What would you take....?

[Jez1966]

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....?

 

[Jez1966]

My mother would have said “proper tea”

Angie is a Yorkshire lass so we'll take some in luggage when we fly out but no "food" permitted in van.
As a thought we have ordered US connector cables via Amazon.com for delivery to UK and we could do the same from Amazon.co.uk to Hub Locker in US.

 

[Jez1966]

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

Shipping + Taxes and they are petrol makes them less attractive.
In 2015 I visited a Porsche dealer in Rochester with a colleague from Stuttgart.
Bottomline a new "911" was 30% cheaper in Rochester than in Stuttgart but it was not possible to import the car
back to the country it was made in.

 

[pampam]

What a marvellous trip
Can i ask
How old you both are are you taking any kids ?
Keep us informed on here
Oh yes &
Take me with you Lol

 

[Jez1966]

What a marvellous trip
Can i ask
How old you both are are you taking any kids ?
Keep us informed on here
Oh yes &
Take me with you Lol

Yes you can.
57 & 60 by blind luck, Kodak, we've been able to retire "early". Plan is to travel furthest and as things "fall off" stay nearer.
NO, we'll let her visit though. At Uni we need to be back for graduation July 2024. That said of the 7 European motorhomers we've spoken to in the US 3 were travelling with preschool children, the others were retired couples.
Thinking of options but don't want "social media" to be time consuming.
Flights to Halifax carry on only, everything else in van, so if you can fit in carry one bag with the many others with the same request, let's go.

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[garry55]

My BREWDOG beer visa so I could tick off the 7 outlets that I know of in the USA!

Have a great road trip!

 

[Tombola]

Angie is a Yorkshire lass so we'll take some in luggage when we fly out but no "food" permitted in van.
As a thought we have ordered US connector cables via Amazon.com for delivery to UK and we could do the same from Amazon.co.uk to Hub Locker in US.

This is what I do all the time...com here..am here in the USA now and the things I've had shipped
Got me out of a few holes..

I've been following curt and snow on YouTube they set off about 2 or sonyears ago from the USA with plans to do the world but snow has had some problems in Mexico which out the blockers in somewhat. You may wanna check put the early vids they made regards van and equipment.

 

[Reallyretired]

Thank you , I'll try and source one.

Amazon has most of them for next day delivery. I got my spare Reich one from them £51

Also if you want one ecoflow etc a bit cheaper in the USA but funny sockets and presumably 110v

 

[Brains]

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

I carry a spare internal water pump even in the UK!
I'm on my 3rd in a 2018 van

It would appear they have a 'life' of about 18 months.
Whilst they are available on line, there is a delivery time measured in weeks which can seriously mess up your holiday if you need to rely on bottled water for the loo, sink and 'shower' for a couple of weeks.
(I speak from experience)

 

[andykim]

Sounds like an amazing trip ahead, we have travelled extensively in the USA albeit in hired cars and thought about renting a motorhome to travel Canada but the hire prices were extremely high and thought it would be cheaper to ship our own over. We usually pick up car at the airport and just go where we want and stay in hotels and motels which even the budget motels like super8 and motel6 being about $100 a night last year, so taking your own accommodation would work out cheaper in the long run. Have a fantastic time.

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[the1andonly]

On the van side of spares ive not seen refference to OBD2 readers as much as id recommend multiecuscan if you are taking a Windows laptoptop, if not Alfaobd and Android tablet plus dongle. There wont be any ducato diagnostic support out there. 3 items of spares (small) Differential dpf sensor, MAP sensor, Turbo solonoid valve. £100 of real agro saved.

 

[Adeydub]

A years supply of good teabags?

 

[Thornebt]

On the van side of spares ive not seen refference to OBD2 readers as much as id recommend multiecuscan if you are taking a Windows laptoptop, if not Alfaobd and Android tablet plus dongle. There wont be any ducato diagnostic support out there. 3 items of spares (small) Differential dpf sensor, MAP sensor, Turbo solonoid valve. £100 of real agro saved.

Definitely take the OBD2 fault code reader. It's on my checklist. You don't want to be stuck in limp mode as you can't erase the fault code.

 

[cyberyacht]

A credit card with plenty of capacity.

 

[saurat]

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....?

Hi,
We're booked with Seabridge
to Baltimore this year....ant chance we can PM you ??

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[j Beardsmore]

Hi,
We're booked with Seabridge
to Baltimore this year....ant chance we can PM you ??

