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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Might be over the top, but maybe a controller panel for your fridge? If that goes (and they do sometimes) it might be tough getting hold of one, stateside. I suppose you could always ask your friend to buy one here and ship it out to you if it happens, but I carry a spare here!
 
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ManTheVan said:
Might be over the top, but maybe a controller panel for your fridge? If that goes (and they do sometimes) it might be tough getting hold of one, stateside. I suppose you could always ask your friend to buy one here and ship it out to you if it happens, but I carry a spare here!
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A thought but never mind state side have you tried getting any spare from Swift?
Visa took 6 months that is quicker than getting many things from Swift.
Personal rant, Swift have hughely over complicated their motorhomes with Swift Command, they are a disaster waiting to happen. I've already had a few guys/girls trawl through system with a view to replace with simple O/I panel.
 
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Jez1966 said:
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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Water pump.
Take a spare, please.
I'm on my third one in a German 2018 van and I have the fourth sitting in the tool box for when (not if) I need it.
My experience is they last a season, or two, not more.

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Jez1966 said:
Only cab AC so plan is to stay "north" until "south" liveable temperature.
Oh and avoid tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes and I'm sure there are others.
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Floods, snow, dust storms,
The USA does not do 'exceptional weather' (that happens every year) any better than the British do.

Be prepared to move to the next state at shot notice when predictable 'exceptional' weather happens
 
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Wheel bearings and belts will cross reference to US parts easily. There are only so many size wheel bearings and lengths of auxiliary belts in the world.
 
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Brains said:
No, the pump for the internal water supply
About £40-60 from the suppliers (Reitch being one)
Easy to fit
But a bugger to get hold of when you are out in the field
Click to expand...
Thank you , I'll try and source one.

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Sounds like you have a good plan...so good luck with it..look forward to updates..before during and after..
 
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Carpmart said:
Wheel bearings and belts will cross reference to US parts easily. There are only so many size wheel bearings and lengths of auxiliary belts in the world.
Click to expand...
Plan is by taking a near new van we'll not have such mechanical issues, if not I hope your right.
 
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Trust you have got max solar? And have you thought about an ecoflow power bank or similar unless they are chesper in the US.
 
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Jimbohorlicks said:
Trust you have got max solar? And have you thought about an ecoflow power bank or similar unless they are chesper in the US.
Click to expand...
We have adequate solar and as listed petrol generator, step-up transformer to hook up.
Lithium baterries are not permitted on ship.

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What is the situation with Import tax now Jez as I thought that the 'allowance' before payment was only six month in both the US and Canada? A full year in either will be excellent!
 
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ianp said:
What is the situation with Import tax now Jez as I thought that the 'allowance' before payment was only six month in both the US and Canada? A full year in either will be excellent!
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1 year temp import into US so no tax and we have EPA letter exemption letter for US nothing required for Canada.
There is a peculiarity that if you remain in a single Canadian province for more than a month, it is suggested that you register
your vehicle. It's not mandatory and Seabridge information says if asked to say passing through staying less than 30days.
 
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Jez1966 said:
1 year temp import into US so no tax and we have EPA letter exemption letter for US nothing required for Canada.
There is a peculiarity that if you remain in a single Canadian province for more than a month, it is suggested that you register
your vehicle. It's not mandatory and Seabridge information says if asked to say passing through staying less than 30days.
Click to expand...
is the EPA exemption based on the euro rating or is it just a general exemption for temp imports?
 
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ianp said:
is the EPA exemption based on the euro rating or is it just a general exemption for temp imports?
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General exemption for temp imports.
Knowing the US it does seems a little informal, you just send a letter to Imports@epa.govwrite asking for excemption letter.
Template attached, needs to be hand signed and scanned.
We then recieved back an excemption letter.
 

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Jez1966 said:
General exemption for temp imports.
Knowing the US it does seems a little informal, you just send a letter to Imports@epa.govwrite asking for excemption letter.
Template attached, needs be signed and scanned.
We then recieved back an excemption letter.
Click to expand...
Excellent and thanks for the info!
Incidently have you considered taking a gasket set for if or when the engine requires any invasive work?

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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...
What else would you take...well me..cus
I'm fluent in the language, fully jabbed, cheap to run..can manage roadside repairs, basic medical treatment, cook, fight ( bare Knuckle) including eye gouging, I can shoot a gun, run like the wind, internet operator ( Age 6 level) navigate, day and night, fight and start fires (Qualified) read, write and can use telephone including mobile....When are we setting off.?👍🤔🇪🇦
 
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ianp said:
Excellent and thanks for the info!
Incidently have you considered taking a gasket set for if or when the engine requires any invasive work?
Click to expand...
A thought but hoping as a 2021 with 7k engine will be ok. If older then would be an idea.
As a matter of interest the Ducato has a simfo so same as Iveco Daily which if Ford owned, though from research no diesel RAM vans sold or others that might have the same engine.
 
