Extended RTW with family questions

[Homers GSA]

Howdy

Any and all advice / thoughts / experiences welcome on this as my brain hurts...

Sorry for the long story but it should cover whats going on in my brain.

In three years I am in a position to head off with my wife and two teenage daughters to see the world while we homeschool them and the plan is to head off around our home Australia for about six months then head over to Sth Korea (3 months) and then Japan for six months.

From there over to Vlad, a quick run over to Mongolia and then explore the stans / Europe etc for a year then back to Japan for another six months and then off somewhere else maybe. Happy to stay in one spot / town for week or weeks while the girls study and experience the area. Camping is not an option sadly.

So no actual timeline or set in stone other than spending time in Japan building my Japanese language as we plan to live there for a longer period when I retire.

Heres where I get confused with options.

Expedition Style Truck

4wd dual cab truck (fuso etc) with a camper body.

Pros - self contained and self sufficient
- go most places within reason
- reliable old school technology (generally)
- provides accommodation

Cons - bloody big
- expensive to ship as its a 40ft hicube or RORO
- carnet needed
- still a bit squishy for the four of us as the dual cab eats into the body

(could go to a 2wd one which is lower and can have a longer body on it)


Toyota Coaster / Mitsubishi Rosa Converted bus

Pros - heaps of room for all four (girls can have a pair of bunks at the back)
- low ground clearance and rear overhang.
- still huuuge but not as intimidating
- reliable old school
- self contained self sufficient
- provides accommodation

Cons - Would still need 40ft hicube or RORO (not securable from theft)
- Only RWD but could fit a locker
(maybe a Sprinter / Crafter van is an option too)

4WD Vehicle probably VW Transporter 4Motion dual cab

Pros - Normal container
- Smaller and more nimble
- 4wd ability
Cons - Cant sleep in it
- requires paid accommodation

No vehicle - backpacks and Shanks's Pony

Pros - zero shipping costs
- various accomodations
- may feel a bit more settled if in our house (AirBnB etc) for longer periods
- not tied down by a vehicle

Cons - Cost of accommodation (renting our place while away would offset this)
- Transport costs (some places may be able to buy a cheap car in county)
- no home to speak of for a sense of place

The main shipping costs are Australia to Korea or Japan return and I have factored in $12500 aud for that. But what if we decide to go to Nth America will shipping costs blow the budget and make it unaffordable?.

So thats kinda where my mind is at.

The romantic Homer whispers the Lawrence of Arabia Expedition Truck
The practical Homer whispers a coaster and accept its limitations
The sensible Homer thinks the normal sized 4wd makes sense
The 'I dont want the hassle of the car' Homer thinks a car is just a hassle.

Your thoughts?