Planning an east africa, cairo to cape in a 101. Original route did not include sub-saharan Africa so conversion and build were done with different criteria in mind. Most of these are not problematic. However fuel certainly is.
We have a 3.5l V8 and a 100l fuel tank. Space where a reserve tank could sit has been taken up with a 120l LPG tank. As autogas will still be very useful during our extensive european leg we don't want to rip it out now. It's a 101 so fuel economy on petrol is dire - 12mpg at best.
Questions....
A) With only, at very best, a max range of 250 miles on petrol, are we mad to try and do even the east africa route?
B) Is there LPG anywhere on route and if so is it going to be available when we need it most?
Solutions we have already thought through are not ideal...
Thought of a trailer as a bowser and a bit more carry space, but the rear of our truck is not a standard 101 and would require extending the hitch by at least a foot. Think this could cause handling issues..... Also no power steering so not really happy to be pulling and maneuvering a trailer if there is any alternative.
We are near plate weight and I don't want to stress the springs too much more, but option 2 is to find some way of carrying jerrys. At a real push we could mount 4 on the rear and 4 on the front. Really not happy about the front mounting as I think it would be pretty damn dangerous. Mounting on the rear has its own issues as we already have a big rear extension and it would make the steering vaguer than it already is... Putting them along the side could work, could it?
Could slough off some weight by loosing one of the 2 spare tyres or by loosing the winch off the front. Although the winch is the most disposable it sits on the front so does a good job keeping the front wheels firmly planted to compensate the tyres that are hanging off the back...
Whatever way I look at this I see no clear solution. Any ideas anyone??
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www.thelongandwinding.co.uk