Is a RTT too conspicuous for the trip to TDF?

[mattafact]

Remember, Southern Hemisphere seasons are opposite of ours. June - August is the height of their winter. Might want to get there before or after then.

That's why we're leaving when we are. I figure it will take 4-6 months to get there so we should end up in TDF right in there summer. Hopefully.

 

[lostworldexpedition]

We have been driving -very slowly- towards Argentina for the last year and a half, we have been in Colombia for a little over a month now.

We have slept in our RTT over 355 days since we have been on the road, and would not dream of doing the trip without one. It has truly been the most comfortable and convenient "home" for us. You made a wise choice buying one, don't know much about Hannibal RTT, but Hannibal awnings are the best.

For the rack, have you looked at a BajaRack? That is what we are using and it has been great.

If Dave Connors is already in touch with you then you have a solid source of info. If you have any other questions drop me a pm.

Hopefully we sill see you on the road,
Luis

 

[mattafact]

We have been driving -very slowly- towards Argentina for the last year and a half, we have been in Colombia for a little over a month now.

We have slept in our RTT over 355 days since we have been on the road, and would not dream of doing the trip without one. It has truly been the most comfortable and convenient "home" for us. You made a wise choice buying one, don't know much about Hannibal RTT, but Hannibal awnings are the best.

For the rack, have you looked at a BajaRack? That is what we are using and it has been great.

If Dave Connors is already in touch with you then you have a solid source of info. If you have any other questions drop me a pm.

Hopefully we sill see you on the road,
Luis

The BajaRack is the one we are looking at. How did you mount yours to your 80?

We're taking an 80 now. The 4runner was just too small for us.

Thanks for the tips and I definitely look forward to seeing you guys on the road.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[lostworldexpedition]

Sorry, we have a 60 not an 80, but call BajaRack and tell them what you need, trust me if they do not have it they will make it for you.

Good choice on the 80 series. The only bad thing about it is the gas consumption, but parts availability south of Mexico are plenty. Let us know if you gave any questions on route and/or places along the way south. When are you planning on leaving?

 

[Hltoppr]

During my first trips to Baja and mainland Mexico, I too was concerned about sticking out in my 80 with a RTT, but the only questions I really got about it was at checkpoints and border crossings. Once I showed the officials what it was, no problemo.

Being low key is the point. I would avoid jazzed up paint, bling wheels and lots of sponsor stickers/wraps and go for the older, dusty look....which won't take to long to do once you're on the road.

Baja is pretty illustrative, as I was amazed at the bling rigs folks take down there; usually towing another $100K in sandrail/buggy. If anything, they'll be the target of petty theft long before you will.

O' and one thing I noticed with my 80 was that once across the border, even fully loaded, I got reasonable mileage (15mpg, 3FE), as my speeds went way down....

-H-

 

[mattafact]

I love this forum!

We're leaving once we save up enough money. We've been selling everything we own to fund this but that still won't be quite enough. I finish my thesis in a month or two and should be able to take my boards a month after that and then the final push to save money can begin.

That having been said, when is a good time to leave to end up in TDF during the southern hemisphere summer?

How much should the two of us count on spending per day on gas, food, and lodging (mostly camping but the occasional hotel to keep the woman happy)?

 

[RIDEitINTOtheGROUND]

this is an exciting type thread to read hopefully i might have one like this in a few years..

nice to see you chose the 80. bonus is that it can fit you in it with the seats all the way forward ya (i'm also 6'1" and my platform barely fits me)? just as a back up to the RTT. I'm about to start building one for my 80, but have a buddy with the bajarack on a new FJ and they are pretty sweet. I contacted them and got info on the full size 89" (i think) racks for the 80, they are quite helpful and willing to do slightly custom things if you talk to them.

Did you mount your RTT already? pics? good luck with everything!

 

[mattafact]

Did you mount your RTT already? pics? good luck with everything!

Not yet, we still need to choose a rack. Hopefully we can find a used one for cheap.

 

[lostworldexpedition]

The budget question is tough, and so is the timing question.

How much time are you planing on taking for the drive south? We had originally planned for one year on the road to Ushuaia; however, over a year after we left our home in California we where still in Central America! If you have six months it can be done in six (hell, it can be done in a couple of months), but I would say take a year if you can...

Money is tough, but it all boils down to how much money can you save? There is a couple from Argentina that drove an old Citroen 2CV from Argentina to Alaska with practically no money, they sold postcards made from their photos and jewelry they made. To be honest with you, we have spent as little as $500 in a month and as much as $2000. We started out keeping really close track of our expenses and now we just try to stick to not more than $50 a day (between the 2 of us, and fuel, it can be hard sometimes). A really comfy budget would be $40 or more per person per day (I wish ). Keep in mind the shipping expenses in Panama, and any unexpected repairs as well. I think all overlanders will give you different numbers.

