This has been my first choice, I just fell in love with it, used, some 35k miles and $70k. Expensive but not unaffordable, but... only two seater and kind of small for such a long trip. And its size would definitely put some limits on future trips.
So I decided to go bigger, to one of my dream cars, the F-350, I like pickups cause I can carry my motorcycle. Found this one, only 19k miles and less then $38K. The only issue was the automatic transmission.
<BR>Living space would be this folding top camper, from Northstar.
It is easy to load/unload...
and cozy on the inside.
And then I found this one from 4wheel, slightly smaller, but with a much better fit and lower profile.
Inside was also OK, only 1 foot less.
I though I had finished my homework, but...
I decided to see how really big the F-350 is...
The red one is the Mitsubishi L200 Savana, the biggest pickup I own.
So, did the math, and the F-350 will not fit (not even enter) on any garage I have here in Rio de Janeiro, it will not park on any 45 degree parking space in this city, it will not go through any gate on the shopping centers around here and it will not pass on some of my preferred off road trails.
Too bad, but had to give up the F-350 for this trip.
So downsize again. And the winner is... A brand new Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4dr.
This has a nice design, but I don't consider sleeping on the floor level.
Mopar made this specially to the Wrangler, nice suspension, 15" ground clearance...
You're not at ground level...
Small, but looks more attractive then a tent. But the idea of riding 25k miles towing that thing behind on small, muddy central/south american roads, and the price tag of $12k made give up of it.
So I think this will be it, a roof tent by ARB or Front Runner
And these nice add ons from Garvin
And why I did not considered the best of all options, the Land Rover Defender 110? Two reasons: It is almost impossible to find in the US one that has low mileage (<20/30k), recent year (>2006) and although I love it, I just don't feel comfortable driving it and the position of the B column is one of the most stupid thing I have ever seen on a car, especially one that you need the best viewing angle possible.
By: Renato "Vizoo"
fotografo2k@yahoo.com
www.acromerreca.com