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Van/camper to India Van/camper to India
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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 Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 30 Apr 2009
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Van/camper to India
Hi guys, i am looking for a camper van for overland to India and then around India. I don't really know which model to get. Onyl two of us so a smaller van would be better. It seems to be a balance between the following:

1. Purchase price and carnet costs - cheaper would be better
2. Age and general reliability - especially the availablity of parts and roadside tech knowledge in India.
3. Petrol verses diesel - Fuel ecomony/cost (I assume diesel will be cheaper) verses the ability to drive the van home to London in 2011 without a £200/day fine (!!!) because the low emission charge may still come in for diesel vans.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance
Rupert
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  #2  
Old 30 Apr 2009
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Vw
just an idea.
why not a vw camper? not the classic shape but the newer version, T25.
i'd go for a petrol because fuel is cheap once you get out of europe. they are easy to fix should you have to and parts are cheap.
then again, s/h prices in the uk may have gone up?
i suppose it depends on your reasons and budget. i wish i could do this trip, i'd choose a series 3 landrover lwb self converted for overland travel.
but i'm a silly romantic old fool! there are better choices like the lancruiser or later offerings from LR.
pick up a copy of first overland if you need some inspiration!
pete
Last edited by pete123; 30 Apr 2009 at 11:09. Reason: dreaming
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  #3  
Old 30 Apr 2009
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I would think hard about getting anything too modern/electronic if you're going somewhere like India. They don't have the diagnostic equipment.

Also bear in mind that any camper van with a built-on body, as opposed to one with camping facilities inside the existing metal skin, will be far less resilient over bad roads.

VWs are OK, subject to the above. Also consider a Toyota Hi-Ace?

Failing that, you could always do what I did and get a 4x4 with a roof tent.
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  #4  
Old 30 Apr 2009
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merc
I went in a 608 Merc. was very good really. I disagree about going for petrol. I would go for diesel everytime. pre 2000 2,5di transits are good and cheap (they dont have electronic injector pumps) get a low milage one if poss, they go on and on though. there is always a merc sprinter there ok too more expensive but better built,

Graeme
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  #5  
Old 1 May 2009
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Thanks guys, I like the T25 idea, do you think a T4 would be too technically advanced for a roadside repair?
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  #6  
Old 1 May 2009
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T4?
Early T4’s with the 2.4 5 cylinder engine are pretty much devoid of any electronics so could be a good choice, pretty cheap now too.

Later 1.9 and 2.5TDi’s are still pretty basic but do have electronically managed diesel pumps.

We have a T4 2.5TDi excellent build quality and reliability.

Although I have a soft spot for older VW campers IMHO they are getting too old and fragile now.

Old Merc. Maybe a 308 would be a good choice too.
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  #7  
Old 2 May 2009
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Smile
anything with a Toyota badge - and , oh yes, diesel- they can run 24/7
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Old 3 May 2009
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Amazingly I've just seen an old old Toyota Hiace, looks great and well priced. I trust Toyota's. It is a petrol but only does 25mpg . I like the idea of petrol but apart from fuel efficency does petrol really lose out that much to diesel?
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  #9  
Old 3 May 2009
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Consider the Bongo mon ami - or smth like it, especially if you are tall.

Bongo Fury!

Or 2-3k-worth of the best diesel white van you can find from the usual marques.

You dont need a 4WD to get to India.

25mpg from a petrol Hiace looks pretty good to me, but I'd always err to a diesel.

This lot did it in a T4 - Round the World 2007 - Helen Simpson and Michael Broadwith - dirty fuel probs in Tadz was all that went wrong, I believe.

Ch
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Old 3 May 2009
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me hopes the Toyota will be more reliable than my 12GS - just holed a piston!
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  #11  
Old 4 May 2009
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I agree: Diesel [who said that petrol is cheaper outside Europe?], and you don't need a 4x4 to get to India. But if you like 4x4 it can be a lot of fun...

Just saw this ad... might be worth looking into...
__________________
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- On the road since 2003 in a vintage Land Cruiser
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  #12  
Old 4 May 2009
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Seventeen and a half thousand Euros?
Is that what it costs nowadays to get an overlanding vehicle? And with 270,000km on the clock?
I know it's an ideal one, but nevertheless.

Is it me who thinks these things are overpriced, even with all the used kit it seems to have.
Then you still need to fettle it to how you want it and not the previous owner.
I'd prefer the cheap low mileage van option knowing it's not 4x4 or whatever, but that's just my opinion.
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  #13  
Old 5 May 2009
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choice
The petrol/diesel debate will run and run (like a diesel!), but like I said it was my choice not advice. There are pros and cons for both but it seems seasoned travellers (I'm not) suggest diesel so you must follow their good advice.
Petrol is certainly cheaper where I live (66 cents/litre) but maybe not so good elsewhere. I just remember it being nearly £1 a litre when I left the UK, hence my comment.
I agree diesels have better longevity, are more economical and are hardy old things. Most overlanders opt for this, so the sensible thing is to follow.
But I'm still a romantic old fool, and a T25 or Series 3 is my choice.
Tow rope anyone....?
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  #14  
Old 5 May 2009
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T25
Another thought...
What about a T25 with an Audi/Vw 1.9 TDI in the back? I remember there are a few specialists who do this conversion and even remember seeing some pre-converted motors on ebay. If you look at the specialist sites like Brickwerks you may find some for sale.
Or budget permitting, go for a Syncro! 4WD, twin diff locks if that's your idea of fun! But be careful, they can go horribly (read:expensive) wrong.
Pete
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Old 12 May 2009
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[quote=AntonD;240420]Seventeen and a half thousand Euros?
Is that what it costs nowadays to get an overlanding vehicle? And with 270,000km on the clock?
I know it's an ideal one, but nevertheless.
quote]

I couldn't agree more, look what a RHD Land Cruiser VX 5 door costs in the UK with 100.000 miles +/- £3500 roof tent and fit the back out for what £5000

Same story with a LR ...

Building the car is half the fun isnt ......
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