Expedition Tips & Tricks

[e9999]

a torch head for propane. Very small. Better if piezo. Can be used with your little tanks or the big one with a hose. Perfect for starting fires with no kindling, when wet wood etc, or for loosening the odd frozen nut. And you can make a burger (or creme brulee) as well in a pinch

 

[Mickldo]

All great ideas. Especially the ones about gear storage in the cab.

Anybody got any tips for book storage? Atlas's, guide books, FSMs, etc.

I store them in a plastic box with a lid but the one you want while driving is invariably the one at the bottom of the box is the one you want. So you leave a couple out and then they get wrecked.

I have been thinking of something like an overhead console in the middle seat area (I don't like them in the front). My other idea is some sort of filing cabinet type thing behind the front seats.

 

[joff]

Do you guys generally have steel cargo barriers in your wagons?? Or is this the sort of thing you use?

Also I haven't noticed anyone suggest tyre plugs or is that just a given?

The most important thing that I carry on long trips is my 60ltr Evakool fridge

 

[Mickldo]

Do you guys generally have steel cargo barriers in your wagons?? Or is this the sort of thing you use?

Also I haven't noticed anyone suggest tyre plugs or is that just a given?

The most important thing that I carry on long trips is my 60ltr Evakool fridge

I think steel cargo barriers are an Aussie thing.

x eleventy billion on the fridge being the most important thing.

 

[sandcruiser]

I've seen a couple different solutions that involve mesh slung between the grab handles in the rear seats. They all looked like an accident waiting to happen (a book going 50mph can do some damage).

Exiled (henry) fabbed up an overhead console on the princess at one point, not sure how far back it went, but could probably find a good way to incorporate book storage there.

We just kept books/maps in a ziplock. Not perfect, but good enough most of the time.

 

[Mark W]

We've done a couple in the wagons. 3/4 inch steel tube (square) for a frame with expanded metal screening. Fits behind the rear seat, bolted to the shoulder belt tabs up top and the fenderwell at the bottom.

Some of you may have seen Bruce Miller's old '60 that I built for him a few years back. He had one in it. Just put one in one of our local rigs. I'll try to get a shot of it.


Mark...

 

[roscoFJ73]

Do you guys generally have steel cargo barriers in your wagons?? Or is this the sort of thing you use?

Also I haven't noticed anyone suggest tyre plugs or is that just a given?

The most important thing that I carry on long trips is my 60ltr Evakool fridge

Most go for the steel type. The manufacturers suggest they have enough strength to hold the roof up in a gentle rollover.

Do you like the Evakool? I nearly bought one but ended up with a Waeco CF50 which is ok ,but temperamental with voltage.

 

[joff]

Do you like the Evakool? I nearly bought one but ended up with a Waeco CF50 which is ok ,but temperamental with voltage.

Sorry for the delay, been away for work for a week.

Yep, I like the evakool. Good thing. Hasn't played up yet but it's only 4 years old so I hope I get quite a few more before I have any issues.

the main reasons I bought it were the fact that my in laws have
an 80 ltr on there sailing boat that's been humming along for about 8 or 9 years and also that they are aussie made (up in Caloundra) and have a reputation for good after sales service.


On the load barrier thing, I wouldn't even consider loading up the back of my busses without one. I sure as s*** wouldn't stick the kids in the car without one. Doesn't Milford sell into the states?

 

[FLFJ40]

As for books how about coping only what you will need? Like in the FSM, who needs frame specs and outside dims. That way if your copy gets wet or dirty you don't lose a whole book. Granted this won't work for everything, but can be handy if you only need section of a whole book.

 

[MuddyOval]

For security, I cut an old dark blanket in the shapes of my windows and install them on the inside with suction cups that have little hooks on them. Sometimes leave a multilingual 'do not disturb' sign from a hotel visible between the blanket and windshield. Essentially, it makes NOTHING instide the vehicle visible from outside- but I wonder if that increases interest to a potential thief? The 'do not disturb' sign hopefully makes them think I'm napping with a big machete or something.
Been lucky so far.

 

[made4surf]

Don't forget the "hide a key". Ever looked for a coat hanger in the middle of Baja???

I use Rubbermaid Action Packers for my gear. Prepacked and in the storage shed, grab 'em and toss them on the rack. Fit perfectly two abreast with the Tradesman rack. Strap them down and security (admittedly minimal!) is cable locks.

Large oiled canvas tarp. Can be used to wrap the gear on the rack when it rains. Heavy enough that if you need to get under the truck on a rocky surface it can be folded up as a pad. Also works great as a sun screen stretched between the racks on two rigs.

Satellite phone. Been pretty lucky in the past, but am going to pick one up for an upcoming trip. Seems like cheap insurance should there be an emergency.

