Overland with Kids

We haven’t even done the trip yet but here is a list of some of the things we are already learning/doing/observing and/or have been gaining experience about  (we’ll update more as we progress so please check out this page from time to time).

Report from our Summer Trip 2009 about what we learned please click on the following reflections-lessons-learned-since-summer-trip-2009 otherwise, please keep reading this post:

Sleeping, Studying, Relaxing and Eating

Along with the vehicle itself, a very important area of concern for the children and ourselves has been the sleeping and study arrangements but sleeping in particular. This should be considered in combination with or as part of your vehicle choice. We spent a great deal of time and effort thinking about this and went from almost purchasing a  2.4m x 2.4m Howling Moon Roof tent (see pictures below) which the www.2c2k.net family used for their trip from Scotland to South Africa. Comments as follows:

Tent Pro’s

“It only takes a few minutes to unzip the tents protective cover and erect the tent. It’s very well made and mozi proof. The mattress is comfortable to sleep on. There’s plenty of room (we had 3 adults and 2 children and it was fine). It performed well in the wet. You can leave sleeping bags in the tent and it still folds away (if you lie them flat). The zips are good quality (and they need to be).  You can also order new covers if you damage one”.

Tents Con’s

“The awning is very bulky and not worth the effort for an overnight stop. The window poles are more time consuming (another few minutes - we didn’t always use all the poles). Although the tent is mozi proof it is not ’sand fly’ or ‘midge’ proof (mesh has bigger holes than the likes of Terra Nova or North Face tents). We also checked for mozi’s as they are pretty determined to get in and as you have to open the door to crawl in, they inevitably join you! Folding away can be done with one person but two is best (one lifting and the other tucking in the loose stuff). The family 2.4 x 2.4m tourer takes up the entire roof (we strapped a roof storage bag on top which took 3 wolf boxes). Quite noisy in high winds (flapping).”

Andrew and Anne say - no room for bikes plus you’d have to pack up all and sundry each time you wanted to go sight-seeing or touring the area - i.e. cannot leave tent and cooking facilities behind. We’d still love to have one though!

We also thought about a smaller roof tent combined with a ground tent before finally settling on the Jurgens Xplorer.  Other travel combinations include a roof tent with trailer. 

Set-up ease and speed has to be a major factor when travelling. Also, the ability to pack up and/or possibly leave your set-up behind for e.g. sightseeing.  Fellow travellers the Neave’s family (photos of their trailer solution with roof-tent also pictured from top) have kindly provided the following summary of their experiences:

“We have completed the following mini expeditions

2005 - Disco 300tdi with eaziawn roof tent - Alps
2006 - New TD5 Dbl cab with ground tent - Atlantic coast France and spain
2007 - TD5 90 and trailer - Wales
2008 - TD5 90 and trailer - Med coast France

2009 TD5 90 and modified trailer - Spain/Catalan coast
2010 - TD5 90 and ??? - Morroco

One night stops:

We found one night stops our most challenging as our set up lacked speed. The roof tent and awning were very speedy (60 seconds for 2 people is the record) but this only accomodates the wife and I, the kids use a ground tent and double blow up bed. They do sleep great on it but it is a pain to set up. A folding camper would be way easier. We are going to get an Oztent for next year and see how we get on with that along side the roof tent. I wont get rid of my roof tent tho as i really love a room with a view

Food for travel:

We use a box with small gas cooker, kettle, brew kit, water, lighter, spoons, pen knife, buicuits, cups, plates etc. This is great for short stops especially on the european continent as the rest places are normaly very pretty with nice picnic benches. It is amazing how fresh a driver feels after a good 20 min stop and a nice cup of tea. We then don’t need to get out full kitchen out unless we are over nighting. I would still use this box even with a caravan”.

Andrew and Anne say - our solution is the Jurgens Xplorer caravan and a summary report will follow sometime soon (newly acquired and we are still getting familiar with). Immediate benefits, thoughts etc. are included in diary (blog) but another important consideration is the ‘toilet’ if caught short on the highway for the loo - our children now have the luxury of privacy -  a ‘portaloo’ on board for those little emergencies!

