Capetown to Cairo Caravan

[2airishuman]

capetowncairocaravan followers and supporters...

here is a website to explore....

Welcome to CapeTowntoCairo.com | CapeTowntoCairo.com

the site requires registration, which is free.

i've been registered since the site went live months ago...

and received NO spam or unsolicited contact...

some of you will recall james moriarty as the chap who posted the 'airstream performance video' here in 2005.

in this thread, but the video is gone....

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f48/...sob-19729.html

i believe he also produced some of the marketing videos used by a/s dealers and shown at some rallies.

he is NOT associated with the offical capetown caravan but does have access to a/s archive materials..

like film of the original capetown caravan, which can be seen ON his website in streaming format...

he also produced a very good short on burningman-burnstream court; also on his site.

my understanding is, he hopes to promote better awareness of the africa continent and other humanitarian ideals...

he may have commercial goals as well....

so take a look at the material he's developed...

it's good.

2air'

[zamboni]

I thought someone said GM was a major sponsor...

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by zamboni

I thought someone said

hi zam...

sure someone may have said this...

but someone ain't on the trip!

so NO they are NOT...

mis-information seems to be

repeated and repeated and repeated here.

maybe visual aids and a catch phrase can help...

"we don't need no stinkin' ge'em"

cheers
2air'

how about an annotated bibliography too...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stinking_badges

[DFDureiko]

Maybe I missed it somewhere else in the forums. Does anyone know exactly why WBCCI is not involved with the Caravan???? It sure makes no sense to me...
Dan

[3Ms75Argosy]

looks to be an official sponsor. Per their website, they're hosting the NW participants at their store for drycamping experience towards the end of May. Maybe those could join our Forums rally and let us know what they expect for travel?

Hurray for AS of Spokane for stepping up to the plate!
Marc

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by 3Ms75Argosy

Hurray for AS of Spokane for stepping up to the plate!
Marc

thanks for noticing and posting this marc...

i agree kudos to the eastern washington dealer!

there are now several dealers helping to support the caravan in various ways...

like these early maintenance rallies...

we hope that once a/s corp has sorted out becoming the primary sponsor,

that other select dealers can benefit tangibily from supporting the cause.

for example we could have africa safari digital kiosks IN the dealer showrooms, with photos, stories, video clips and 'web cams'..

and some of the 'caravan ready' units could be on display IN the dealerships before/after the adventure.

anyone else have creative ideas that could benefit sponsors AND the travelers?

cheers
2air'

Originally Posted by DFDureiko

Does anyone know exactly why WBCCI is not involved with the Caravan????Dan

dan...

the 'why' of the wbc action was split off 2 another thread,

so we could focus on the HOW of the c2c caravan in this one.

your question is answered here...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f286...ion-31388.html

[rickandsandi]

Originally Posted by DFDureiko

Maybe I missed it somewhere else in the forums. Does anyone know exactly why WBCCI is not involved with the Caravan???? It sure makes no sense to me...
Dan

WBCCI backed out of this historic event because of fear of liability and if something were to go wrong they would be finacially liable and it would devestate the organization.

And allowing SOB's into the club isn't devestating?

[rebfa]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

mis-information seems to be

repeated and repeated and repeated here.

Perhaps if someone would clear things up then we wouldn't need to repeat things!

[Fred Lieb]

Some thoughts from a guy who is working on a CCC Caravan Trailer ( a 67 Argosy). In checking the brakes and all I decided just to replace the backing plates as a unit. You can buy them this way so all you need to do is remove the old units-- 4 bolts and rewire the electrics. Seems easy right --WRONG-easy if the nuts come off their studs but the airstream god strike 30 years of rust just would not let go so I had to resort to the old cutting torch to cut the old studs off. Now replacement is easy! Better in my shop than in the middle of somewhere so check the 4 nuts on the back of the brakes and see if they will move!! We should replace the backing plates any way as the
K-H that were used origionally are not avialable. The Drums are OK and probably good to use. As an old road racer and sometime oval racer PREP is everything, I won't use anything but grade 8 bolts and keep the torque wrench at hand. Dare to Go-- Dare to Prepare NO SHORTCUTS!!!

[2airishuman]

here is a brief update for those following the cape town caravan...

a/s has decided and informed us that they WILL be a primary sponsor for this historic event!

i'd love to provide ALL of the details....

but i don't have access to them.
and don't know IF they are many more details yet.

they are planning a public announcement in due time.

so while richL/aslife and andyR signed up early to offer support,

having a/s involved is a BIG deal.

the trip is still a ways off and with many potential 'road hazards'...

but we are one big step closer....

cheers
2air'

[Fred Lieb]

I found a neat website on Africa. ie www.safarimseum.com about Martin and Osa Johnson who were early explorers and photographers and even flew two
aircraft around africa from Capetown to Cairo. Very interesting abot two people who did africa in the 20's and 30's.

[yukionna]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

here is a brief update for those following the cape town caravan...

a/s has decided and informed us that they WILL be a primary sponsor for this historic event!

That is great and BIG news!

