What would you take....?

J

Jez1966

Joined
Jul 29, 2022
Posts
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Location
Watford, Hertfordshire, UK
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90,232
MH
Swift Kon-Tiki 599 S
Exp
Since 2021
We're planning a 1 year US road trip with our 2021 Ducato based Kon-Tiki.
I think we've covered the bases but as a catch all, WHAT WOULD YOU TAKE/THINK YOU'LL NEED.
The Ducato is not a model sold in the US. RAM sold petrol variant Rxxx until 2015.
Estimate 35,000 Miles
We're looking for items to cover Motorhome and Ducato mechanical stuff, we're good for underwear, no "food" products permitted, etc.

Not wanting to stifle creativity but I'll clear some of the basics.
Shipping - Sorted
Visa - Sorted
EPA Letter - Sorted
US/Canda Motorhome insurance - Sorted - Progressive RV Residential cover
International Driving Permit - Obtained
Diesel & AdBlue - readily available
Propane - readily available: Adaptors to GasLow
Generator/Step up transformer/surge protecter - Bought

What would you take....?
 
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I would love to know what the cost and time frames were for shipping, my wife won't fly and we would love to visit Canada.
As for spares.

Water pump
Wheel bearings definitely and pulley belts springs to mind

Good luck sounds amazing .
 
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haganap said:
I would love to know what the cost and time frames were for shipping, my wife won't fly and we would love to visit Canada.
As for spares.

Water pump
Wheel bearings definitely and pulley belts springs to mind

Good luck sounds amazing .
Click to expand...
Thank you, very good suggestion, I've edited post to included our's is a 2021 Kon-Tiki, we believe/hope those parts will be OK.
We do have a "helpline" of friend to order in UK and ship if needed.
 
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as said Wheel bearings along with front & rear brake pads having ensured you had plenty of disc left before leaving.
I would assume you would ensure cam belt was good for the period ?
 
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gus-lopez said:
as said Wheel bearings along with front & rear brake pads having ensured you had plenty of disc left before leaving.
I would assume you would ensure cam belt was good for the period ?
Click to expand...
Thank you only 7 on clock so far.

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I would take a full set of filters and belts. If yours has the plastic fuel filter housing take a complete spare. In the back, a spare water pump and a tap cartridge. Mini blade fuses may also be hard to find as well
 
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haganap said:
I would love to know what the cost and time frames were for shipping, my wife won't fly and we would love to visit Canada.
As for spares.

Water pump
Wheel bearings definitely and pulley belts springs to mind

Good luck sounds amazing .
Click to expand...
Using Seabridge: Current cost per SQM 64 Euro per sqm + Fuel surcharge 1,800 now + Port charges so 5,400 Euro total for 8.1m Kontiki.
Spotted and spoke with several European motorhome travellers when I went to Florida all shipped with Seabridge and use Progressive for insurance.
7 days liverpool - Halifax and you can go on the ship approx 1,000 per person but it is a working ship not a cruise and flighing is cheaper. My brothers patner gets sedatives on prescription for flying, they are in Scotland.
 
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haganap said:
I would love to know what the cost and time frames were for shipping, my wife won't fly and we would love to visit Canada.
As for spares.

Water pump
Wheel bearings definitely and pulley belts springs to mind

Good luck sounds amazing .
Click to expand...
Tread the globe on YouTube shipped their PVC over to the US. They did a video detailing costs, from memory I think it was the thick end of 10k including everything, of which there were quite a number of extras.
I think they're now shipping it from California to Japan :oops:
I must admit to not following them closely now, they seemed to cross the states at breakneck speed which I found a shame.
 
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TheBig1 said:
I would take a full set of filters and belts. If yours has the plastic fuel filter housing take a complete spare. In the back, a spare water pump and a tap cartridge. Mini blade fuses may also be hard to find as well
Click to expand...
Air filter added to list, checking fuel filter when serviced in a week or so, looks universal.
Tap Cartridge - do you mean from "faucet" to van tank? We don't have one in the van.
We have multipack of blade fuse amp/physical, size.

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Figaro said:
Tread the globe on YouTube shipped their PVC over to the US. They did a video detailing costs, from memory I think it was the thick end of 10k including everything, of which there were quite a number of extras.
I think they're now shipping it from California to Japan :oops:
I must admit to not following them closely now, they seemed to cross the states at breakneck speed which I found a shame.
Click to expand...
As of today shipping a little under 6,000 Euro (£5,300) Liverpool - Halifax all in.
 
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Figaro said:
Tread the globe on YouTube shipped their PVC over to the US. They did a video detailing costs, from memory I think it was the thick end of 10k including everything, of which there were quite a number of extras.
I think they're now shipping it from California to Japan :oops:
I must admit to not following them closely now, they seemed to cross the states at breakneck speed which I found a shame
Click to expand...

gus-lopez said:
as said Wheel bearings along with front & rear brake pads having ensured you had plenty of disc left before leaving.
I would assume you would ensure cam belt was good for the period ?
Click to expand...
Thank you, 2021 van 7k on clock so yes hoping belt is good for 1 year/35k.
 
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We got to a campsite in the Uk on a bank holiday the day before getting on the ferry to Holland and discovered by shere luck that the number plate was about to fall off. Halfords was still open so we rushed there and got the special sticky tape for them. Nevr would have thought to have some in our spares box! For you maybe invest in an extra numberplate?

