- Jan 2, 2006
- 10,455
- 35
- 91
I desperately want to travel from California all the way to the tip of South America, go to Antarctica, then drive back up north.
The number one issue right now is choice of vehicle.
I've thought about going on a motorcycle. Then going in a truck. But none of the options I like.
Consider that this could possibly be a once in a lifetime trip. As such, I want to be able to experience as much as I can on the journey. But, my funds are low. I won't be able to afford a Landcruiser, for example, and I need to keep all costs of the trip low.
Ways to lower costs:
- cook my own food
- sleep in vehicle
- sleep in tent
- drive a gas efficient vehicle
- drive a cheap vehicle (cheaper to insure and cheaper for paying Carnet, temporary vehicle import fees, like a passport for your vehicle(s) )
Ways to experience the journey completely:
- be out in the environment, like on a motorcycle
- bring gear along to experience the local environment - mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit for diving, skis, camera gear
- be able to drive anywhere, regardless of terrain, and experience the places less traveled
But here's the kink - I have to manage my own business on the road since it is my main source of funding, and that means I need a stable place to sit down and manage work when it arises, which can be at any time.
Thought about a truck or AWD Subaru:
+ can sleep inside
+ can drive anywhere
+ can take a lot of stuff
+ can be used as office
+ can cook meals
+ can have passengers
- expensive to buy
- expensive to import
- low gas mileage
- expensive to ship
- you're in a cage!
Thought about a motorcycle:
+ you get the full experience
+ gas is practically free
+ cheap to buy
+ cheap to import
+ cheap to ship
+ can ride anywhere
- no place to sleep - have to tent or pay extra each night for lodging
- can't have passengers
- NO office whatsoever - if I have work, I need to find a place, stat
- full exposure to elements - I've been living in the bitter cold of the Sierras and I wouldn't want to do it on a motorcycle
- can't take a lot of stuff, so no diving or skiing
- can't cook real meals
So now I'm thinking about a combination of the two...
1. Drive my Honda Fit and find some kind of lightweight gas-powered bicycle as a runabout in terrain and try to install it on a hitch mount? Any recommendations?
2. Get a fuel efficient car (recommendations?) and that'll allow me to sleep inside (maybe), store things, and still have that lightweight gasoline bike?
Input?
The number one issue right now is choice of vehicle.
I've thought about going on a motorcycle. Then going in a truck. But none of the options I like.
Consider that this could possibly be a once in a lifetime trip. As such, I want to be able to experience as much as I can on the journey. But, my funds are low. I won't be able to afford a Landcruiser, for example, and I need to keep all costs of the trip low.
Ways to lower costs:
- cook my own food
- sleep in vehicle
- sleep in tent
- drive a gas efficient vehicle
- drive a cheap vehicle (cheaper to insure and cheaper for paying Carnet, temporary vehicle import fees, like a passport for your vehicle(s) )
Ways to experience the journey completely:
- be out in the environment, like on a motorcycle
- bring gear along to experience the local environment - mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit for diving, skis, camera gear
- be able to drive anywhere, regardless of terrain, and experience the places less traveled
But here's the kink - I have to manage my own business on the road since it is my main source of funding, and that means I need a stable place to sit down and manage work when it arises, which can be at any time.
Thought about a truck or AWD Subaru:
+ can sleep inside
+ can drive anywhere
+ can take a lot of stuff
+ can be used as office
+ can cook meals
+ can have passengers
- expensive to buy
- expensive to import
- low gas mileage
- expensive to ship
- you're in a cage!
Thought about a motorcycle:
+ you get the full experience
+ gas is practically free
+ cheap to buy
+ cheap to import
+ cheap to ship
+ can ride anywhere
- no place to sleep - have to tent or pay extra each night for lodging
- can't have passengers
- NO office whatsoever - if I have work, I need to find a place, stat
- full exposure to elements - I've been living in the bitter cold of the Sierras and I wouldn't want to do it on a motorcycle
- can't take a lot of stuff, so no diving or skiing
- can't cook real meals
So now I'm thinking about a combination of the two...
1. Drive my Honda Fit and find some kind of lightweight gas-powered bicycle as a runabout in terrain and try to install it on a hitch mount? Any recommendations?
2. Get a fuel efficient car (recommendations?) and that'll allow me to sleep inside (maybe), store things, and still have that lightweight gasoline bike?
Input?
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