Shipping Large Vehicles
 

Hi
Just wondering if anyone has experience of shipping vehicles which are too tall to fit a standard shipping container?

I’m looking at buying an overland vehicle to do multiple short to middle distance trips. We’re presently looking at a 4x4 Iveco that’s fitted with a high roof which is great for interior space but means it won’t fit a standard shipping container. Is it still possible to freight this home from Africa, China and America (and is there going to be a considerable price increase)?.

Does anyone have experience of these vehicles, particularly reliability and ease of maintenance/repair in the bush? (I don’t know much about the spec other than it’s got an Iveco turbo diesel with low mileage)

Thanks

Harry (virgin overlander)

Iveco
 

Hi

like all non-standard overlanders (ie. not LR or TLC), it will be harder to find spares outside of Europe. however spares are plentiful in Europe so you keep a few good contacts back home and wuld get the to ship any non service items you cant carry. Iveco's are widely used commercials and are definately spreading but unsure about Africa etc.
I did meet a couple who purchased an Iveco built ambulance which they converted to a very nice 4x4 camper, and the thing had loads of power/torque and seemed very well built - was one of 6 built for the MOD ambulance trials in the UK. This vehicle apparently out-performed the LR ambulance in all areas but as the MOD opted for 'Wolf', they went with the LR option for ease of spares compatability - I owned a Wolf ambulance for a while and although it was a great vehicle I would have to admit that the Iveco was better - read larger and more spacious for the purpose discussed here.

On the shipping front you could ship a vehicle that would not fit a container on a pallet - these are loaded on last aboard container ships and in the event of very rough seas hey are the first overboard!!!
My friends with the Iveco shipped this way Tilbury to Mombasa - although they had the vehicle broken into on the docks - sleep in the vehicle your self for security.
The other option would be Ro-Ro - Roll on, Roll off - ferry. These ship to destinations all over the world.

Good luck

There are so many vehicle carriers plying the world's shipping routes its easy to get a roll on roll off ship to and from almost anywhere. Trucks, cranes, bulldozers, buses all get transported by ship.

You get charged by the cubic metre.

This guy was really helpful when I bought a 3.1 mtere high Merc in Germany and exported it to Australia. He has great worldwide contacts.

Sven Gruber

Rolf Günther GmbH & Co. KG
Phone +49 471 94598-12
Fax +49 471 412043
sven.gruber@rolf-guenther.de

cant help re:containers but i have a iveco 4x4 (my second )which i've taken to russia & north africa wheres theres no problem getting spares,also there quite straight forward to work on even by bush mechanics.like any vehicle keep a eye on anything bush mechanics touch for tightness.

Iveco
 

Hi Harry
I have a 4x4 Turbo Daily which is superb, the only problem being that as it is short, it can be a bit choppy on some terrain, 'tho new dampers could help, but if yours is LWB it should be better.
The Iveco main dealer in Cairo is very professional and friendly, charging us £15.00 to change the oil and filters and check everything, but saying he would do it free if we wanted!
I can let you have my design ideas if you like, or if you are ever near Bristol, come and have a look.
Bruce

Ultra-cube
 

Standard containers are about 2.4m high, you get an extra 30cm with an ultra-cube container. Normally these are the same cost.

Sam.

shipping large vehicles
 

I have a friend who shipped with Grimaldi lines to buenesaires. no problem, well if you dont include a break in, unfortunatly it comes with the teritory, so am told.

There are hi-cube containers, but I can't quote their interior height.

I don't know the dimensions of your vehicle, but dropping tire pressure (even to zero) and/or mounting smaller wheels/tires for shipping is an idea.

A shipping suggestion
 

The below website may or may not be of any help. Figured I'd pass it on though.

www.Uship.com

Hello,
There are open-top containers available too, an iveco van wil happily fit into a 20 foot open top.
Vans are tricky on Ro-ro, a truck is better so you can really isolate cab (which you've stripped for the trip) from the box. Friends installed a big grill in their converted van which was bent out of recognition on arrival, contents gone of course.
The Iveco's a great beastie, takes one hell of a load. Mine (LWB with camper body) broke a spring in Ghana (not surprising considering) and I got a new set custom made in Accra for a song. Apart from that, brilliantly reliable, they still have a timing CHAIN, none of this rubber business. Injection's Bosch, turbo can be Garrett or KKK, just like most european 2.5l turbos.

The famous question of spares availability: having seen friends with a HDJ80 stuck for 3 weeks in Bam with promises of finding the part tomorrow in the market (from the Toyota dealer!) I prefer to pre-arrange with my local dealer to send parts by DHL if the need arises!

Weak point seems to be the rubber boot on the outside CV joint. Inspect, clean and silicone more regularly than the rest.

Happy travels
Luke

With regards to shipping, we found this site very good, especially the Singapore/Indonesia/Australia sections. Should be of interest to you as the vehicle is a Landrover 101 which would be about the same as the Iveco.
www.landyman.co.uk

Mal