Vehicle

1. Overland versus Air Tickets/Other Tranport Method

Think about the cost of the vehicle, the shipping fees, the fuel, taxes, carnet, MOT, mechanical failures and expenses and the fit-out. It dawned on us that we could have probably travelled the world already and stayed in nice 4* accommodation given the amount already spent on the vehicle. We are hoping to gain much more freedom and flexibility by overlanding with a vehicle however, costs should not be under-estimated, nor the long-haul for children in the vehicle itself.

But as Tacr2man has said to us “In a 4 star hotel you can’t wake up in the morning on the side of a misty lake , with birds flying low across the water , you pays your money etc.”.

2. Comfort

A major factor for the children. Unhappy, uncomfortable children equals a bad trip and experience for all. They will be living/travelling in the vehicle a great deal of the time. Consider countries and temperatures and ages of the children (e.g. whether air conditioning required). We have factored this along with health and safety and security at the top of our list i.e. including reclining high back seats plus reclining car seats in vehicle (added height and participation) with additional neck support for sleeping and even cup holders!

Neave’s tip: Bring pillows for the children and keep in the car - include one for one adult also as an additional comfort aid on the road.

Tac2Man’s tip: If space a premium and you are bringing a fridge and e.g. no trailer, consider fitting in the centre (between the children) in the 2nd row seats of the vehicle - keep children separate from any in-car fights! and keep drinks accessible without having to stop the car while on the road

3. Vehicle Purchase

Choose your vehicle carefully. Don’t rush decision/considerations or buy the first you see. Don’t leave big deposits on vehicles you haven’t seen in the flesh. If unfamiliar with vehicle make-up, condition or unsure about the seller, arrange an independant inspection and don’t be afraid to!

4. Housekeeping

Get in the habit of regularly housekeeping your vehicle - ensure water, oil and tyres are all OK at every re-fuel. Make a list of regular checks and service dates for your vehicle. Bring along with you on your route.

Towing Considerations

If your considering towing something as large as we are with the caravan - even smaller like a trailer  - it adds to ferry costs and fuel, will probably slow you down, get you stuck, strain your vehicle, reduce your braking distance, increase maintenance, reduce parking choices, restrict maneouvering, restrict route choice, make you think about recovery (e.g. winch in our case - more cost and weight) and possibly encourage you to bring tons of crap you don’t need (which we’re trying very hard to avoid). Think very carefully about your choices before making any knee jerk reactions - we hope our choice proves not be one of those but we’re sure to experience some trials and tribulations!

Training and Preparation

1. Vehicle Familiarisation

Get to know your vehicle capabilities and what it requires to make it expedition-worthy. Understand its weaknesses and address these particularly where the safety and comfort of children is concerned. Understand your own weaknesses e.g off-roading, mechanics, first aid and undertake a plan of action to address these.

2. Shake-down trips

Pack your vehicle and do some short excursion trips to begin with. If you plan on camping but have never done it before - do it now! and don’t assume your children will love it/like it or want to get used to it.

Practice packing and un-packing and using varying sizes of boxes/containers/shelving and/or packing systems. Make sure you have available what you need to hand (including any emergency equipment e.g. jump leads in event of emergency - don’t have them buried and impossible to get to without having to unpack the entire vehicle)

3. Mental preparation and de-structuring

This is not an annual 2-week trip. Your children won’t see their friends or Grandma for a long period. Everyone’s routine will be out of kilter. Important that everyone appreciates and understands. Being together 24-7 when school or work normally intervenes should be a consideration. Children need to be mega-involved early on and, if networking can be performed leading up-to and during the trip to provide the children a social circle/contacts (and yourselves) all the better!

Neave’s tip: If considering a long trip, take children out of school maybe a bit earlier as may be able to benefit from better deals out of season

4. Family and Friends

Tell them as soon as possible to help get them in the frame of mind (be warned - they may remain in denial or not be as interested or passionate about the trip as you are!) also and more importantly so they can hopefully plan to join you at key points along the way.

5. Final Checks

Check, re-check and check again and then get independant specialists/friends to check you again. Have a final ‘Are we Ready’ shake down.

On the Road

1. Eating and Rest Periods while travelling

Eat before you leave - don’t plan a long drive without some form of nourishment, especially for the children. This helps the children and yourselves from getting agitated and moody or argumentative. Make a habit of eating together at breakfast time - spend some quality time together before hitting the road. Make sure of toilet breaks before leaving and at each stop point.

