Central and south America trip: camper truck or Class B RV???

[Flyhight]

Hi everyone,

my name is Yann, a 39 y.o.french frog living in Switzerland for the last 16 years ... but with some taste for change

I'll be crossing Central and south America ... for an approximate period of 3,5 years (yes, I know... lol) starting around April 2017 somewhere between California and Texas (depending where I'll find the best option for a vehicle and gear) then head to Mexico,...

Here's the plan:
- Baja California (and sandy beaches)
- Mexico
- Belize
- Guatemala
- El Salvadore
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Costa Rica
- Panama
-------- RORO--------
- Columbia
- Venezuela
- Brasil
- Uruguay
- Argentine
- Chili
- Peru
- Equador
...lot of difficult roads and remote accesses are to be expected.

I'll hit the road with a mid-size co-pilot dog (blue heeler), all the necessary stuff and a fair quantity of windsurf and surf gear
- 2 windsurf boards (2.50m)
- 1 surfboard (1.70m)
- 6 sails
- 3 masts
- 2 booms

I'll be living in my vehicle all along the trip. I'm pretty adventurous , but I suspect a minimum of comfort to be necessary for such a long trip:
- inside (warm) shower
- enough room for sport gear to be safely stored (inside or external large roof locker)
- 1 queen bed + 1 spare bed
- solar panels and all the necessary stuff to live remotely for up to 1 month.


I'd like to access remote places where wilderness and virgin spots are. Reason why I thing a pick-up truck with a descent height is THE option

So here's my question for you, foxes:
I'm wondering should I go for a pick-up + camper truck?
+ 4x4 abilities = access to remote places
+ increased handiness (or maybe not at all with the camper...?)
- higher on wheels = less comfort during long highway trips?
- less inside room
I'm currently looking at a 2008 Lance 915 truck camper with 1995 Ford F-350 XLT. Ford truck has 65,336 miles on its 7.5 liter 460 engine.

... or a class B RV?
+ more inside space to fit sport gear
+ more comfort on the long distances
- restricted access to remote places
- less handiness
I'm currently looking at a V8 Ford E350 Majestic with twin wheels on the back (2007) ... which looks big enough for my gear and myself.


I'd be happy to hear about your opinions about the subject and maybe what you'd go for should you be in my case ?
Would Gas or Diesel make such a difference that I would take it into consideration?
Availability looks the same and it seems like total distance won't allow me to hit the break-even point.

Thanks for your helps & have great day!

Yann

 

[Lv4tacos]

A couple is doing the same trip. They have a website, but the forum will not allow me to include a link.

Search under nonurbia.com

 

[Flyhight]

Thanks Lv4tacos ! ;-)

 

[sg1]

We just spent 9 months in Central America. I posted some information in the South America subforum http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/157122-9-Months-in-Central-America.
Be careful with a big rv. They tend to have a very long overhang in the rear which will touch ground even on some of the paved roads we drove. I would not take anything bigger than 24ft (8 m). I would take a truck camper or a van. 4x4 is nice but not necessary.
Stefan

 

[sg1]

I forgot to mention one important point. A truck camper is usually not classified as a "casa rodante" (motorhome) in Mexico because the camper unit can be removed from the truck. A casa rodante gets a 10 year Import Permit, a truck camper only 6 months. This may be important for you and may force you to take a class B or C.
Stefan

 

[craig333]

Only problem with a pop up I see is all the gear you're going to be carrying on the roof. You'll have to take it on and off every time you pop the top.

 

[Flyhight]

Thanks Stefan, very helpful points and details in your post and comments. I'll take them into consideration and it will for sure help a lot!
Have a great day.
Yann

 

[Flyhight]

Hi Craig, you're right, I'll probably better have to look into a complete "hard shell" camper.
Thanks

Yann