Hi again Bert - thanks for your private message: I am unable to reply to it, as this forum is configured such that a new member needs to have posted 17 messages on the Forum before they can send or reply to a private message!!

Please email me at the following address:
tmakinsREMOVETHIS@REMOVETHISgmailREMOVETHIS.com

Just miss out all the 'REMOVETHIS' bits - I don't want my address to me collected my web-robots!

Tim in Ireland

Personally i would go for the truck over a 4x4 every time, from past experience of friends builds the cost is very much similar but what you get for your money is no comparisen.

Dont know a great deal about the Renault's, they are reliable so i am told and parts cheap when youcan find them second hand (especally in military spec) they sell for £2500 up which is a reasonable price. Now i do like the simplicity of the Bedfords, both the MJ and MT are fantastic to drive offroad and if looked after last for ever, plenty of good units around thanks the to MOD's archacic stock control method, if your budget can run to it the i would spend the extra and buy its replacement the Daf, it is a more 'modern' vehicle and parts are still available new through the dealers!. saying that i doubt that there a mass of factory dealers in the desert.

One point that nobody has mentioned is the use of the old Merc 4x4 and 6x4 trucks, i work with loads of expedition companies, desert race teams and assistance crews and they all love the Merc, parts apparently are as easy as honda bits to find in africa, there extreamly cheap and trucks sell for good money making it a nice investment.

i think the trailor everybody is thinking about is called a 'ben huir'

Jen

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After travelling with an Italian couple and their Fiat (Iveco engine) truck, I am in favour of going big.
Take a look - scroll down for the pics...
http://www.bigsky-adventures.com/dia.../27-feb-05.htm

A major consideration is the destination of the trip - Luca & Sameena (Fiat Truck) found that Southern Africa in a truck was very very expensive. In East Africa, another couple we travelled with (in a Unimog) were refused entry in Ngorogoro crater due to the size of the vehicle.

Say that, I want a truck for the next adventure...

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I know a company called First48 does overland trips and they convert all there own trucks themselves, think they have both Ford and Bedford chassis..

I know the Bedford is up for sale for £5000 with all the kit with it...
http://www.go-overland.com/

For anyone thinking of using a Unimog a cautionary tale... these vehicle are not built like a truck but more a tractor, from personal experience i can say they are far from the sort of thing you can do DIY repairs at the side of the road on... if you do want to use one i would stongly suggest a FULL rebuild before you intend to travel but be aware that is not cheap..£10k plus!

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RaidXtreme(UK)Ltd
Specialist Rally-Raid Prep.
http://www.xtz850.com

Super Tenere UK Owners Club
http://www.xtz750.com