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 Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time!

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delica
Jas
simonandsarah
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simonandsarah
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Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time! Empty
PostSubject: Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time!   Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time! EmptyMon Mar 21, 2011 10:40 pm

Just joined the forum - a fabulous resource and apologies for not yet having an AWD - the main reason for joining up has been to try and decide which vehicle we will replace our current VW T4 SWB 1.9TD camper. She is currently sitting on 220k miles at 12 years old and the Oz dirt tracks are knocking the stuffing out of us although the van doesn't seem bothered. We want to keep the simplicity, reliabilty and ease of servicing plus economy (40mpg) and the comfort of a sturdy Reimo conversion but may go for a fixed roof next time. All suggestions welcomed and if you want to keep an eye on us have a look at our blog www.sastt.blogspot.com - the archive goes back to Sept 2009 when we shipped the van to Auckland. We have learnt a lot and have loads to learn but would be very happy to pass on advice to others.
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Jas
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Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time! Empty
PostSubject: Re: Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time!   Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time! EmptyTue Mar 22, 2011 3:39 am

Sounds like a good trip!

As for the vehicle, IMO a 40mpg 4x4 with overland gear and equipment is hard to come by. (Please tell me if im wrong).

Ill recommend: (in no order)

Iveco Daily 4x4
Hyundai Terracan
Toyota Landcruiser
Nissan Patrol
Mitsibushi Shogun
Kia Sorento
Defender 110 / Iveco Massif

It all depends on budget really and what you can afford.
Ive seen a fue Iveco Daily 4x4's with the rear converted in to a camper. And many other 4x4's with roof tents & ground tents.

Have a look here: http://www.azalai.co.uk/vehiclesDetail.php?Toyota-HZJ79-3

Lots of money but a great example of overland campers.
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delica
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Location : Brighton UK, JihlavaCZ

Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time! Empty
PostSubject: Re: Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time!   Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time! EmptyWed Mar 23, 2011 4:47 am

Mitsubishi Delica for me anytime Very Happy except fuel economy Crying or Very sad
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http://www.delicajourney.webnode.cz
Ann
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Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time! Empty
PostSubject: Deciding on a new vehicle   Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time! EmptyWed Jul 06, 2011 2:13 am

Just found this forum and your question about a vehicle.

We have just purchased another vehicle our 4th one!!!!!!

In our experience Land Rover is the pits. There are very few dealers and service agents in the world (comparitively) and Land Rover themsleves are EXTREMELY unhelpfull.

Our criteria for this last car was thought out - for the first time. Yes we are slow learners.
The criteria in no particular order was:

* Get into bed inside the vehicle (important in some countries. It isn't pleasant to have some one climb up to look into a tent on top when you are in bed!
* Keep the bed made up. I hate sorting out a bed every day.
* Small enough to force us outside when the weather is good. Too many people stay in their luxury camper vans.
* Large enough to manage inside if the weather is bad. It always rains in Europe and in many places in the world, like South America, it can be very cold or windy.
* Must be able to wild camp safely and with everything we need. i.e. totally self sufficient.
* High road clearance and an exit entry angle greater than 15 degrees. 4x4 is good but not absolutely necessary.
* Strong undercarriage to take rough roads.
* Tyres at least 16 inches. It is very difficult to find rugged tyres in 15 inch. ie in South Africa it is impossible.
* Friendly dealers and specialist servicing available worldwide. But any service station can be used most of the time.
* Maintenance is possible by a do-it-your-selfer.
* Not a high roof. Pieter keeps on forgetting how high the car is and scraping the top.
* Can stand up inside.
* Fits into a standard 20ft container - hi cap is OK. Although these are rare the shipper will find one.


We have recently purchased a Toyota Landcruser that has been converted into a camper van. It has a pop-up roof so fits all the height requirements, the bed can be left made up, it is small but you can manage inside. We are in Holland and have managed quite well in the rain, cold and wind.

You can look up the website www.vrolijksontrek.com for a brief look at the vehicle and our previous versions. Australia is the best place to buy this vehicle and you are right there. Any search of the web will give you lots of possibilities. Then again you may not have our size requirements. You will also have an issue selling your car in Australia.

The best idea is to list your requirements and go from there. If you don't mind driving a truck, that is more spacious. If you want a built in toilet and shower you will need a bigger vehicle than a Land Cruiser. You can always have a pop-up roof if you need to ship the vehicle.

Hope this helps

Ann Smile
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Tom Mc
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Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time! Empty
PostSubject: Re: Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time!   Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time! EmptyWed Jul 06, 2011 12:31 pm

Hi Ann - welcome to the funny farm! cheers

I agree with virtually all your points, except one biggie. I'm not even going to start arguing/discussing/debating the point about which make of vehicle is best as we will be here for ever - the make/model of vehicle is purely a personal choice, so whether a particular marque is good or bad is largely irrelevant. Personally I love the Range Rover Classic. I know it has failings, just the same as in certain areas it wins over other 4x4's, but I'm quite happy with my choice.

The point I can't agree about is the 2WD view - "4x4 is good but not absolutely necessary". To qualify as a true overland vehicle, surely four-wheel-drive is essential. Would you really want to go solo across Oz, Africa, South America - or most other continents for that matter where you wander off the beaten track - in a 2WD van with windows? I certainly wouldn't! If for no other reason, you can fit more aggressive tyes to a 4x4 and the drive train will take it. There is a reason you don't see A/T's fitted to Ford Transits and other similar-sized campervans. Then again, maybe I can't see the wood for the trees? What do others think?
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mugwump
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Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time! Empty
PostSubject: Re: Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time!   Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time! EmptyWed Jul 06, 2011 7:04 pm

As with all things there is always options there was a Ford transit 4x4 on the mac4x4 and did very well over the 4 days nothing drastically difficult but it managed ok Very Happy
They then had the benifit of being able to just climb into bed at night at shut the doors, the vehicles I do not know much about, how long they were made for or how good they were. This one did have MT's on which it managed well with.

Also in another post I spotted a pod trailer on this websitehttp://www.stimsondesigns.com/index2.php?link=multipod and again Bed can be just climbed into at night. I have no idea how strong the trailer is and how well it would stand up to an overland trip, and it will also depend on budget as it seems expensive.

Also another possible vehicle is a Mitsubishi Delica which might tick a few boxes, there is some good pictures on this website of one that is being developed for overlanding. Very Happy

ATB

Derek
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delica
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delica


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Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time! Empty
PostSubject: Re: Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time!   Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time! EmptyWed Jul 06, 2011 9:14 pm

Yes, Delica is a good one. Main advantage is a huge space in LWB model and nice comfortable drive on the road. Very Happy Very Happy

www.delica.rajce.net
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roamingman
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Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time! Empty
PostSubject: Re: Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time!   Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time! EmptyThu Jul 07, 2011 6:16 am

Hi Ann just read some of your diry and some of your picturs, very good, you must have had a great time.
will come back and check it out. clinking teacups
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Tom Mc
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Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time! Empty
PostSubject: Re: Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time!   Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time! EmptyThu Jul 07, 2011 10:31 am

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PostSubject: Re: Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time!   Way Down South - 2WD Good BUT planning a 4x4 for next time! Empty

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