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2airishuman · 07-22-2006, 11:46 PM

hey jordandvm....

andyr does have a travel forums......
http://www.ityt.com/forums/
way down in the lower right page of our forums....

just popped over there and they do have discussions of south africa, cape town, egypt and some of the spots along the way....

check it out
2air'

jordandvm · 07-22-2006, 11:53 PM

2air
Thanks for the tip......I'll check it out!
This thread is goin' down the wrong wabbit hole anyway.......maybe you've straigtened out my original search for knowledge on this subject...........and it was right under my nose!!

**Janet H** · 07-23-2006, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Ms75Argosy

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.

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.

Marc

The CCDs are really crumby ground clearance - all the new trailers do. And most of them are wider. No way.

Since the intent is to sell rather than ship back, the recommendation for a rehabbed older one is good. Probably cost effective too.

If you bought a mid seventies 23 footer (double axle) and paid $8,000 for it and fixed EVERY system you would still have less than 20,000 into it! Less than half of a new one.

Seems like the way to go - start looking for that trailer nOW!

Druupy · 07-23-2006, 12:21 PM

What would Wally do?

Consider the alternatives:

http://maps.yahoo.com/dd_result?newa...ak&tcountry=us

Smallest to Largest, Rhode Island to Alaska 4500 miles - half of it gravel.

Round the horn,
Seattle to San Diego, then
circled wagons an a barge thru the Panama canal, then
Brownsville Texas to Boston?

Loop the USA, Pick any place to start and take the long way home.

North to the ice,
Start at Sturgis SD, then
head North till you see snowpack, then
have a picknick.

ArtStream · 07-23-2006, 04:43 PM

Last time I crossed the border 3 female custom agents kept me for most of the day.
They emptied my fridg and freezer into the sink, dumped all my coffee and flour out.
Made me remove all the cloths from the closets, and they went thru each pocket.
Made me empty the complete contents of my TV out on to the ground.
Went thru my daytimer, DVD collection, and CD collection.
Sprayed some nasty smelling stuff inside the rig which made it uninhabitable for 3 days (it made you choke), and charged me for the 2 bottles of wine I had on board.

And this was just the Canadian border.

A side note, a few DVD's went missing

clancy_boy · 07-23-2006, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

I have worked and lived in many parts of Africa. Namibia, Angola, Zaire, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Sudan, Chad and Libya. Never got to Egypt. Not a chance in Hell a Caravan of "Enlightened Adventurers" in an Airstream could do this proposed trip in the World of today....it is not 1950.....Hemingways' Africa is gone. There is a wartime setting in all these countries, general lawlessness and a Cultural divide most have never experienced. Even in Zimbabwe today it would be a challenge.Keep the pink flamingos and blue beanies at home....sip your gin and tonic and plan your next Caravan across Columbia and Bolivia.
Yea, I know....pessemistic, grumpy, no adventure, old man!

Been to a few of those myself, ON THE GOVERNMENT DIME. Never in my lifetime would I take my wife to most of these countries. Ok, Ok, send me your flack but I live in the real world where people point guns at you and they don't like you because you are an AMERICAN. Yep, been there done that - looked at the pavement in Abidjan with an AK47 in the back of my neck - thank God for my driver and $22 in US currency that fit their need at the time.

Africa, It's a beautiful land - but times HAVE CHANGED, idealists and dreamers have fun, I've had my share.

harestream · 07-23-2006, 05:32 PM

will I'm tired of reading all the collectible books and seeing all the amazing airstream photos of the 50's. I want in on this action myself! I bought my airstream anticipating some serious adventure. so you can count me in on this african caravan. what an opportunity. If I can help out with any of the planning for this caravan, I'd be interested. I'll be airstreaming full time starting in about two months. I'll have some time to spare.

