Searching for the "just right" size for an overlanding vehicle

[gchinsr]

For my son and I, the perfect fit is a 110 with a lift up roof as a live in camper. Due to physical restrictions post spinal reconstruction, a roof rack and RTT wont work for me. The lift up roof extension is 6" taller, which allows for more interior storage, as taller cabinets will be used. We are also utilizing the dead space for our 3 external lockers which hold 4 jerry cans, and fluids/spares, and a 45ltr auxiliary fuel tank, combined these give a lot of extra storage making it seem like a larger vehicle. This also provides a much much lower COG, as most all the heavy items are at frame level, or on the floor. We are aiming for the lightest possible loaded weight, and maximum maneuverability from a smaller vehicle. That's the plan anyways.

 

[spencyg]

I think there might be a couple different dividing lines here. #1 is whether you consider "Overlanding" to involve offroad obstacles with lots of technical driving required. #2 is whether you live around your vehicle, or within it.

For me, I don't like "wheelin" and I am not a big fan of "camping" in the traditional sense. I prefer to not be worried about whether I'm going to break something on my rig by trying "conqueor" that next big mudhole or ledge. Also, at least up this way, those that go "wheelin" are typically (I'm probably overgeneralizing here) a little less respectful of the natural surroundings, don't mind lots of noise, and generally don't really go along well with a family-centric experience that I strive for. As a result of all that, I don't need a rig that is locked up front and rear or has 38" mud tires. I do carry winches, but only because with a rig the size of mine, self recovery for any situation is mandatory.

As for living inside vs outside. This is personal preference but one that certainly drives the size of your preferred vehicle. I would consider Boomer to be on the verge of too small with a family of 4. We will eventually be adding a roof tent when the kiddos get a bit bigger (mostly so we can escape them). If we were fine with cooking outside and needing to spend a couple hours setting up camp and tearing it back down again, I think a trailer would be a great solution. That just isn't us. For those that want to live outside their vehicle while at the same time having the "comforts" of a stereotypical expedition-type vehicle, a trailer is probably the best bet due to the issue of GVWR limitations of smaller 4WD vehicles. If you are running trails however, the trailer can be a significant hinderance. I would suggest that most of the rigs on here which are loaded down with drawers, fridges, tents, water supplies, showers, etc etc are either at or have exceeded the manufacturer recommended loadings on their frames and axles. Even with Boomer which is rated at 12500 lbs GVWR, we are within 3000lbs fully loaded of max GVWR. I'm not through with modifications (and may never be), but I suspect that number will shrink by half in the coming years.

I don't think anybody can define the specifications for a "perfect expedition vehicle" as a universal forumla. It makes for interesting conversation, but that is about the extent of its value in my opinion.

"To Each His Own"

 

[haven]

"Have you ever lived in a vehicle for 3 months at a time, with females?"

Most of us can't take (or choose not to take) 3 month trips, with or without females. I refer to the first post where I described some assumptions, including "at least a week of camping."

 

[jluck]

Noteworthy point;
How the given space is used is as important as the space its self. I can pack the same amount of stuff in half the space my wife can and my mother in-law can beat me by half again. I prefer to pack clever and well thought out to have a smaller vehicle to make the journey and destination more pleasing opposed to just the destination.
-I once built a powerstroke E-350 on 35" tires thinking that was the ticket...big fat pig! (for my type of traveling),
-Excursion before that.......(miss it but still a bit big),....
-FJ60's...(made them work),
-Currently have a 4 door sidekick and recently did a 3 day Mcgrew trail trip with wife,two boys,dog and all gear (roof topper). it worked but I wont go any longer trips in that rig.

in a nut shell.....the best (my opinion) G500 merc.:smiley_drive:

 

[charlieaarons]

Dear Haven,
I have great respect for your work on this Forum. But I believe you said "at least a week of camping before restocking supplies". Well, we can end up in a grocery store in Australia up to twice a week but sometimes it has been up to 9-10 days - average is almost a week.
I (perhaps mistakenly) concluded that when you used the word "overlanding" you you referring to a definition more like Stephen Stewart's "trips of 2 months or more, sometimes in remote areas,dirt roads, etc." or words to that effect. Some of the other replies to your thread I think drew that conclusion as well.
Certainly more of an expedition than a week out camping with a few friends, then home.

