adventuretrek
Adventurer
Ideal RV and Equipment for traveling in
South America
Travel to South America will require some cutbacks on your part. If you are going to drive an RV, the best rule is; “the smaller the better”. The ideal unit for travel in these countries (south of Panama), is a one-ton Ford F350 7.3l diesel extended cab pick up with standard 5-speed transmission and a 9-13 foot overhead slide in camper.
The best built slide-in camper brands we have seen are the California-based Lance Camper, Fleetwood’s “Caribou”, and the Canadian-built “Bigfoot” camper. These units come complete with large refrigerator, roof air-conditioning, generator, microwave, queen size overhead bed and many other options you wouldn’t think a camper could have. These are very comfortable, (this is coming from a “class A” motorhome owner). The size of these units should not deter the prospective traveler from buying one. The objective of this trip is to be outside exploring and not in your RV all the time, so reduced quarters will be even more reason not to sit in the RV during this expedition.
The size and versatility of this unit are very important because many roads, city streets and side attractions require a small vehicle. On this years tour the maximum length is 30 feet, which will easily accommodate several class C and A motorhomes. If possible, try to get a unit that runs on diesel because it is far more plentiful and much cheaper than gasoline. You will spend approximately 40-50% more on fuel with a gasoline powered vehicle.
Additional equipment you will want to bring is a water purification system by Nature Pure (Wescalco@aol.com). This system installs in minutes right under your RV sink and uses the same pressurized system as your cold water. This purifier removes not only bad taste and odors but also bacteria, agricultural chemicals, giardia, colera, and many other microbes that other “filters” do not. If your unit already has a filter system on it, call the manufacturer and see if it guarantees pure water by removing all these bacteria, if not, you may want to consider buying on for you unit even while you travel in the US and Canada!
Another thing that will come in handy is a power inverter to convert battery 12V DC to 120V AC. These also act as a battery charger when connected to electricity.
Remember, in South America the voltage in many places is 220V and 50 cycles (in the US and Canada it is 125V and 60 cycles), thus your appliances and other electrical items will not operate without a inverter, in South America.
A Gasoline generator will also come in handy. Small 3500 watt models (Generac, Honda, Coleman) will power lights, TV and roof air conditioners of most RV’s. DO NOT BUY a PROPANE operated generator, there is not many places to fill propane and refueling could be a problem because these generators use a large amount of fuel to generate electricity.
South America
Travel to South America will require some cutbacks on your part. If you are going to drive an RV, the best rule is; “the smaller the better”. The ideal unit for travel in these countries (south of Panama), is a one-ton Ford F350 7.3l diesel extended cab pick up with standard 5-speed transmission and a 9-13 foot overhead slide in camper.
The best built slide-in camper brands we have seen are the California-based Lance Camper, Fleetwood’s “Caribou”, and the Canadian-built “Bigfoot” camper. These units come complete with large refrigerator, roof air-conditioning, generator, microwave, queen size overhead bed and many other options you wouldn’t think a camper could have. These are very comfortable, (this is coming from a “class A” motorhome owner). The size of these units should not deter the prospective traveler from buying one. The objective of this trip is to be outside exploring and not in your RV all the time, so reduced quarters will be even more reason not to sit in the RV during this expedition.
The size and versatility of this unit are very important because many roads, city streets and side attractions require a small vehicle. On this years tour the maximum length is 30 feet, which will easily accommodate several class C and A motorhomes. If possible, try to get a unit that runs on diesel because it is far more plentiful and much cheaper than gasoline. You will spend approximately 40-50% more on fuel with a gasoline powered vehicle.
Additional equipment you will want to bring is a water purification system by Nature Pure (Wescalco@aol.com). This system installs in minutes right under your RV sink and uses the same pressurized system as your cold water. This purifier removes not only bad taste and odors but also bacteria, agricultural chemicals, giardia, colera, and many other microbes that other “filters” do not. If your unit already has a filter system on it, call the manufacturer and see if it guarantees pure water by removing all these bacteria, if not, you may want to consider buying on for you unit even while you travel in the US and Canada!
Another thing that will come in handy is a power inverter to convert battery 12V DC to 120V AC. These also act as a battery charger when connected to electricity.
Remember, in South America the voltage in many places is 220V and 50 cycles (in the US and Canada it is 125V and 60 cycles), thus your appliances and other electrical items will not operate without a inverter, in South America.
A Gasoline generator will also come in handy. Small 3500 watt models (Generac, Honda, Coleman) will power lights, TV and roof air conditioners of most RV’s. DO NOT BUY a PROPANE operated generator, there is not many places to fill propane and refueling could be a problem because these generators use a large amount of fuel to generate electricity.