Why can't I buy this camper?

The caption said that it had been bought in Germany, shipped to south America and then driven to where it was photographed at the Bonneville Speed Trials this year. Its a diesel.

Here's the back

Do I really need a ton of Lance on four tons of Dodge?

The South American Land Cruisers come stock with snorkle's, straight axles, and all of the hard parts that make sense in Baja.

Try crossing the swamp on the way to Mission Santa Maria after a good rain, and a snorkle is very necessary.

This is a stock Land Cruiser that I photographed for sale in Barranquilla, Colombia.

Hence, the "Cream-puff" pickup. Includes requisite running boards, plastic bumpers - light-weight, but helps mileage numbers on the highway, as do the thin-tread road tires.

South American HiLux

This is a pretty common rig for Euros to have. Relatively cheap and able to go almost anywhere. I have seen several here stateside (they like to stay in the beach rv camping area right down the street from me), and come upon a few in Baja.

Here is a pic of one from last winter down in Loreto:





This was an older German couple who were in the process of driving from the bottom of Chile to the top of Alaska and back down to Chile. They were spending Christmas in Loreto Shores rv park.

I wish they sold them in the states. To me, it is the perfect size.

Well WesGp

I'm sure I embellished the top speed! But I'm guessing faster than stock.

I found a lot more info about the campers on line, and a lot of detailed numbers describing the best diesel engine options to buy. Australia has developed a very similar product, I read.

And Phil

The old record was eclipsed in '06 by Jim Rosenburgh at 102.76 with a 454 GMC.

I just found this. http://www.komonews.com/news/4637196.html

He did it in 2nd. gear, saving third for later?????

[Edited on 11-5-2011 by vgabndo]

Quote:

Originally posted by ridge Quote: Originally posted by vgabndo Do I really need a ton of Lance on four tons of Dodge? Do you really need that snorkel? I bet the electronics are equally robust/minimum; drive it into water over the hood and it keeps on chuggin'. I bet the real reason you can't buy it is prohibitively-expensive EPA certification to import it. There are many wonderful Toyota Hi-Luxes that fall into that category; turbocharged diesels with fully-boxed one ton frames. Thank the American customer for not wanting it enough to make it worthwhile for the company.

That pretty much answers my question.

If I have to build something, I'll aim for something that will do 40 in the washboards, and I can sleep in it.

That's just after I WIN THE LOTTERY

Thanks vgabndo.. pretty cool stuff...

Also like the Jefferson quote ... he has some really good ones.. which still have "legs" today... strange HUH !!

[Edited on 11-6-2011 by wessongroup]

Sure, maybe for a very specialized and short trip.


But......There's not even enough room in that little box

....to change your mind.

Here is a custom camper from Switzerland. Pop up, awning, tracks on top, sides and rear where he attaches, ramps, jerry cans, tables etc. Equipped with water tanks, outside shower, 12v refrig. sink and it was all easily removable as it was attached with a track system. All state of the art high tech fittings and high quality workmanship. He passed thru here acouple of weeks ago on his way to Argentina, traveling solo.

Diesel Toyota Peeeekup

There are many options for a capable Baja Camper.....

This is our rig, having done many Baja adventures with it.
Leaving for La Paz again on Nov 18th....

Willie's pictures of the solo guy on his way to SA reminded me of some reading I was doing recently on Sustainable Homelessness.
There is a growing trend toward living minimally in one's transportation. There's a blog!

http://guide2homelessness.blogspot.com/2004/10/advantages-of...

Yes this is the third time I've highjacked my own thread and I don't feel guilty yet.

Advantages?

Quote:

Originally posted by vgabndo Willie's pictures of the solo guy on his way to SA reminded me of some reading I was doing recently on Sustainable Homelessness. There is a growing trend toward living minimally in one's transportation. There's a blog! http://guide2homelessness.blogspot.com/2004/10/advantages-of...

I agree with you Ken, I've been lots of places in my rig that I shouldn't have gone and didn't know I could get to until I did it and the camper is still in reasonable shape. Something about 4 doors, high ground clearance, big diesel, full bath with shower and being somewhere where most people wouldn't go no matter what they were driving that let's you know that you're in an American vehicle. Go big or go home!



[Edited on 11-7-2011 by dtbushpilot]

There is nothing quite as stuck as a four ton 4x4 when it is stuck. If it should break while getting un-stuck, I hope the seguros covers a Sikorski Sky Crane.

My 24 valve Cummins weighs 1,150 pounds without a tranny. A BJ74 complete GROSS weight is about 4,300. lbs.

It costs fuel to move weight. Mark my words, it won't be long before fuel becomes expensive. As 1%'rs, retired into poverty, and still trying to have Baja in our lives, exchanging a bumpy ride for no ride at all is not a bad deal. I also try to remind myself of why they call it a camper, and not a ClubMeder.

For a billion people, a VW Pup-up, would be a HUGE, HUGE, upgrade in their standard of living for their only home!

As a second vehicle, surely I could get by with the unit that started this thread.

------also, at the cost of the VW van rental, you can stay in pretty nice motels---------an option I personally perfer.

"Car camping", tho we do it occasionally, can be pretty rugged and spartan if the weather is bad----otherwise, we enjoy it as long as we can grab a shower, or jump in a remote lake or river for our nitely skinny-dip.

Barry

Somewhere I have photo evidence of hauling firewood back to camp in the hatchback of my Mazda RX7. Nice tent, good bags and pads, plush. And fast around the corners. (on the paved part)

I like car camping when I stay at a destination for a while, but it can get old to make and break camp each day en route. A campervan would be the perfect compromise between comfortable camping and economical transport given the long distance between attractions in the U.S. The ultimate rental would be 16 foot Toyota motorhomes. There are actually several Toyota campervan rental companies if you google "toyota motorhome for hire," but not in the U.S. One thing I noticed is that there are no motorhome wanted ads on craigslist for big honking RVs. It's always, "wanted, small motorhome."









[Edited on 11/8/2011 by Packoderm]

packy:
this would be economical, has enclosed sleeping space, and easy-to-access outdoor kitchen space.

MB sprinter van conversion

Quote:

Originally posted by vgabndo There is nothing quite as stuck as a four ton 4x4 when it is stuck. If it should break while getting un-stuck, I hope the seguros covers a Sikorski Sky Crane. My 24 valve Cummins weighs 1,150 pounds without a tranny. A BJ74 complete GROSS weight is about 4,300. lbs. It costs fuel to move weight. Mark my words, it won't be long before fuel becomes expensive. As 1%'rs, retired into poverty, and still trying to have Baja in our lives, exchanging a bumpy ride for no ride at all is not a bad deal. I also try to remind myself of why they call it a camper, and not a ClubMeder. For a billion people, a VW Pup-up, would be a HUGE, HUGE, upgrade in their standard of living for their only home! As a second vehicle, surely I could get by with the unit that started this thread.