Apologize if this has been discussed before, but I couldn’t find it. Does anyone know the odds of being able to get an F-350/450/550 serviced on an extended trip through Africa and Asia? I realize Toyota is a better bet, but Tundras just aren’t big enough for the type of camper I would want.
Servicing Ford trucks in Africa, Asia?
- Thread starter jk6661
- Start date
There are no Tundra outside North America. US pickup trucks are extremely rare outside North America. The F 150 is sold in most countries in Latin America, an older version of the F 250 was sold in South Africa. Parts would therefore have to be shipped from the US. My experience with Ford vehicles in Africa has been that the diagnostic computers used by Ford dealers can read out any Ford vehicle even if it isn't sold in a particular market. You will find modern Ford dealerships in any mayor city.
badm0t0rfinger
Raptor Apologist.
Very low. When I was in southeast Asia there were no Super Duty trucks. I saw plenty of Everests and Rangers, but anything bigger than those you go to commercial Isuzu trucks.
I was under the impression that Toyota has a much bigger dealer network outside of North America than the American pickup manufacturers, and thus it would be easier to service any Toyota vehicle. Is that incorrect?
In any event, all of the slide-in/flatbed/integrated campers that I’m aware of that are large enough to be reasonably comfortable for two people on a multi-year trip outside NA seem to require a 350 or higher (or equivalent Chevy or Ram). So if there are no parts for these in, say, Uganda, and you have to wait three weeks at some local shop for a part to be shipped from the U.S. and hope the local mechanic knows how to install it, it seems the only viable option is one of the giant $400K+ Earthcruiser-type vehicles on a Fuso or something else that’s more common. Which sucks, because I don‘t have $400K for a mobile house that depreciates to $250K the instant I drive it away.
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But if you saw plenty of Everests and Rangers, does that mean there were plenty of Ford dealers who could at least order a super duty truck part and install it for you?
badm0t0rfinger
Raptor Apologist.
I didn't see a single Ford Dealership. I'm some are there, and I wouldn't think it would be out of the question for them to order super duty parts, but if they've never installed them.... it might become a hassle. Plus how much do you want to pay to get something that the dealership may not normally have in their supply system.
Here is my take on it. You don't need to spend 400K.
First, trucks are extremely reliable these days. If you start with a brand new F350 (as an example), I would expect to drive 60000+ miles with no major issue. Just bring a few oil/air filters and other specific maintenance items with you.
Second, the world is getting smaller and smaller - and interconnected. If you were to need a very specific item, you can always find a flight back to the USA for a $1000 or so (in normal time, not right now obviously...) from pretty much anywhere on the planet. I know it does not sound very adventurous, but logistically it's very easy. Let's say for example you need a starter in Kenya. Worst case find a friend from your followers on Instagram who is going to Europe, get a plane from Nairobi to London, get the starter with you and fly back. That's going to be a lot cheaper than buying a 400K Unimog.
Third, very few large vehicles are truly global these days. The newer EarthCruiser/Earthroamer with diesel engine won't work. My friends (who are here with me at the moment) have a Toyota TroopCarrier in South America and they are having a tough time finding parts anywhere for that specific model.
First, trucks are extremely reliable these days. If you start with a brand new F350 (as an example), I would expect to drive 60000+ miles with no major issue. Just bring a few oil/air filters and other specific maintenance items with you.
Second, the world is getting smaller and smaller - and interconnected. If you were to need a very specific item, you can always find a flight back to the USA for a $1000 or so (in normal time, not right now obviously...) from pretty much anywhere on the planet. I know it does not sound very adventurous, but logistically it's very easy. Let's say for example you need a starter in Kenya. Worst case find a friend from your followers on Instagram who is going to Europe, get a plane from Nairobi to London, get the starter with you and fly back. That's going to be a lot cheaper than buying a 400K Unimog.
Third, very few large vehicles are truly global these days. The newer EarthCruiser/Earthroamer with diesel engine won't work. My friends (who are here with me at the moment) have a Toyota TroopCarrier in South America and they are having a tough time finding parts anywhere for that specific model.
I agree with Christian. You won't find a vehicle which is at least similar worldwide. I traveled through Africa, Europe and Latin America in a AWD Transit. In 10 years and about 100,000 miles I had one technical issue where I needed a part. After many river crossings in Africa a wheel sensor broke. The local Ford dealer in Botswana hooked my Transit up to the diagnostic computer. It diagnostic system worked flawlessly although Transits are not sold in Southern Africa. In 5 minutes I knew which wheel sensor did not work. It took 3 days by DHL to get the part from my dealer at home who sent it to the Botswana Ford dealer. I carried brake pads, filters etc although filters I could get usually locally. My advice is to get a new truck, keep it as close to stock as possible (makes it easier to get parts) and ask a friend or your dealer to send any parts you may need. Chances are you won't need any.
If you want to travel to Africa you should research the entrance fees and conditions of the parks you intend to visit. Very often the more popular ones have restrictions for vehicles with a GVWR of more than 3500 kg (7700 lbs) or charge huge fees for those heavy vehicles.
If you want to travel to Africa you should research the entrance fees and conditions of the parks you intend to visit. Very often the more popular ones have restrictions for vehicles with a GVWR of more than 3500 kg (7700 lbs) or charge huge fees for those heavy vehicles.
Regcabguy
Oil eater.
Tundra's have a pitifully low load capacity.
McCarthy
Is it riding season yet?
Buy a new truck, outfit it to your specs leaving it as close to stock as possible, put about 10,000 miles on it and go have fun. In my experience (fleets etc) if anything major tends to break it's quickly, as it had a defect from the factory. You will see little inconsequential things, fail, like an electric seat motor starts making noise, or an abs fault from dirt getting into it, or other small things that won't stop you from driving, but should see no major repairs, at least in theory.
al_burpe
Observer
I think finding parts for either a domestic one ton or a Tundra are going to be equally hard in Africa and Asia as neither one are sold on those continents. I am not sure understand what is driving your need to buy a vehicle in the US and ship it overseas vs. buying a vehicle in one of those locations where you know you can can get parts and using that instead. Having lived and traveled in Africa, I would also recommend reconsidering your need to travel with a self contained living space. Every remote spot I visited had a place to stay that was inexpensive. I can't help but wonder if you wouldn't come out ahead by buying a local vehicle that isn't so large and save on the purchasing and shipping costs. People ride motorcycles all over Africa and Asia without a self contained living space. Secondly, have you thought about just shipping your camper and buying a transport vehicle in Africa or Asia?
W0lfpack91
New member
If you are looking for international support of the big 3 in NA I'd say stick with Ram, Cummins has engines and service centers on every continent and with Ram you are not limited to a specific dealership, any shop that supports Cummins can work on the Ram trucks.
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Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
Wouldn't an Isuzu, MAN or similar COE truck be better for this type of thing? As I said in another thread, the only place I've ever seen American built pickups and SUVs outside of North America is in the Middle East (Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.)
But only if the engine has a problem. They don´t know anything about the truck.
Darwin
Explorer
Another thing to consider is the ease of repair, many repairs on a newer Ford chassis are done with the entire cab off, sure it can be done with the cab on, but that adds hours to the repair. The next issue is the availability of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel that is not found in many parts of the world and would ruin a newer emission controlled diesel pickup.