Any first hand RORO shipping experiences here? I'll be shipping my truck from Japan to Canada later this year, and I'm uncertain if RORO is the best way to go. I want to load it with everything I can bring back, and I've heard RORO is the way to do that.

That fresh salt air can be a problem, but I've read about coasting the car in used engine oil or some such. Any suggestions?

Now for the rant. In all the questions about "which 4x4" to buy, I've yet to see anyone suggest an Isuzu (Bighorn/Trooper) and I don't know why.

They're available in some 130 countries, Isuzu diesel engines are some of the best bar none, they are truly capable off-road trucks, they are inexpensive compared the the iconic TLC and LR's, and have a decent payload size. As for reliability, they were made in Japan; little else needs to be said.

I've owned four so I'm biased, but if I was heading out to Africa or Russia or China or America, an Isuzu would be at the top of my list for tuff, rugged, and capable expedition trucks.

So come on all you hard-core wheelers and overlanders; what gives?

I think the answer for Africa lays in the availability of spares.Also,I would class it as a 'medium' rather than 'large'4wd and therefore the usual expedition problem of space/payload is to be considered.If you are one or two only then OK.
Here in the ME they also have never had what I would consider to be their possible market share probably because of the same reason;they have never tried to take on LC and Nissans at the top end.But,for rugged reliability they are well proven motors and would always be on my short list for their class of vehicle.

Hello This_is_it,

<rant>
If your name sugests you are already finished, we probably shouldn't bother. But I may be wrong. In such case, will you accept a piece of advice - if I were a new member I would not try joining a forum by throwing a flame at it in my first post.
</rant>

There's nothing wrong with Isuzu, except the fact that the brand - chiefly on manufacturer's instigation - is considered to belong to that segment of the market that values more two tone paintwork, inclinometers and fluffy dice than functionality and ruggedness. For this reason alone there's little expertise available from fellow owners how to outfit and service the vehicle for overlanding duties.



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Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info

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Roman (UK)

Yes, well, about the user name. I've tried to register so many times in the past, and for whatever reason each time I encountered problems. In fact, for the past 3 years I've tried to register off and on with no luck.

Either a rejected username or a registration script error. Finally, I tried once more today, for the last time, expecting nothing. It worked.

The egg is on my face; however I’ll try to change my username to something more suitable. But enough about me.

As for being new to the forum and starting with a rant, well, C’est la internet. No offence intended to the more sensitive ones. Actually I started with a question, but knew it probably wasn’t wise to switch to rant before getting any answers...

And as for Isuzu being more interested in "fluffy dice and two-tone paint", my point has been proven. Ignorance about Isuzu is surprisingly common among overlanders and four wheelers and I just can't figure out why it persists; surely it’s not brand snobbery? I hope not, considering the number of Rovers out there running around with Isuzu diesels in them.

I chose Isuzu after considering every other choice. My criteria included suitability for overland travel, availability of spares, price, functionality, reliability, capability, and suitability as a daily driver as well.

It’s a fairly typical list, but when I see people consider Jimny’s, Prados, RAV4s, Hilux Surfs, Terranos, and give nary a passing though to Isuzu, I frankly don’t get it.

I liken the plight of Isuzu to that of Kawasaki’s KLR which I’ve also owned and ridden for many years: just can’t get no respect.

It matters not that they’re, bullet proof, unchanged for some 16 years, dirt cheap, and now the “leading” choice among MC adventure riders. There’s just no brand cache, no class; thus they’re largely ignored.

Right then, that’s enough of that.

Leaving the rant to one side, when I looked at a RORO from the UK to the US the vehicles had to be empty! I'm not sure whether this was customs driven or due to their fear of thievery. I gather from a mate who worked on the docks that part of the job description is being allowed to A) race the cars off the RORO ship and around the dock and B) empty the cars of anything that isn't bolted down!

To ship the vehicle with kit, I was advised to go down the container route.

I'd go with CTC on this. There theory of the problem is that there are problems securing goods but even more of a problem is the fact that the goods can be seen. If your vehicle is hidden away in a container in a large set of containers the dockers don't know whats there. They have lots of time to get at something if they want to and it would be incredably difficult to figure out who had done it. Hence easier if it doesn't happen because its stashed away in a container.

Re. RORO;

I had the oppertunity to ship our Defender home to Norway from Durban for FREE on a RORO ship via family friends who have a shipping company. However, they guaranteed that any equipment in or on the car would be stolen before it got home!!! This would happen on the docks before the car was driven onbord, then they said it was likely to be broken into while docked at one of the numerous stops on the way north...

Needless to say, we ended up paying for a container as everything we had with us on our trans-africa trip was in the car while being shipped...

