Autopsis » Expedition Vehicles

Stuff-o-holic

Doug — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:57:09 +0000

Hello, my name is Doug, and I am a stuff-o-holic.

Click here for the rest of the story: http://www.hackneys.com/travel/ecuador/stuff-o-holic.pdf

The Transit Stage

Doug — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 05:05:20 +0000

We just completed a two day run from our last stop, Ollantaytambo, Peru, to what we hope is our last obligatory tourist activity in Peru, Nazca, home of the famous Nazca lines.

On our trip here we covered 695 kilometers / 431.8 miles on what, in Rally-Speak, was nothing more than a transit stage, ground covered merely to move from one interesting section to another.

On a map, the distance doesn’t look all that long and I’ve got plenty of friends who ride that far before breakfast on a street bike.

But, then again, we’re in Peru. And here, even relatively short distances can be interesting.

Click here for the rest of the story: www.hackneys.com/travel/peru/docs/transitstage.pdf

Criteria Model for Overland Expedition Vehicles

Doug — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 15:57:35 +0000

Model is located here: http://www.hackneys.com/travel/docs/oevcriteria.xls

Intended use for the model:

Document the general parameters, priorities and specific requirements for a proposed Overland Expedition Vehicle (OEV).

The model is intended to improve communication between potential OEV owners and their dreams, fabricators, subcontractors and manufacturers.

In practical use it can help potential OEV owners identity disparities between their stated priorities / requirements and the characteristics of available platforms / vehicles.

Used together with the OEV Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) model a potential OEV owner can have a much better idea of the type of vehicle they require and what the total ownership experience will cost.

To use the model:
   1. Download the model spreadsheet to your computer
   2. Open the model in XL
   3. Perform a File:Save As operation and change the name of the model to preserve the original version
   4. Enter your data into any cell that is colored green
   5. Perform periodical File:Save As operations as you load the model. It is a good idea to increment the file name as you progress, i.e. myOEV-criteria 01, myOEV-criteria 02, myOEV-criteria 03, etc.
   6. Save the final version of the model

To Print:
7. Select File:Print

Total Cost of Ownership for Overland Expedition Vehicles

Doug — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:07:48 +0000

Introduction

When you discuss the purchase of an overland expedition vehicle (OEV), typically the only costs mentioned are the purchase cost and the options cost. Very rarely, ongoing operational costs are mentioned. You will probably never hear anyone discuss the costs of selling of the OEV when they are done using it. Unfortunately for potential and current owners, the purchase price is only a small portion of the total costs of the ownership experience with an OEV.

The critical perspective that is missing from almost every OEV purchase is not the simple cost of the vehicle and its options but the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the vehicle over the entire time span of ownership experience.

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Click here for the full document: www.hackneys.com/travel/docs/oevtco-overview.pdf

Pack List for Overland Expedition Vehicles

Doug — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:18:43 +0000

Introduction

This pack list is based on unsupported global travel in developing countries.

Developed countries have most of the resources available in the U.S.A. and Europe, so fewer of the spare parts on this list are required.

This pack list is based on full time overland travel for one year (six months in the U.S.A., five months in South America, one month for shipping).

This mode of travel is fully independent, meaning all sleeping, cooking, showering, repairs, etc. are performed in/on the vehicle.

Everyone’s experiences, requirements, vehicle, destinations, etc. are unique, so no one list could ever be universally applicable. Your unique needs will determine your own list. This list is intended as a starting point for your planning and testing purposes.

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Click here for the full document: www.hackneys.com/travel/docs/oevpacklist.pdf

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Bigfoot Camper Berth Condensation

Doug — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:04:02 +0000

On 1 May 2008 we discovered major condensation in the berth area of our camper.

Click here for the story of diagnosing and fixing the problem: www.hackneys.com/travel/docs/berthcondensation.pdf

Propane Systems for Expedition Vehicles

Doug — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:43:30 +0000

Perhaps no other system on an expedition vehicle is as wrapped in mystery or inspires as much outright fear as the propane system.

With its inherently explosive nature and its bewildering variety of connectors, it is easy to understand why the typical overlander avoids the design and implementation of a propane system if at all possible.

Once the propane system is designed and installed the challenges do not evaporate. Instead, the overlander who ventures overseas is faced with the daunting task of refilling their propane tank(s) or bottle(s). To refill, they must decipher a highly regulated supply chain and communicate complex concepts and schedules in the local language.

And, if the refilling quest fails, they must do the task on their own, using materials at hand.

All of this adds up to a lot of motivation to avoid a propane system in your expedition vehicle if at all possible. Unfortunately, the alternatives all present significant challenges and/or downsides of their own, so most of us end up with a propane system in our expedition vehicles.

However, all is not lost. Propane need not be a mystery, propane systems need not be arcane, and refilling overseas need not be daunting.

This document attempts to:

Explain the basics of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG / LP), commonly known in the U.S.A. as propane
Define the elements of a typical expedition vehicle propane system
Document the types of materials and connectors used in a typical expedition vehicle propane system
De-mystify the utilization and refilling of a propane system while overseas

See the entire document here: http://www.hackneys.com/travel/docs/…4xvehicles.pdf

I welcome feedback, improvements and corrections, especially from propane/LPG/LP professionals.