Who ever said you should wait till your 65 to retire. hell i'm 28. Thanks for informative initial post.
-Kelly

BamCamper · 07-27-2006, 01:39 PM

I would love an amazing adventure with an AS caravan. Someplace exciting (and challenging perhaps) but not necessarily life threatening. Yes, times really have changed since the 50's. We need to be somewhat realistic here. I agree with many others that my idea of a caravan is more about adventure and intriguing locations and less about luncheons and cheese factory visits. Isn't there an alternate trip that would capture that original spirit of adventure without causing an international incident?

Any other ideas for unique travel destinations?

dijer · 07-27-2006, 06:23 PM

Following the old adage "what's in it for me?" maybe some type of financial reward for the countries you pass through. If you make it from entry through exit, a stipend is paid. You could embed some reporters for PR and hopefully these countries would not commit atrocities w/the world watching. On second thought, maybe rich Americans in their shiny trailers would make great hostages. Can you imagine the video? BTW who would you look to for help in a bad situation?

Just trying to think out all the scenarios. Does it make anyone else think about what early Americans must have faced when they tried to get a wagon train formed to go out West?

JimGolden · 07-27-2006, 06:48 PM

Well, the early American settlers heading west were armed to the teeth. Gave 'em a chance. I don't think they'll let us bring Barret's and M60's on the caravan.

It's all quite sad, actually. I would love to get in on a caravan like this. It'd be the trip of a lifetime. But, I'd be afraid to try it now. Maybe a route can be found that would work, but even in Egypt there are a lot of unfriendlies.

Still, it'd be utterly awesome if it could be done without being kidnapped/murdered/tortured/etc.

wheel interested · 07-27-2006, 06:51 PM

Perhaps this will become the ultimate in reality tv. Think of the book rights. Think of the sponsors. Heck who even cares what happens to the participants, the ratings will go sky high.

I think a special event caravan is a great idea. I think going where there is likihood of incidents is not. I can't see justifying that risk.

I'm with the other posters that would also like a challenging exciting trip in Byam style but think wiser destinations should be explored.

dijer · 08-07-2006, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harestream

will I'm tired of reading all the collectible books and seeing all the amazing airstream photos of the 50's. I want in on this action myself! I bought my airstream anticipating some serious adventure. so you can count me in on this african caravan.

Found this site while searching for info: http://www.adventureafrica.org/

Is this what you are looking for harestream? The Stage I journals are informative. There is some video also.This is a group of men. Pre-9/11. How would things change if women were to go along?

Uberlanders · 08-07-2006, 05:31 PM

I'm wondering also if the issue of new trailers may result in ultra high tariffs when tranporting the trailers into the first country, then every time you cross another border. I know that some friends who motorcycled around the world have had similar problems where they had to pay taxes on the value of their bikes when they crossed at borders or had their bikes shipped.

Two weeks ago I got to see a presentation on a bike tour of Iran that took place last January. It was uneventful and they ended up having a great deal of freedom without police escorts. The people were welcoming to them, and they were fascinated by their motorcycles. I guess it is illegal to own a motorcycle over so many cc's there. Anyway all of the people who braved the trip said they would do it again.

The leader of the trip used to take Airstream caravans into Latin America....hmmm.

Mother Theresa used to say if you look for Satan you will see him everywhere, if you look for Jesus, you will see him in everyone. I think this caravan will work, I think it will be problem free. I wish I was retired so I could go.

Kathleen

**azflycaster** · 08-07-2006, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheel interested

Perhaps this will become the ultimate in reality tv. Think of the book rights. Think of the sponsors. Heck who even cares what happens to the participants, the ratings will go sky high.

Are you saying that every night the members would vote someone out of the caravan? They would then be on their own to find a way out of where ever they are. At the end the caravan would have one trailer...

clancy_boy · 08-07-2006, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azflycaster

Are you saying that every night the members would vote someone out of the caravan? They would then be on their own to find a way out of where ever they are. At the end the caravan would have one trailer...

