BUILDING OUR OVERLAND DREAM - We Hope!

Building an overland/expedition truck sounded like a good idea at the time, we've only just begun and it's already getting tough.
Join us as we endeavor to build our ultimate "go anywhere" home on wheels.
Find out where we've got to, our thinking, and the challenges so far.
Will we bring it in on time, and more importantly, on budget?
Subscribe and join us on our truck build journey, where we share our highs and lows.
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[@mk-doshka]

Good luck Guys. Still watching you from Sudan ❤️

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hatur nuhun pisan, kami ngahargaan dukungan anjeun. I bet there's great overlanding there 🙏P&I☺

[@inverblue1988]

Give each other a hug at times, especially when things are a little tense and fatigue sets in.

[@TheGapDecaders]

You're absolutely right, taking time out is so important 🙏 Note to self, must get better 😀

[@johnpayne4761]

It's good to hear from you guys again, I'm in the middle of a lorry conversation, watching you guys keeps me going. Thanks

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi John, thank you. You know the score then 😀 hope it's going well 🙏

[@dutchdroomdenker592]

I’ve been researching and planning my own DAF 7,5t truck build for the last 4 months. I know how you guys feel. So much to think about! It is draining. I’m finally at the point that there is no more things to budget.

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hello, yeah the list is pretty endless (where do you stop), and with the best will in the world, there's always unforeseen. Good luck with the build 🙏😀

[@alanbell6999]

Remember to relax your brains it's going flat out doing a self build

[@gordonbryson2986]

Hi guys just home from france due to receiving bad news but I have just got my tnt hoodie my wife bought me for my birthday and to let you know I'm delighted with it and the quality is great Fiona and Gordon fae bonnie Scotland

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hello both, great to hear from you as always and sorry to hear you had to cut your travels short. Thank you for the purchase and feedback, we definitely owe you a wee glass (or two) when we eventually cross paths 🍷☺🙏

[@spirit5_of_adventure]

Sad to see the back of Tonka (as we know you are) but excited to see the new truck evolve. Good luck with everything and keep smiling.

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi both, thank you (playing catch up as usual) 😘

[@vandahopwood1305]

It so nice to have you back on KZbin. Keep up the good work ❤

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Vanda, thank you so much & always good to hear from you 🍷😀

[@davidhall8745]

Thanks for the update and enjoy following your progress. It is all about the details I suppose and you seem great project managers and a great team.

[@livingworkingoutsidebox]

Now I'm caught up again. 😊 I can only imagine the amount of time it took to prepare and cut up that box.😮💪👍

[@TheGapDecaders]

Ahhh, so good to hear from you. Yep, the whole box thing is a huge saving, but it's also a pretty endless piece of work...hopefully it'll be worth it 🙏😀

[@inforapenney4x4]

Thanks for the video update, as per the comment above was wondering about the regs you were following from DVSA. Don’t believe you need an IVA if your truck is registered. We recently imported our Krug Rhino from Austria as a motorhome and did need an IVA, but even then it followed the M1 Passenger cars manual for motorhomes which does not include side impact protection etc. Although it did include plenty of other challenges! Let us know if there is any info we can help with

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi guys, Thanks for the shoutout & we do like the Krug. We spoke with DVLA & DVSA in early January along with Gareth at SV Tech.We're aware we don't need an IVA and have been informed (in writing) from DVLA that it's highly unlikely we'll get the "Motor Caravan" category on our V5, it's more likely to be "Special Purpose Vehicle"... keen to understand what you got on yours? As we stripped the vehicle to a cab chassis, the VOSA comment is more about staying compliant in the event we're ever pulled in on a roadside check (be it in the UK or Europe). As with most of these things, it's not a problem, until it's a problem 😀 It's early days yet in our build, but appreciate the offer. Cheers P&I🍷🙏☺

[@inforapenney4x4]

I heard DVLA have been cracking down on the conversion route. We have been registered as A Motor Caravan. We are starting the PanAmerican in April and read from Tucks Truck it was helpful on their journeys being registered as that. Though we failed IVA test initially, we passed on retest. Gareth was super helpful to us too, good you have him on side, sure he will give you the best advise

[@TheGapDecaders]

Thanks guys, one of the reasons for the new truck build is to fullfill our dream of a Pan-America trip, hope you have an amazing time. The rest will pan out (excuse the pun), and hopefully we'll be on the road by the end of the year. 🙏 \@@inforapenney4x4

[@susanmackay66]

Just discovered you two. Absolutely amazing content. Good luck with it all!