Travel in pairs. Always try to go out with another rig. All the obvious


I would have to agree with sherpa 60, a satallite phone has come in handy many a times in baja.

 

[ckkone]

For long hauls, the navigator/co-driver/wife/girfriend appreciates a map light for various needs. Oshram model, 12" long, aperture for adjusting light level, 12vdc, incandescent bulb.

Is this the light you have, my wife was nagging about this on our last trip?

http://www.needlights.com/offering/view/195

 

[chappysfj40]

cant forget JB weld and epoxy, and extra valve stems, hack saw blades have always done me right, and a length of all thread rod and a handfull of nuts.. acid core solder...

 

[alia176]

Is this the light you have, my wife was nagging about this on our last trip?

NeedLights.com - |

Here, try this Osram Hardwired Lights, I have the 12" one in the vehicle and the 24" in the camper.

 

[LabRat11]

Never a bad idea to have a small stash of money and/or an extra credit card. Hidden somewhere that you can get at without tools, but hard to stumble upon for someone else. You never know if you might end up without funds.... or you might need them.

I backed up into another car in Mexico. BARELY tapped it, got lucky and only broke his headlight. He was (understandably) pretty angry with me, but digging out a hundred dollar bill ended the problem. Now, I wouldn't recommend walking around in Mexico with a hundy in your pocket, necessarily, but having various amount stashed in various places can mean that when you need some cash you can access the right amount. Had a pulled out a roll of 20s and peeled off five, you can bet that the light would have suddenly been worth at least $120, maybe $160....

Was told once by an experienced traveller that the 3 most important things to carry with you are 1) U.S. dollars 2) Marlboro cigarettes and 3) Playboy magazines. One of those three will get you out of most jams. Thought he was kidding - that is until the federales pulled over the group of US gringos - couple packs of smokes later and we were back on our way.

Another small tip - I carry my money in 2 pockets - a small clip in one pocket and my main clip in another. If you are haggling on prices it's very bad to pull out big bills and ask for change. Also - if you get held up you can give up the small clip and hopefully the bad guys go away and leave you with your main clip.

 

[sandcruiser]

I've met several people who have had success with magazines, we packed two or three and would leave them somewhere "obvious" when getting searched, they never seemed to disappear or offer us much advantage.

Other than that, I didn't see many chances where we could offer them without the risk of offending the recipient.

Your mileage might vary, but that was my experience.

Another traveler I met had what I thought was a much better idea: polaroid camera. Every time they were stopped for anything- routine or otherwise- they took it as an opportunity to "get to know" the local guys and would jump out, smiling, and take a picture or two, offering a copy to the official.
Most of the time, the officials thought that was great- they don't have a lot of photos of themselves. The few folks that they met with bad intentions would typically excuse themselves pretty quickly once they were on camera.

Again, your mileage might vary.

 

[cruiser_guy]

The few folks that they met with bad intentions would typically excuse themselves pretty quickly once they were on camera.

You'll want to be culturally sensitive on that one. In the highlands of Guatemala taking photos can be seen as VERY insensitive (if you have their photographic image you have control is the belief), it might even get you killed as a suspected child kidnapper if the subject is a child!

 

[sandcruiser]

Too true!

I think you're point is valid for many different intercultural situations: best to be culturally sensitive.

You'll want to be culturally sensitive on that one. In the highlands of Guatemala taking photos can be seen as VERY insensitive (if you have their photographic image you have control is the belief), it might even get you killed as a suspected child kidnapper if the subject is a child!

 

[2020 Rocks]

Mexico huh, "you put your weed in there"

I'll shoot first. I met a guy in Mexico that travels around a lot and he was showing me around his rig. Underneath he had all sorts of containers he made out ABS pipe that were capped on one end and had a threaded cap on the other. They were made specifically to fit all sorts of areas mostly under his rig.
He would keep all sorts of stuff in them he didn't need quick access or didn't use often. Strong, cheap and water tight.

I know, not earth shattering but a good idea i thought. Could make for interesting border crossings though!

 

[tmarx]

You'll want to be culturally sensitive on that one. ..

Yep, in some/most parts of Africa taking a pic of the locals without asking/sometimes paying first, is considered very rude and can turn nasty very quickly. Never ever take pics of police/border/govt officials, buildings etc. Never pay or offer to pay bribes. Never handout sweets to the local kids in rural areas - this might sound harsh/cold hearted but it has become a huge problem in Africe

Never hide all your cash in one place in your vehicle.Only have a few bucks in your wallet and some more in the cubbyhole.A good place to hide your cash if your vehicle is fitted with canvas seatcovers is in the headrests- officials never search there If you get fined always insist on a receipt no matter what.Make certified copies of your passports etc and hide the original documents in a safe place.If you get pulled over present the copies first.Never let youe docs out of your sight or posession if at all possible.