Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > 4 wheel Overland Travel
4 wheel Overland Travel NON-technical 4 wheel forum, for subjects specific to TRAVEL with 4 (or more!) wheeled vehicles. e.g. Driving Techniques, Shipping etc.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Like Tree4Likes
  • 2 Post By Bermuda Rover
  • 1 Post By Warin
  • 1 Post By moggy 1968

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Mar 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2
First Time Trip Advice

Hi all

For some time been dreaming of overland adventures but always seemed impossible what with everyday life getting in the way and all that. In recent times my wife and I have made the positive decision to live differently and do something big, so I guess we are 50% there already!

Anyway, reading this site for last few months and read Chris Scott's book so I'm starting to build up a little knowledge having started with zero, but gaining bucket loads of inspiration at the same time.
We basically want to do the Americas, Africa, Europe to the far East, Australasia on 4 wheels.

What I can’t decide is (a) what order to do everything in and (b) is it better to buy one vehicle in the UK, invest time and money on bringing it up to a good spec and then shipping from place to place etc, carnets, or buy & sell vehicles as we go.

As a bit of background I have little or no mechanical knowledge. I intend to go on a basic mechanical course before we leave but I’m a realist and know that unless any faults that develop are easy to diagnose and fix I’m dependent on access to proper mechanics. Budget wise, we aren’t rich but both have good jobs and no dependents so if we need to save more to buy a better vehicle, we just have to work a bit longer to save a bit more dough before we go.

I am swaying towards the following – do Oz and NZ first, buying and selling vehicles in their native countries thus avoiding carnet issues and shipping. Then going to the states or Canada, buying a vehicle there that will get us round a nice big loop down to the bottom of south America and back up, to sell the vehicle back in its native country. Then get to South Africa, buy a Troopy or similar to head north up to Europe and if we have enough left in the coffers, head east. Only problem is then disposing of the vehicle – I doubt I could import it back to UK? Might have to ship back to SA and sell there. The reasoning behind the order of the countries here is to start off where driving conditions and security are relatively good, to get experience, before moving on to the trickier challenges of South America and Africa.

Apologies for the rambling post! Every time I think about these issues I come up with a different conclusion. Any thoughts from those of you with real and practical experience would be greatly appreciated.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Mar 2014
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Bermuda
Posts: 163
How about a first, short trip around Europe to get the hang of it and to test out a UK-bought vehicle?

Next, take that same vehicle further east to Russia and Central Asia - more adventurous than western Europe but no carnets required.

You could then decide whether you wanted to take the same vehicle down into Africa and back - or whether to potentially rent a fully kitted out overlander and do the southern part of Africa (avoiding the challenging bits further north).

It's not as easy as it was for a non-resident to buy and register/insure a vehicle in the States. Do your research - I think it is easier in some states than others.

There's a thread on here about vehicle choices for over landing with several suggestions for doing it with inexpensive vehicles. You don't have to spend years saving up for the perfect vehicle for many of the overland journeys that you could take.

Good luck.
__________________
2014 overland adventure to Russia and Central Asia in Land Rover Defender www.bermudarover.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 6 Mar 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,131
I think of it this way

We spend lots of time (and some money) of getting and preparing the vehicle before the big trip.

Once on the trip .. the vehicle plays little actual part.

So the time & money is wasted before the trip on the vehicle? Well ..no .. I think of it as metal preparation for me.

----------------------------------------
Do your sums on carnets & transport vs buying & selling & the accommodation while you do that.

If you decide on buy & sell .. try to by in a large market place (for OZ - Sydney or Melbourne) where things are more numerous and possibly cheaper and sell in a market with a fair demand (Darwin?, Perth?) as you are then able to sell quickly. Don't obsess on the 'right' vehicle - just one with enough space to put things in - food, water, camping stuff. Remember that bicycle riders ride around the world with very little at all so you won't need as much as you think.

If you own your own place.. down size.. get rid of stuff as much as possible before you leave it .. then you can rent it out .. and move into a much smaller cheaper place ... rented flat? remember you are going to move out into a small vehicle .. so no large fridge, washing machine! The fridge would be an ice chest, the washing machine is a plastic bucket with a lid - say 2 gallons - fill with cloths, 3/4 fill with soapy water and then put it in the vehicle and drive - they shaking will wash your cloths .. half way through the day empty out the water and fill with clean water. Rinse again at nigh and hang up to dry. The cloths should be the kind that dry over night - about the only time your stopped if your traveling...

You'll find all this stuff and more on this site.. keep thinking it out for yourself. The idea of doing a loop of Russia/stans is a good one. You can learn and check things work for you.. You'll be faced with a carnet in Africa unless you buy and sell on the boarders of about half the countries there.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 6 Mar 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
Lots of sound advice above

personally I wouldn't go with the fly/buy/drive option. It limits your preparation and what you can take.

