Ever since we went to Colombia, we've thought about driving from Canada to the southernmost tip of Argentina and Tierra del Fuego National Park.
But it's not something that we could do in Sherman. He's simply too big.
And it's not something we would do with anything that's worth more than $5,000 or so because when we got down there we would simply sell it for whatever we could get for it, and fly from there. Plus, you don't need to worry about minor damages or scrapes or bumps.
Tierra del Fuego National Park, Argentina.
And, because I'm not shy about fixing things myself, I wouldn't be too worried about driving something older and perhaps slightly beat up looking... provided that I had put it in good mechanical condition otherwise.
And ultimately, if it were to die at the side of the road half way down, what an adventure it would be!
How about this one for $3,000 CAD ($2,400 USD)...
1977, with only 73,000 original kms (45,000 miles).
And it's got a good old Chevy 350... a great engine! The ad says all appliances work. We'd set it up with a solar panel and a couple of batteries, and away we go!
Or how about this one for $4,500...? Only 43,000 original miles.
There are more, but you get the idea, right?
We would only need to spend between $3,000 and $5,000 to get a rig that I bet would take us all the way to the southern tip of South America!
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Nice comfy mattress pad cover on Deal of the Day today...
And in Canada, a great deal on toilet paper... stock up and get free shipping...
And if it didn't get you all the way to Tierra del Fuego, you could afford the 3000 or 4000 hit...but you'd be more likely to get it fixed and going again than with a larger one.
ReplyDeleteTrue but it would depend on how much the repair was going to cost!
DeleteI think the "challenge" would be to get the thing to not stink. Of smoke. Pets. Whatever. And the "whatever" could be any number of things. But hey, it depends on ones sensibilities, and sense of adventure for sure.
ReplyDeleteThere are ways at getting the old smells out but it would obviously depend on how bad the smells were, if they were that bad we wouldn't buy it in the first place.
DeleteThat would be an adventure indeed. If the truck/van breaks down would you be able to get parts?
ReplyDeleteYep, it would definitely be an adventure. It would depend on what broke! From our experience in Mexico, almost anything can be fixed but you might just need some time and patience.
DeleteKevin, there is a blog I read daily about three years back, but this couple stopped blogging after they reached Peru in 2014. They did what you are describing and related their joys, pleasures, trials, and tribulations in great detail during the journey. I still keep their blog address stored on my computer. The address is drivingthepanamerican.blogspot.com. I wish they would let us know what happened after Peru.
ReplyDeleteYep, I was reading that at the time too. I stopped reading it when I left a couple of comments and sent a couple of questions and never got a response.
DeleteThe reason I never left any questions or comments is at the beginning of their blog, they stated their goal for having the blog; it was written for the primary purpose of letting their family and close friends know where they were and what had been happening on this very long journey. I was just happy they allowed me to read the blog as it is very well written; I felt like I was part of the trip. By the way, there is a great deal of information regarding their travels in Argentina in 2011. However, the positive comments they provided on Venezuela are not pertinent in 2017, as the country is now in total chaos; Venezuelans are streaming into Colombia just to find food.
DeleteAh, well we always figured it was just common courtesy to respond to questions or comments when you have a blog.
DeleteYou are planning out 2019 aren't you? I knew South America had to tempt you at some point
ReplyDeleteLol... you never know what the future holds...
DeleteIt sounds like a great new adventure is in the works... Bring it on!
ReplyDeleteCould be but we would have to stop working first! ;-)
DeleteBetter get an RV that is amphibious. It will have to be to get across the Darien Gap where no road exists. ;c)
ReplyDeleteYes, well they do have shipping available for that! :-)
DeleteWe've been looking into it and have made the decision we need a Class B van camper. Cheaper to ship and fits in a smaller cargo container and is much less conspicuous. They also have rentals of all types in Chile that would void the higher price tag for shipping from Panama to Colombia and back. Looks like one of the ferries that had reasonable prices has closed down. You've probably done more research that I have.
ReplyDeleteYes, that would be our thought as well but some of these small class C campers can also fit in the cargo containers. We aren't interested in renting, it costs too much, we would rather buy something down there at that point. Yes, the ferry closed down quite a long time ago so the unit would have to be shipped to either Venezuela or Colombia from Panama.
DeleteWish I had your fix it know how. Sounds like a great plan for someone like you.
ReplyDeleteKevin has always loved working with vehicles so yes, it is a big help. Mind you, the unit would have to be an older one for him to work one, these newer ones have too many electronics involved and they are a totally different story!
DeleteI remember Tom and Angela did that trip a few years back, did you follow them?
ReplyDeleteYep, Dee mentioned them above. I stopped reading when they didn't respond to comments or questions.
DeleteDo it!!!!!!! In fact, wait until we retire in Jan 2019 and we'll go too!! We would both vote for the van.......just sayin!!
ReplyDeleteHa, we would love to do it with you both! What and adventure that would be. :-)
DeleteMe. Too
DeleteHey we've been looking at doing the same trip LOL! But right now looking for camper to put on our truck and driving Mex Belize Guatemala to our house in Honduras this winter. Dwayne has been looking at shipping from Panama to Coloumbia and with a class C its to big for container which means your have to hand over keys for them to drive onto a ship - guess lots of stuff goes missing! Dwayne figures screwing a piece of plywood between cab and house and only give cab keys would stop that :)
ReplyDeleteLOL!! I just read the blog from above and the hassel of shipping from Panama and will be telling Dwayne that no way will I put up with all that!! I think Europe will be the place for us to explore! No stupid red tape that Central America officals live for!! 😎
DeleteI think if you are patient and have done your homework it wouldn't be a huge hassle. We would be willing to put up with it just to be able to RV in South America. We love the RV travel more than backpack travel because you don't have to plan ahead quite as much and you have your bed and kitchen with you at all times. Still want to do more RVing in Europe too though! :-)
DeleteAll sounds so exciting wish We had your guts to do those adventures! Maybe someday! Hope all works out for you both!
ReplyDeleteJust thinking about it not actually going to do it, at least not for now! It is true though, you definitely have to have an adventurous personality to do something like this, it isn't for everyone.
DeleteWow, what an adventure that would be!! Sounds a bit complicated through Panama, but keep investigating & I am sure you will be able to work out the details!!
ReplyDeleteYep, that would definitely be one huge adventure! Getting past Panama is not complicated, you just have to have your unit shipped to either Venezuela or Colombia. Just got to get the homework done on the shipping part of it done beforehand.
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