I think the best time to head to Mexico, specially Baja is November or December.

Hope these ramblings help.

 

[mattafact]

We're planning on about a year. We have about $35k as a needed amount of cash in the bank before we go. This includes gas, shipping expenses, lodging, etc.

 

[lostworldexpedition]

If you take 35 g's you will be living in style! Seriously.

 

[mattafact]

Hmmm, maybe I am over budgeting.

How much is reasonable for a year on the road, staying in a RTT most of the time?

 

[e9999]

don't forget the Mordidas in your budget...

 

[Hltoppr]

I usually average about $40-$50 U.S. per day when travelling, including food, lodging and fuel. Normally, I camp for a few nights, then find a hotel for a shower, etc.

$1000 a month and you'll be livin' in style. I've found the slower I go, the less I spend, so your budget may take this into account, and don't forget to not overplan the trip; there are many places you'll want to just stop and stay for a few days. Make sure to factor "down time" and potential flex days for repairs/maintenance in too.

As for "mordidas", I wouldn't be too concerned. It may happen, but likely not, and usually it'll be in the $20 range, so no biggie.... Heck, the last time I tried to "pay a fine" on the spot the police officer insisted that we pay at the police station and get an official receipt! All I wanted to do was pay the guy and continue on! At least he then gave us an official police escort to the location we were trying to find..... Talk about service!

-H-

 

[lostworldexpedition]

Stick with the 35 g's, but do not be afraid to leave with less... 40 bucks a day per person would be nice, but definitely not a must. Remember that there is also shipping, fuel, car troubles, the random "honeymooney" hotel splurge , and things to do that cost money -whitewater rafting, paragliding, Galapagos Islands, SCUBA diving, etc.-

As much as I'd like to agree with Señor Hltoppr, the corrupt scene is a crapshoot, we've had no problems in almost any country, but we paid a hefty mordida in Honduras... This can happen anywhere, so keep that in mind as well. Here is a link to that story http://bit.ly/enZ1Pf

Credit cards can save you in a pinch, but only in a pinch!

 

[RIDEitINTOtheGROUND]

so without giving away all your secret hiding places etc-- You must be carrying a fair bit of cash as I imagine accessible banks are few and far between? Is there a common plan of restocking cash at major cities along the way or? I'm guessing there is an overlander 101 I should read...

 

[mattafact]

so without giving away all your secret hiding places etc-- You must be carrying a fair bit of cash as I imagine accessible banks are few and far between? Is there a common plan of restocking cash at major cities along the way or? I'm guessing there is an overlander 101 I should read...

We won't be carrying much cash on us at all. I hear HSBC and Citibank is pretty popular down there so I imagine we'll have to open an acct in one of those banks.

 

[car-car]

Not yet, we still need to choose a rack. Hopefully we can find a used one for cheap.

A cheap alternative to a rack would be load bars. What size RTT are you going with? When I was searching for a way to mount our RTT, I found that I would be maxing out the rack capacity/space with our large RTT. Originally, I had hoped to have fuel/water can storage up top, but because we had a large RTT (for the family), it would take up the entire footprint of the rack with the RTT. So, I decided on going with load bars. Search "Groucho" here on the board. He has a great product at a very good price. Very high quality, custom for our LC's, and you're supporting a Mud member.

Sounds like an awesome trip though! Have fun.

 

[e9999]

not to be a downer, but keep in mind that the kind of money you're talking about may be huge for some folks down there, with possible bad consequences. Even with ATMs you got to be careful, there was a news story -apparently true- a year or 2 ago about a traveller who flat out disappeared after having been forced (?) to make some big ATM withdrawals, someplace down south.

May not be a bad idea to have one account with a low balance that would be the "emptiable" one and another where you keep the big bucks and the card for the latter to be hidden carefully someplace not obvious in the vehicle.

 

[photomike]

belgians/congo post?

Do you guys have a link to the Belgian/Congo post?

Cheers,
Mike

Those are some excellent points. I hadn't thought of that.

That Congo story was the best expo report I've ever read. Amazing stuff.



It's 5'8" from the back of my seat to the rear door and I'm 6'1".



Tierra del Fuego. I don't want to stick out like a sore thumb and stand out to thieves any more than my pasty whits skin is going to.



Thankfully our borders are no where near as bad as Texas' yet.