worldtrip prepping - which off-road conversion is necessary?

[Surfy]

During our Sweden holidays with "Brummie" we celebrated our 8th anniversary, the Landcruiser was used 8 years ago for the first time as a converted minumalistic motorhome. All conversions were registered.

After 110`000 travel kilometres and well over a year of "life in a motorhome" it might be worthwhile to take stock.

Which conversions were necessary, and which would I have done again today when rebuilding a new motorhome?

As you know and can see above, I had to do a lot of rebuilding:

- Snorkel ( +raising of various types of ventilation)
- Front bar
- Winch
- Underride protection
- Differential locks
- Larger tyres (33")
- Spare tyre carrier at the rear
- Air heating
- Additional fuel tank 180 litres
- Heat exchanger to the engine (hot shower)
- among others


Article: Reisefahrzeug Offroad-Umbau was braucht es wirklich?

There is a language switch to the right...

I think the answers among us travellers are as individual as we are. But as I go into each individual conversion point, explain when/where I needed it and why I would or would not use it again, the reader can also find himself - if / and how important individual conversions are for him.

If you are just about to rebuild your travel vehicle, you will find here some starting points for the conversions that are necessary for your individual usage profile.

What does this look like for you?

Which conversions would you implement again, which conversions would you leave out this time?

To limit the necessity of conversions to travel regions - I would not make this statement today. Also on a Trans-Africa you can choose the kind of mud fight or sand games yourself, like everywhere else...

 

[FrazzledHunter]

Good story and facts! Thank you for posting.

 

[cruiserpilot]

I like this approach. My travel is within northern Canada, not worldwide. So the approach to development and what is/was necessary is somewhat different. I can see really obvious differences and some more subtle differences.
I‘d like to start with what the similarities are as this is the core of the conversation.

Engine baseline, ensuring it’s essentially factory as reliability is most important.
Snorkel - fresh air, longer filter life
Front bumper with winch combination - Strong but not overdone, no extra piping or weight. My winch is
the discontinued Warn winch with compressor. Essential, incorporating the compressor saves on so many things. Cost, elaborate wiring add on, convenience, amazing performance.
Rear bumper - due to my requirements I went with an add on rear winch. Also tire carrier and custom
rear rack carrying 60 litres of extra fuel / water combination. Also chainsaw rack.
Long range fuel tank - 150 litre rear tank upgrade. Probably the single most important upgrade to long
haul trips. Being able to stretch range and having option of bypassing more expensive or quality questionable sources is really important.
Engine coolant heater - I travel late season in the north, having to eliminate cold engine starts makes the cabin environment far more comfortable. Cold, hard wearing with smoky starts is eliminated.
Tires - Second most important upgrade. I have the very expensive Toyo MT 285/75R17 tires. Northern travel into some of the muskeg and gumbo mud with frightening water crossings make larger than normal mandatory in my eyes. I chase a lot of ATV trails. Heavy - big trade off here, as a smaller to just slightly oversize trie would probably yield some fuel economy gains that would be measurable. I drive accordingly. Pulling over to let B-train loaded semi tractor trailers pass happens a lot.
Factory limited slips in axles - convenient and free at the time. Selectable locker would yield better fuel economy for sure.
Electric Fridge/freezer - 3rd in order of most valuable components. No worries with food control. No loss of food. Ability to carry over a months supply of food easily.

Recent Changes - Like Surfy I now sleep inside on a cot. Found RTT not as comfortable and less attraction to the truck overall. I’ve gotten a bit more 21st C with upgrades to digital mapping, but just for fun. Not really for position as I generally know where I am.
Surfy, one day we have to get together on a trip. I would really like to travel Central Europe into the north east corner of the Med one day. A guide would be handy

I read most of the articles in your site. I think from N American view we are very lucky to be almost
‘lawless’ when it comes to vehicle modifications in Europe or Australia. I’d have to completely revamp
my entire design before shipping my truck anywhere else, whereas your truck could be put in a container and shipped anywhere.

 

[TWILLY]

View attachment 2455345




I like this approach. My travel is within northern Canada, not worldwide. So the approach to development and what is/was necessary is somewhat different. I can see really obvious differences and some more subtle differences.
I‘d like to start with what the similarities are as this is the core of the conversation.

