On the Congo side, they were working on the road going north from Dolisie toward Gabon in 2017. With time that off road section is just getting smaller and smaller.

I don't have a picture of your 7.5 tonner truck. I don't know your ground clearance. If you want to be totally safe, just cross in the dry season and bring a few chovels and hand picks. The road may have some deep ruts and holes from the rainy season. Level the road when needed or just hire locals from villages if you don't want to do the work. It is a nice win-win situation since they have no jobs. To keep things simple, you select on guy responsible of all the others. You pay him only at the end and he divide the money with others(less trouble for you). He can hire as many people as he want. Select which village on your map where they will get paid. Bring some rhum, some might prefer to be paid with that.

You probably have already plan something for dealing with importing your music equipment in another country. If not, I would prepare some letters with many "officials stamps" listing the equipment and write that it is mandatory to bring them all to south Africa. And also write that in the exceptional case that one item is to be taken away from your truck you need at least the personal info/photo (prepare some papers for that) of 3 officials to show to your embassy. It might stop some officials looking at taking stuff from you.



Patrick

Thanks all for the replies so far.
The picture is much clearer for me now.
As for the ground clearance on the truck. It's not the greatest at the moment for this sort of trip. I intend on removing or altering the belly boxes I have and chopping the back end a bit to improve this. Changing the present tyres for offroad tyres.
Pondering on the advantage if there is any of changing the rear from twin wheel to singles. As I feel it may reduce the possibility of them getting clogged up with mud and lessen the possibility of wear if we have to drop the pressure right down for any terrain that requires it.
We will be leaving Ireland at the start of February to arrive for the middle of May. So I think we will be hitting some rain on the way down.

BTP

In English AND French :smartass: And check the visa regulations for Angola. Quite a hassle....


By the way, if you arrive mid May you'll be late. The festival for 2019 is from 29/04 to 05/05.

Haha, yeah I meant mid-Aprill, but we're not heading until 2020 for the next one with this trip.

Will have a look at Angola. Thanks.

BTP

BTP,

Keep an eye on Gabon. If things go wrong there, that could mean a lot more mud if you have to cross from Cameroon to Congo directly.

https://www.journaldemontreal.com/20...detat-au-gabon

Patrick

Here's a couple of pics of the truck that will hopefully get us there.
Intend on getting rid of the belly boxes, raising the water tanks and fuel tank if necessary to improve clearance and taking a wedge of the back from the rear arch.
Off-road tires, winches front and rear. Pondering whether a switch up in suspension would be worth it.

Attachment 21892

Attachment 21893

Have you considered going for a larger truck and then no need for the trailer? I'm guessing you aiming at the 7.5t as can drive with a car licence, but something larger would give more space and comfort, and probably less strain on the transmission. From a spares point of view, are there many similar vehicles along your route or are most trucks larger?
Just a thought. Good luck. Sounds like a good adventure.

Aah...just seen photos. Guess too late to change truck....oops.

Music on the road
 

Hi BTP

Well why make things easy?

99% of you trip will be black top or gravel, the rest could be tricky! Some bigger harder tyres would be good, and getting rid of the low mounted boxes.

Don't bother with electric winches, just get a big turfer and some non stretch winch rope, you can then pull at any angle.

Hobo used to take artic units down so it can be done.

Good luck.

Bruce