Choosing an OVERLAND VEHICLE to drive the Pan-American Highway from Alaska to Argentina

[@robertvoss9111]

My dad did parts of the pan American highway in 1995 in a 1972 Oldsmobile, a tornado I believe. As a European that must have been the coolest American experience ever

[@gusigb2677]

Road Chose Me drinking game.... every time Dan says "And again..." RIP liver

[@anneli1735]

😂😂😂

[@ethanwong9950]

First! Sorry I’ve been watching KZbin for like a decade and never been able to post first in a vid I like Edit: great vid as always! I used to drive and camp out of a Toyota Matrix, last year I upgraded to a 4Runner mostly because I wanted more off road capability and storage capacity, after a year of off roading and camping I can say now I mostly stick to the same level of trails I did in my matrix, but I can now bring more food and fun stuff to do and worry less about breaking down. It’s also nice to switch to sleeping in the vehicle when a family of black bears run into your camp site (which totally happened)

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Congrats!

[@anneli1735]

🥳 Perfect timing again 🤩 Basics: lower fuel consumption and ground clearance most important - and then the key questions: „What kind of trip do you want?“ and „How/where are you going to sleep/cook - even in rough climate conditions?“ Now it’s falling into place 🤓 Thanks again, Dan ❣️

[@ChrisTovahsAmazingAdventures]

Great video, we are doing Canada West to East then down to Nicaragua in a 2009 Ford Escape. With a rooftop tent and 2 Bulldogs.

[@Adindrark]

Master Grec has spoken again. Love all your videos. Keep up the good work! I'm a huge fan! I'd love to support you on Patreon but I'm broke. LOL! Cheers!!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Haha, thanks Bryan!!

[@FloridaNativeMike]

Instead of spending my $$$ on Patreon, I am socking it away to spend on my future big overland trip! 😛 I do love the videos though and have both the books!

[@MountainRoots]

Hey Dan! We're using our 3/4 ton Silverado for overlanding mostly bc we're not really "rock crawling"...but we've definitely had some hard hits underneath. Kinda stinks bc there aren't a ton of aftermarket mods for our rig.

[@dealership_life]

Thank you for sharing🍺🍺 I want to hit the road with my fly rod from Alaska to Mexico. I thought it was out of reach but with your insights, the ceiling is a little lower🤙🤙

[@Fe_lix]

Hi Dan, Thanks for including metric conversions, that's great help to avoid pausing and doing the conversion ! Just a detail, if you can avoid writing them on bottom center of the screen it would be better. That's where the KZbin subtitles are displayed and they will cover whatever is here. Automatic subtitles from KZbin are really good for what they are and when watching videos not in your native language it helps a lot if you miss a word or don't understand one instead or rewinding to hear it again. (actually I sometime even use them on French videos if sound or prononciation is not great)

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

For sure, thanks for letting me know!

[@MEdGrant]

Don't forget that Greg is talking miles per US gallon, not Imperial gallon. An imperial gallon is 4.55 litres while a US gallon is smaller at 3.8 litres. So, 15 miles/USgal = 15lr/100km=19 miles/Imp gallon. And 12 mpg(US)=19 lr/100km=15mpg(Imperial). This may not matter to most viewers unless they are in a country other than the US that still uses the old Imperial system of measurement (thankfully most have now gone to the metric system).

[@travelinggnome405]

When the Ferry between first ran between Panama and Colombia in the late 1990s, I think the magazine Trailer Life featured a couple that took a 5th Wheel down to South America and back. So it can be done in a 5th Wheel!

[@solooverland3666]

It can also be done on a lawnmower. Would you do it?!?

[@royblackburn1163]

I once went down a rough slippery track for miles in my Land rover and what was at the end? A Citroen 2cv with snow chains on it's front wheels and normal road tyres!! the traction he had through mud was eye opening.

[@thebnicho]

I have a Mini Moke and I've been on the 2CV end of that story. 4wd owners arrive and say "How the heck did you get that in here?" I'd reply "Drove it same way as you! What do you reckon I did, use a helicopter?"

[@royblackburn1163]

@@thebnicho Do you use chain's? Never underestimate what people and their cars are capable of I say.

[@thebnicho]

@@royblackburn1163 No chains, just mud and snow type tyres.

[@vinceblanchard1069]

Great video Dan with great content and lots of things to think about while planning a trip. Completely unrelated question, how much does your Jeep weigh? I see your build method obviously focused on keeping it as light as possible while carrying just the necessary items instead of going all in like a lot of over-landing Jeep builds. As my own Jeep build progresses I find myself constantly questioning the weight of everything I add and do I really need it.

