how would you do your doka?

Post by **xriss** » 11 Dec 2005, 22:48

just wondering how you would equip your doka for example an expedition in to the wilds,taking in to consideration it needs to be for recovery purposes also ie winching out stuck vans! ....cooking? sleeping?.. rooftop tent? or awning? ...utilizing fiberglass canopie?? ect ect...would just like some views on how you would do it and have you done it:) cheers all

Post by **Diamond Hell** » 12 Dec 2005, 01:00

Buy a camper which is designed for an expedition instead.

It's that simple.

Post by **xriss** » 12 Dec 2005, 03:10

emmm dimond ...sticking a roof tent on doka adding a cooker fridge& fiberglass shell on the back & sticking on a winch is not that complex,its more the layout ect and innovative ideas i was looking for,also wondering who might have done a similar makeup keeping in mind its purpose is to live in ,travel& recover if need-be...and the budget also has to be taken in to account i dont have £xxxxxxs to spend or i could indeed go out and get an of the shelf zillion dollar rangerover or something....cheers:)

Post by **toomanytoys** » 12 Dec 2005, 08:33

All my thoughts too, but as my Doka is parked in the barn and not in use I havent asked..

Mr hell is always on hand to give friendly advice

Post by **KarlT** » 12 Dec 2005, 08:35

Keep it simple

If you're heading to warmer climes its amazing how little you really need.

Spent 6 mths in very basic type 2 panel van,
gas cooker,
2x water jerry cans,
2x fuel cans,
spares(just stuff to keep it moving -don't worry about stopping or steering)
And a comfy bed (most inportant)

Tip; For the best times head for third would countries (no rules & cheap)

Post by **Diamond Hell** » 12 Dec 2005, 09:22

As I've tried sleeping across the back seat of a doka on more than several occasions and know the the loadbed is under 6' in length it's possible to state that it's virtually impossible for anyone over about 5'10" to get comfortable inside or on the loadbed of a doka. With the money that you'd spend on buying a relatively uninsulated roof tent it makes sense to buy a Syncro camper, as it's available. I roof tent will also raise the centre of gravity, making a doka less stable.

I certainly wouldn't consider taking any form of doka or Land Rover on an expedition and I know Russel has turned down various offers from other 4x4 owners to go on his Morrocan excursion as none of them can offer the comfortable and secure accomodation of a T25 Syncro camper.

If you think an uninsulated doka makes an expedition vehicle you're either very stumpy or stupid.

Post by **missusjen** » 12 Dec 2005, 10:27

From personal experience - sleeping on the back of a truck with only a framed canvas above you isn't always the safest way to relax in unknown areas.......we were woken up by unknown persons, fortunately they were only pishing about - scared the bejeezus out of us both though.

And we were only in Wales at the time......

Post by **KarlT** » 12 Dec 2005, 11:55

Don't listen to people scared of their own shadow

(although there are strange things in the valleys)

Use what you've got!

No vehicle is secure if someone really wants to get in.

As for a roof-tent turning over your vehicle, what nonsense!!!
If you driving on terrain like that, your trips not going to last long.
I assume you're not rallying in Borneo!

Post by **missusjen** » 12 Dec 2005, 12:11

Yup, you're right - I'm only a girl - EVERYTHING petrifies me - ask anyone who knows me......

He doesn't say where in the world he's going - but I'm guessing it's not gonna be a campsite in a lovely village location.........

Post by **matt** » 12 Dec 2005, 12:16

Don't listen to people scared of their own shadow

with due respect karl t, you werent there, so dont spout "pooh", neither have you met Jen, I know who goes to check on any strange nigthtime knocks in our house, she was the derby college arm wrestling champ afterall...

so ner

Post by **Mudlark** » 12 Dec 2005, 13:06

The syncro camper is a great practical vehicle but a real bitch to live in in a hot climate. For us, in Corsica and Italy when the temp got up to 40 degrees the last place in the world you wanted to sit or cook or be was in the camper, at any time of the day, even with fans running.

At night we slept with the slider wide open because it was unbearable with the door closed.

Generally the camper is great but if i were considering taking on an expedition to a warm climate for any great period of time i would go 100% with the DOKA , a Nato canopy and a roof tent. Id also take a small camp bed and a small tent and most nights would most likely end up sleeping under the stars.

Sleep is the most important thing to me; if i dont get it i dont function well, therefore im more likely to roll any van through lack of sleep than for any other reason.

Post by **KarlT** » 12 Dec 2005, 20:39

[quote="missusjen"]Yup, you're right - I'm only a girl - EVERYTHING petrifies me - ask anyone who knows me

Yeah thought so. Tee hee

Post by **matt** » 13 Dec 2005, 06:48

nah everything missusjen does scares the crepe outa me

Post by **steffanstringer** » 14 Dec 2005, 00:24

To borrow from Karl's suggestions....

KarlT wrote: gas cooker,
2x water jerry cans,
2x fuel cans,

I am looking to include a *2 burner Coleman dual fuel stove and two lamps (also Coleman).

I have a great tipi for year round camping...

http://www.moskoselkatan.se/default.asp?textnummer=2076

Keep looking at this website http://www.woodsmoke.uk.com/ as Ben and Lisa are aiming to work with Land Rover to but together a 'Bush Mechanics' course for people thinking of taking their vehicle on an expedition. Woodsmoke is a great outfit (they both trained with Ray Mears) running excellent bushcraft courses.

People might also want to take a read of Ffyona Campbell's book - 'On Foot Through Africa' http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASI ... 89-2840706

The history of her walk around the world is contentious and I am not trying to validate it. Still a great book and with lots of information about travelling through very varied and dangerous regions with a Landy (:oops: - second time I've used that word in a Syncro forum). She used a roof tent and the drivers used tents or bed-rolls in the open if I recall. Includes a kit list at the back.

Cheers

Steffan

Post by **Russel** » 14 Dec 2005, 07:07

Ive got 3 things to say: Cumfort,Safty,Reliability.
If u have these three u should have a good trip no mater wot vehicle u are in.