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What Vehicle ????
I am planning a 6 year RTW trip. Having problems deciding / finding the right vehicle. One limiting factor will be carrying a Motorcycle (approx 120Kg), excessive but I like to go off on the bike for an occasional week.
Contacted a few specialist builders and its possible but my choice may be limited to a Pick-up or Land Rover Double Cab. The plan is to fit custom storage behind the Cab and allow enough space to fit the motorcycle. Vehicle requirements... AirCon, 3 Seats and a SIMPLE engine. One suggestion was a new 79 series Land Cruiser from Gibraltar or NZ. I would want to avoid VAT and Import Tax. Only way I can see this being done is registration in Country of Origin and Temporary Import for preparation. I Think they now use Common Rail so more complex. Land Cruiser 70 imported from South Africa, used low mileage or new. Any opinions ? A new Generation Hilux or Navara would suit my needs but again Complex, may be able to source diagnostic cable and software but would not have spares. Land Rover.. I have not looked into these much, many people advise avoiding them. Why ??? A 6x6 could be a good platform. Land Cruiser 80 series, could I hang the Motorcycle off the back ?? would not be my first choice but I have seen it done on a pivot to retain Rear access. I am considering a larger vehicle but having trouble finding 4x4 Chassis in the UK. Unimog may be too much. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks |
Are you traveling alone? I ask this, because I thought some countries, [Turkey, Iran] wont allow one person bringing in two carnets. I don't know if you can enter a car and a motorcycle on one carnet???
6 years, which direction are you thinking of? |
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No first hand experience yet with bigger vehicles, but having travelled for shorter spans in a LC HDJ80 I'd say adding more function, like a camper body, and weight, like a bike, to the chassis/suspension designed for carrying medium loads over short distances, in a long run may be asking for trouble. You will have to chose: your bike or extra fuel or water, or something else. Don't dismiss yet a Unimog, or perhaps the new Iveco Daily 4x4. Think of extra reliability you will get from a package being operated well within its design capacity, rather than stretching a smaller format beyond its limitations. |
Not travelled yet, but here goes. Is it not possible to hire bikes along the way?
No extra carnets, no upkeep, no theft worries. It's just a thought. |
motor bike
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Probably starting in Africa then the America's back through Asia. Hiring the motorcycle along the route is an option for long trips. Carrying one means I can park the Vehicle and use my motorcycle for local trips. I am considering smaller motorcycles or perhaps a Mountain Bike. The Iveco 4x4 looks interesting, can we get them in the UK ? Thanks for the advice, has given me more options to consider. |
The new 79 series still uses 1HZ 4.2 mechanically injected - although the Aussies get the common rail turbo v8.
Gil |
mechanically injected would probably be better. In my experience common rail designs are a lot more complex and fail it a less user-friendly manner (i.e. the rail fails in one place and you lose all cylinders).
What is your budget and how much off-roading are you planning on? The Kamas trucks are mint mint mint and you could fit a bike on the back, either side(?!?) or even better inside. A tail-lift would make life easier, and a modified tail lift can also be used as a motorcycle rack. Listing the bike on your truck carnet as a luggage item might work. There are probably quite a few camper type conversions you could look at that you might be able to fit a bike in |
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Budget, I dont mind spending up to £50k for the right vehicle providing I can get a Bank Bond which pays interest for my Carnet. Off-Roading, I would like resonable ability, 1 metre wading, Rough Tracks, Sand, Mud. I dont mind avoiding the really rough stuff if I have the Motorcycle to explore on. The new Iveco 4x4 looks amazing... What Van? - New Vans I also like this from VW although more of a toy.. Attachment 1337 |
get the kamas then
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Seems to be a variety of New Models all being launched right now. All great vehicles but I miss the days of Mechanical Simplicity. An older 4x4 Iveco Daily may be what I need. Thanks for all the advice. |
Iveco
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Hows about a Defender 127/130 pickup with the wide load bed?
Presumably you want 4x4, what about those ford transit 4x4's - plenty of room and easy to wheel a bike in. Could kit the back out with a bunk and cooking gear etc. Thoe VW synchros look pretty cool as well, don't know if you could fit a bike in though, and I dont think they come up very often. |
The van man
Hi Darren
I am very biased as an Iveco owner, but if you are travelling in a vehicle for that long, the limitations of a normal 4x4 will soon become apparent. If you are trying to live in a vehicle which has all your stuff in it (plus bulky bike gear) you will soon get fed up with it! It's fine living in a roof tent in good weather, but spend a few days in a sand storm, or a monsoon and you will be pretty fed up. What if some gorgeous girl wants a lift and there is no room? I love unimogs, but I think they are too big and agressive looking for general travel, you would have real trouble getting into small villages, and you may be mistaken for military which might not be good. That red Daily looks fantastic, they are still built in Hungary, (and Libya) there are links if you search. A long wheel base would give you more room without a much bigger vehicle, and with your budget you could get a custom made body. Me, green with envy! Attached are pictures of Bronco on tour. If you want a look or info call me on 01275 393794. Ps Sorry could only work out how to attach one, but where I put the box on the back you could easily mount a bike Bruce |
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