[@mack86523]

Argument for the Tundra: With a slide in camper (FWC) the Tundra achieves better mpg than the Tacoma with FWC slide in camper (ask me how I know). Ask anyone in a 4runner or tacoma with 33's and suspension modification, and they will almost all tell you they get less than 15mpg, which is probably what you would get with a Tundra and 33's. The engine doesn't have to work as hard (which as a nice side benefit, can improve reliability). When it comes to MPG, I think you really need to consider the total vehicle weight, not the stock vehicle, so you can compare apples to apples.

[@srgaza1961]

You have said it all.

[@adelarsen9776]

There's nothing wrong with a VW Caravelle in 2wd or AWD.

[@willmorris6438]

I think the most important criteria you missed was the best vehicle to take is the one that is the best maintained. All brands are mechanical pieces of equipment, and they will all fail at some point. The best thing to do is get the best maintained vehicle for your trip and budget more on maintenance and upkeep than cool modifications. Negligence in terms of maintenance and driving style will cause more issues than choosing the wrong brand. Overall, I love your channel and your down to earth practical advice rather than going over the top and selling stuff that people don’t need.

[@senakandy6405]

Very good info for someone planning pan American trip.

[@MountainRoots]

I see several ppl discussing your book in the comments & think I'll check it out too 👍-Josh

[@overlandsally]

Carefull with the security in the open pick up. Thing can be stolen easily in any red light. Overland cars call alot of attention

[@_miguel_tenorio]

Unless you go on a beetle or a kombi then you’ll have plenty of parts everywhere

[@Tom-ds5uk]

Great video

[@OzzyM1998]

Hopefully going to begin my overland adventure early next year! Europe to Asia first, then it would be amazing, if funds allowed to ship my vehicle to the Americas to do the pan american!

[@bernardinolagasca1153]

If you only stay in the highway no need for 4wd but limits places you can go.

[@theborednerds]

I know you've covered it before, but I expected you to talk about height as a factor for shipping across Panama as a factor.

[@michaelconchscooter8940]

Read the book of a much more youthful Grec and I rather prefer the advice of the wizened elder statesman of overlanding. My wife took one look at the escape hatch rooftop tent on the Wrangler and snorted before going back to sleep in our queen sized van bed. Some choices are made for us.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Haha, thanks!

[@jeffkeenan1742]

Will Prius get me down the Pam American highway?

[@Triple259772]

“There is no vehicle that has parts availability everywhere” *laughs in honda*

[@rtwbikerider]

What is the minimum acceptable ground clearance on a vehicle? As an example, Ursa Minor also makes a pop-top for the Ford Transit Connect. The Connects have a ground clearance of 5.7”. Too short? Must it be lifted? Are special tires suggested. The suspension on this front wheel drive vehicle is listed as independent MacPherson strut up front and twist-beam in the rear. Would that survive the main highway with the occasional trip to a beach?

[@kiplambel4052]

I drove to Deadhorse in an '03 Corolla 14 years ago. Carry 2 spare tires!

[@martinpetersson9960]

Just bought your book. Truely inspirational 🤙

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Awesome! Thank you! I'd love to hear what you think when you're finished!

[@antonioblanco2217]

High clearance and big tires is what a vehicle needs to go through 90% of roads. Natives usually drive small “non road worthy” cars in terrible roads. 4WD is not just 4WD. It’s low/high range and diff lock on/off. If you say you drove 1/week 4WD, I bet you drove 1/month low range and 1/year diff lock.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

My little Jeep I drove on the Pan-American didn't have a diff lock in the front or rear, and I used low range probably only 10 times on the entire trip!

[@gregr3283]

You didn't talk about reliability

[@gaj5701]

Probably not relevant to the North American audience, but try to get a left hand drive vehicle if coming from elsewhere on the planet. The sad thing for people like myself, planning a full global trip from Australia, having a steering wheel on the right really ruins any plans for a full Central America transit. Fingers crossed something changes, or relaxes on reopening of the world 🤞

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Good point, I should have mentioned that!

[@johnfitzgerald5158]

Who would have known...Central America enforcing the requirement of the steering being on the "proper" side.... 😂. A weird tid bit for you. The US Virgin Islands has us driving on the left in a left steer vehicle. Got me in an accident the 2nd day I was there. A bit of a hold over from colonial times.

[@gaj5701]

@@johnfitzgerald5158 Myanmar do the opposite, you can only get RHD vehicles & you drive on the right. Not that many people will get to see that for the forseeable future unfortunately.

[@johnfitzgerald5158]

@@gaj5701 crazy, isn't it. I guess if people from there are used to it, then it is what it is.