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jumar said:
What else would you take...well me..cus
I'm fluent in the language, fully jabbed, cheap to run..can manage roadside repairs, basic medical treatment, cook, fight ( bare Knuckle) including eye gouging, I can shoot a gun, run like the wind, internet operator ( Age 6 level) navigate, day and night, fight and start fires (Qualified) read, write and can use telephone including mobile....When are we setting off.?👍🤔🇪🇦
Click to expand...
B2 Visa?
Deal breaker is "run like the wind", faster than me and I need someone BEHIND me to distract the bears/gun totting yokels.
 
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Is it really cheaper and easier to do all that and to just rent a unit in the USA?. Especially if yours is a right-hand drive.
 
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Please post your trip on here so we can all watch your progress!
Sounds like a cambelt, water pump and filters set. Can’t see wheel bearings being an issue. Wouldn’t bother with a fresh water pump either, won’t be difficult to put a US spec pump in if UK one fails, you’ll need to find an engineering supplies place but there will be plenty to choose from. It’s not like you’re going to the Sahara, and presumably you’re in the US equivalent of the AA to get you transported to the nearest town/garage. Sounds like a GREAT trip, I’m only super envious!

Cheers!

Russ

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steve69 said:
Is it really cheaper and easier to do all that and to just rent a unit in the USA?. Especially if yours is a right-hand drive.
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Far cheaper than rental, best we found was £40k + necessary accesories. All in keyside Halifax less than £8k + our time
researching and planning.
Consumables such as fuel, propane etc the same for both.
Van is LHD, we bought 2nd hand @ 6 months old.
Personally I see it as a bonus as we plan to travel extensively so being RHD would be more an issue.
I have no problem driving LHD for the limited time we'll by in UK.
We did 2 research trips to Florida last year and spoke with several Swiss, Dutch & Italian motorhomers doing the same.
 
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RustyRuss said:
Please post your trip on here so we can all watch your progress!
Sounds like a cambelt, water pump and filters set. Can’t see wheel bearings being an issue. Wouldn’t bother with a fresh water pump either, won’t be difficult to put a US spec pump in if UK one fails, you’ll need to find an engineering supplies place but there will be plenty to choose from. It’s not like you’re going to the Sahara, and presumably you’re in the US equivalent of the AA to get you transported to the nearest town/garage. Sounds like a GREAT trip, I’m only super envious!

Cheers!

Russ
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Thank you, concern with fresh water pump is it working with Sargent panel so for £60 we try and pack one.
Morrocco & Sahara 2025, not told Angie yet though.
How do you know about Alcoholic Anonymous, it's meant to be a safe space!
Breakdown cover included in Progressive Residential RV policy
 
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Jez1966 said:
Far cheaper than rental, best we found was £40k + necessary accesories. All in keyside Halifax less than £8k + our time
researching and planning.
Consumables such as fuel, propane etc the same for both.
Van is LHD, we bought 2nd hand @ 6 months old.
Personally I see it as a bonus as we plan to travel extensively so being RHD would be more an issue.
I have no problem driving LHD for the limited time we'll by in UK.
We did 2 research trips to Florida last year and spoke with several Swiss, Dutch & Italian motorhomers doing the same.
Click to expand...
Some very good detail coming through here....Is the £8k inclusive of road insurance & breakdown etc etc....effectively the drive away cost in Halifax? Therefore at current costs the whole year would be £8k plus the repatriation cost back to the UK of approx £5k (if you don't go elsewhere!!) making a grand total of £13k for the round trip Southampton to Southampton.....sounds a bargain to me!
If you get 5mins could you start a page with a costs breakdown please even maybe making on going too! Please?
 
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ianp said:
Some very good detail coming through here....Is the £8k inclusive of road insurance & breakdown etc etc....effectively the drive away cost in Halifax? Therefore at current costs the whole year would be £8k plus the repatriation cost back to the UK of approx £5k (if you don't go elsewhere!!) making a grand total of £13k for the round trip Southampton to Southampton.....sounds a bargain to me!
If you get 5mins could you start a page with a costs breakdown please even maybe making on going too! Please?
Click to expand...
Liverpool - Halifax as booked attached (No C1 on A Frame) €5,250
Return quote €4,600 this will change as per SQM reviewed 1st Jan each years and fuel surcharge each qtr.
Progressive Residential RV auto insurance £1,700 including roadside assistance, medical, content and more.
Possible over planning as all the European motorhomers we met in US last year (7) were reliant on solar only,
we've installed generator and have transformer, surge protector and cable to use hookup. £1,500.
£75 each for B2 Visa, hoping to get 1 year stamp when we enter US otherwise after visa basic 6 months we'll
need to leave US for 24hrs and re-enter getting another 6 months.
We have worldwide medical already so I've not included that is total.
Other than finding auto insurance I'm suprised how easy this has been.
 

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My mother would have said “proper tea”

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philann said:
There is a 2023 model, albeit petrol!
www.ramtrucks.com

2024 Ram ProMaster® Cargo Van | Ram Van

Discover the 2024 Ram ProMaster® work van. Explore the available Super High Roof Van, cargo length options & more on this Ram van here today.
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Click to expand...

At those prices for the Ram Promaster van it would be tempting to import one and have it converted in the UK.
 
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