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qtla9111's avatar
qtla9111
Nomad
Sep 20, 2015

Rving Chile - Rv Rentals

It's time to start branching out on our boondocking adventures and South America has been on the radar for the past three years. We have a TT so we won't be dragging it down to Panama and paying for two containers. I have been keeping my eye out for a ten-year old Class B that I can import into Mexico for future trips.

I know Chile from work trips and have had time on those trips to take to the highways for some side trips from Santiago. I think it is best for us to get our feet wet by renting an rv and I have found several rental companies.

I would like some feed back from those "that have rved" in Chile and maybe just maybe have rented an rv there. I have found Chileans to be friendly, helpful, and their highways are great along with rest stops.

Thanks in advance.

(I know they just suffered from an earthquake and tsunami)

5 Replies

  • navegator's avatar
    navegator
    Explorer
    Sep 22, 2015
    Mr: qtla9111, I would suggest a "C" class in the 22 to 28 foot size, some of the units made on the Sprinter chassis are to low to the ground for travelling in unimproved roads should you want to get of the beaten path.

    The other point to consider is the availability of parts should anything brake, that is provided that you carry some hard to find items, fuel pump, water pump, a couple of injectors, couple fuel and air filters, belt(s) and then you have the fuel availability, Diesel is some times easier to obtain, regardless of the fuel choice consider installing a Racor water separator and a filter that can be cleaned on the road.

    My first choice of vehicle would be a Ford, then Chevrolet, Ford parts and service is easier to find in Latin America.

    navegator
  • qtla9111's avatar
    qtla9111
    Nomad
    Sep 21, 2015
    I found a great site via YouTube and the couple traveled in an Element as a camper and shared a 40ft container with another car. It was cheap. I can't find it right now and I am boarding a flight to Zacatecas. I will update this later because the price was truly amazing.

    The best for us would be a class B when we decide to go from Mexico.
  • tony_lee's avatar
    tony_lee
    Explorer
    Sep 21, 2015
    Two main choices to get across the gap - in a container, or by RoRo. The ferry lasted only a couple of months last year and will not be back this year and maybe never.
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Sep 21, 2015
    Chris,

    Sounds like a very interesting trip. We have contemplated a driving trip to SA as well. Still a couple of years off-- elderly parents.

    Agree a trailer would not be ideal, both from container size as well as suspension issues on miles of less than ideal road surfaces.

    Diesel has been recommended as the preferred fuel-- cab over,Class C or I guess a very short A. Have to be able to run on the "regular"/high sulfur diesel, no nothing in the U.S. of recent vintage.

    If you get specifics on exactly the max dimensions/ size-price breaks for the Panama to Colombia ferry, would appreciate it-- have received conflicting information.

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