[@jccharly2000]

Hi Dan, I can't figure out what jeep you had on the PA HW, what year/model was your blue jeep? Love your vids!!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

It was a little 2-door TJ wrangler. 2000 was the year, it was a 2.5ltr 4 cylinder. Some more details here theroadchoseme.com/on-the-road

[@yorkchris10]

The 5 ton trucks have larger than 35" tires and leave the largest ruts in Bolivia when the mud dries. I don't remember what the locals drove I think because most don't have vehicles. Guides were all LandCruiser. A 2wd pickup would probably be okay.

[@blakelodermeier4939]

Reading your first book Dan and loving it! Great writing!!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@GATORADDAM]

Good info. I wouldn't personally go on any adventure without 4x4. It's just such a security thing. Even if you never use it. I'd just feel better knowing that if I got stuck I could self rescue rather than wait for help or even hope help comes!

[@questioner1596]

Valid point, but consider that when you do get stuck, you're even further from help if 4WD is on.

[@ihmesekoilua]

Yeah, if you get your 2wd sprinter stuck, you can be pulled out by the next Jetta that comes along. If you get your Defender well and thoroughly stuck, to a point where digging and traction aids won't get you out, then you're probably waiting for a tractor for a good while.

[@defendermodsandtravels]

@@ihmesekoilua You aren't comparing like with like. A Defender will only get bogged in places which a Sprinter couldn't get close to. Drive a Defender sensibly and you will be able to go pretty much anywhere without getting bogged. Do you have experience of these vehicles?

[@ihmesekoilua]

@@defendermodsandtravels That's exactly my point. I know I'm not comparing like for like, a sprinter and a defender are completely different beasts. But I think you know just as well as anyone that once you have a capable 4wd, you'll go places where you wouldn't think of going with a 2wd van. Even driven completely sensibly a Defender will go up and down steep hills and rocky and sandy tracks and if you do get stuck then, or break down for that matter, you will be stuck way further off than you would be in a Sprinter. And yes, I've driven a 2wd sprinter in places it probably shouldn't have been and damn near got it stuck down a tiny track in the middle of a forest because driving the same track in my Discovery 2 wouldn't break a sweat. And yes, I've also damn near got stuck in my disco while crossing a river two borders away from home. I'm not saying I would prefer a 2wd sprinter over a 4wd anything, I'm just saying that if your primary concern is being worried about getting stuck then you'd be better off getting stuck closer to the pavement. Even apples to apples; a 2wd sprinter will get you into much less trouble than a 4wd sprinter because you won't even consider driving down to a beach in a 2wd. Would I pick a 4wd over a 2wd? Any day, but I'm not worried about "getting stuck".

[@GATORADDAM]

@@defendermodsandtravels If you drive a newer Defender getting stuck is the least of your worries. Finding a mechanic to repair it every 1000 miles will be the trick! Hahahaha.

[@Mattcamel51]

The poptop roofs are awesome. I know of: CampTeq - LC 100, 80, 70, 60, Prado Alucab - LC Troop Carrier, Defender 110 Dormobile - Defender 90 & 110 Ursa Minor - Wrangler 4dr, Honda Element Sportsmobile - Vans And quite a few other companies for Defender's and all types of vans.

[@worldaccordingtomatt3525]

Correction to a stereotype... Most Americans DO care about gas mileage. lol. Great video. Helped me in planning a lot. Thank you my friend!

[@remingtongoff73]

Alucab makes a rooftop tent for the landrover defender now. I’m planning on getting a alucab slide in camper for my Comanche overland build.

[@questioner1596]

I really like Toyotas, so I'm selling my Sienna and bought a ProMaster. Like you say, Dan, figure out your criteria and buy a vehicle that fits.

[@blurglide]

One word: Mazda...Miata. LOL in all seriousness though....people do this on motorcycles so it's probably doable.

[@bindingcurve]

I scrape on speed bumps in North Carolina. Bad, bad idea. Besides, unless you are under the age of 30, 6 hours in one sucks. Actually it still sucks when you are in your 20s, you just recover faster. The problem is you move around in your seat, a motorcycle is actually more comfortable.

[@bindingcurve]

@@blurglide you have never done a 1500 mile road trip in a Miata. The thing that kills you is you can't really move around in the car. I have no problems daily driving one, but if I have to be in mine for more than a hour without being able to stand up and walk around, I'm going to start hurting. Not an issue in a bigger car :)

[@blurglide]

@@bindingcurve I've done one in a Jeep TJ, with extensive camping gear (Yeti cooler, awning, tables, etc) for two people. It was tight.

[@y2kmadd]

U.S. cares about miles per gallon. We just care about having a fun or useful vehicle more.