Engine baseline, ensuring it’s essentially factory as reliability is most important.
Snorkel - fresh air, longer filter life
Front bumper with winch combination - Strong but not overdone, no extra piping or weight. My winch is
the discontinued Warn winch with compressor. Essential, incorporating the compressor saves on so many things. Cost, elaborate wiring add on, convenience, amazing performance.
Rear bumper - due to my requirements I went with an add on rear winch. Also tire carrier and custom
rear rack carrying 60 litres of extra fuel / water combination. Also chainsaw rack.
Long range fuel tank - 150 litre rear tank upgrade. Probably the single most important upgrade to long
haul trips. Being able to stretch range and having option of bypassing more expensive or quality questionable sources is really important.
Engine coolant heater - I travel late season in the north, having to eliminate cold engine starts makes the cabin environment far more comfortable. Cold, hard wearing with smoky starts is eliminated.
Tires - Second most important upgrade. I have the very expensive Toyo MT 285/75R17 tires. Northern travel into some of the muskeg and gumbo mud with frightening water crossings make larger than normal mandatory in my eyes. I chase a lot of ATV trails. Heavy - big trade off here, as a smaller to just slightly oversize trie would probably yield some fuel economy gains that would be measurable. I drive accordingly. Pulling over to let B-train loaded semi tractor trailers pass happens a lot.
Factory limited slips in axles - convenient and free at the time. Selectable locker would yield better fuel economy for sure.
Electric Fridge/freezer - 3rd in order of most valuable components. No worries with food control. No loss of food. Ability to carry over a months supply of food easily.

Recent Changes - Like Surfy I now sleep inside on a cot. Found RTT not as comfortable and less attraction to the truck overall. I’ve gotten a bit more 21st C with upgrades to digital mapping, but just for fun. Not really for position as I generally know where I am.
Surfy, one day we have to get together on a trip. I would really like to travel Central Europe into the north east corner of the Med one day. A guide would be handy

I read most of the articles in your site. I think from N American view we are very lucky to be almost
‘lawless’ when it comes to vehicle modifications in Europe or Australia. I’d have to completely revamp
my entire design before shipping my truck anywhere else, whereas your truck could be put in a container and shipped anywhere.

Good stuff.

We do several weeklong or multi-week trips a year, and are fridge shopping (I'm tiring of the river cooler). Curious - what size fridge do you run?

 

[cruiserpilot]

Call Martyn in Prescott. It’s close. National Luna 50 Weekender.
Adventuretrailers.com

 

[jgranthevagrant]

View attachment 2455345




I like this approach. My travel is within northern Canada, not worldwide. So the approach to development and what is/was necessary is somewhat different. I can see really obvious differences and some more subtle differences.
I‘d like to start with what the similarities are as this is the core of the conversation.

Engine baseline, ensuring it’s essentially factory as reliability is most important.
Snorkel - fresh air, longer filter life
Front bumper with winch combination - Strong but not overdone, no extra piping or weight. My winch is
the discontinued Warn winch with compressor. Essential, incorporating the compressor saves on so many things. Cost, elaborate wiring add on, convenience, amazing performance.
Rear bumper - due to my requirements I went with an add on rear winch. Also tire carrier and custom
rear rack carrying 60 litres of extra fuel / water combination. Also chainsaw rack.
Long range fuel tank - 150 litre rear tank upgrade. Probably the single most important upgrade to long
haul trips. Being able to stretch range and having option of bypassing more expensive or quality questionable sources is really important.
Engine coolant heater - I travel late season in the north, having to eliminate cold engine starts makes the cabin environment far more comfortable. Cold, hard wearing with smoky starts is eliminated.
Tires - Second most important upgrade. I have the very expensive Toyo MT 285/75R17 tires. Northern travel into some of the muskeg and gumbo mud with frightening water crossings make larger than normal mandatory in my eyes. I chase a lot of ATV trails. Heavy - big trade off here, as a smaller to just slightly oversize trie would probably yield some fuel economy gains that would be measurable. I drive accordingly. Pulling over to let B-train loaded semi tractor trailers pass happens a lot.
Factory limited slips in axles - convenient and free at the time. Selectable locker would yield better fuel economy for sure.
Electric Fridge/freezer - 3rd in order of most valuable components. No worries with food control. No loss of food. Ability to carry over a months supply of food easily.

Recent Changes - Like Surfy I now sleep inside on a cot. Found RTT not as comfortable and less attraction to the truck overall. I’ve gotten a bit more 21st C with upgrades to digital mapping, but just for fun. Not really for position as I generally know where I am.
Surfy, one day we have to get together on a trip. I would really like to travel Central Europe into the north east corner of the Med one day. A guide would be handy

I read most of the articles in your site. I think from N American view we are very lucky to be almost
‘lawless’ when it comes to vehicle modifications in Europe or Australia. I’d have to completely revamp
my entire design before shipping my truck anywhere else, whereas your truck could be put in a container and shipped anywhere.

Photo looks like the rail grade near Dease Lake? Do you have any photos of your rear bumper with chainsaw rack? I would like my saw more accessible, but still very secure.