Don’t eat in the car - stay away from bad eating habits. Instead, plan to stop and eat a proper lunch and have a proper break.

Travel during daylight, making deadline 16:00 hours to allow enough time to set-up camp.

Do not travel at night.

Stop every two hours and plan not to travel more than 6 hours or approx 400km per day.

Plan to stay at least 2 nights at a campsite before moving on, especially with children - do not want them to spend hours travelling without a break. Particularly pertinent where complex or lengthy unpacking/packing/setting up arrangements concerned.

Stay at family friendly campsites where the children have a chance to meet other children regularly and practice their social skills - kids need kids!

Try to pick/use a campsite location as a base for a few days to 2 weeks - provide the children enjoyment and grounding before next leg of the journey - let their feet touch the ground

2. Special Toys and Journal Keeping

Let them have one special toy from home e.g. favourite teddy or doll to share the journey

Encourage daily diary/journal keeping

3. Equipment

Neave’s tip: Bring tail gaters for the bikes if the children get tired cycling

4. Health

Much to think about but aside from the obligatory jabs (speak to your GP well in advance of your trip to ensure enough time for course of injections usually required).

Make sure children old enough/robust enough to travel and withstand journey.

Looking after our teeth!!!! also sprang to mind while we are away - what if one of us gets a terrible toothache??? Hell on earth …

Neave’s tips:

Tiger Balm - great for bites, stings, chesty coughs, hangovers, headaches, muscle pain. It really is great. Just rub a little on any bite and it stops itching, but can also be applied the forehead for headaches.

Speak to your GP about acquiring some general antibiotics. These can be really useful in clearing up a virus before it takes hold.

Vaseline - like Tiger Balm - it has 101 uses

Life Systems dry wash - an antibac hand wash that requires no water.  Should be used all the time especially before eating. If anyone in the family gets any stomach bugs, probably inevitable then all surfaces touched should be cleaned with the antibac lotion.

Plot on your route major medical facilities so if there is a big drama, you know whether to carry on forward or go back to the last facility

Security

Prepare your children where possible - have regular drills (and without scaring them) of any emergency courses of action given differing scenarios that may arise. This could be knowing a telephone number off by heart, their name and address, routine if approached by strangers etc.

Keep an inventory check-list of everything on your vehicle and ensure if used, always replenish/renew. Perform regular inventory checks.

Try to join other travellers or convoys in areas where you do not feel secure or comfortable. Try to avoid completely isolated places if you are unsure and tell someone where you are (even if it is just in case of vehicle breakdown)

Always have a contigency plan in place and emergency funds and contacts

Keep some or other of your security and safety tips secret (not published to a site like this) that only you and your family are aware of while travelling.

Neave’s Tips:

There is a very slim chance that you may be targeted by malicious persons. It is worth planning for the worse case scenario:

1. Face to face robbery

Always carry an old wallet with expired credit cards and $50 (US). If you are mugged, don’t resist and just hand-over the fake wallet. This will normally avert any further danger and will be far less traumatic for you as you will fee that you have had a small victory

2. Vehicle Hi-Jack

If unavoidable, don’t resist. Have a small emergency stash bag. If you have to leave the vehicle, take the emergency stash bag  with passposts, funds, medication etc.

Consider having a rape alarm (they type women can use in their handbag). Have it above the visor or under the seat. If confronted then pull the pin. This should send any aggressor running - will need to be a judgement call.

3. Break and Entry to Xplorer

Again the alarm is good for this situation. Also should have a can of anti-bear spray. This will be acceptable if searched at borders but can also be used to subdue any persistant attack from animals or humans

Toys and Games

Tacr2man and Neave’s tip: Children need their own Nintendo’s/Gameboys (one each!) - to keep them occupied (can be educational and/or brain training etc.) plus portable in-car DVD player to watch selection of movies - we are not fans of such luxury provisioning but this is not the time to quibble - this is a long haul trip and comfort and something to occupy minds for escapism outside of books, games, puzzle a major plus - and can still be parentally controlled! (Imagine being stuck on an aeroplane for 6-10 hours - same comforts and considerations apply).

