High altitude driving advice?

[tacr2man]

Paul van Zyl another bit of info probably of relevance https://www.tuckstruck.net/truck-an...al-stuff/operating-cuthbert-at-high-altitude/

 

[Paul van Zyl]

Thank you so much! This is really the kind of assurance I needed!

 

[ChrisL]

You might need to keep an eye on coolant though - the pressure drop will affect boiling point in spite of the pressure cap.

It may be worth considering changing over to waterless coolant as it has a much higher boiling point then standard 50/50 antifreeze and water. If you are not familiar with it check out the link.



or the following for a more comprehensive article.

 

[Paul van Zyl]

Thanks a lot. This is interesting.

 

[Scotch mist]

I used to fly my light aircraft down to gap in France over the alps at altitudes up to 13,000 feet
The heart pumps a bit quicker but other than that I’ve always been fine

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[GWAYGWAY]

If you are really serious about this you need to look in the aero medical sites. If you have any cardiac problems at all it will affect you badly at high altitude. At any height over 12000 ft you would need supplemental oxygen and a nasal canular set . Any vehicle used at high altitude has different turbo and UK ones probably will not manage very well.
Only thing I ask is why? The experience probably not worth the trouble, just make you feel bad.

 

[Paul van Zyl]

Dear All, thanks again for the replies. The reason why is that the wife has a thing about volcanoes - I sometimes believe she's related to one! Since Ojos del Salado is the highest (almost 7,000m) of them all, she wants to go there. There is a small lake at the lower base camp at around 4,500m and that is where she wants to go. Right next to the mountain is a pass over the mountain to Argentina. From there we want to go to Neuquen to look for dinosaur bones. However, maybe in the end, "because it it there" may be the best answer I have.
Motorhoming in South America is still in its infancy with 1000s of places where wild camping is possible but very few places with electricity and water hook ups. Our roads are often dirt with potholes inside bigger potholes. It is very different from driving in Europe. In the north there are places where rainfall has never been recorded and just 100km south from where we live in Pumalin park they get 6,000mm rainfall per year.
I suppose if the experience must be worth the effort I may prefer to stay at home. I came to South America to explore. That may sometimes be uncomfortable, but the wife and I are a team and both have this unexplainable itch to see what is over the horizon. Next year we plan a 3 month trip to Ushuaia in the south of Tierra del Feugo. (Around September if anyone wants to come...)

Hasta luego!

 

[ChrisL]

Have a great and safe trip when you go, and please keep us updated on your adventures, as even if we can't get over there, I'm sure most of us will be with you in spirit

 

[tacr2man]

Do you think the Boxer is adequate for the terrain once you leave Ruta 31 towards O d S ? or is it a awd version ?

 

[Paul van Zyl]

This is not a 4wd Boxer. I'll not go beyond where I'm comfortable but the base camp looks quite doable. My main concern will be punctures. I have been driving up and down Chile and Argentina for several years now and so far I have not had a puncture. I drive very slowly. I believe that's the secret.

Looks so easy... Well, 30 or 40 years ago maybe...

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[ShaKen]

I drove up to 4,200m visiting an observatory in a modern American petrol car.

The car was powerful enough at sea level, but was seriously underpowered above 2,800m.

Almost had to get out to push it at one stage!

I suppose it all comes down to gradient; if it’s a slow gentle climb you might get away with it.

 

[Paul van Zyl]

ShaKen, my car is turbo-charged, so it will be a little better, I think. Thanks for the story!

 

[DBK]

This is not a 4wd Boxer. I'll not go beyond where I'm comfortable but the base camp looks quite doable. My main concern will be punctures. I have been driving up and down Chile and Argentina for several years now and so far I have not had a puncture. I drive very slowly. I believe that's the secret.

Looks so easy... Well, 30 or 40 years ago maybe...

Best wishes, what a great area to explore. Please let us know how you get on. Its very easy to post pictures on here and I for one would love to see where you're going. I've only done a couple of active volcanoes, Tiède on Tenerife and Etna on Sicily. There's lots more in South America.