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 Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By roamingyak

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 19 Dec 2013
roamingyak's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Portugal
Posts: 1,134
Worst vehicle breakdown(s)?

Maybe we should have a thread listing as many 'vehicle breakdowns / things that broke along the way / after the trip thoughts' on overland trips so that others that follow can easily get an idea of what kind of mechanical things happen and how easy/difficult they are to remediate?

Not individual stories - but a full run down after your long overland trip of what went wrong and thoughts on your preparations etc…..

Add your own postings below and I'll update this first post with a master list as we go along?

ihana.com:
IHANA.COM big trip� -� the landy

sandlover.org - I travelled with this landy, it was terrible! ;-p Click on 'what went wrong' on this page:
http://www.sandlover.org/Preparations.html

africaoverland.org - quite a bit spread over different pages, shocks and springs below:
http://www.africaoverland.org/defender_iteration2.htm

The worst kind of breakdown - a crash:
http://www.daphneoverland.co.uk/setbackpage.html

southing.com
Their landy rebuild pages here: http://www.southing.com/Templates/vehicle/vehicle1.htm

Nessies Adventures - a few mechanic tips here:
http://www.worldtravel-overland.com/...entupdarw.html
Asian Land Rover tips here: http://www.worldtravel-overland.com/toptips.html


Add in some pictures of those who helped you as a collective thanks!
(from ihana.com)

Last edited by roamingyak.org; 20 Dec 2013 at 18:45.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20 Dec 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
I drive a Toyota so don't really have breakdowns (tempting fate there!!)

losing my rear wheel on the autobahn at 70mph was 'emotional'
saw me stuck at the Toyota dealers in Hanover for 3 days, but got of lightly really.

Not really a breakdown, but being 'detained' by the police in Kazan after some nerk wrote of his lada against my Landcruiser was an education in international affairs!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 20 Dec 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Wiltshire,UK
Posts: 288
I've not done any overlanding (yet...), had a timing belt pulley break on my 300Tdi 90 years back, in the middle of Salisbury plain at 0100hrs ...

hardly life threatening though , RAC got me home
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 20 Dec 2013
roamingyak's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Portugal
Posts: 1,134
Quote:
Originally Posted by moggy 1968 View Post
I drive a Toyota so don't really have breakdowns (tempting fate there!!)
Breakdown isn't perhaps the best word. What maintenance did you have to do during the trip, what parts wore out quicker than expected, or just normally, what spares were needed etc etc.

What did you take, what did you replace, what would you take if you had to do it again etc etc. Best if you can detail it on a webpage so we can link to it

*** Please, detailed summaries appreciated, not a few lines off the top of your head, the idea is to help others spend their money wisely and learn from common mistakes etc ***
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 22 Dec 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
bodging kit. insulating tape, duck tape, threaded rods in 3 different sizes with nuts, assorted nuts and bolts, radweld, block sealant, wire of various types, good glue, clamps, all that kind of stuff. Was glad of having spare hoses when mine split in Mauri, jubilee clips in various sizes are always handy. At least one complete service kit (filters etc) Oh, and not forgeting, the BFH (big fxxxxxx hammer!)

Best bodge. My dad has to take the credit for that one, split hose on a shogun. cut out the split section and spliced in a section of exhaust pipe from our Suzuki! It even had the correct curve to go over the rad!!




A couple of other guys on the trip had the switch on their fan fail, so they made one out of a domestic light switch, just had to remember to switch it on!!




when I was taking a pair of landcruisers to The Gambia with a rather heavy load of school books, one of them lost the top bolt on a shock, followed by the rubber. Made a new rubber out of an inner tube which lasted a week of piste driving before I managed to buy a replacement in the next big town.

I follow the maxim of replacing parts and taking the old bits with me, so at least you know they'll fit so I fitted a replacement clutch and took the old one. I took a spare leaf spring and a pair of shocks as I knew we were running heavy, but I think that was unnecessary on that age of Landcruiser (and mine had new suspension anyway) as they are very heavy and the suspension is extremely robust. Likewise I carried spare driveshafts (being an ex landie owner!) but again, I think that is unnecessary on a Landcruiser and with them an the suspension spares, that's a lot of weight, enough that you'll probably need them!!! Full set of oils, brake fluid and hydraulic fluid. Yes, oils are available overseas, but can be counterfeit or of poor quality, and if you need to drain something down in the boonies because of breakage, driving to the next town with no oil isn't really an option. Full set of bulbs saved us getting fined lots!
Couldn't believe the number of punctures my vehicle had (around 12 in 6000-7000miles) which was almost certainly due to using old Toyota split rims with tubes. the other vehicle, running normal wheels with tubeless tyres had only one puncture.


Always carry a workshop manual, if only to point at the picture of what part you need!! (as we did in Spain when the viscous coupling failed on my mates Landrover, the Spanish is Visco Couplingo of course, what else would it be!!)

I think a lot depends on the type of vehicle and where you will be driving. Using an old Toyota or landie and you should be able to buy/scrounge new or used parts almost anywhere, except maybe eastern Europe.
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
Africa - Best and Worst Awards rupertu Ride Tales 7 20 Jul 2016 09:53
Provisions for driving in China. - facts. uk_vette West and South Asia 2 24 Jul 2014 07:58
Argentina vehicle permit - info Phil Flanagan SOUTH AMERICA 3 20 May 2014 00:50
Argentina vehicle permit - info Phil Flanagan Trip Paperwork 0 14 Mar 2013 18:07

 
 

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 08:04.