Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > Equipping the Overland Vehicle
Equipping the Overland Vehicle Vehicle accessories - Making your home away from home comfortable, safe and reliable.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Overlanders Handbook - everything you need to know, available NOW!

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 5 Sep 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 476
Talking lucky

Hi Roman,

Thanks for your honosty. I guess I was lucky enough to first learn about 4x4 and overlanding in Australia! Mention the LR there and you are declared "persona non grata" before you can say sorry!

Cheers,

Noel
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 5 Sep 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Denmark
Posts: 80
I was also a member of the NICRAETT Club (Now I can Relax And Enjoy The Trip) (A.K.A. Ex Land Rover Owner who bought a Land Cruiser)

but going back to the topic... get a HJ60 or HJ61 and you can't go wrong both on reliability or sales value after the trip.
__________________
Mario T. - southing
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 6 Sep 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 456
Don't forget all the tarmac

Amid all this Toyota mythologising (!) it's easy to forget that McTravel is driving to the Gambia - not rutting up the lanes in Dorset or dune-popping in the Tibesti!

Bearing in mind that this route is 10,000km of mostly good, straight tarmac, an Hj60 - or any other old 4WD - will be tough work. Lumbering noisily along at 100kph day-after-day, (when you could safely cruise at 150kph plus) rapidly becomes a chore.

A plush 2WD Mercedes/Peugeot saloon is going to be much more enjoyable - or a good van if you need the space - Toyota Hiace ? Just go slow on the rough sections.

2-3k+ euros could get you something relatively quick and luxurious with plenty of twilight life in it.

If you envisage driving a lot of bad roads in the Gambia, maybe raise the clearance a notch or even fit a skid plate. Chris S did something like this with a 190D, still on his website? Looked like fun.
__________________
Pictures, Mauritania 2011
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 6 Sep 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 476
that's the point

If the target is to get as easy and quickly as possible down to Ghana and stay on the main roads and tracks, then the Merc or Peugeot is the best option. If McT wants to do some exploring and adventurizing, then he should take a 4WD to m.h.o.

cheers,

Noel
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 6 Sep 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: christchurch uk
Posts: 299
4x4 vs 4x2

My thoughts are that two wheel drive is fine for most things and as others have said if you are mainly on tar and rough roads you will be fine.......this said I have know bought a 4x4 for my next trip just so I can get to good camping spots. Most people in most counties don't have 4x4 but then they don't go camping in inaccessible areas.

Graeme
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 11 Sep 2007
Runner's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 302
Best car for W Africa

For what its worth.....

Mitsu have the suspension issue thats already been raised - their front axle lets them down offroad, whatever the age of the vehicle they dont seem to have addressed this issue - BUT good onroad and on rough tracks.

Cruiser - many are too 'electronic' for my tastes (same can be said for most cars) but the 75 Series Troopcarrier is a great truck - limitation is the leaf springs (and U-bolts) which limit their offroad ability in mud and rocks. They are avoided in East African bush (though common on roads) for this reason. Good for deserts and big dunes though, hence common in Sahara. Other versions of Cruiser are fast and comfy on road.

Discovery - Mk1 is a good car but they are getting old now. Mk2 lots of electronics - Mk3 excellent truck but oh, so complicated! I used one in the Sahara last summer and on road tyres it ran rings round everything - Cruisers on desert tyres included. Discos lack interior space but they do make decent overlanders.

Defender - more recent ones are over-complex. Tdi-engined 110 or 130 possibly the best option. I have used three in E and N Africa for almost 10 years. Slow and noisy on road, extremely capable offroad.

Reliability? You will hear horror stories about all types. Ask five overlanders and you will get ten opinions!
I swear by Defenders and have never been let down by them, and that includes solo desert traverses, Great Sand Sea, etc.

Africa is full of spares for Defender and Cruiser. Nissan too and Jeep, but dont touch Jeep unless you like walking.
__________________
'91 LR 110 Def/Disco hybrid "Elsa"
Bring me the horizon....
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 11 Sep 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 6
@ Runner

Best summery yet.
thanks for the advice!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Travel Insurance - any recommendations? Em and Hame Trip Paperwork 29 14 Oct 2015 17:36
Travel companions west and northern Africa bekpekker Travellers Seeking Travellers 1 24 Jul 2005 06:44
Security in Niger roro North Africa 2 11 Jun 2004 22:47
cargo travel from West Africa to USA thomas opiu sub-Saharan Africa 1 14 Feb 2002 01:05
Israel, the West Bank and Gaza - Travel Warning Ceasar Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 0 17 Sep 2001 22:32

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:20.