[@Mauricio_EPM]

I don't know about the vehicle but for sure the shoes will be Yokohama!!! 😉👌

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

4x4 tacoma access cab with a 6'5" box add a pop up wedge camper small with room to stand up sleep etc .

[@joeroberts805]

With gas prices as they are, that Jetta guy is the real winner of the pan am

[@johnfitzgerald5158]

I think something that should be kept in mind. A family of four...especially with teens aboard...means you need more room, privacy concerns. Meaning dismantled rear seats won't do lest you take 2 vehicles. Regardless, the cost of driving a bigger crew cab truck or 2 smaller 2 seat trucks goes up. So, do you take 1 truck that drinks fuel or do you take 2 with maybe one and 3 quarters the fuel consumption combined...maybe more, plus all the other costs of taking 2 vehicles? Can you take 1 gas guzzler that 2 adults can sleep inside and teens sleep in ground tent? It has to be understood that a full family is just going to cost a lot more and you have to prepare for that.

[@solooverland3666]

Thanks for reinforcing my decision to never have kids 👍🏼 Besides, it’s better for the 🌎

[@richardduval9237]

Thank you for all advices.

[@teez4983]

This is great advice, thank you.

[@ricoman7981]

I know this is an older video but I’m curious about leaded vrs unleaded gasoline in various countries. Do all the countries have unleaded fuel?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Yes

[@adityasahani4321]

Its Chewsday innit bruv

[@juliussigurorsson3509]

VW Amarok is made in Argentina...

[@MrFrancoissavard]

Nice video Dan, keep up the good work. Stupid question here : how do people come back to North America from the panamerica highway ? Do they do the route again ? Do they sell the truck ? Do they put the truck on a boat ? What's the most common way ? Very curious about it, especially since the trip may take 6-12 months to do .

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Not a stupid question at all - I'd say roughly half of people sell their vehicle, and the other half ship their vehicle back, or to some other continent to keep going around the world. I met one guy at the bottom who loved it so much he was turning around to drive back to Canada!

[@MrFrancoissavard]

@@TheRoadChoseMe Thanks for the reply! Makes sense. I browsed about selling the car in Chile or Argentina. Does not look as straightforward as I thought.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

It is complicated, but many people do it every year.

[@ebikeengineer]

Great advice, as usual, Dan!

[@questioner1596]

Having owned a 26' camper trailer - everything is built very cheaply and there is a lot of flex. Not great for rough roads and countries without American RV parts stores. I had a pex plumbing line rupture in a couple spots because the guy putting staples in the floor missed, and it chafed going down the road.

[@gshivasankar]

Helpful video.👌🏻

[@G_336]

greetings Dan, thaks and grace for your shows x ... so in regards to diesel, i gather that a 1995 model is good to go yes?

[@noah-vk7zc]

1995 is most likely fine...kind of depends on what exact engine you are talking about Some older diesel engines run on vegetable oil oder pretty much anything similar to diesel without much modification. I would immagine that the diesel quality in Europe/USA/Japan (where the vehicle was produced) at that time wasn't better or much better than the quality of diesel available in south america today.

[@G_336]

@@noah-vk7zc it came from Japan. not sure of engine... 3L?

[@noah-vk7zc]

@@G_336 I can't speak in general terms as im really not qualified to. But for an example...i drive an Toyota Prado 90 with the 1kzte 3l trubo diesel engine...the engine isn't even direct injection so i wouldnt hesitate to take it to some developing coutry. Of course i'd still be careful of the fuel i put in it... trying to fill up at gas stations and not from bottles or barrels besides the road (if possible), maybe adding a second fuel filter and a water-seperator before going. Im not sure if the age of the vehicle really matters as much as the time the engine was developed and to which specifications. For example: I believe you can still buy a brand new 2020 Toyota Troopy with a 1HZ engine ... which was first put in vehicles in the early 90s and designed to run on diesel available in developing counties back then with the fuel quality having improved im these places i wouldnt think twice about taking a vehicle with such an engine to remote and less developed places.

[@G_336]

@@noah-vk7zc thank for that feedback Noah x So far everything I've heard sounds positive for what I have. Keep well and safe, Blessed be

[@Furniture121]

I'm leaning toward a Ford Ranger with a canopy camper set-up. I'm in the saving, and paying off stupid debt phase of the plan now. My goal is mostly NA, with SA , particularly Patagonia, as a more distant goal. That said, lake Titicaca is a definite stop when I go...If I didn't go, my former 12 year old self would never forgive me.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

haha, that's epic! Here's me camping with Titicaca in the background :) theroadchoseme.com/into-boliva

[@nicolasquevillon8844]

I think they call it a class A because that's the type of "class" you need on your driver's license to drive them.

[@otheremail123]

:)