Charlie

 

[gjackson]

"Have you ever lived in a vehicle for 3 months at a time, with females?"

I've lived in (around) a D110 for 9 months with my wife. She just as much up for less stuff as I am. Of course she is one of the rare women who actually participates in this forum . . .

The living in or living around question is very high in our minds, though. If we decide to live in it will still be with the D110 but with a completely different body. For us, 110 is a good number. A couple we met in Angola had a 75 Troopie and they lived inside. They'd been on the road for 6 months when we met them and they continued on for another 8 that way.

There is no 'perfect size' there is only 'perfect size for me/us'.

cheers

 

[haven]

Given the tenor of a few of the posts above, I'll restate my goal. I'm hoping to find a "just right" solution that would work for 80% of ExPo readership. There will be 10% who want a more hard core trail vehicle, and there will be 10% who decide they need a bigger vehicle for camping. For the people in the middle, I think we can make a short list of recommended vehicles.

 

[Iain_U1250]

Seems to be a bit of a difference in what an "Expedition" is - over in Australia we have what they call "Grey Nomads" - Charlie would have seen quite a few of them. People driving around with caravans, camper trailers, converted buses and Winnebagos etc. They drive around the country camping in national parks and various camp sites on the side of the road - that is just travelling.

I though ExPo was more than just a camping trip for a week or two type of site, or driving around on a few back roads stopping at camp sites on the way. I understand that this is more likely the "reality" of what most people here will end up doing, I think the "dream" most people here have is to do the year long trip down the length of South America, travel from London to Cape Town, the Silk road from Europe to Beijing or across the Simpson Desert, Tanami track down the Canning Stock Route and back across the Gunbarrel Highway here in Australia.. That I beleive is what makes ExPo different from the other "Camping with your 4wd" sites.

If you are talking "reality", then a 110 Landrover, Landcruiser Troopie and the various F-truck stuff you guys get in USA would be good enough. They can be fitted out for a remote area trip where you are on your own for 2-3 weeks max even if you have to be 100% self sufficient.

If you are talking about the "dream" of a two month to two year trip - then your needs are a lot different.

 

[grizzlyj]

In or Out?

Living inside or out seems to be described as an easy choice just based on your preference, or vehicle size perhaps.

A couple we'd chatted who have driven around about half of Africa to date scoffed at me delaying entering nice warm Morocco in Febuary because our heater was playing up. We ended up experiencing deep snow.

Another couple scoffed at the size of our camper, they'd travelled extensively in West Africa out of a very nice Troopy, describing everything up to the horizon as their front room.

If the weather where you are going will be nice then fair enough. But will your trips be limited enough to know you will only have decent weather while you have that vehicle?

The wife and I have lived in ours for the last 3 years all the time. -10 C snowstorms, +45 shade temp sandstorms, wind so bonkers for days at a time I struggled to pour the kettle for a cuppa without spilling it everywhere, inside a solid sided 9500kg truck parked up hiding behind a farm building! That doesn't need a Mog, but anything soft sided? No thank you very much

 

[spencyg]

Seems to be a bit of a difference in what an "Expedition" is - over in Australia we have what they call "Grey Nomads" - Charlie would have seen quite a few of them. People driving around with caravans, camper trailers, converted buses and Winnebagos etc. They drive around the country camping in national parks and various camp sites on the side of the road - that is just travelling.

I though ExPo was more than just a camping trip for a week or two type of site, or driving around on a few back roads stopping at camp sites on the way. I understand that this is more likely the "reality" of what most people here will end up doing, I think the "dream" most people here have is to do the year long trip down the length of South America, travel from London to Cape Town, the Silk road from Europe to Beijing or across the Simpson Desert, Tanami track down the Canning Stock Route and back across the Gunbarrel Highway here in Australia.. That I beleive is what makes ExPo different from the other "Camping with your 4wd" sites.

