Trans Eurasia trip

Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 09, 2011 at 20:39
ThreadID: 88370 Views:2118 Replies:6 FollowUps:12
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Can any one comment on the feasibility of towing an off road camper trailer through the eurasian continent - Seoul to Europe?

I am interested in comments re the terrain, but also security for camping in a canvas camper Do we need to worry about human intruders, or even bears? Is the canvas wall of the camper safe enough?

Any comments appreciated.
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 01:31

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 01:31
Have you read Chris D's blogs?
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Follow Up By: Berylvt - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 10:01

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 10:01
Thankyou, yes I have read all of his blogs in detail, and I,d like to make contact with him during the planning. But there was no information in his blog about a T-van, and nothing in the pictures to show how they camped.

The T van wouldn't be too different from another hard floor camper except perhaps smaller. Well thanks for letting me know that. They seem to have had a trouble free trip so that makes me hopeful.
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Reply By: mikehzz - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 08:08

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 08:08
Normally people choose Vladivostok as the departure point. Travelling through North Korea could be diplomatically difficult? There was video of such a trip on 4wd TV. Mike
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Reply By: carlsp - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 08:31

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 08:31
Good morning Berylvt

You journey seems very exciting and I am certain that many others like myself would be very interested in further posts on your progress.

Can you repost with a more detailed idea on what camper trailer and what tow vehicle. Agree with another replay that not heading through N Korea would be a good idea.

I went and Lived in Russia for a while in 2006 and there are many things that come up that the best planning cannot expect. Take a look at "Long Way Round". Also go to Internet and look ap "Dick Smith around the world" He takes a F550 Earth Roamer accross Russia.

Get some good medical training and advice of medical products to take. Learn to speak and read some Russian. This is what I found the hardest thing to getting around. "Lorretta Stone" is the best learning program by so FAR it is not funny.

Take a inverter welder even if you cannot weld. You will always find someone that can there.

Russia is "User pays" as a principal of life so remember this. The people are fantastic and you will learn why no one can conquer this country.

Keep the posts coming. Carl
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Follow Up By: Berylvt - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 09:44

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 09:44
Thanks everyone for those links - I will certainly follow them up.

We have a 1997 land cruiser. The camper we are considering is a Cub, hard floor. This will lock up securely and should go anywhere. The alternatives we are considering are a car top tent and no trailer, or even sleeping in the car for warmth and towing a small trailer for camping equipment. Sleeping in the car would also feel more secure from humans.

We are planning to take the vehicle ferry from South Korea to Vladivostok. No we do not care to try to cross to North Korea! The route we have sketched out so far goes Vladivostok, Lake Baikal, Ulaan Bataar, across Mongolia, back into Russia briefly, Almaty, Biskek, Kyrgistan, Tajikistan and the Pamir highway, avoiding any areas of unrest at the time. Then we think Turkistan, maybe Uzbekistan, to Turkmanistan and across the ferry over the Caspian sea to Azerbaijan. Then Georgia, down into Turkey and into Europe.

Our departure date is May 2013. So we have time to plan adequately I hope. We may have another couple with us in a second car - if they don't get cold feet.

I'll keep you posted.
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Follow Up By: carlsp - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 14:12

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 14:12
Back again.

Read more follow up and certainly agree with the no trailer option. Just one more thing that can break down and get stolen.

Have you looked into getting a Russian version of a "Hiace" or "Sprinter". It will have local content and therefore spare parts. Mechanics that can fix it and it is after all made tough. Not necessarily the most comfortable vehicle but you can sleep inside and everything can be locked. It also does not scream "I am a tourist from another country Rob me".

Can you run through your timings for departure? Why May? Route? You mechanical expereince? Travel expereince?

Second hand cars are sold from Japan on the eastern coast of Russia and driven to Moscow and St Petersburg, then resold there. Why not look at doing something like this.
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Follow Up By: Berylvt - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 17:55

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 17:55
We have pencilled May because it's about the end of Winter, but we haven't done detailed research on that yet. I should have said "northern spring/ early summer" or something similar. I think the breaking of the season is fairly variable and in May last year the roads were still covered in snow. I think Chris D group left in May.

We are experienced travelers and campers but have limited mechanical knowledge. I am a doctor though and that might make up for some of it? :) My brother ( also a doctor) is considering coming and he is quite mechanical.

