I don't see any threads relating to Caravans, so I'll post my ?'s here to see if the vast knowledge on these forums can give me some direction.
My wife and I attended a Full Timers seminar in Salem and there was an introduction and invitation by a fellow named Burt (a retired veterinarian) to attend a seminar the next day on the Capetown to Cairo Caravan scheduled in 2009. We could not attend the seminar on this subject, but are very interested in further information on this topic.
His comments were limited on the introduction to this caravan, but here's some tidbits he gave out:
1. This Caravan will re-enact as close as possible the Capetown to Cairo route led by Wally in 1959.....so this will be a 50 year re-enactment.
2. Trailers in the 1975-1980 no longer than 23 ' should be purchased by participants to ship overseas. These evidently have greater ground clearance to handle some of the difficult stretches of road.
3. Trailers will be sold at the end of the caravan and not shipped back to the US.
4. Costs are estimated to be about $100 per day (not sure if this is per person or per trailer)
5. Travel time is estimated to be about 4 months traveling 13-14,000 miles.
6. Corporate sponsorship is reported to include Airstream, National Geographic, and GM.
7. Tow vehicles have not been chosen as yet, but would probably include some sort of heavy duty all terrain vehicle.
8. The route is being negotiated to include the safest and most secure (if that's possible) in today's political climate.
That's all I know at this point. We are just looking into this as a possibility. We spent 3 years in Morocco back in the 70's and are not totally naive as to what to expect on this trip.
If anyone on these forums has further info about this, or contact person(s) I would appreciate it!
Now that is a road trip that calls to the adventurous spirit....Man I'd love to do that... it would be wild... 4 months... just think of the things you'd see and stories to tell! Hmmm wait a minute….I think a four year old may be a little young for that trip.. But then again...nothing like starting the spirit young….
__________________ AZstreamin "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."- Mark Twain
wow Jim, uh, what's Gigi going to do in that heat? So interesting!!
A couple of thoughts.... I'm surprised AS is talking up the used end of the market.... so you buy a trailer, fix it up, then hope to sell it at the end? Who's marketing those trailers for you? A better thought that I have would be for AS to use their EU line of trailers (lighter for a smaller tow vehicle, NEW, easier fit down the roads (i.e. 7.5ft wide vs. the 8 or 8.5 ft wide of that year vintage), and MUCH easier resale at the end. Both their single axle and tandems would work out length wise.
T.V's - do you bring your own, and then ship it back, or do they supply you with one, or do you bring one and then sell it at the end?
Where are they going to camp this time? Wally was good at just circling up the wagons in the middle of a town or infront of whatever sight there was to be seen at.... I don't think Dickie has that same ability now. (although, maybe the beret might help?)
I'm not sure why a 22 ft or 19ft CCD wouldn't work... it might actually be cheaper in the long run as far as rehabbing is concerned. I'd just swap out the current Dexter's for a slightly more positive angle axle (although by sight, I think they might have as much clearance as the vintage you're looking at) say 35 degrees? I'd go tandem myself for carring ability and redundency for safety.
Better find that cadillac straight 8!
Wanna take me.... I'll sleep with Gigi!
Marc
Marc,
We met some friends who went to the C to C seminar in Salem, and they said they are going if it comes together. Their names are Bob and Susan Vandenheuvel (they've moved since the 2005 WBCCI directory came out). They currently live in Lacey, WA at the Airstream Park. But I don't have their address (snail or email) to ask them further information. Susan said she's been on these forums as "30LTD", but I couldn't find her profile or name in the forums directory. I've emailed the Airstream Park to see if I could have their address, but they probably wouldn't give it out due to privacy issues. I've posted a ? on the WBCCI Caravans website, but have not heard back. I thought someone here on the forums might have attended the seminar and would have further information and some contacts I could email.
The WBCCI Lifetime and VAC member who is spearheading the 2009 Capetown to Cairo Caravan is Bert (and Dot) Kalet, # 6957, an unstoppable bundle of energy from Winston Salem, North Carolina. His mailing address is in the 2006 Directory -- I don't have an email address for him, sorry.
__________________
Fred Coldwell, WBCCI #1510, AIR #2675
Denver, Colorado - WBCCI Unit 24
Charter Associate Member FCU
Airstream Life "Old Aluminum Adventures"
Fred,
Thanks for the info.........after you gave me his name, I was able to look him up in my Veterinary directory also. You're right......he seems to have amazing energy for his age......80! And I'll bet he's planning on going on this caravan in three years! I'll shoot him a snail mail and see if he's got any more news.....and at least get on his mailing list on further news on how this event is shaping up!
