Hello guys and welcome to His and Hers headquarters in Seward, Alaska... Yes, this
is our first educational video from our new studio!... We got an amazing backdrop of
tokens from our travels... But today's video is gonna be 12
questions you need to be asking yourself if you're in the market for or dreaming
about an Overland Expedition Vehicle!
Number one; Who are you? That means are you solo, are you a couple...
Are you a family? This question really needs to be asked because it determines
how much space you need! It also determines the floorplan and layout that
would best suit your needs!... Make an assessment of what you really need!
Really need to exist and what you only want! Because space is always a premium!
Number 2; Many things pivot around this one very broad question... But where do you
want to go specifically where on the globe do you want to go? Do you want to
travel around North America or do you have visions of locations abroad? The
reason, why we're asking, is because it determines what kind and size of chassis
you need to be looking at! Some parts of the planet are not as conducive to a
large vehicle whereas North America is very welcoming to large vehicles as
everybody has seen by the RV's! Larger vehicles, they come with a lot of
compromises... And in cities that were built before vehicles and very tight
off-roading situations... They're not as desirable!... Number three; Are you going to
be able to find fuel? So gasoline is found around the world but for the most
part diesel is the preferred fuel choice for global overland travel! Not all
diesel is equal though... What we're referencing here is the ultra-low sulfur
diesel! So most engines built prior to 2007-2008 do not require this more
environmentally-friendly form of diesel! But the newer vehicles are not designed
to run on the high sulfur diesel found in many developing countries around the
world and the furthest reaches of the planet! So ultra-low sulfur diesel also
tends to go hand-in-hand with DEF Fluid! Essentially, it's a fluid that is
injected into the exhaust to reduce tailpipe conditions!
In countries with ultra-low sulfur diesel it's easy to find... But you
get to the edges of the earth and not so much! Ultra-low sulfur diesel is very
commonplace in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and most of Europe! Many
countries in South America as well so the list is getting longer every year!
Now, if you have a newer vehicle in mind for your travels, you aren't completely
out of luck because there are workarounds to the issues... So you just
have to google it and learn a little bit more about what you need to do for your
vehicle!... Number four, you know it's gonna happen! You're gonna break down and are
you gonna be able to find parts? So if you're on the road long enough...
Breakdowns are going to happen and you don't want to make finding parts any
harder than it can already be! Look for vehicles produced by global brands! Let's
take Mercedes, for example, they're quality manufacturer with dealers and
aftermarket part sources everywhere on the planet!
And the vast options of chassis suitable for global overland travel! You can also
find vehicles with the chassis from one manufacturer and the powertrain and
drivetrain are gonna be from others! For example, the military vehicles in the
US called LMTVs, they have caterpillar engines and Allison transmissions! Both
of which have parts and service globally! On another side note, our Mitsubishi Fuso
chassis is manufactured by Mitsubishi truck which is owned by Daimler Auto
Group... Meaning, that we will have increased odds of finding parts! You're
not going to be able to be paired for everything but with a little forethought...
You can avoid a lot of hassle! Number 5; When and where do you want to go
camping? With that question, let's ask a second one! How necessary is four-wheel
drive? Four-wheel drive is awesome! It can take you to amazing places but about 99
percent of the time, it's really not necessary! So if it's not that necessary...
Why pay for the added expense, maintenance, and fuel consumption? So
that's a really personal question! And probably falls right in line with
how much do you enjoy off-road and off-grid adventures? We also like to
think of 4x4 as an insurance policy because... When you need it, you're really
glad you have it! Four-wheel drive is not just for off-road adventures, it's also
priceless when Mother Nature tries to stop you in your tracks! So having the
ability to securely drive through mud and snow is bound to be a benefit if
you're on the road long enough! On a side note, don't overlook all-wheel drive
vehicles... When combined with decent ground clearance, it's more than adequate
for four-season and most off-road traveling!... Number six; Staying right in
line with where and when do you want to camp... But let's talk about the camping
unit! Yes, that place you are going to be living! So if you want to camp for
extended periods of time in extreme hot or cold conditions, you have to be
prepared! The emphasis being on extended periods of time because we can all put
up with a lot for one, two or three nights! Considering how hot-cold or
opposite, they're dressed quite similarly when it comes to properly equipping your
camping unit! Insulation is key! An air tight unit increases efficiency! Dual
pane windows are invaluable! And you need components to heat and cool the camper
box! There's another very important issue to address in regards to winter camping...
Its humidity and condensation! Something we've learned is that this happens in
every camping unit, no matter how expensive or how well insulated the box
is! The problem lies with the human being... Beings...
And even the dog! Every breath contributes to interior humidity and it
needs to be regulated by cracking windows or dehumidifier heaters and
there's a few other methods that are worth googling! You're gonna have to be
aware of problem areas! Corners without good air circulation because of a
mattress or seat cushion and the inside of cabinets... If they're packed with
clothes can all be too bold if there's a problem that's left
unattended! What kind of materials do you want to have for the walls of your camping
unit? Generally speaking, you're gonna be looking at some options of soft
sided canvas, fiberglass, aluminum and the more highly desired composite walls!
There's obviously pros and cons to each material and we recommend doing further
research into this key component of your camping unit!... Number 7; And dare I
say the most important... What is your budget? Now that we have worked through
where you want to go and what you want to do... We have to inevitably talk about
money! So you need to know what you want to spend and what is your absolute top
number because there's going to be a difference!
