bull said:
Do you have a list of items you want installed etc? Requirements?
I don't think we are really qualified to list items we'd want installed, as we are so new to this. What we know about all this could fit on the head of a pin and what I'd need to know to spec an expedition LC is comparitively the size of a football field. At least that's my current "drinking from the firehose" perspective as I try to climb the learning curve of this area of expertise.
Here's my current cut at Requirements and a fumbling stab at some gear:
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Trip length: 1-3+ years
Destinations: Central America, South America, SE Asia, possibly return to Bhutan & northern India. For full list of destinations click the “Going There” menu option at
www.hackneys.com/travel
Timeline: Immediate, departure in mid to late May 2006 or as soon as we can take delivery of the vehicle
# of people: two
Pets: none
Travel mode: Independent exploration
Activities: Photography, hiking, interaction with local cultures, philanthropic programs (Giving Pictures –
www.givingpictures.org , art/craft activities)
Vehicle requirements:
- Left hand drive
- Reliable
- International service network
- International parts availability
- Modern design
- Rugged
- Serviceable
- As comfortable as we can make it given these parameters
Fuel Type:
- Would prefer the MPG, simplicity and water crossing ease of diesel but can live with the quiet operation and wider fuel availability in most areas of gas / petrol.
Transmission:
- Can be manual or automatic. Simplicity and serviceability of manual is preferred.
Vehicle Capabilities:
- Reasonable ground clearance & suspension capabilities; we will not be rock climbing but will be seeking adventure, experiences and opportunities down small tracks and in remote villages. We anticipate water crossings, mud, sand, silt and very rough roads, tracks and trails. We are assuming front & front quarter bar guards, rock sliders, EMU suspension, lockers and rear bumper/spares/etc/combination, etc. We would prefer to be limited by our fears and common sense rather than our vehicle.
- Recoverability – we will be traveling alone, so require maximum self-recovery capability, i.e. winch(es), straps, pulleys, chains, sand anchors, sand ramps, etc.
- Basic sleeping and cooking capabilities; we will use the vehicle as a stand-by/backup sleeping & cooking system rather than our primary. Plan to sleep / cook in vehicle 30-40% of the time. Prefer proven and watertight top rack tent system with lower veranda/annex. Side mounting tent with hanging extension would be ideal. Would prefer to maintain access to rear of truck while tent and extensions are erected. Need camp-stove level cooking capability, i.e. no gourmet capability required.
- Side deploying awning, wind & weather safe
- Range of 250+ miles. Prefer internal aux tank rather than multiple external jerry cans. Need secure external capacity for at least two NATO jerry cans.
- Excellent, reliable lighting, i.e. fog lights, driving lights, etc.
- Refrigeration. Proven, reliable and rugged 12VDC. Freezer capable of making ice is a requirement.
- Fresh water for 4-6 days.
- Food storage capacity for 4-6 days.
- Accessory power: 12VDC, 120VAC & 240VAC (pure sine wave AC, regulated & filtered). Would prefer regulated solar cell charging capability for deep cycle aux battery.
- Personal storage: clothing; toiletries; laptop computers (2); wireless network router; disk drive data storage array; camera gear; photo printer & consumables (ink & paper); art & craft supplies;
- Storage organization - require slide out drawers, size matched containers, secure stacking containers, etc. Prefer metal pullout drawer system (Stow-More type) that can be locked to provide secure storage for electronics in case of casual/petty thief break-in.
- Security – require passive and active security, i.e. hood locking, manual ignition cut-off, cable/chain loops for locking off to trees, etc. This vehicle will be left unattended in remote areas.
- We would prefer to avoid pulling a trailer.
Storage volume requirements:
- Clothing – 80 liters (L) / ~2.8 cubic feet (CF)
- Shoes / jackets / etc. – 87 L / ~3 CF
- Primary camera gear – 84 L / ~3 CF
- Secondary camera gear – 45 L / ~1.6 CF
- Photo printer – 4 L / ~.14 CF
- Ink / paper – 80 L / ~2.8 CF
- Data storage – ~30 L / ~1 CF
- Maps / guides / etc. – ~40L / 1.41 CF
- Art / craft supplies – ~80 L / ~2.8 CF
Additional required capabilities / equipment / storage / etc.:
- Complete tube & tire repair & re-inflation capabilities.
- Two spare wheels & tires
- Hi-lift jack and corresponding jack points
- Complete vehicle spares kit, special focus on market specific spares, i.e. parts normally sold in US only
- Complete vehicle repair manuals & documentation
- Complete vehicle troubleshooting and repair tools (I can provide standard tools, will need any special Toyota tools required)
- Secure storage, i.e. integrated safe or hidden, lockable storage area
- External radio/sat phone/aerial cable runs
- 12VDC power run to top mounted tent
- Rear and side area lights
- Driver and passenger controllable spotlights and/or very high power handheld spotlight
- 2 camp chairs
- Misc. camp equipment
Electronics:
- Garmin GPSmap 478 (12VDC power required)
- Iridium sat phone (external antenna & 12VDC power required)
- 2 laptops (12VDC & 120/240VAC power required) (can use either power source)
- 1 data storage array (120VAC power required)
- 1 wireless network bridge/router (120VAC power required)
- 1 Canon photo printer (12VDC or 120/240VAC power required)(can use either power source)
- Various Canon battery chargers (require 120/240VAC for one, others can use 12VDC or 120/240VAC)
- AA battery charger (120VAC power required)
- ORBCOMM satellite tracking/communications system (12VDC power required)
- Pure sine wave 12VDC/120VAC/240VAC inverter
- 120VAC/240VAC power regulator/surge filter
- Solar cell voltage regulator
Other:
Training: Due to our lack of 4x4 experience, we will both require off-road driving, vehicle recovery, etc. training.
Delivery: We would prefer to take delivery of the vehicle in North America and depart from there for Central America via Mexico. We can accept delivery elsewhere if required.
Support: We prefer a vendor who can provide ongoing product support during the duration of our ownership experience.
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We welcome feedback on these vehicle requirements, etc.
Doug
