Overlander's Handbook
Trip Reports
Sahara, Empty Quarter ~ VW Taro 2.4D
| Who | Chris S ~ website |
| Profession | Guide book writer |
| Born 1960 | Nationality Brit |
| Previous travel experience | Sahara and Outback large amounts, plus all the usuals |
| This trip | Sahara, Empty Quarter (Maroc, Mori, Mali, Alg) |
| Departure date | October 2006 |
| Number in group | 4 in 3 cars plus guides in another |
| Trip duration | 7 weeks |
| Distance covered | About 8000km |
| Cost of trip (not incl. vehicle) | About £2100 |
| Best day | Setting off in a light, well-prepared and low mileage vehicle for once |
| Worst/ hardest day | Strapped in while the loose VW got rammed fore and aft on the back of the MAN being driven by a pillock through the infernal tussocks |
| Favourite place | Actually the spot where the VW died - 20N 08W - had a nice rosey glow at sunset |
| Biggest headache | Dealing with the dead car and all the consequences and expenses |
| Wish I hadn't | had to leave that nice ute to the jackals! |
| Most pleasant surprise | The dreaded dune crossing in east Mori was no drama. 2 days for the 101s in '75 - 2 hours for us. |
| Any illness | Me: a week of the 'green rivers' in Tam. Car: Yes (terminal) |
| Other trips planned | reckon |
| One overlanding tip | Take a good thick mattress, sleeping bag and a pillow. You'll spend 30-40% of your time there. |
| Type of Vehicle | 1990 VW Taro (aka 2.4D Hilux) |
| Age/ mileage on departure | 16 years, 80,000km |
| Modifications | Bigger tyres, OME HD suspension (vg) custom made flatbed and cab rack, Kenlowe, 2nd batt. http://www.sahara-overland.com/desertute |
| Most useful accessory | The cheap and light Solmatts had many uses. S&R's 50m-long tow strap |
| Mods you wish you'd done | Up to the point it croaked, none actually - but would have had some ideas if it had lasted |
| Tyres used | BFG AT 235 85 R16 - very good while they lasted |
| Number of punctures |
| Vehicle's weak point | 1st gear up and over the Sierra Nevada! Only 20% more fuel efficient than TLCs |
| Vehicle's strong point | Not powerful enough to get bogged; nearly always backed out where the TLCs got mired |
| Vehicle problems | Big end went fast in the middle of the middle of nowhere |
| Same vehicle again? | Actually yes, but maybe a 2.8 or a TD or a http://www.sahara-overland.com/MAN |
| One driving tip | You can fit all your need for 2000kms and 2 weeks off piste in a regular 4x4 without overloadding it |