Overland (landie) Mentor - Southampton Way
 

So,

Having spent money here there and everywhere on many different things, the thing we seem to be missing is finding someone to spend some time with us to go over how the look after the vehicle before and during the trip. Here I am talking about servicing and maintainance and any other tips and tricks.

Now, I understand there are a lot of people with vast amount of experience, some of whom are probably saving hard for the next trip. So I was thinking (dangerous) surely there is someone out there who could spend a weekend day with us, going over this, and we could pay them whatever was a fair wage for a days work. Surely this makes sense?

So I suppose the questions I have are:

Is there anyone out there who would like to do this?
What sort of wage is a fair wage?

Feel free to PM me, or just reply to this isf you fancy it or have some points to add.

We have spoken with plenty of garages, but to tell they truth they are just too busy to really help, even though they are happy to try and help. The same goes for various land rover freaks we have met. I think this is the best solution.

I suppose the criteria we might have is:

Overland experience
Vwery good landie knowledge
Local ish to Southampton
Nice person :)

I know there are lots of people in the long term planning of trips, perhaps this could be the start of a business !! (10% cut for me :))

Can't help much wrt landrovers as I've got a merc G Wagen but there are a few tips.
Most garages will fix things to get you going - as an overlander you need it to last as long as possible. Try to adopt a philosophy of replacing anything that looks like it might break before it does or atleast take a spare.
Any mods, such as aux fuel tanks should not compromise the cars original system. These mods can often put strain on original components - some friends chipped a TD5 and blew the rear diff on the way home - think about the consequences.
Anticipate what might go wrong and have a back up plan.
Rusty nuts, for example are difficult to deal with in the workshop but a much bigger problem in the middle of nowhere, sort it before you go.
Try to anticipate what you might need to improvise a repair. A length of screwed rod in 8, 10 and 12mm will fasten most things together in an emergency and dont forget your repair only needs to get you to the local garage, even if it is 100km of sand dunes.
Change fluids a couple of weeks before you go - I was doing an oil change the day before I set off ( new years day) and broke the oil filler cap!
If you do break down in the middle of no mans land don't panic, think what could be wrong - it's not always the obvious thing - I replaced a fuel pump only to find it was a broken wire.
This is a little off topic but you got me thinking.......
have fun
Chris

Thanks
 

Thanks Chris,

All this info is now added to my now bulging file of information. Still a long time before we leave for our RTW trip, but getting ever closer, and the smaller trips are getting more and more frequent.

Anyone else out there who wants to earn a good days pay? Don't be shy! I should have put in the above post that it's not necessarily something that needs to be done immediately, but perhaps by Christmas would suit us.

Hi Ollie,

We are passing through around mid August doing the last visit to friends in Portsmouth, Havant and fishbourn area before headding to Dover so would be happy to pop in for a chat for the price of lunch LOL (cheease sandwich and an apple for the wife) lol

Be open minded listen to people but above all make your own decisions not all people recomend is good for you especialy the so called experts. Many Land Rover nuts have good advise for greenlaning in the UK or a short trip to moroco but thats it so becareful mate.

Have you got Tom shepards book?

Have you looked at the Solent And District Landrover Club (Google: SADLRC)? Whilst they're not going to be overlanding I'm positive their members will give you the run-down on the vehicle itself.

Sorry but I'm no help: I rotted my 90 out from beneath myself by not cleaning the chassis properly after playing up on Salisbury Plain.

Get a haynes manual (because IMHO they are nice and easy to understand) and concentrate on things like servicing - getting into the way of changing filters/bleeding fuel systems, tightening hub bearings, replacing drive belts, brake pads and shoes. The 110 is nice and easy to work on, I wouldn't worry too much about being able to rebuild your engine! Do not underestimate the massive skill in modifying/bodging/repairs that exist literally by the roadside in many less developed places. I learnt heaps from Ghanaian mechanics just by servicing, repairing and modifying a 110, but wouldn't worry too much about a mentor... Like I say a manual and a bit of practise should see you right,
Gil

Tom Sheppherds book
 

Although we have a landcruiser, Vehicle Expedition Manual is a great book if you can get hold of one.

I also know that Frogs Island will go over your vehicle with you and talk about spares etc - obviously you pay one of the mechanics for their time.

Options.......
 

I'm pretty certain that Frogs Island or Foley's would do a day/weekend run through or course with you - or ask Matt Savage????

May some others here might have the knowledge to teach/pass on to you?

Luck

Chris

Replys to everyone
 

Hi there,

Its taken me a while to reply so let me get them all done now. Thanks to all who have answered.

I suppose I was thinking there must be someone here who could do with the cash and could help out, but it seems like maybethe only way to go is via one of the more recocognised routes. The invite is still open to anyone wants to take me up on it! But in time I'll ask one of the garages I suppose. Perhpas I'll have a bit of an ask around at Billing also.

We have Haynes and Tom Sheppard, and are using them, but perhaps I should just be a little more brave :)

As for the LRC, I joined Shire LRC, and although lots of people are interested, I just felt a bit pushey actually getting the help I neeed, hence the offer of hard cash. It's always hard to know what to offer people. Any ideas what a fair price for such a days work would be?

Andy - would be great to see you. been gettign a mine of information from your web site and that other one you sent me, so thanks for all the tips :) Any ideas when you'll know a more precise date? I'll try and keep something free. We have an apple tree fully stocked for Karen, should be just ready by then!

ANyhow thanks to all for the advice .... merceraries feel free to drop me a PM :)

Hi Ollie,

I found the Shire club ok if you want to go on play days but for overlanding advise they were a bit limited. I know as mentioned earlier Frogs run courses using your own truck, to teach you how to maintain and repaire.

There is a company called Keith Gotts in Alton that might be worth having a chat with.

open invite
 

Ollie,

You are more than welcome to come and spend the day and we can muddle through the basics. Depends how basic your knowledge is, might transpire you can teach me a few things but myself, my wife and the Landrover have managed to muddle our way down the length of Africa as well as round Australia, other trips to sahara, through Europe etc. Not particularly mechanically minded but had enough to get through. Also got a few general tips on camping stuff, bits we learn't on the way. Not looking for payment, more than happy to help out. Just you have to come up to the Cotswolds as have very young offspring and pup so not travelling to far for the next few weeks. Let me know if its of help to you.

Cheers Tobias

Wow - sounds ideal
 

Hi Tobias - sounds just what we are looking for. It's a very kind offer and something we'd like to follow up with, at you convenience.

My wife originates from Shipton Oliffe, so the cotsworlds is great for us.

Perhaps you can PM me with some dates that might suit you. It will be great not just to learn about the car, but also about your trips. We will be all ears (literally in my case !)

Just heading off to bed, but thanks for the offer, it's great.

We will need to at least provide lunch though :)

Many thanks

Sent PM with details.

Cheers Tobias

Drop me a line from my website mate - I have a good suggestion for you.

Massive Thank You
 

Hi there,

Just wanted to puplically thank Toby and his famiily for letting us come up and take over their weekend. Toby proved a great teacher in both the mechanical and off road driving side of over landering.


So thank you Toby - it was really appreciated.

We learnt loads and had great fun at the same time.

BTW blog updated with piccies etc - and toby I will send you a DVD with them all on when the strike ends.

Jenny and Ollie's Blog

Cheers