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LHD versus RHD? LHD versus RHD?
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Equipping the Overland Vehicle Vehicle accessories - Making your home away from home comfortable, safe and reliable.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 28 Oct 2006
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LHD versus RHD?
Now that my first post is out of the way - here is the second.

For a genuine 'round the world' trip (3+ years), including Africa and the Americas, I have presumed that left hand drive is the only way to go for a base vehicle.
Correct?
Thanks.
Steve
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  #2  
Old 28 Oct 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ClassicCruiser
Now that my first post is out of the way - here is the second.

For a genuine 'round the world' trip (3+ years), including Africa and the Americas, I have presumed that left hand drive is the only way to go for a base vehicle.
Correct?
Thanks.
Steve
No.

Handle bar drive is the only way to go
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  #3  
Old 28 Oct 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BruceP
No.

Handle bar drive is the only way to go
Done that (BMW Airhead), besides, we're taking two dirt bikes onboard
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  #4  
Old 28 Oct 2006
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Not Necessarily
Hi there fellow Cornishman!

Well I think you may be right that you are better off with a LHD vehicle, but my research (about 15 minutes of googling when I was very tired) said its perfectly feasible to do it in a RHD. So I went and bought one.

Our NR1 target is to get to Oz, but we do hope to kick on from there to South America and onwards, but that's too far in the future to know.

I think the other thing to consider is if there is going to be two of you in the vehicle helping each other for 99% of the journey, then you can overcome some of the obstacles created by driving on the wrong side of the road.

Basically what I am saying is don't let this dominate your thoughts, but be just one consideration amongst many.

What are you plans anyhow? Where abouts in the promised land are you?

Good luck with plans anyhow

Cheers
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  #5  
Old 28 Oct 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CornishDeity
Hi there fellow Cornishman!

Well I think you may be right that you are better off with a LHD vehicle, but my research (about 15 minutes of googling when I was very tired) said its perfectly feasible to do it in a RHD. So I went and bought one.

Our NR1 target is to get to Oz, but we do hope to kick on from there to South America and onwards, but that's too far in the future to know.

I think the other thing to consider is if there is going to be two of you in the vehicle helping each other for 99% of the journey, then you can overcome some of the obstacles created by driving on the wrong side of the road.

Basically what I am saying is don't let this dominate your thoughts, but be just one consideration amongst many.

What are you plans anyhow? Where abouts in the promised land are you?

Good luck with plans anyhow

Cheers
Cheers mate,
I wasn't thinking so much about the driving aspect (we've done plenty of 'wrong side' stuff). It was just the number of threds on here referring to problems with admission to certain countries for RHD. Is it an issue?

BTW. We are split between Truro & Liskeard (home & business).
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  #6  
Old 29 Oct 2006
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RHD vehicles are banned in Gambia, but it's the only country I remember having seen causing a problem to travelers. More info at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ghlight=gambia

Pierre - http://www.photobiker.com
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  #7  
Old 29 Oct 2006
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West Penwith Man
Hi There!

I'm a St Just man myself, although I have been exiled for 16 years now. I do manage to come backa couple of times a year to see my folks and that. I'd love to end up back in Cornwall eventually, but gotta go off and see the world first ........

I've not come across any countries on my trip that will stop us in a RHD. Let me know if you do come across and other than the Gambia, and we'll plan a quick swerve!
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  #8  
Old 30 Oct 2006
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Don't let them see the wheel.
If you're high enough off the ground it doesn't make any difference.
In WAf, the police (at oh so many checkpoints) came to the left of the truck, asked my wife for a driving licence and received mine. This lack of observation skills was an excellent starting point to wangle the way out of any "fines, cadeaux etc."
In the Gambia we made a point of leaving the truck by its back door, and I don't think the police saw which of us was driving. At the Gambian checkpoints we handed over my wife's licence and kept quiet.
...
Luke
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  #9  
Old 30 Oct 2006
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Vietnam certainly used to be a problem and don't think anything has changed. If you are driving through China to get to Aus, you need to look at exiting through Laos, not Vietnam.
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  #10  
Old 2 Nov 2006
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you can get into Gambia with a RHD, it's just that you need a carnet to stop you selling it again, so if you have a carnet already it's not a problem, just add it to the list. if it's LHD you don't need a carnet.
Andy

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