Thanks again!
he's mentioned in the international thread
is a member of the rbcci....
along with pictures of his modified bambi II.
he is the retired vet that kept 'office hours' for dogs...
his wife is also a retired vet? i think...
and currently does human subject reviews
for medical research...or something along these lines.
now that i know he's involved,
what a great trip this could be
as i recall they have 5 a/s
and he's riden a bicycle across the usa...
more than once...
count me interested!
cheers
2air'
__________________ all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.johnson
we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
Now that I'm a retired guy with a very flexible schedule, this event has hit heavily in the this-could-be-outstanding area of my brain. I would very much like to hear more of this upcoming adventure. This type of caravan sounds much more to my liking, rather than features such as an afternoon visit to the local cheese factory, or to a visit to the Glass Museum. Please keep this thread alive, and thanks for tweaking my interest.
Marc has the right idea, why not a new European model AS? I will go one step further, why not a Special Edition made specifically for the African adventure? Just imagine.....built a little tougher with more clearance, all the units could built to withstand the rigors of the trip and repairs could be carried out easier because of the standardization of the Airstreams. Spare parts and repair equipment would be minimized since they would all be the same models. Same tires, wheels, axles, hitches, bearings, lights, windows, and so on. Let's face it, how many people really want to take a 30 year old AS across 14,000 miles in Africa? Why wouldnt THOR want to do it this way? They win big, sales and reputation.
As far as resale, I would imagine that these Airstreams would fetch a good price in the EU considering their rarity and most important, their history. Who knows, maybe the folks in North America might want to buy a piece of history.
And more....if GM is a corporate sponser, what a great PR campaign for them.....they certainly have enough TVs to do the job. And as with the Special Edition Airstream, standardization of the TVs make the whole thing a smoother operation. The support for the caravan could be standardized saving time and money.
Auto racing sells lots of cars, and the manufacturers have HUGE budgets to gain customer awareness and loyalty. Why not capitalize on the marketing value of this trip?
And for those who would discount using new models for this trip, I wasnt there, but how many decade old or older Airstreams were on the 1959 caravan? And for those who might think that it would raise the cost, I would argue that in fact, with the proper approach, the cost could be much less.
sorry Jim, I didn't mean to highjack your thread - but I think this caravan would be a great idea if done well.
Honestly, I'd think new for many reasons - and I'm not sure why AS wouldn't support this idea. If National Geographic would be coming along shooting photos, I'd think they'd want newer trailers without all the peeling clearcoats of the older ones in the shots. Less chance for breakage too.
I could see Chevy pitching in some Sub's or Tahoes for the event - I'm sure they'd sell well over in the Middle East.
I wonder what kind of daily mileage you'd do? It didn't seem like the old caravans went too far each day, as the roads were so poor. I'd think that those roads are better off now.
Please post more info when you get it! Although the four months would seem to appeal more to the retired set, I'd like to dream about this event.
If they need medical crew (which, really, wouldn't be such a bad idea - I'd bring IV equipement, a defibulator, 12 EKG machine, dressings and splints...) - I'd gladly sign up for a small stipend!
John & Marc......I agree......that new models would be more in the interest of AS and by the time old units are re-furbished, the cost difference may be negligable. I suspect (not entirely sure about this) the impetus is coming from WB'ers (like Burt) who see this as a world event and may want to:
1. make history proving that the world can peacefully coexist and can be a win-win situation for all concerned.
2. give the WBCCI a shot in the arm (no pun intended) to help their membership numbers.
3. say if 30 year old AS's were used, what does that say about their quality, design, and construction.
There may be some issues about shipping back trailers that have, insects, noxious plants, bacteria, etc. that potentially could be a threat to our Country.......just a thought.
Yes Marc......a mobile medical team would be great to have along........it would ease my mind a bit! Anyone on the forums up on their tropical diseases?
That happens to be the part of the world where "bandits" shoot rocket propelled grenades at luxury ocean liners. Bambi ain't bullit proof.
nahh druupy no rain, just an obvious issue. i'm sure there are security issues and threats all along the route....and national geographic can catch it all on film!
but by the time this happens, perhaps they will be out of grenades!
sure sudan is a problem area, but there is a lot of ground between the southern and northern african borders....
here's a link to a map of the more famous route...there was once a transcontinential railway planned but....too many nations and issues...
seems there are several travel companies that do this route with groups...
as to the trailer issue...70s models are narrower, lighter, inexpensive and plentyful...one of the things beatrice did do was ramp up production and sell more units in the 70s. these can be had for 5k or so now and inexpensively prepped for duty....
having new units would be nice but consider what is essential...a place to sleep, a cooking stove, heat and water...lots of water...
add a few modern touches like solar panels and a frappuccino machine!
in fact a 23 argosy would be great to take, it would blend in better with the sand!
cheers
2air'
__________________ all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.johnson
we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
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