Expedition Preparation...

[Slime101]

Myself and a friend are planning on doing a 9000ish mile coastal winter tour of the UK, we will be living in a D110 (probably TD5).

I'm trying to firstly find the right vehicle...this isnt easy, but its in hand as i have to sell one or both of my current cars first!!

When i get it we will then have to prep it for the trip, can anyone give us any advice on what we need and dont need?

I've started writing a list and fear the cost of getting it all sorted and ready is going to be horrendous (4K ish).

Any advice/help would be most appreciated :)

[cheesyweasel]

take lots of fuel tokens, otherwise good luck. If you want anywhere warm and dry to stay when you're doing the Argyll bit give us a shout. Did you know Argyll has a longer coast line than France?

[Slime101]

Yeah, we will be needing lots of fuel tokens, thats for sure!!!

Thanks for the offer of somewhere warm....might take you up on that for a night when we are in the area :) I'm sure she will have had enough of the weather by then if its raining lots, saying that so will I!!.

[Slime101]

Anyone got any advice....please :)

[jjsaul]

Warm blankets???

[Slime101]

Warm blankets???

lol yeah - i was hoping more to do with the landy, rather than the clothing/bedding situation!!

[jjsaul]

Not much idea really myself but i'm going to start by listing the obvious things like make sure your tyres are good, make sure everything (that you're going to need) works!
Shop in aldi to save money for fuel...

[cheesyweasel]

get an eberspacher heater, try and make sure the seals are in good nick, carry loads of spares etc.

[oRGie]

From recent travels, I used a side awning (plastic tarp, tent poles affair lashed to the roof gutter = cheapo version) very handy indeed. I used a couple of fold out chairs, a fold out table, single gas stove and a gas light. Used my torch a lot, so spare batteries would be handy. Coolbox was crap, so an electic powered mini fridge would be very handy for more than 2 days on the road. various camping cutlery, a non stick frying pan, so much easier to clean than those old army cans I've been using all these years. A solid metal barby grill for cooking and being able to have a small fire in places you arent allowed one on the ground. a kettle, couple of mugs and plates. a small or folding washing up bowl. kitchen paper towels, obvious uses plus mopping up condenstaion from the roof in the morning :)

I'm trying to think what else I actually used, I was sleeping in the back on a double futon. very comfy. I brought all sorts of spares, recovery stuff and tools and other bits of camping stuff, all of which was never touched.

lots of water, its amazing how much you get through. I have a 20ltr can just for washing/washing up water and loads of 1.5ltr bottles of mineral for drinking, coffee etc.

If I think of more I'll post again :)

p.s, fire extinguisher (in an easilly accessible place) and first aid kit.
p.p.s spare key in your wallet

[Slime101]

cheers oRGie :)

[Stattler]

Allen key that fits the wing mirrors. Mine allways droop (arf) after a long drive.
Spare set of keys.
Fuses and bulbs. (And something to get the fuses in/out with if your fuse tool aint there no more)

[t0ny99]

...split charging system so you can keep the chiller running overnight. No milk for the first cuppa otherwise!

RAC membership?

Mobile 'phone?

If and when it happens, will you be able to keep us all posted from the road?

[ROB 110 HICAP]

Good pub guide! 1:25,000 OS maps.

A shower that sits on the roof and uses gravity to give you a good wash, haven't seen one for ages but worth getting. Table and good comfy reclining camping chairs really pay off when you've been stuck in the cab all day. Night heater suitable for vehicles. 2 sleeping bags each, they take ages to dry properly and I always think a clean bag every now and then is ace.

As for a newish vehicle touring Britain, I would hardly bother with spares! Africa would be another thing! Every petrol station over here has bulbs/fuses. The national recovery companies will drag you to 'civilisation' and a repair garage in a couple of hours max, most Landy spares are available next day. If you wait for repairs for a couple of days, it gives you chance to relax without the truck and take in the local scene more.