If you are talking "reality", then a 110 Landrover, Landcruiser Troopie and the various F-truck stuff you guys get in USA would be good enough. They can be fitted out for a remote area trip where you are on your own for 2-3 weeks max even if you have to be 100% self sufficient.

If you are talking about the "dream" of a two month to two year trip - then your needs are a lot different.

I'm afraid the amount of people who actually frequent this site while at the same time living up to this utopian idea so many folks have here about taking off in your truck and never looking back can be counted on both hands and both feet. I would say 95% of the people here fall under the "1 week or less" type of traveller if they actually travel at all. Most would agree (after relaxing their hardcore adventurer facade) that in fact this forum is dedicated to those that like to camp, and like to do it with a neat vehicle which provides a little extra comfort. The premise here is of course Round The World 4x4 travel, but very very very very few of us are actually doing it. If I get out in my rig for 3 or 4 days in a row and spend a little time on some dirt, I feel I've done pretty good.

This entire post however is a little off topic since we're supposed to be discussing that Utopian vehicle that precisely fits 80% of those who are about to embark on that big adventure...

 

[motrjay]

Those who are more interested in longer term travel and regional advice will find a lot of great info at the HUBB, less gear talk more people who are living on the road. Not saying one is better than the other but different kind of forum.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/

 

[1leglance]

I agree HUBB is an amazing resource, and while it does have a small 4x4 section it is really a moto forum.
Now of course I still surf it very regularly as there is alot a 4wd can learn from the moto world and some of the gear translates across.

I will agree that HUBB and Advider has a much higher percentage of people actually traveling for longer than 1 week, heck some started going and haven't stopped

I really wish we had more trip reports around here as a percentage of total forum traffic, it is really sad when you see a topic like this get more reply's that someones outing.

 

[Pskhaat]

That is like claiming to know the perfect boat to "sail the waters".

However, we can say surely we won't be beating to the weather shore of Bequia from Grenada in a centerboard Capri.

Our LCs are too small for a family of 5. I don't have the family or financial life that would support a multi-year trip but for 5-8 weeks per year as we often do, we need more than the LC.

 

[ersatzknarf]

D110 Vote

Appreciate Graham's comments and also Greg's set-up, although our roof is fixed...
For where we are, something wider than the Rover is going to have a hard time on a lot of the trails here. I too lust for a D130, but Graham's comments are helping curb that

For my son and I, the perfect fit is a 110 with a lift up roof as a live in camper. Due to physical restrictions post spinal reconstruction, a roof rack and RTT wont work for me. The lift up roof extension is 6" taller, which allows for more interior storage, as taller cabinets will be used. We are also utilizing the dead space for our 3 external lockers which hold 4 jerry cans, and fluids/spares, and a 45ltr auxiliary fuel tank, combined these give a lot of extra storage making it seem like a larger vehicle. This also provides a much much lower COG, as most all the heavy items are at frame level, or on the floor. We are aiming for the lightest possible loaded weight, and maximum maneuverability from a smaller vehicle. That's the plan anyways.

Perfect size for me and my wife is a D110, but we can easily get away with a RRC at 100 inches wheelbase. Anything bigger is just silly (for us). I used to lust after a 130, but now realize there's no need for the extra size; we are very comfortable with what we have.

cheers

 

[Hilldweller]

I hate this thing on tight trails and wish I had my 2-door JK back...

But when I'm on a roadtrip, living out of the truck bed and trailer for a couple of weeks in the Boonies, I love this dang set-up. Smooth Hemi, lots of room for the wife and dog, reclining campfire chairs, grill/smoker/stove/Dutch oven options, kingsize bed, etc.

Glamping has it's own rewards.
Power Wagon and 6'x10' teardrop = perfect. For now...