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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 Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 12 Jan 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Warthog View Post
When one gets into the overlanding game, imagination and stories from others can easily convince you that you need, taking bikes as example, an all singing, all dancing enduro or Beemer with the bells and whistles. Having bought it you get to the farthest point on the map and admire you achievement only to have your reverie interrupted by some bloke riding up on a C90 with all his kit in a Tescos jute bag... He may have taken longer, and had a few more hurdles, but the end result is the same.
(No disrespect to enduros, BMs or C90s..)

My point is that I know very little about what conditions are like down on the ground in places like Africa and Siberia; two of our dream destinations.

So I start to imagine situations where a Unimog with a month's supply of food and fuel is the only way to go!!

However my wife, being a substantial subsidiser of any future purchase, prefers something more low key. She quite likes the idea of a 4x4 van like a VW Caravelle, or Toyota Hiace, with a decked out interior.

These may have the space and the 4x4 traction, but have less ground clearance, less punch, and no funky snorkels.

Vague, I know, but I mean things like:
Do I need 20 inches of ground clearance?
Do I need a snorkel?
Do I need a winch, or bull bars?
Etc

What should I not do without in my vehicle of choice in order to keep most routes open to us?
Good question, after your last one didn't work out - it took very little time for your well defined question, with the list of considerations, to become another thread about Toy LCs!

You keep asking them please, because we are thinking very much alike.

I have looked back in various threads here over the past few days and there are a few that relate to vehicles other than the Toy variety.

By the by, the rider on the C90 will probably have less hurdles than those on the latest big bikes
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  #2  
Old 13 Jan 2012
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FWIW, my suggestion is to go for something 4x4 eg LR or LC because the 4x4 configuration brings with it stronger construction and, therefore more durability over bad roads, than you would get from the average campervan.
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  #3  
Old 14 Jan 2012
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Vans?
Although I have a 4x4 you have to balance the above against the less complex nature of a basic van conversion. I.E. a Transit / Sprinter type as long as you avoid the newest Euro 5 complex engine management with traction control, stability control..........MB parts in particular are available everywhere, either second hand or direct from Germany (at a cost of course)

More space, usually more comfort, speed and economy. Our 2.5TDi T4 will cruise all day at 140kmph and still get 7.6 litres/100km.

You can make them a little more rugged. Snorkel, AT tyres even a limited slip or locking diff.

All depends on your criteria and expected usage I guess.

BTW I know someone who’s selling an absolutely immaculate VW T5 4Motion 174bhp van. I’d be tempted if I had the money (£10kish I think) but they are pretty complex and possible not as robust as the more basic T4.

Russ
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Old 14 Jan 2012
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The most useful thing you could perhaps take is a set of bridging ladders/waffles. They will help if you get stuck in mud, get over a ditch you can't cross, in sand and make a useful table, jacking pad, something to lie on when you're under the car in the rain.
Sand ladders are a waste of space, so are winches. I like to have a hi-lift as they have a couple of different uses, but they are also heavy and a potential death trap.
Snorkel good for dust as mentioned, and probably water from time to time.

Try and keep yourself light and you avoid difficulties in the first place. Nowhere is that remote these days, and even if you find you have got yourself in the cack, someone will be along sometime - just make sure to keep a few tinnies in the fridge so you don't go thirsty in the meantime.

Also fully kitted up 'expedition' vehicles with badges and aluminium bling all over don't half attract a lot of attention - not always the right sort either.
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Old 16 Jan 2012
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Originally Posted by eightpot View Post
I like to have a hi-lift as they have a couple of different uses, but they are also heavy and a potential death trap.
Am curious re the death trap comment (apart from learning the hard way to keep all your body parts clear of the arc of the lever) - could you elaborate?
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Old 17 Jan 2012
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they can be a death trap if you do this:

hilift farm jack auto jacking fail (or proving Roy wrong and winning a bet) - YouTube

getting back to OP, you can get most vehicles most places, but using something with 4x4 and ground clearance will make all the difference in soft sand, slick mud, rocks and snow - with the right tyres......... and will give you more options to get further off the beaten track.

If you are not planning a hardcore desert crossing then as mentioned a Tdi van, be it 2wd or 4wd is a good way to go for space, economy and ease of fitting it out for sleeping in, there is always a compromise!
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  #7  
Old 17 Jan 2012
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Originally Posted by Gipper View Post
Wow - can't believe it didn't break the back window on that LR!!

But yes - these things need to be treated with a lot of respect. Luckily I only had to use mine in anger once, for changing a wheel.
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