Scoping the trip
Two people travelling around southern Africa for 12 months. Perhaps two guests for limited periods.
Deciding this considerably helped reduce the options we faced during design and engineering decisions.
Deciding this considerably helped reduce the options we faced during design and engineering decisions.
"Why not a Defender?"
We're presented with this question more than you might suspect. We decided to go down the truck route for a handful of reasons, though the main reasons were comfort and cost. We also considered motorcycling but as only Tom could ride, and it has the lowest safety and carrying capacity of all modes, we decided against it.
Design limits. Converted 4x4 overlanding trucks, unlike their car equivalents, will remain far below their designed weight. We wanted to limit the strain caused by our expedition on the vehicle as we expect roads will be enough of a challenge as it is. Military spec trucks also benefit from higher ground clearance and a wider track that most cars.
Comfort. A truck provides a lot more space than a car. It would allow us to actually have a decent living space and also enable such luxuries as a small shower and a toilet. The idea of driving a Land Rover Defender might seem romantic, but a year is a long time to live from the back of a car and pitch a tent every night.
Safety. Sheer weight makes trucks a lot safer than cars in road traffic accidents, which are not uncommon where we are going.
Additionally, windows and doors are much higher, out of sight and reach for pedestrians.
Cost/benefit. 4x4 ex-military trucks can be very competitively priced when looking at expedition-proof vehicles. Fuel economy does tend to be lower but any car we would use would be stretched to its weight limit which would drive economy down as well.
Resale. With overlanding becoming more popular, and the van-life and tiny-house movements gaining momentum, we hope there will be willing buyers for our truck after our trip.
Design limits. Converted 4x4 overlanding trucks, unlike their car equivalents, will remain far below their designed weight. We wanted to limit the strain caused by our expedition on the vehicle as we expect roads will be enough of a challenge as it is. Military spec trucks also benefit from higher ground clearance and a wider track that most cars.
Comfort. A truck provides a lot more space than a car. It would allow us to actually have a decent living space and also enable such luxuries as a small shower and a toilet. The idea of driving a Land Rover Defender might seem romantic, but a year is a long time to live from the back of a car and pitch a tent every night.
Safety. Sheer weight makes trucks a lot safer than cars in road traffic accidents, which are not uncommon where we are going.
Additionally, windows and doors are much higher, out of sight and reach for pedestrians.
Cost/benefit. 4x4 ex-military trucks can be very competitively priced when looking at expedition-proof vehicles. Fuel economy does tend to be lower but any car we would use would be stretched to its weight limit which would drive economy down as well.
Resale. With overlanding becoming more popular, and the van-life and tiny-house movements gaining momentum, we hope there will be willing buyers for our truck after our trip.