Our van is on next weeks sailing from Liverpool to Baltimore - returning from Halifax in September. Biggest pains for us were US visa - applied beginning on January and its only after we paid the non refundable fee they tell you no appointments untill late April and we are leaving at Easter. Then they told us only 2 weeks ago that from 15th March they wont take the electric bike batteries or motorhomes with Lithium. Luckily we dont have Lithium but the bike batteries have been very stressfull. We finally have someone who will ship them for £300 - about £600 new each . Other option we considered was to buy new and then hope to sell on to a bike hire place in Halifax. So we need to be in canada by early July and not return to US . You cant reset the visa waiver by going to Canada or Mexico

 

[Jez1966]

Yep we had a 6 month wait for B2 Visa interview.
Not saying there is anything they can/will do but drop into a US immigration office when you get there and see what they
can do.
Could you buy a model that is sold in the UK or one that uses the same battery and replace battery on return?
You have the Canadian Insurance "Tag". We've use Progressive and we could print everything st home but "tag"
has to be issued by insurer, our freind has sent it UPS from her address we used for insurance so no idea why it
is so special.

 

[j Beardsmore]

Yep we had a 6 month wait for B2 Visa interview.
Not saying there is anything they can/will do but drop into a US immigration office when you get there and see what they
can do.
Could you buy a model that is sold in the UK or one that uses the same battery and replace battery on return?
You have the Canadian Insurance "Tag". We've use Progressive and we could print everything st home but "tag"
has to be issued by insurer, our freind has sent it UPS from her address we used for insurance so no idea why it
is so special.

We have progressive insurance and the tag has been sent to a friend we will be staying with before Canada. We got a Harvest hosts subscription which seemed worth while . Have read that DVLA says you cant sorn if vehicle is out of the country ???

 

[Jez1966]

We have progressive insurance and the tag has been sent to a friend we will be staying with before Canada. We got a Harvest hosts subscription which seemed worth while . Have read that DVLA says you cant sorn if vehicle is out of the country ???

Yep can't SORN, has to be MOT'd, Taxed and Insured in UK for the duration as well.

I looked at Harvets Host but could not find info regarding if there were charges. Are most free for a night or 2?
Some free or Pro chargeable upgrade, I've also looked at:
Campendium
Road Pass
FreeRoam
Campspot

Also if not something thought of our garage is full of "stuff", so we've rented 2 garages from local council to
store our cars.
Conveniently there's an MOT/Service garage 20m from them to recomission cars upon return.
Remember leave minimal fuel in them so you can full with fresh fuel upon return.

 

[steve69]

A US English to UK English phrasebook.

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[j Beardsmore]

Yep can't SORN, has to be MOT'd, Taxed and Insured in UK for the duration as well.

I looked at Harvets Host but could not find info regarding if there were charges. Are most free for a night or 2?
Some free or Pro chargeable upgrade, I've also looked at:
Campendium
Road Pass
FreeRoam
Campspot

Also if not something thought of our garage is full of "stuff", so we've rented 2 garages from local council to
store our cars.
Conveniently there's an MOT/Service garage 20m from them to recomission cars upon return.
Remember leave minimal fuel in them so you can full with fresh fuel upon return.

d about the tax and insurance- what coudl you claim on it ? I can see it for europe .
I will check harvest hosts but thought they were free.
We plan to get 3 cars into our garage, 2 are usually in there so there is a load of junk to move to get the last one in, we have planned to re mot any that run out when we are away before we go. Not thought about the petrol though . Will sorn 2 and leave the cheap tax one in case the family need it .

We also had i overlander
When do you plan to leave?

 

[Jez1966]

An idea but more importantly, US fuel pumps are not universal colours/colors in service station brands.
Green Diesel
Blue Petrol/Gas NO Ethanol
Black Petrol/Gas 10% Ethanol

Also be careful in garages requiring prepay at Kiosk, we had a couple last year that did not refund difference, by which time your down the road, under estimate and then go in for more if needed.
Spent nearly 2 months all over Florida last year an the vast majority you can pay at pump BUT a minority require ZIP Code and a random one does not match the card will require payment in advance at Kiosk.

 

[Jez1966]

d about the tax and insurance- what coudl you claim on it ? I can see it for europe .
I will check harvest hosts but thought they were free.
We plan to get 3 cars into our garage, 2 are usually in there so there is a load of junk to move to get the last one in, we have planned to re mot any that run out when we are away before we go. Not thought about the petrol though . Will sorn 2 and leave the cheap tax one in case the family need it .

We also had i overlander
When do you plan to leave?

If you don't have UK insurance & tax then you must SORN vehicle but your not permited to SORN so catch 22.
You have to have MOT, UK insurance & tax but the mean nothing when in US.
Garage envy, not an option for our 1 car garage, will SORN both cars.

