Driving a Tacoma around the world

This is what you might need to go through Siberia. Only $65,000. What a cool vehicle.

https://suburbanmen.com/the-russian...il&utm_term=0_404a54afd0-dfd80495f5-133196061

 

This is by far the best thread on TW. OP, please keep us posted and best of luck!

 

Thanks for commenting. We’re planning on catching warm weather for most of the Trip by staying in the northern hemispheres during the summer (June) and being in the southern hemispheres in December.

If you wouldn’t mind could you tell me more about what you did regarding the build for the truck and the camper. For instance, did you get the fleet shell model or did you have a fully loaded version?? Do you know the dry weight of the fleet? Did you do any suspension mods on the Tacoma? How are they working? Did you do any suspension mods on the Tacoma? How are they working? How does it drive?

I have lots more questions for you if you don’t mind

 

Ha, hate to see the mileage on that bugger

 

We’re planning on doing a couple of two week test cruises this summer. Then quickly drive across the US in the spring of 2020. Then put it in a container and take it to Europe. Will head east across Western Europe and spend the summer and early fall in Eastern Europe. As the cooler weather approaches we will head further south in to Greece, Italy ultimately Spain. We plan to go through the northwest corner of Africa in the winter of 2020/2021. We will spend six months going down the west coast (lots of mud and heat) of Africa to South Africa. We’ll then turn and head north up the east coast of Africa, hitting the Egypt area in the winter of 2021/22. Summer of 2022 we’ll head west through Asia, heading south (somehow crossing China most likely, Haven’t figured it out yet) to India/Thailand for the winter of 2022/23. The tacoma will be shipped to Australia and we’ll spend six months or so driving there and then it’s a boat ride home to the US. South America will be last.

The idea being we catch warm weather but not the freezing winters, after all this is supposed to be retirement

 

Money will always be an issue for us. Otherwise we would’ve purchased a Earth Cruiser EXP or EXD and would have given up trying to get down narrow tracks. Believe it or not, by traveling like this for three years it is cheaper for us to do this than to start tapping into our retirement funds. Living frugally in the back of a camper, you can spend as low as $2,000 a month in some cheap countries. The sky is the limit though, Guided African safaris cost $700 a day, we won’t be doing that though.

 

Haven't read all the replies, but I'll give you my 2C.

1800lb on a Tacoma will be a miserable, miserable driving experience. (And some would say unsafe.) With your modification plans, I am certain you will be way, way over your estimated 1800lbs. For a flat bed & FWC setup, you absolutely want a full-size truck. If you have to stick with the Tacoma, I'd suggest a Vagabond Outdoors Drifter camper.

I suggest you skip the fancy bumpers, those big & heavy tires, lockers and re-gearing. That's all tons of weight which will take a big toll on the truck, and will really not add much of anything for your described use.

I would skip the BP51 suspension and keep things stock. There are plenty of people driving around the world in stock, 30 year old trucks. You really don't need nearly as much as instagram would have you believe.

You can find spare OEM suspension for nearly free, can bring a few spares with you on the trip, and should the need arise, you can swap in a replacement in 30 minutes per corner anywhere along your route. Good luck finding a place to replace or rebuild your BP51s, or anything else for that matter.

Heavier-duty leaf springs and better bump stops are not a bad idea, but wait until you have your camper installed and all other goodies setup, so you know your 100% final weight, then get Deaver Springs to make you a custom set for that exact weight, and stock height.

The more stock you keep your truck, the less crap you add, the more enjoyable your trip will be.

 

You know that people travel places all the time right?

 

FWC doesn't sell the flatbeds as a shell model, so they are all fairly well optioned. We added a few things (awning, 60L fridge) but also removed some things (AGM battery -> Lithium, bed pull out). The flatbed is a Utebed to which I added tool boxes and a pull out drawer. For suspension I have OME Dakar heavies with an add a leaf, air bags (usually 10 -20 psi, just to fine tune) and OME BP-51s. This has worked fine so far (18K miles) but I am aware that I am heavy and definitely wouldn't want to be any heavier.

As for temperature and condensation - in a humid climate you will get condensation anytime the outside temperature is much below the inside temperature. I was up north in August and September with temps just around freezing at night and it was already an issue. It will be more of an issue long term.

You definitely COULD do this in a Tacoma/FWC Flatbed or XP Camper, but it is not the right tool for the job. Something like this would be much better (if you want to stay small):
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/wan...omes/toyota-landcruiser-bushcamper/1204330153

Or if you still want to be talking to your wife two months in:
https://sportsmobile.com/mercedes-benz-4x4-sprinter/

 

I've driven to Mexico, Guatamala, and Honduras. The biggest criminal danger was the police in Mexico.

 

Foster Huntington's truck was close and he cruised up and down the West Coast.
https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/off-road/adventures/the-road-of-risk-and-reward/

 

I like it! It’s almost exactly what I was picturing in my mind

 

Glad this thread is back

 

Thanks for responding! Did you do the suspension modification before picking up the camper? I’m wondering if the stock suspension will take a 5 Hour drive down to Sacramento to pick up the camper. Have you taken it off road a bit? I’m wondering how stable it is in terms of top-heaviness. Since I’m heading into retirement, I don’t plan on driving it serious off road but will come across areas of mud and sand. I’ve talk to you to people up in Seattle and I am considering them. You said you had under body boxes, did you get them from them?

Thanks! Haven’t figured out how to p.m. people but if you want to go off-line we can

 

What the heck just happened? What is a reply ban mean? Does that mean he is gone, the guy who was swearing?

 

Keep the replies on the thread it's good for everyone that way everyone can learn.

Stock suspension will be fine for that short of a trip - it may be done shortly after though if you do any flexing with the weight on