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by mistral blue

Other than a shot of karma every once in awhile, is there some way an envious forum member can support this undertaking?

eventually there will be yes...

for example shirts and other logo'd items will eventually be available...

direct communication WITH travelers will be part of the blogs/streamin' video

and some of us might want/need to drop ship supplies while in route....

so an interested person could be part of the caravan and actually help it happen...

i'm sure there will be other creative ways to become involved too.

i'll need fresh carrots!

cheers
2air'

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by mistral blue

Other than a shot of karma every once in awhile, is there some way an envious forum member can support this undertaking?

ok mistral blue...

now that i'm awake ,

there are other ways specific and important ways to support this undertaking...

andyR has been supportive and offered server space 2 the project...

one of the items we now need to develop is a caravan WEBSITE...

so IF you've got webmaster skills and a little times..

we could use your help...

reply into this thread or send me a pm and i'll make the connections...

other support ideas...

ALL of the planning steps related to the trip can be advanced by folks not going...

just pick an issue or offer a skill...

the caravanners and planning committees CAN use your talents...

cheers
2air'

[SilverCabin]

2air,

How do we get in touch with the committees to offer help?

Randy

[golddigger]

Hi --

What are the plans for drivers license coverage during this trip? It would seem like a traditional US Operator license will get you a B-C international license, which will *limit trailer weight to 1,650 lbs or GCWR to about 7,700lbs when towing*. The international C license basically puts no weight limit on the truck *as long as you are not towing*. As far as I can tell you need a US CDL-C to get E rating on your international license, which will let you go beyond 1,650 lbs to a regular Airstream trailer weight.

Thanks

>Per

[golddigger]

Just got some additional information, FWIW. The CDL-C is not enough. You need a CDL-B for the international E.

[2airishuman]

hi golddigger and thanks for posting here...

my limited understanding is that aaa issues international drivers licenses...

good for a year.

International Driving Permit

the application is somewhat vague,

a regular u.s. drivers license does allow us to drive >7700lbs, pulling heavy trailers and with more than 8 passengers....

the plan was to join aaa, apply and use there license.

the rules for things like this change regularly so who knows what we will need in 09...

which reminds me, when did my license expire?

cheers
2air'

[golddigger]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

hi golddigger and thanks for posting here...

my limited understanding is that aaa issues international drivers licenses...

good for a year.

International Driving Permit

the application is somewhat vague,

a regular u.s. drivers license does allow us to drive >7700lbs, pulling heavy trailers and with more than 8 passengers....

the plan was to join aaa, apply and use there license.

the rules for things like this change regularly so who knows what we will need in 09...

which reminds me, when did my license expire?

cheers
2air'

Check out this link:
Application for International Driver License, International Driver's Permit, IDl, IDP
You see the "E" option? That is what you need for towing anything above 750Kg (1650lbs). One of the issuers I talked with said it requires a valid US CDL-B or CDL-A to get the "E" option which actually jives with comparable requirements in Europe for a "E".

You can also check out this excerpt from chapter 4 the UN Convention that governs the international drivers license:

For the purpose of the application of paragraph 1 and sub-paragraph 2 (c) of this Article:
(a) A motor vehicle of the category B referred to in Annexes 6 and 7 to this Convention may be coupled to a light trailer, it may also be coupled to a trailer whose permissible maximum weight exceeds 750 kg (1,650 LB) but does not exceed the unloaded with of the motor vehicle if the combined permissible maximum weights of the vehicles so couple does not exceed 3,500 kg (7,700 LB); (b) A motor vehicle of the category C or of the category D referred to in Annexes 6 and 7 to this convention may be coupled to a light trailer without the resultant combination ceasing to belong to category C or category D.




See also:

International Automobile Drivers Club


Bottom line is that you need an "E" option on your card to tow a trailer with a weight greater than 1650. The question is if AAA will grant you the E option from a US operator license. The issuer I talked with said he needed a valid IDL-B or IDL-A to honor a request for an "E" option.

Not sure if this relates, in any way, to insurance you might need for this trip, presumably underwritten by someone here in the US.

I think the other option to explore is if you are in-transit that you might be allowed to ride your truck/trailer combo since it is legal in your home country. But I do not know.

Regards,

>Per

Incidentally, around here in the North East, it sounds like the going rate for getting a CDL-B is about $3K including the test. It requires about 80 hours of training. The CDL-A is about $5K, including the test. It requires about 160 hours of training.

[golddigger]

And now for another data point :-)

I just spoke with someone at the police in Stockholm, Sweden, asking them how they interpret the rules. Here is what he said:

1. If you are a tourist in transit and have a valid license in your home country for what you are driving, you'll be fine. E.g., a regular US drivers license should be fine for a truck and Airstream. As long as your license is in Latin letters (as is the case for the US) he did not think an IDL was needed.

2. Your trailer must not weight more than the GVWR of your truck

3. It must be possible for the police to determine what you are entitled to drive, either through the license itself (not the case with the US) or with an accompanying document, such as IDL or some papers from your state. In my case, the NH drivers manual spells out what you are entitled to do. You obviously must carry a valid licese with you.

4. It must be possible to determine the GVWR of your truck and trailer to verify point #2. Generally, the truck info is on a sticker by the door and the trailer info is on a plate near the drivers front of the trailer.

5. Width might be an issue for wide-body as far as the police is concerned. Normal rules require that you label a vehicle wider than 2.5m (wide body is about 2.6m).

Regards,

>Per