Van booked on crossing Liverpool - Halifax 16th April - 27th April.
We fly out 1st May just in case there are shipping delays.

 

[j Beardsmore]

If you don't have UK insurance & tax then you must SORN vehicle but your not permited to SORN so catch 22.
You have to have MOT, UK insurance & tax but the mean nothing when in US.
Garage envy, not an option for our 1 car garage, will SORN both cars.

Van booked on crossing Liverpool - Halifax 16th April - 27th April.
We fly out 1st May just in case there are shipping delays.

Van booked to leave 21st March to Baltimore, taking it on Friday and we fly around Easter weekend, trying to move flights back as van will be there before us .
They said it might be too tight if it went on the next weeks sailing. The car wash they recommend is closed but thye have another Depot on Sefton St

 

[Jez1966]

Van booked to leave 21st March to Baltimore, taking it on Friday and we fly around Easter weekend, trying to move flights back as van will be there before us .
They said it might be too tight if it went on the next weeks sailing. The car wash they recommend is closed but thye have another Depot on Sefton St

21st 9-10 Days to Baltimore? + 2 Days for "customs" etc + 7 days free storage Easter weekend seems OK.
Or does crossing to Baltimore take longer.
We chose Halifax as is stop, minimise delays.

Have you looked into Cellphone/Mobile while your there?

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[Jez1966]

Hi,
We're booked with Seabridge
to Baltimore this year....ant chance we can PM you ??

Have you looked into Cellphone/Mobile while your there?
From speaking with a couple of Swiss couple travelling there is a French Network that gives 20GB in USA for €15 per mont.
Red by SFR
https://www.red-by-sfr.fr/?gclid=CjwKCAjw9suYBhBIEiwA7iMhNHZJEAfvqXjFXLwF4KcbGOjnRW6wr8zNbWmBOFWVE9sXq5y3n2J6YxoCUvcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Seems it requires a French address/Crdit Card so no use for us it seems.
Or have you chosen a US Network?

 

[Tombola]

Spent nearly 2 months all over Florida last year an the vast majority you can pay at pump BUT a minority require ZIP Code and a random one does not match the card will require payment in advance at Kiosk.

most moderen pumps now in Florida accept tap and go with UK cards at the pump, and also chip and pin for the rare time you need to insert. circle K, Race Track, and Citigo, &exxon seemed to be fine. Tap the card, lift the pump, choose the flavour.

the zip code thing used to be a pain, but much easier now.

 

[Jez1966]

most moderen pumps now in Florida accept tap and go with UK cards at the pump, and also chip and pin for the rare time you need to insert. circle K, Race Track, and Citigo, &exxon seemed to be fine. Tap the card, lift the pump, choose the flavour.

the zip code thing used to be a pain, but much easier now.

Came across no contactless March or August 2022 (Petrol or Shop) but yes the vast majority (Petrol or Shop) are chip & pin.

 

[Tombola]

Have you looked into Cellphone/Mobile while your there?
From speaking with a couple of Swiss couple travelling there is a French Network that gives 20GB in USA for €15 per mont.
Red by SFR
https://www.red-by-sfr.fr/?gclid=CjwKCAjw9suYBhBIEiwA7iMhNHZJEAfvqXjFXLwF4KcbGOjnRW6wr8zNbWmBOFWVE9sXq5y3n2J6YxoCUvcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Seems it requires a French address/Crdit Card so no use for us it seems.
Or have you chosen a US Network?

google fi is quite good, maybe register here before you go, or get a US sim posted to where you are for a few days,
mint mobile do an "e sim" or a regular sim, 12 months unlimited data $360, but can get quite expensive pre paid, , Wi fi is abundant as you probaby know, but T Moblie also do a pre paid decent unlimited data mobile sim

 

[Tombola]

Came across no contactless March or August 2022 (Petrol or Shop) but yes the vast majority (Petrol or Shop) are chip & pin.

use it where you can...helps avoid the skimming.

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[Jez1966]

google fi is quite good, maybe register here before you go, or get a US sim posted to where you are for a few days,
mint mobile do an "e sim" or a regular sim, 12 months unlimited data $360, but can get quite expensive pre paid, , Wi fi is abundant as you probaby know, but T Moblie also do a pre paid decent unlimited data mobile sim

Thanks, not heard of Google Fi, it's on T-Mobile and they do e-Sim, I'll have a look.
Mint e-sim is option, "upgraded" to S21 Ultra so have e-sim option. Mint is Ryan Reynolds company?

Most have limited or Zero tethering, most things we can do on the phone but prefer using the apps like Campendium on
chromebook. We may have to just live with what we can get
Target & Walmart have pretty good mobile depts for major networks.