When you get it back you would feel more inclined to enjoy your trip. A lot of overland/distance travellers I have known, have fallen into the stressed 'get the miles done' type or the relaxed 'I've broken down here for a couple of days, it gives me more chance to enjoy the area' type. Delays and breaking down is all part of long distance travelling, but shouldn't be a stress.

If you're planning offroading alone, then plenty of self recovery kit, shovel,saw, tow rope, sand waffles(act as good tables too), winch?/hand winch?/hi-lift jack?

Are you doing the entire UK coastline? How long?

[Stattler]

Yeah, take a laptop and a web cam. Every few days your bound to hit a wi-fi hotspot for uploads, or a forum member who can stick the data on't site for you.

[ROB 110 HICAP]

Yeah, take a laptop and a web cam. Every few days your bound to hit a wi-fi hotspot for uploads, or a forum member who can stick the data on't site for you.

Even better a laptop dancer and webcam!

[Stattler]

Maybe one laptop dancer won't be enough. Perhaps two.
And if your taking two you might need a trailer as well. Or a caravan.

[oRGie]

Caravan !! now your just being silly :)

[Slime101]

Itll have a split charge system because i will need to power the laptop and recharge the DSLR's batteries on a regular basis!!

Yes, we are doing the whole coast, england, scotland, wales, ireland and eire. - rekoning on about 9000 miles in total, altho it could be from 8-15K depending on the route we take (not planning, just drifting in the right direction!)

I will be taking both my mobiles and nikki has hers too on seperate networks so we can make and recieve calls, and more importantly update our website and keep you guys posted on our progress, and of course beg for help when its really cold and wet and we need a bed for the night!!! :p

We arent leaving for 5 months, but when we came up with the idea it was 7 months back...times flown by and i still need to sell both my cars and nik has to sell hers nearer the time too, then we have to get and prep the landy and use it a bit to check its all as we want it, after all its our home for 3ish months come january 1st 2005 :D

We had a minor setback which could have jepordised the whole trip 2 weeks back when i told her basically i was in love with her....didnt quite get the response i hoped for or expected but we are still very close friends and deffo going for it...who knows what might happen ;)

[Tim in Scotland]

If it's a newish new to you landy (ie young enough for you to get it from a Land Rover dealer) then you should get 1 year warranty and recovery then you shouldn't need too many spares. I think LR Approved wagons are up to 6 years old and less than 50000 miles. If less than 3 years old you get the balance of the the 3 years/ 60000 miles warranty as well.


Ohhh and I just re-read your last post and you intend to do this in January/February and March? I've wiped everything I was going to say - ferries will be on winter timetable, campsites closed, B&B's shut and most of Scotland will be in inhospitable mode! One thing though - you won't get to meet too many tourists!

[Slime101]

I read your reply via e-mail even tho you editied it Tim :p

If its really bad up in scotland, then we will probably find a cottage and rent it for a month or so, there will be plenty of empty holiday cottages up there so itll just be a case of finding someone who wants to make a few bob on the side :)

[cheesyweasel]

[/QUOTE} If its really bad up in scotland, then we will probably find a cottage and rent it for a month or so, there will be plenty of empty holiday cottages up there so itll just be a case of finding someone who wants to make a few bob on the side :)[/QUOTE]


....might just be able to help you out there. PM me if you want details.

Did anyone mention shovels & snowchains.

[DUNCIA]

Thermal underwear, whisky, wooly hats, gloves scarfs, and that's just for the borders!

[Slime101]

cheeseyweasel - you got PM.

DUNCIA - yeah, thermals will be bought nearer the time, but the landy will be super insulated, and we will have a truck heater to keep it warm...and of course our sleeping bags....and each other ;)

[Slime101]

Any more advice or pearls of wisdom??

I'm still looking for a D110 (TD5 preferrably) hardtop....

[Spacemutt]

Worth having a look on this Expedition Forum (http://slimrick.com/forum/index.php).

[Slime101]

Worth having a look on this Expedition Forum (http://slimrick.com/forum/index.php).


Thanks for the reccomendaion, i joined up earlier tho :)