Pan-American Expedition

[jlit]

Hello all,

My name is jeff, and 4 associates and I are putting together an expedition from the top of Alaska to the southernmost tip of Argentina. 2 guys will be riding bicycles, I will be filming a tv show, 2 others will be conducting research, and together we will be filming 3 documentaries along the way about the needs of humanity and the environment in Latin and South America. I'm here because we need the perfect expedition vehicle.

We need ample space for 3-4 people, film equipment, expedition gear, bikes, batteries, and 2 irish wolfhounds. As many of you know, the roads through South America will require rugged 4x4 capabilities. In addition, with the threat of armed radicals, theives, and corrupt policia, the vehicle needs to be armored.

Any advice and assistance is most appreciated. Thank you.

 

[ThomD]

Hi Jeff,

I hate to break it to you , but there is no "perfect" vehicle.

You are going to need at least two vehicles. Lay out all the gear you plan to take and see how bulky it is. Then find a vehicle that can haul it all. That's not going to happen in one vehicle.

Forget about "armored". The world is not that dangerous. Your best protection from danger is your to use your head.

Do you really need the dogs? They take a lot of space, require special food - at least that's what the vet says - and might have a problem crossing borders.

Since you asked this in the Toyota forums, you will probably not get as broad a response as possible. Might want to have it moved to a different forum.

are you roughing it or do you want to travel with some comforts? Staying in hotels? Going out of your way to go off road, or just staying on the main "roads"? Do you have a budget?


Hmm, all this sounds pretty negative. Sorry about that. It's Friday and I'm ready to be done with work.

-thom

 

[Ursidae69]

There are a lot of great threads here on travel in Central and South America. Vehicle choice is a tough question with a lot of valid opinion sout there, but if it were me I'd look for a couple 80 or 100 series land cruisers and get them set up for the trip.

The dogs will take a lot of room if you have just one vehicle.

Welcome to the forum and good luck.

 

[gjackson]

If you want to carry all that AND be armored, I think you are in the wrong section. This:

http://www.sportsmobile.com/4_4x4sports.html

might get close to the payload capacity you need. But even then I doubt it. You will either need 2 vehicles or a truck (lorry).

cheers

 

[Hltoppr]

I heard some great advice regarding armored vehicles....

If you're attacked, the vehicle will be the center of attention...you'll likely want away from it if it doesn't run....

Then, body armor may be a better choice...

That being said...seriously...where are you guys going that you'll need that much security? Phoenix? Mucho expense and mucho GVW....not worth it....

Don't give in to the bandito rumors. If you want a true read on security, check out Two Wheels Through Terror, by Glen Hegstad...

I'd think that being in an armored vehicle will create more problems with borders than not. I guarantee you guys would get held up, time wise, while folks grilled you about who you are and what you're doing.

3-4 folks in one rig is tough....I agree with the Sportsmobile...

-H-

 

[Ryanmb21]

did you consider a 2002 VW Jetta with sunroof?

 

[jlit]

hm, jetta, perhaps.

wow. thank you guys for the replies. unfortunately right now I'm heading out shooting for the weekend, but I'll be back in communication on monday. Thank you guys very much, and have a good weekend.

 

[jlit]

Well, we've been considering many different vehicles, and I like the unimog idea for many reasons. Namely, one vehicle, powerful, large enough to carry a lot of equipment, and I hear they're pretty reliable. Earlier we were considering a large truck (Sorry to bring up the F-word, but we were thinking about an F-350) but even with a large shell on the back with storage compartments, we don't think there would be enough room for all the equipment we're taking.

I've heard there are many old busses down there, so possibly a short 14 passenger bus with the seats taken out. Parts availability is good, and it would be a lot less conspicuous than a big unimog. It's no mog, but would a bus (beefed up a little of course) be burly enough to handle some dirt roads down there? It's also a lot cheaper than a mog.

Or would you recommend going with multiple land cruisers instead? We are planning on camping most of the way, and at least if we had the bus, we could have a place to go if it were too sketchy to sleep by the road.

 

[Hltoppr]

I really think...all of the above...Each will work just fine. The Ford will likely have a good supply of parts all the way; and if not, ordering would be easy. The Unimog...not so much.

I'd try to keep it simple. I think you'd find that all of the really upper end mods, such as exotic storage systems and the like aren't really necessary.

The more I think of it, an F350 with crew cab/bed cap, small camper, or flip pack may be a good compromise, and wouldn't break the bank...

-H-

 

[jlit]

Ok, we're thinking pretty affirmatively of a compromise between all of the above. We're thinking of going with 2 vehicles for safety: 2 toyota 08 tundras, crew cab, short bed(because you can't get a longer bed with the crew cab), camper shell, and just fixing them up a little to work, ie, roof rack, bumpers, lifts, winches, and wheels. What do you guys think?

 

[gearbox]

Ok, we're thinking pretty affirmatively of a compromise between all of the above. We're thinking of going with 2 vehicles for safety: 2 toyota 08 tundras, crew cab, short bed(because you can't get a longer bed with the crew cab), camper shell, and just fixing them up a little to work, ie, roof rack, bumpers, lifts, winches, and wheels. What do you guys think?

Where is the crew going to sleep? With short beds you can't sleep in the capped bed unless the tailgate is down. Common tents? Roof-top tents?
Is anyone on your crew familiar with off-road driving and vehicle recovery?
Multiple vehicles is necessary. Consider this also.

 

[gearbox]

There is also this company's option of trailer or integrated expo vehicle.

 

[Hltoppr]

I like the idea. A mid sized RTT on each would be simple and effective. One multi-mount 9K winch with a full ARB recovery/winch kit to go along with it, and both trucks wired up for the winch on the rear receiver....

Good Tires are a must...I have never had any problems with BFGs...I'd go mud terrains for what you guys are doing. One spare for each truck should be sufficient. Go brand new...not used on tires.

Uprate the suspensions for the load you'll have. I like Old Man Emu stuff.

Steel wheels would be nice...you can beat them back into shape if necessary. If there is one type of tienda you can find pretty regularly in Mexico, Central, and SA, it's a tire shop...so you should be pretty good there...

Make sure every thing matches between the trucks; then split the spare parts between them. Saves time, space, weight, and $$$.

-H-

 

[durango_60]

Ok, we're thinking pretty affirmatively of a compromise between all of the above. We're thinking of going with 2 vehicles for safety: 2 toyota 08 tundras, crew cab, short bed(because you can't get a longer bed with the crew cab), camper shell, and just fixing them up a little to work, ie, roof rack, bumpers, lifts, winches, and wheels. What do you guys think?

Sounds like a lot o bling! Personally I would go for a older vehicle, bring it up to snuff mechanically, and try to blend in as much as possible.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Just doing a little back-of-the-envelope math here, if you can afford 2 08 crew cab 4x4 Tundras + expo gear, you must have ~$100k to play with, am I right? Those Tundras will run you $40k apiece, and that's before you start adding gear.

For that kind of cash, it would seem like you could get something smaller and fit it out specifically for your needs.