It can be a lot more complicated than you probably think to buy and insure a vehicle in a country you don't live in.

One of the keys to vehicle reliability is history and familiarity with your vehicle. Everytime you buy a different vehicle your buying an unknown and taking a massive gamble, Instead I would buy or import a suitable vehicle in the UK and then spend some time getting to know it. Find a good reliable garage to work on it and cultivate a relationship, they may teach you a lot. I helped (hindered!)the garage I use prep my vehicles.I would say own the vehicle for a minimum of 12 months prior to leaving, preferably longer, even if it's a new one. Plenty of new cars have inbuilt faults! Even Toyotas! My Hilux had to have a new steering rack under warranty.

One thing to consider is most disastrous vehicle stopping mechanical problems take a while to develop, electronic ones can be sudden and unexpected

When considering the age and value of a vehicle, consider the carnet implications, you can save a lot on your carnet by buying an older vehicle and doing it up because the standard market value for carnet purposes will be lower. In places where you need a carnet I think you may find it tricky if the vehicle is from a different country to you, but I have no experience of this so others may know better.

There are extensive posts on here about the pro's and cons of new vs old vehicles so I won't go over them again. Read them, there are valid arguments for both sides.

Start with little trips, maybe as suggested eastern Europe, or morocco is a great place to explore. you may find this travelling lark isn't for you. A guy I know put everything into a RTW motorbike trip, and turned back at Italy!! If thats you, then fine, it's better to find out than not to even try and spend your life dreaming of what could have been. On that vein, don't let the dream and the planning become the event in itself, some people reach the ultimate extension of this and have a vehicle, and an elaborate plan, but never actually travel, you'll often see the vehicles on ebay!

with that in mind, don't burn your bridges. put your stuff into storage and rent the house out! apart from anything else if you decide you really like this travelling lark the rent may provide you with an income to carry on doing it!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 6 Mar 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2
Thanks everyone, very helpful indeed. The plan is to rent out the house and maybe move somewhere smaller to speed up the saving process.

Bought a cheap second hand motorhome this winter for holidays this year, so we can get used to the travelling/living in close quarters, before downsizing further to a 4x4.

I've read countless arguments about best vehicle so I purposely didn't want to open that bag of worms!

I will do more research on the buy/sell as you go option, legal requirements and carnets. However, I think you are all talking good sense about spending more time with the vehicle up front, in the UK, get to know it, trust it.

Would you advocate importing a LHD vehicle, from say, Germany? I see there are plenty of Troopies advertised on there from fairly low prices up to eye watering wedges of cash.

Short trips first is very sensible advice. Only problem is that 2 weeks is the max time I could get off work to do one. With that in mind where do you think would be the best destinations to give a vehicle a good trial run?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 6 Mar 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 23
Hi
You don't say where you are, we live in North East Scotland, and it takes us 2 days to Dover and 2 back, only leaves 10, you need to see how the motor does on hills motorways and A & B roads, for ease of driving also mpg.
So may be Wales lake district or Scotland.
Camp sites and wild camping, see how you get on with wind and rain, and of course the sun.
Then their is tent, roof tent or inside your vehicle, how you are going to cook, their are a lot of ways and a lot of different cookers, gas, petrol, electric. Their is quite a lot to take in, I would suggest one forum to look on is
Free forum : 4x4's, Overland Travel, Off Road, Touring and Camping
I am biased, their are others.
Then do you plan to stay in one place for a day or two, or longer, above about the two weeks, if you are near the port of Dover, we once did what was called a Landy Rally, started in Holland then did 11 countries in 9 days.
see here Home - Teddys
My opinion would be to do some trips in the UK first.

Best of luck on your travels, all you need is a sense of Adventure, and have fun.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 6 Mar 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
there do seem to be issues with using RHDs in some countries, as highlighted on another post, so importing may be an answer. You could speak to LL landcruisers in Holland.

there is also a guy on

http://www.landcruiserclub.net/forums/forum.php

who sources landcruisers to order

LHD 80s and 70s do show up every so often in the UK, but it's just luck finding a good one.
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
Some Jobs, Some Responsibilities, Still No Better Time Than Now bigalsmith101 Ride Tales 14 23 Nov 2013 10:09
South East Asia on Motorbikes M_A_X Ride Tales 8 23 May 2013 04:40
Making Time Vs Taking your time Fantastic Mister Fox Route Planning 8 21 Mar 2013 10:17
Advcie please! - Mid November Trip Europe nibby Route Planning 9 5 Apr 2012 15:58
Ao2W - USA and Mexico banditderek Ride Tales 1 25 Mar 2012 15:09

 
 

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 10:45.