Mexico/Central and South America - Truck Camper is best!

[Sothamericatrav]

I have recently finished one of a number of expeditions via the Pan American Highway. I again landed at the tip of South America, which is Ushuaia, Argentina. I have also traveled to Alaska which is 18,800 kms to the north, according to the sign posted here AT THE END OF THE ROAD or as they say here FIN DEL MUNDO / END OF THE WORLD.

I have traveled with many different type of RVs, from class A to the basic converted van, and I would advise anyone planning on doing this trip , to use a Truck Camper,,,it is the best fitted to do this journey.

Also be sure to combine this with a DIESEL pickup. We paid as low as $1.01 per gallon a few months ago on this trip,

I am writing a blog...be patient ..will print it soon... happy camping

[DiploStrat]

Tanx! Will be seeing them at OEXPO West.

[Sothamericatrav]

Check with the engineers at EARTH ROAMER, I have a friend that had a cousin with a diesel that was done by someone there.

[DiploStrat]

Mostly idle speculation; I lived in South America for some fifteen years and am not in a great hurry to return but was considering a raid to Panamá, where my daughter was born.

Should be fairly linear process:

-- Get EPA approval
-- Remove DPF and disable EGR.
-- Test
-- Depart US, make trip.
-- Return, reinstall.

The trick is that at least one of the companies selling DPF removal programmers that specifically mention high sulphur fuel calibration have stopped selling. This makes it much harder.

Similarly, I don't know if the EPA will, in fact, grant an exemption for a diesel engine. They should, but you won't know until you try.

So I was hoping that you were in contact with someone who had actually done a DPF/EGR delete on a modern diesel.

As my first destination will be Europe, most of this is moot for me.

[Sothamericatrav]

I have traveled with fellow travelers who have done Central and South America for over a six-month time span and not encountered everlasting problems. This is the only gauge I can relay to you.

If I was making a final advisory, first I would suggest a pre-2010 vehicle (or better yet a Ford 7.3), and not have any of the hassle. Second, If you do take a later model, do the "adjustment".

Please let me know when and where you will be traveling to... thanks

[DiploStrat]

Sothamericatraveler wrote:
I am only referring to overland departure, where there is NO inspection, even if you are exporting you do not require EPA......

The "trick" as explained to me by the diesel installers is to "FOOL" the computer into believing that the system is in tact!

Of course, but the issue is that low sulphur diesel gets harder to find in Central and South America and no manufacturer will provide any information on what happens to a modern diesel when run on high sulphur fuel for an extended period of time.

The only reliable information that I can find is that you need to remove the particulate filter and reprogram ("fool") the engine to shut down the EGR. Many reprogrammer manufacturers will not sell you their reprogrammer with the high sulphur fuel settings without permission from the EPA.

Hence my hope that you had information on what was actually done.

[Sothamericatrav]

I am only referring to overland departure, where there is NO inspection, even if you are exporting you do not require EPA......

The "trick" as explained to me by the diesel installers is to "FOOL" the computer into believing that the system is in tact!

[DiploStrat]

Sothamericatraveler wrote:
you need nothing BEFORE leaving USA, but if there is suspicion upon RE ENTRY, you may have your vehicle checked and the specs. will have to conform to the regulations. The EPA does not give permission to alter the original spec. The only vehicles authorized different are direct from the manufacturer and labeled 'FOR EXPORT ONLY"...These cannot be registered in the USA.

By the way, when and where do you intend to travel, and what vehicle are you talking about?

Actually, that is not quite correct. You need EPA permission to disable the emission controls (if necessary) if you want to have the work done in the US. (Done this before for a gasoline engine.) EPA Link

Have not done this for:
-- Diesel engine, or,
-- Overland departure.

