David Harris
Expedition Leader
From what I'm reading here, this is an example of how a stock LC couldn't survive the Congo.
Democratic Republic of Congo: Lubumbashi to Kinshasa
- Thread starter RadioBaobab
- Start date
From what I'm reading here, this is an example of how a stock LC couldn't survive the Congo.
PirateMcGee
Expedition Leader
Yes a LC with a bunch of miles and a bunch of trips already under it's belt has begun to fall apart.....
I would like to see any other stock vehicle try this trip with no lockers, no winch, no armor, etc and see how far they get
I would like to see any other stock vehicle try this trip with no lockers, no winch, no armor, etc and see how far they get
David Harris
Expedition Leader
I think pretty much any vehicle would have to be modded to survive this trip in still running condition. Everything has its limits. One of those old flat-fendered Jeeps with the carry handles on the sides would have been great. Just hire a bunch of guys to pick up the vehicle and carry it back to town. :ylsmoke:
PirateMcGee
Expedition Leader
lol that would be quite the scene....
I'm still pretty amazed how far it made it, it's like camel trophy solo edition and with limited gear. A defender would have a pretty good chance at making it at least that far though
I'm still pretty amazed how far it made it, it's like camel trophy solo edition and with limited gear. A defender would have a pretty good chance at making it at least that far though
David Harris
Expedition Leader
Yeah. A lot of parallels to the Camel Trophy, except that those LR's had factory support, mechanics, multiple vehicles to pull them out or tow them back, and they were new at the start. They beat the hell out of them though. All in all they did pretty well. I think there was a Camel Trophy in Congo if I recall. (Zaire in those days)
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MuleShoer
Adventurer
What??
This kind of statement is just stone stupid and insulting to the author.
This kind of statement is just stone stupid and insulting to the author.
K2ZJ
Explorer
What what!?!?
How so? oryxexpeditions was responding to everyone saying the LC was awesome and could handle the DRC. However, in the report they are now walking. That is not insulting to its owners. The LC did not survive, that is from the author himself, why should he be insulted?
How so? oryxexpeditions was responding to everyone saying the LC was awesome and could handle the DRC. However, in the report they are now walking. That is not insulting to its owners. The LC did not survive, that is from the author himself, why should he be insulted?
Please guys stay on topic. This is not the place to discuss the durability of a vehicle.
One extra stress factor that Frederik has not mentioned yet is the Carnet de Passage situation. As most of you know, it is required to drive across several countries. I don't know for sure but I suspect they had one, in which case abandonning your truck means that you may also need to abandon your deposit.
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RadioBaobab
Adventurer
For the record: this is not over yet 
We were on a 2 year trip, of which this Congo bit is just a very small part. We had sold everything we owned in order to be able to do this trip. The car and its content were (and you can take that very literally) the only things we owned. There was no house at home, no furniture, no clothes. As a matter of fact, there was no 'at home' other then our Landcruiser. And indeed, we had a carnet on this car. We were not just going to leave it there.
As for the dureability of the car: I will post my afterthoughts when the report is finished. Let's just not forget that we were already travelling 20 months non-stop. We had already completed 2 trans-africa's and a trans-asia. 95% offroad, some of it pretty extreme. A lot more gory technical details and insights will come in the next few installments.
Apologies for not providing this perspective any earlier.
We were on a 2 year trip, of which this Congo bit is just a very small part. We had sold everything we owned in order to be able to do this trip. The car and its content were (and you can take that very literally) the only things we owned. There was no house at home, no furniture, no clothes. As a matter of fact, there was no 'at home' other then our Landcruiser. And indeed, we had a carnet on this car. We were not just going to leave it there.
As for the dureability of the car: I will post my afterthoughts when the report is finished. Let's just not forget that we were already travelling 20 months non-stop. We had already completed 2 trans-africa's and a trans-asia. 95% offroad, some of it pretty extreme. A lot more gory technical details and insights will come in the next few installments.
Apologies for not providing this perspective any earlier.
RadioBaobab
Adventurer
I would love to go back. It would be much easier if we were equipped to travel in these regions and not lugging our house trough the jungle.
I often think of these people, wonder how they are doing. But I have no means of contacting them.
Thank you for sharing this hair raising story, I can´t wait for more because it is like reading a good thriller.yours hearts must have been pounding fast when you had to leave your jeep and walk towards nearest town.
Leaving your car behind and 'walking out' is a very special feeling. I cannot describe it. We were in your country a few months ago, so beautiful I wish I could go back now!
Thanks for compliments. And that counts to everyone who is leaving comments here, it is really appreciated! We had tried a few times already to write down this story, but we always lost our motivation and it never got finished. Seeing that so many people are waiting for the next installment is just about the best motivation there is. Thank you Expedition Portal!
I try to avoid the usual Landrover/Landcruiser discussion as much as possible. I am a fan of both and believe they both have their strengths and weaknesses. Horses for courses! I will touch this subject(briefly) later in the report. You will see it when we get there.
I think you understand now why I was waiting so long to answer your question.
The truth was, we did not have a plan for that specific situation. We do have a great universal plan that works for most situations: "If we have a problem, we fix it!" ;-)
Mr. Leary
Glamping Excursionaire
x2.
I agree completely.
This section is for expedition reports, not techno babble. These folks have (obviously) survived an adventure that the overwhelming majority of us reading it (including me) would have neither the constitution nor the willpower to even think about undertaking... and this trip report was but a small part of their adventure. Amazing. I know I would never survive the Congo, no matter how "modded" my vehicle was... and IMO taking an attention grabbing heavily modified rig through the Congo would probably get you robbed or worse anyways.
I'm still hanging on the edge of my seat! I'm so glad that there are folks like y'all out there who are brave enough to visit places like the Congo and share your experiences with the rest of us hiding behind the safety of our computers.
Bravo... and if you ever find yourselves in Texas... I'll treat you both to a nice cold Shiner Bock!
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