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Have you got air con on the Kon Tiki, for when down south, if so you may want to think of essential spares for that.
 
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Jez1966 said:
Tap Cartridge - do you mean from "faucet" to van tank? We don't have one in the van
Click to expand...
the tap cartridge is the inner guts of the tap at the sink, the basin and some shower taps. It's not big or heavy but they do fail and may be hard to get a metric size one in America
 
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Figaro said:
Does that include any taxes and insurance ?
Click to expand...
At time of typing 5,200 Euro includes Shipping, port charges & Maritime (Shipping per SQM charge & fuel surcharge 99% of total)
Attached booking quote.
Fuel Surgarched reviewed quarterly so my go up/down by the time we ship in April.
Per Sqm 10 Euro more now than quote in Oct 2022 - Reviewed annually.
 

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TheBig1 said:
the tap cartridge is the inner guts of the tap at the sink, the basin and some shower taps. It's not big or heavy but they do fail and may be hard to get a metric size one in America
Click to expand...
Thank you, I'll take a look and as my Swift tech..

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philann said:
There is a 2023 model, albeit petrol!
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Click to expand...
Good catch, I missed that. Looking, possible the brakes/suspension but they've got different headlight units to 2023 European, WHY would you!!!
FYI I have bought lefthand drive headlight units.
 
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Why
Jez1966 said:
We're planning a 1 year US road trip with our 2021 Ducato based Kon-Tiki.
I think we've covered the bases but as a catch all, WHAT WOULD YOU TAKE/THINK YOU'LL NEED.
The Ducato is not a model sold in the US. RAM sold petrol variant Rxxx until 2015.
Estimate 35,000 Miles
We're looking for items to cover Motorhome and Ducato mechanical stuff, we're good for underwear, no "food" products permitted, etc.

Not wanting to stifle creativity but I'll clear some of the basics.
Shipping - Sorted
Visa - Sorted
EPA Letter - Sorted
US/Canda Motorhome insurance - Sorted - Progressive RV Residential cover
International Driving Permit - Obtained
Diesel & AdBlue - readily available
Propane - readily available: Adaptors to GasLow
Generator/Step up transformer/surge protecter - Bought

What would you take....?
Click to expand...
Would it not be easier arrange a year lease on a US model? Should anything go wrong the add-on costs to get a specific part, or body panel if you have a bump could be massive. It sounds like a great trip though. Good luck and safe travels.
 
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Tombola said:
Have you got air con on the Kon Tiki, for when down south, if so you may want to think of essential spares for that.
Click to expand...
Only cab AC so plan is to stay "north" until "south" liveable temperature.
Oh and avoid tornadoes, hurrecanes, wild fires, earth quakes and I'm sure there are others.
 
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BnBJwf said:
Why

Would it not be easier arrange a year lease on a US model? Should anything go wrong the add-on costs to get a specific part, or body panel if you have a bump could be massive. It sounds like a great trip though. Good luck and safe travels.
Click to expand...
Got quotes and it averaged out at £4000 per month, we originally looked at buying a US RV, Merc based, slideouts the same price as we paid for KonTiki and planning to import back to UK. BUT US rv's have a black tank that is drained via a hose (the sinky linky) not something use in Europe. £5000 to convert to Cinderella or other black waste system & £3000 for electrical.
FYI I forgot to mention our KonTiki is Left Hand Drive, bought 2nd hand so not our spec.
 
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Before you go, all weather tyres, or snow chains. You may encounter some altitude where snow is still lying.
Mike.

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I'd take spare everything to do with the 240v EHU. Fuses, plugs, cables etc.

As the USA is 110v I'd imagine anything 240v would be special import only

Will your leisure battery charge at 110v ? Maybe buy a battery charger once there, but you'll need to change the plug to three pin.

I'd guess your TV will not work at 110v, but make sure it does not go bang !
Same applies to AirCon and Fridge

I'd also take some hozelock connectors, I cant remember if hozelock is standard in the USA, but campgrounds expect you to pipe in mains water with a half inch screw fitting into your RV.

Also get a few meters of corrugated waste pipe (like a vacuum cleaner hose) to stick onto the end of your gray water pipe.
Many campground pitches have a single drain for gray and black waste, there is not normally a central liquid waste dump area and RV's don't normally have cassettes
 
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Brains said:
I'd take spare everything to do with the 240v EHU. Fuses, plugs, cables etc.

As the USA is 110v I'd imagine anything 240v would be special import only

Will your leisure battery charge at 110v ? Maybe buy a battery charger once there, but you'll need to change the plug to three pin.

I'd guess your TV will not work at 110v, but make sure it does not go bang !
Same applies to AirCon and Fridge

I'd also take some hozelock connectors, I cant remember if hozelock is standard in the USA, but campgrounds expect you to pipe in mains water with a half inch screw fitting into your RV.

Also get a few meters of corrugated waste pipe (like a vacuum cleaner hose) to stick onto the end of your gray water pipe.
Many campground pitches have a single drain for gray and black waste, there is not normally a central liquid waste dump area and RV's don't normally have cassettes
Click to expand...
Thank you, van/charging will only be 240v/solar so we have petrol generator, step-up transformer.
No TV, we removed both from van as we look out the windows or use PC to watch stuff.
Hoselock different thread to US so 1st stop Home Depot or similar for hose connectors.
A very good idea we have Colapz hoses, we'll be sure to pack them
 
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