The permission is pretty straight forward if you have a booking on a ship. But I am looking for the experiences of anyone who may have done this for a diesel engine and for overland departure, as, for example, across the Mexican border. Also interested to know if the EPA has ever addressed the issue of low sulphur vehicles. The rules are quite clear for gasoline engined vehicles going to countries where unleaded gasoline is not available, but I am interested to know if anyone has ever applied for permission to disable the emission controls on a diesel engine.

You are correct, of course, that you do not need EPA permission if you plan to have all of the work done outside of the US. In my case, however, the various manufacturers of diesel reprogrammers refuse to sell in the US without EPA permission. Similarly, many garages/exhaust shops will refuse to remove the DPF and other devices without EPA permission.

Of course, you will need to reinstall all emission controls upon return to the US.

[Sothamericatrav]

you need nothing BEFORE leaving USA, but if there is suspicion upon RE ENTRY, you may have your vehicle checked and the specs. will have to conform to the regulations. The EPA does not give permission to alter the original spec. The only vehicles authorized different are direct from the manufacturer and labeled 'FOR EXPORT ONLY"...These cannot be registered in the USA.

By the way, when and where do you intend to travel, and what vehicle are you talking about?

[DiploStrat]

Sothamericatraveler wrote:
It was EXPENSIVE.... THERE are no EPA requirements overseas, however re-modifications must be done upon return. I will try to find the source of the conversion if you wish to have one done.

Would love to read it. No, EPA regulations do not apply outside of the US, but you need EPA permission to have the modifications done in the US before export.

Thank you very much.

[Sothamericatrav]

It was EXPENSIVE.... THERE are no EPA requirements overseas, however re-modifications must be done upon return. I will try to find the source of the conversion if you wish to have one done.

[DiploStrat]

Sothamericatraveler wrote:
The diesel is not a problem if you have a 2010 or previous model. Also there is more low sulpher fuels becoming available...

There are expensive modifications available for the newest models, I recently traveled with a 2014 Ford F550 that was "converted".

As the owner of a 2013 diesel, would still like to hear your comments as to what was done and how you managed EPA regulations. And whether you meant to say "expensive" or "inexpensive."

[Sothamericatrav]

Parts and service is much easier to find for pre-2000 vehicles in the Americas. Also there is always shipping available with FED EX or DHL express.

I had a starter solenoids shipped to Chile in 2 days, at a cost of $134 from Texas. It turned out to be the wrong part (from O'Reileys Auto Parts), and my ford was in a Nissan Dealer - a long story short - the mechanic was able to chisel the part open (these are NOT serviceable in the USA!), and repair the electrical short..and I was on my way in hours...still working a couple years later!! GREAT EXPERIENCE!

[Sothamericatrav]

I am not quite as long winded as the other writers, but I just wanted to comment on a couple of items:

A 4x4 is NOT required on the Pan American Highway (if you want to go off road at home or in other countries - then go for it!)

The truck camper has also become popular in South America, and being manufactured in Chile, Argentina, and mostly in Brazil. In fact, a German in Chile has been renting them for years.

If you are NOT comfortable in this type of RV at home, you probably won't be for the months traveling south.. I have found that I spend very little time sitting in my RV, looking out the window on the Trekoftheamericas' route!

Diesel is also the ONLY way to go as a fuel choice...the older vehicles are much easier for service, parts, and costs... why do you need a 2015?

I will be doing this again this next summer.

[RobertRyan]

Jfet wrote:
One vehicle popular on these type of trips is the Mitsubishi Fuso 4x4 cabover truck with either a frame mounted camper or a flatbed carrying a travel trailer camper removed from it's trailer and placed on the flatbed (like a Bigfoot TT). Or something like the Earthcruiser for people with $$$.

Quite a few idifferent vehicles will carry a large TC, if you want too and are not expensive. This can be had as a 4x4 that is similar to a Unimog in performance
A smaller version of the IVECO Daily the 50c model,carrying a Lance 1172

A TC on a modified Fuso chassis

Interior

A light Isuzu Truck base of a 1172 Lance Camper