They mentioned that even in an otherwise empty vehicle, a regular radio/CD player in the dashboard is wise to remove beforehand!

For shipping an empty vehicle, I'd go with a RORO in a second because of the fraction of the price compaired to a container.

Just my 2 cents...

Erik D.

www.dunia.no

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Hello, This-is-it,
Welcome to the HUBB, pull up a chair. Just show a bit of respect and bear in mind we're PROFESSIONALS here, eh Roman?
Best wishes
John

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Johnefyn

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Johnef

Hi
I won't say anything about the Isuzu rant except that they are seen as having exceptionaly strong diesel engines and their bakkies (pick-ups) are rated in Southern Africa.

Re:ro-ro. The proof of the pudding...is 5/6 weeks away. As it didn't meet it's reserve price I decided to ship my vehicle (Modified Toyota 4Runner) to SA via ro-ro - £788 plus insurance etc.

Now my shipper advised against personal goods as they would be "pilfered" as he politely put it. Anything inside the vehicle is not insured and the vehicle is only insured for total loss ie: the ship sinks whilst passing over the Mariana Trench! Due to my excessive personal baggage I then decided to chance it and filled up two metal trunks with my tools and recovery kit etc. The trunks were then chained down in the back along with my spare tyre etc.

The vehicle leaves the UK on the 18th but I arrived in SA two weeks ago. Customs have come across my vehicle and now want a manifest of goods contained within the trunks Bombs, Al Quaida etc). Easy enough, but the shipping line (who normally allow people a small amount of latitude re contents) is now complaining of me "taking the piss".

I'm now waiting to hear from my shipping agent to see if my trunks will be allowed to stay in the vehicle or wether they will need to be shipped separately.

So now, after hearing all you fellas' doom and gloom, I am anxiously waiting for my vehicle to arrive as Durbs is a notorious port for pilfering (Ihave just found out!).

Shipping by air is NO BETTER! Customs in Jo'burg will open your bags/boxes etc in an unsecure environment and anyway, the shipper's agents this side are a bunch of cowboys and ours even stank of spirits whilst they casualy said: "Leave the keys with us over the weekend and we'll sort the customsd clearance out for you".

I just wish I'd used more chains....




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Enzo
BUNDUBASHER.com

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Enzo

Thing with a container is you can be present as its packed and sealed, No one on the docks / ship / docks know whats in it and you can be present when its opened up again. For the extra £500 - £1000 that you are looking to go by container rather than RORO I think this is worth it. You don't have to lose much before the saving wash't worth it. In addition, you can normally pack the vehicle full with bits if you want. Other than removing the roof tent and roof rack to fit the Defender in the container I was able to leave everything set up in the vehicle. Providing that they don't manage to drop the container then your fine and you have insurance to cover that.

[This message has been edited by Toby2 (edited 15 August 2004).]

well, i know how you feel... i used to have a KLR 250, excellent bike, although a little small for me (6'5" 16 stone!) but was a great trail bike here in the UK.

Thanks for the RORO info. I think I'll stick to a container and see if I can either share it or fill it. Maybe I'll have to bring back two cars; I hear it's not much more than the cost for one.

Also, the particular Isuzu I'm bringing back was never sold in NAmerica; the 2.8 TDi is a rare beast "stateside" so I might also bring a 10 year supply of spares, just in case....

Thanks again.

(Still trying to change that username....)

just to add a comment on RORO . . .I shipped my Def 110 Southhampton to Newark, New Jersey 6 or 7 weeks back and on that route at least they do insist the vehicle is empty. I crated up most of our stuff but left the roof rack and tent on and hid a bunch of stuff inside. Despite my fears and a few sleepless nights it arrived 100% intact, and cost about half what a container would have (including the GBP200 it cost to ship my tools/spares/etc) - the port fees for unloading a container in the USA are nearly USD 800 alone. I'd highly reccomend anyone considering the same route to contact Emma Pittaway at Phoenix Shipping.

cheers

Huey

The only way to change the username is to re-register...

Also, if the vehicle was never sold sateside - be sure you can legally register it at home. You MAY not be able to. People have had to send bikes back overseas.

It's usually possible but very much depends on the vehicle, year, and what state.

Good luck - previous experience says you'll need it.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Thanks Grant, I shall re-register. Of course, then perhaps no one will know that it was I, but this may be a good thing, eh Roman.

The car was sold in Canada; just not in this form (different engine, LHD) so it should be no problem, but yes, I will check and check and recheck before packing anything into any crate.

Did you ever hear about the time the boys at Richmond Motorsports has to crush a $30,000 Aprillia? Customs Canada can be a harsh b***h.

Hello to Susan as well; I miss her delicious sandwiches...