[@notseamus]

oh my word.....i need a lie down 😳

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi guys, thank you 😀

[@garethpimley5260]

Another interesting video. It's great to see things moving forward with the build. Maybe see you in Africa, if not before! Cheers. Gareth and Sue, Shropshire

[@mcnaughtsontour]

I really enjoyed the update. Looks like a lot of hard work, but the investment will be worth it! Remember the pace will increase as these big tasks are completed. Look forward to seeing it all develop. Take care.

[@TheGapDecaders]

Thank you, I think it'll be worth it and ultimately, we'll (hopefully) end up with the rig of our dreams. 🙏😀

[@censon]

Farewell Tonka indeed! They grow up so fast.......

[@TheGapDecaders]

😂😂😂 Hi Simon, now that is funny 👌 Cheers P&I🍷😁

[@edwincooper7812]

Hi Phil, have you tried Travis Perkins tool hire? I would have thought that there must be one somewhere close to you. I was watching spiriT5 the other day and you got a mention, small world 😊

[@TheGapDecaders]

Yeah I tried TP and all the others, the biggest was a 235mm but that doesn’t give the cutting depth I required. Anyway, it worked out pretty well as I've used it loads & will probably use it in part (along with a router), to cut the window & door apertures. Yeah we know Kath & Andy, they're good people... it's amazing who you meet in the most unexpected places. 🙏😀🍷

[@kantaralak.billlbill1857]

Hi.. . A few vidio,s ago i hear you talking about your tyres getting hot. Try niitrogen gas it will keep tyres cool in hot areas

[@TheGapDecaders]

Ok, that's a new one on me...I'll check it out 🙏

[@peterfinch3548]

As previously said, always fascinating to hear about what is happening with the build. There is so much essential planning and thinking that is necessary and that just can't be documented. However, you are clearly making progress, perhaps just a bit frustratingly slower than you might want. I understand the desire to work on it 7 days a week but maybe having the weekend away from the fabricators workshop is good for the sanity!? All the best, already looking forward to the next installment.

[@user-dz5br7yt3o]

Hi really enjoy your posts and looking forward to your new build, I am building my own on the same man chassis as yours, doing all the fabrication including the box with new pannels myself. good luck with the budget, I am at about £100k and still the interior to start

[@TheGapDecaders]

Great to hear from you, you most definitely get it then and fair play - it's certainly engaging. When do you think you'll be completed (not that these things are ever finished)? Be great to see the end result, keep in touch and good luck with the budget 😩 P&I 🙏😀

[@user-dz5br7yt3o]

Thanks for the reply, hope to be near finished July August ish. I will ping you some pictures

[@gordonbryson2986]

Enjoyed the crack but no the same as out n aboot in Tonka, we're still in a wett ish france but my good lady has bought me a hoody from your shop so will see it in a few weeks when we're home in Scotland Your head must be nipping with the virtual planning etc but keep posting as we enjoy following you both Regards Fiona and Gordon fae bonnie Scotland

[@michaelgarcher]

Great watching the latest instalment from you. I’m very interested how you’re going to stick the box back together after you chop it down to size.. BTW, loved the articulation demo, been trying to explain rail on rail and your demo made it so clear 👍

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Michael, thank you. We'll use a Polyurethane adhesive (like Sika) to bond the panels, then bond the extrusions to create further structural integrity and a weathertight seal. The rear panel will have a step joint with a few small mechanical fixes (such as rivets or rivet nuts). That’s the plan 😀, I'm hoping to have a box by the next video, but only if this Norfolk weather improves 🙈 Cheers P&I 🍷☺

[@London2Turin]

Nice update. I was kind of surprised to see how much of the budget is earmarked for Electrical work. Figuring the whole project is $100K, it seems a bit high. How much solar and batteries do you plan to have? I'm still prepping my bus for my overseas adventure, finding little updates to do just about every week. Starting with a clean slate allows for careful planning, which I'm not always good at....

[@simonbarrett8418]

You don't need an IVA , the vehicle is registered , you just need to reclassify as Motorhome then M1 mot .

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Simon, great to hear from you as always. We spoke with DVLA & DVSA in early January along with Gareth at SV Tech. We're aware we don't need an IVA and have been informed (in writing) from DVLA that it's highly unlikely we'll get the "Motor Caravan" category on our V5, it's more likely to be "Special Purpose Vehicle". As we stripped the vehicle including rear lights, the VOSA comment is more about staying compliant in the event we're ever pulled in on a roadside check (be it in the UK or Europe). As with most of these things, it's not a problem, until it's a problem 😀 Cheers P&I🍷

[@Rob.1340]

👍🚐😎