Forum Discussion

Sothamericatrav's avatar
Sothamericatrav
Explorer
Jan 29, 2012

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

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
Truck Campers
  • Sothamericatrav's avatar
    Sothamericatrav
    Explorer
    Jan 16, 2015
    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's avatar
    DiploStrat
    Explorer
    Jan 16, 2015
    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's avatar
    Sothamericatrav
    Explorer
    Jan 15, 2015
    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's avatar
    DiploStrat
    Explorer
    Jan 15, 2015
    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's avatar
    Sothamericatrav
    Explorer
    Jan 15, 2015
    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's avatar
    DiploStrat
    Explorer
    Jan 15, 2015
    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's avatar
    Sothamericatrav
    Explorer
    Jan 15, 2015
    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's avatar
    DiploStrat
    Explorer
    Jan 15, 2015
    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's avatar
    Sothamericatrav
    Explorer
    Jan 15, 2015
    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.

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