my Australian experiences in an old Ford van. Happy days.

I agree size is important..er, with vans anyway! The ideal would be a Mercedes 609 with a lockable diff for the rough stuff but I don't think that's likely. The priorities are: cheap to buy, simple to work on with widely available spares, big enough to live in and reasonably economical, although I'd compromise on that if I could get the rest.

I prefer to travel slowly, better to park up and get the feel of a place, I think, rather than burn through and see nothing. That's why we want to take a year to do it.

Good luck with the book, who knows, we may be able to contribute some day...
__________________
Beware the dark, mechanical bird.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:43.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top