Ours was $90,000 for everything! Vehicle flights, postage, personal modifications...
Shipping the vehicle to our first destination... We wanted to spend around
sixty for the vehicle! In the end, we actually spent about eighty-eight just
for the vehicle because the right one came along! For most of us money really
is the limiting factor! So you can kind of forget about your overlanding
vehicle dream and focus on the real-world! What's your budget and your timeline?
Because if time is on your side, you can pounce on the deal of a lifetime when it
presents itself! If you have the abilities and the tools and the space
and the desire... You can consider building a camping unit yourself! And there's a
lot of benefits to a do-it-yourself build! Either way, we guarantee you'll be
turning a wrench and working on things if you're going to be traveling in a
vehicle! So let's return to the camping unit! Maybe you've heard of the
acronym KISS... That keep it simple stupid! There's a lot of wisdom in that
statement! Technology is great but simplicity is critical! And what we have
learned in our years of spending time traveling in RVs and most recently
in our, Expedition Vehicle is that living in a tiny camper might be a challenge...
But if it's one that's well thought through, you'll actually come to
appreciate the simplicity and efficiency more and more every day!
Number 8; What components are you gonna need for your journey? Refrigerator
freezer, heater, hot water heater, air conditioner, etc... All of these components
have one thing in common, they're gonna need some type of a fuel source! Whether
it's electricity, propane, gas, diesel... There is definitely going to be a fuel
source! Electricity can be generated via solar and stored in a battery bank or...
From an external source like a generator or a good old-fashioned electrical
outlet!... You need to research to see how accessible propane is going to be along
your journey! From our conversations with fellow travelers, a lot of countries have
special adapters! You can find 12-volt refrigerators and freezers! 12-volt is
common for the electrical side of most heaters but an additional fuel source is
needed to generate heat! Air conditionings are primarily AC powered...
There are some very high-end 12-volt ones out there that we would very much
like to have in our camp in Canada all in due time! There are air tronic and
hydronic diesel heaters! Electric stove tops have come a long way but we're fans
of the diesel ceramic cooktops because they consume minimal electricity... And
they dehumidify the air as they work! Number 9; Let's talk a little bit more
about 12-volt electricity! Traditionally batteries operate off of 12-volt DC
power... And it is relatively global! Ideally, you want components that utilize
this current so you're not using AC power inverters all the time! Also
consider your battery bank! We recently upgraded to 300 amp hours Battleborn Lithium
Batteries! So considering our solar... And the small
electrical footprint of our camper, we shouldn't really have any battery issues
for at least a decade! In other words, embrace the 12 volts and
we have said this for years! Install extra USB outlets for charging! They make
12 volt DVD and TV combo players... We've even heard in Europe that Dometic has a
12-volt coffee maker!... Number 10; Where and how do you plan on sleeping? Sleeping is
a reality for human beings and we spend a significant portion of our lives in
bed! Now, if you're a solo traveler you only need to be thinking about your own
comfort... But if you're traveling with spouse or even a spouse and kids
everybody has to be comfortable! Here's some things to think about... What
direction do you want to sleep? North-South is great because each person can
get out of bed independently and without disturbing the other! East-West beds they
require crawling over and around the other person... And they also are a
nightmare to make if they have enclosed walls on each side! So everything is all
a matter of compromises but you know... Just keep in mind where you can lay your head
at night!... Number 11; If you are going to travel overseas, you are going to be
shipping a vehicle! Shipping vehicles is commonly done in shipping containers or
on a roll-on roll-off ship! Shipping containers are obviously cheaper and can
be shared but... A vehicle that can fit in one is going to be limited in size!
And probably more expensive! It's a personal decision but what you need to
weigh out is how much money are you actually going to save on shipping
versus how many months and years will you be living in this overland vehicle!
And maybe you'll appreciate the extra space of having a vehicle that has to go
roll-on/roll-off... Number 12; On your journey to find the right Overland
Expedition Vehicle, there's gonna have to be some compromises especially if you're
traveling with your spouse! I can honestly say from our last journey
of 11 months in a 13-foot box, I'm lucky she didn't poison me... And she's lucky I
didn't dump her off into a ditch or roll her off a cliff!... You shouldn't tell people
that! Hey, it's the end of the video! We have to add a little bit of humor here!
So unless you have an unlimited budget and a limited scope of travel, the
perfect camper does not exist! Focus on your core needs and the journeys core
needs and then consider anything else a luxury!... I have to say after actually
living through this process... If you'll start out thinking this is... I'm just... I'm
just packing to backpack around the world! And anything extra beyond that I
could fit in a backpack, it's gonna be icing on the cake! Then you'll have
really perfect expectations and maybe avoid a few battles!... Because really, when
you're traveling on these things... There's not much space! So a few closing thoughts...
Don't get lost in the research! A lot of people go down this rabbit hole! Don't
forget you need to take some action... Yeah, and time is precious! You only live once
so make the most of it! It's an opportunity! Go out there and grab a hold...
And don't get too hung up on the vehicle! You know, it doesn't have to be perfect...
You're gonna make compromises when the right one comes along... Either you're
gonna know it or somebody's gonna tell you!... Alright guys, thanks for riding along
with us on this journey to help you find the perfect Overland Expedition Vehicle
for you!... Make sure you hit the SUBSCRIBE button and visit our website...
hisandhershub.com for an amazing interactive experience and a lot more
resources! We'll see on the next one!... Bye!