I have another brother in Japan and your comment gave us the idea of buying a vehicle second hand there and shipping it to Vladivostok..hmmmm.

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Reply By: Member - Alastair D (NSW) - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 12:45

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 12:45
Beryl,
My wife and I were the other half of Chris D's trip.

We had 2 vehicles and neither towed anything. Their vehicle was a cab chassis with a custom built metal compartment built on the back. It was well designed and insulated and they slept in the back.

We had a Troopy which I built up for the trip and we slept inside.

You would physically have no more trouble towing a good off road camper than you would have in Aus but it would be a security risk for your possessions rather than yourself. There are serious problems if you leave your vehicle unattended and this would be much worse with a trailer.

Shipping to Sth Korea adds a lot to the cost as they have quite restrictive import requirements and the car ferry to Vladivostok is also expensive. Shipping direct to Vladivostok is quite possible and is what I would do if I repeated the trip. Our time in Sth Korea was enjoyable but could have been done more cheaply.

I am happy to exchange more info if you wish as the detail may not interest others here. You can also contact Chris via ExplorOz or I can forward a message to him if you send me a contact.

cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Alastair D (NSW) - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 13:01

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 13:01
Have just seen your last follow up.

If I was going to take a camper I would definitely go for one that was all metal externally and fully lockable. It would remove a lot of the risk.

The majority of the people you will encounter are great but as in all places there is a bad element. Poverty and alcohol are major problems throughout the region and this leads to crime.

You need to be aware that there has been serious unrest and riots in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in recent times. Turkmenistan is apparently facinating but getting visas can be tricky. Do not underestimate the issue of getting the necessary visas it takes a lot of time and you need to get dates right. Most of them are specific to times and not all can be arranged well in advance. This is the area in which we can probably help most - solving the other problems is all part of the adventure. There are some simple dos and don'ts that will help you to avoid many issues.

Take a big supply of patience pills as you will have to wait in many queues, deal with many difficult officials, decode many forms, decide when to pay bribes to corrupt officials and police or not. However do not worry - if you remain calm and have the right attitude it is a great experience.

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Follow Up By: Berylvt - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 17:32

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 17:32
Alistair
Thanks for responding. I'm sure we will have lots to ask you. My email is berylvt@gmail.com

Another responder has suggested acquiring a Russion vehicle. Did you have an impression as to whether this could be possible in Vladivostok? What about second hand land cruisers? Could we have a camper built onto a tray back ute in Vladivostok? It seems to be a fairly large city.

The unrest in Kyrgistan and Tajikistan are very worrying but we will certainly watch between now and mid 2013. We really want to see the Pamir highway if possible.
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Reply By: bgreeni - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 17:44

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 17:44
A trip I would love to do. I would have one advantage, my wife is Russian.

Having been to far eastern Russia (Kamchatka) and seen the second hand Jap cars for sale I would be tempted to go to Vladivostok and buy a car there rather than all the expense of shipping from Oz.
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Follow Up By: Berylvt - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 18:01

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 18:01
Do you think we could have it fitted out there? Do you have a sense of the cost compared to in Australia?
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Follow Up By: bgreeni - Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 14:57

Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 14:57
I have not been to Vladivostok but it is sizeable city and I am sure there would be shops that could fit it out. Language might be a problem though many young Russians speak fair english. I spent a few days in Khabarovsk last year and it was just like any European city and believe Vladivostok is similar. There are large navy bases and fishing fleets there so plenty of trade shops to support. Also most Russians are used to improvising.
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Follow Up By: bgreeni - Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 14:59

Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 14:59
No real idea on cost, but would think considerably less than Oz. My wife recently had a quote to have dental work done in Perth - $10,000. Went to Moscow and it cost $3000.
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Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 17:49

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 17:49
Here is a link to a Canter that is heading to Europe.
They are currently in Bejing, about to cross into Mongolia.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome.
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Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 17:49

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 17:49
Here is the likk......
http://www.epicycles.com/
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Follow Up By: Berylvt - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 18:12

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 18:12
Thanks I will follow that one with interest.
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Follow Up By: Berylvt - Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 15:51

Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 15:51
What is the best way to use this forum- when I have another related question should I continue with this string or should I start a new topic? I assume that those who have already responded will be notified of new comments in this topic and so I can keep all of those people involved, rather than losing them with a new topic. Am I right?
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