Morocco and Spain 2012
The test trip proved to be the best use of time and money so far...
After a disastrous two week test trip to Scotland in the spring of 2012 was called to a halt - after only three hours - with a wrecked gear box, we were starting to lose confidence in both the vehicles capability to complete longer trips, and our mechanical and off road skills.
We set about tackling them, first with a complete gearbox and transfer box rebuild from the brilliant AW Transmissions, and then a driver training course at Rockingham in August. It was here that Vince Cobley of Protrax advised that a short duration supported shake down trip would be the best thing we could do, to test us, the vehicle and our driving skills. We decided to join the Autumn Protrax / LROAC Morocco Trip. It was a great trip with a fantastic group of people. The group had a wealth of Land Rover experience and knowledge which all came in handy. The leaders Charles, Yvonne and Paul were fantastic at showing us the highlights of Morocco, and testing our driving skills on terrains we would never have tackled ourselves. They also provided the mechanical skills when our Scarlet 4x4 had had enough and needed a little roadside TLC. At one early stage, I felt obliged to go and apologise to Charles and Yvonne for our initial, daily breakdowns. Fortunately they had not cost the group much time. One thing we are is well prepared, with all the requisite spare parts, tools and manuals. All the gear - just no idea... |
Yvonne immediately put our minds completely at rest. They understood that this was a shakedown trip, and further encouraged us to fully load our fuel and water storage in extreme off road environments to make sure everything worked for us in a worst case scenario. It didn't - but that was the purpose of the trip!
Our deficiencies in storage and layout soon became apparent, but we only had to suffer them for two weeks. We came back with a list of over 300 ideas for vehicle improvements (that Toyota mindset again!)
After two weeks support and invaluable advice (and the opportunity to steal a few good ideas on vehicle design) we felt confident enough to continue to tour Morocco and the Spanish Picos ourselves for another couple of weeks - without mishap.
If you are planning a similar endeavour, we would strongly recommend that when you think you are ready, get out there and test yourself and your vehicle. You probably are not as ready as you hoped! Even if its a weekend camping in the UK, you at least have the opportunity to do something about any niggles, problems, missing or useless bits of kit before you leave these shores on a longer trip.
If you would benefit from a guided tour with (very) professional back up - Protrax come highly recommended.
Our deficiencies in storage and layout soon became apparent, but we only had to suffer them for two weeks. We came back with a list of over 300 ideas for vehicle improvements (that Toyota mindset again!)
After two weeks support and invaluable advice (and the opportunity to steal a few good ideas on vehicle design) we felt confident enough to continue to tour Morocco and the Spanish Picos ourselves for another couple of weeks - without mishap.
If you are planning a similar endeavour, we would strongly recommend that when you think you are ready, get out there and test yourself and your vehicle. You probably are not as ready as you hoped! Even if its a weekend camping in the UK, you at least have the opportunity to do something about any niggles, problems, missing or useless bits of kit before you leave these shores on a longer trip.
If you would benefit from a guided tour with (very) professional back up - Protrax come highly recommended.