Small bitesized brainteaser puzzles are easier to handle than complex science theories. Consider story CDs or tapes to listen to while driving.

Budget and Money Saving Ideas

1. Save, save, save - we need a huge amount of money for this trip and after alot of investigation opted for a fixed rate bond account and of course ISAs (tax free) - to force us to lock money away. We have not been born to money and have worked hard for what we have. We have been investigating many banking options via the web and in newspaper reviews. We have opened a fixed rate savings account which forces money from our current account monthly. What we have already saved, we have it working even harder but importantly locked into accounts until we need - to stop us spending elsewhere. This way we have some cash ‘earmarked’ for the trip itself and nothing else and are continually saving ( 01.08.08 - a lie as we haven’t achieved the ‘continually’ saving bit but we live in hope!).

In the process, even the children’s savings are now locked away in fixed rate accounts.  Serious money is needed so serious measures required.  As we have chosen fixed rates, and because we need to be strict with ourselves - our savings is based over 2-years else penalty applies and it will be approx 2 months prior to our trip before we can release cash.

It is worth doing alot of research and choosing something that fits circumstances and spending/saving habits.  In our case, we needed to be brutal with ourselves as we have bad track records generally where savings are concerned especially with children. There is always something that needs to be purchased but if we lock it away, we can’t do that.

2. Stop Smoking - After 20 years, we both gave up smoking 2nd January 2008 (for our children, health and the expensiveness - we needed to do it for a long time not just for this trip - but this trip was also instruemental in being a damn good incentive to finally make us stop………… £5+ on a packet of fags or put it towards helping us lengthen and strengthen our adventure - could be another litre of diesal or another day’s food!)

3. Stop spending money - No clothes, books or shoe purchases - especially for work.  No daily newspaper purchases - except for one big paper on a Saturday (make last the following week).  Reduce car fuel and telephone expenses and visiting car washes (expense adds up) - need to do ourselves (has actually been great fun and the kids really enjoy too).

 4. Outgoings - review your statements and outgoings. We are keeping a daily tab of our outgoings using an Excel spreadsheet and are amazed at high food costs for example so are trying to tackle this at present.

5. Budget - consider carefully. Pre-trip, on road and post-trip expenses (including emergency funds) required. Pre-trip for us includes carnet, training, vehicle fit-out, innoculations, goods storage, renting out house, funds while not working etc. On Road includes food, fuel, visas, accommodation, site entry fees, shipping, tolls, mechanical, emergency funds (if children get sick, or need flights home, rental void on home etc.). Post-trip includes money until we get back on our feet with jobs i.e. food, clothes, couple of months mortgage payments etc.

Anticipate that total budget split will be 25% pre-trip, 50% on road and 25% post trip. Not entirely convinced we’ll hit the targets exactly and we’re already slicing bits here and there, but we’ll have a good go and refine as our plan becomes refined and more mature.  Worst case, we could fall back on a credit card for emergencies for example but we’d like to avoid (see below point 6).

6. No Credit Cards or Loans debts - If we have or need to use either then we’re not ready to do the trip. Apart from our mortgage, we don’t want to come back to a huge debt so important we can afford to do trip from savings/other means before we go as much as possible. Already, we have made a pact not to use credit cards in daily lives any longer and apart from a bathroom suite we ordered last year for which we have a 12-month interest free credit agreement, we have no loans. We know what it’s like to be in debt and have spent much of our lives living this way but we are ‘clean’ at present, for the first time in a long time and don’t want to go back there.

7. Keep working and keep focused - such a trip doesn’t pay for itself and will be short-lived if not planned for properly in our view (unless you have a windfall, are already rich and/or money/time/resource not an issue and you can afford to get it wrong).  We are working and saving hard for this but would love to give up work now, jack it all in and just go. We keep dreaming and thinking about nothing but this adventure but then bring ourselves back down to earth when we ask ourselves the ‘then what’ and ‘what about now’ questions - i.e. the real every day life kicks in - suppose we’re trying to minimise risk and protect ourselves as best we can for the future while planning this trip. Are we worrying too much? - probably yes - but this will be healthy in the long-run and we hope diminish over time because we have planned well!