Alone in the African Outback. "Hummm, shiny silver thing on wheels lets go investigate", NOT my idea of a good time.

Went to the US Embassy in the Ivory Coast (Cote' de Ivorie) once with a co-worker that needed express transportation home. 4 hours later with an OFFICIAL (red diplomatic passport) PASSPORT, not the common blue one you will be traveling with, we were told to come back the next day as there was elevated security and they could not let us in. This was the US Embassy, home turf, US property, RED WHITE AND BLUE LAND. No help at all, not even a piece of candy.

Enjoy, have a great trip, I'm sure there is a very small chance of an event with the proper sponsorship by world famous corporations backing the show, BUT if there is an issue don't count on much help getting out. I have seen much of the world, a third of Africa, lots of the Western Pacific, and nearly all of Europe. There is no place like home, Toto.

There are lots of travel insurance and evac services available for a small (compared to the cost of this trip) expense. I have used these services for personel insurance reasons on some of my travels. If you go I can pass on some of this info to you. I agree, there are lots of nice people in all these countries and I have meet lots of them, but when I had bad experiences there it was REALLY BAD.

**Stefrobrts** · 08-07-2006, 07:01 PM

I have been listening to BBC radio news on podcast, and another series they have called BBC Correspondents, and some of the stories are really fascinating about the other side of places we hear about on the news. Even in countries that are in turmoil, there are still normal people, many of who would be very welcoming to tourists, both because they are just decent human beings like the rest of us, and because they welcome the tourist dollars into their town.

65Safari65 · 08-07-2006, 07:15 PM

I realize that the idea is the 50-year marker of the original Africa trip, but I lean toward the whole "world has changed" view. Africa isn't exactly a benign place to casually shop for tribal art souveniers anymore. In 1959, hardly anyone had a gun. (well, except Castro and pals) Now, the AK-47 is practically the currency of the African continent. Even if there isn't dramatic, ravenous, spontaneous violence directed toward a long line of affluent Americans rolling along in shiny objects through the land of warlords and cholera, then some goatherd is likely to spray a clip just to see the line of holes appear in aluminum for fun.
I love the concept, but can't agree with the reality. But hey- it would be three years from now, which means a few governments later for most of the countries. Maybe we could just invade them all, you know, for stability. Better to do some sort of grand adventure to mark the occasion somewhere with less firepower and angst.

A little late to the party, but wanted to put my two cents in...

Brad

dijer · 08-07-2006, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 65Safari65

Maybe we could just invade them all, you know, for stability.

Brad

That's a good one.

Australia would be good. The scuba diver in this family wants to dive the Great Barrier Reef. And a trip across the Outback might be interesting. Anyone done that yet??

2airishuman · 12-04-2006, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordandvm

If anyone on these forums has further info about this, or contact person(s) I would appreciate it!

hey jim it may just happen! i hope you see this note....

bert kalet dvm has sketched out the basics in the current blue beret....

1. 2009-2010
2. 12-15k$ for 4 months
3. 2 caravans will run the route...
4. different folks using the trailers for each leg..
5. tow vehicles furnished at no charge
6. a/s to kick in a unit for the national geographic
7. depart jacksonville florida july 2009
8. north trip sept 2009 -dec 2009
9. south trip feb 2010-may 2010
10. trailers sold at trips end.....

that is some brilliant planning on bert's part...

lets go to africa!

2air'

ArtStream · 12-04-2006, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BamCamper

I would love an amazing adventure with an AS caravan. Someplace exciting (and challenging perhaps) but not necessarily life threatening. Yes, times really have changed since the 50's. We need to be somewhat realistic here. I agree with many others that my idea of a caravan is more about adventure and intriguing locations and less about luncheons and cheese factory visits. Isn't there an alternate trip that would capture that original spirit of adventure without causing an international incident?

Any other ideas for unique travel destinations?

How bout Cape Canaveral to Sea of Tranquility?