EXPEDITION TRUCK BUILD - We Bought a Truck!

It's happened... after five years of being on the road full-time in our tiny home on wheels, change was inevitable but, there really is no going back now.
In our sixth year of full-time travel, we share our excitement in the form of our overland truck build, time frames, and the mother of all challenges!
Subscribe and join us on our truck build journey, where we share our highs and lows.
FOLLOW US ON OUR EUROPE OVERLAND TRIP ON INSTAGRAM:
/ the_gap_decaders
FACEBOOK:
/ gap-decaders
JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP:
/ thegapdecaders
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE:
thegapdecaders.com
#expeditiontruckbuild #expeditionvehicle #expeditioncamper #diytruckbuild #truckcamper #overlandbuild #overlandproject #expeditionrig #expeditiontruck #overland #overlandtruckcamperfulltime #full-timetravel #fulltimerv #fulltimervlife #fulltimervlifestyle #fulltimemotorhome #fulltimevanlife #tinyhome #tinyhomes #allchange #timeforchange #livinginamotorhomefulltimeineurope #fulltimetraveler #overlandtruckcamper #motorhome #motorhomeliving #expeditionvehicle #4x4truckcamper #motorhomemovment #vanlife #vanlifeuk #lifeontheroad
#overlandeurope #overlandtruck #campertruck #traveleurope #motorhomelife #vanlifeeurope #travelinspiration #europeoverland #vanlifetravel #vanlifetravelvlog

[@alfhighland9243]

Marianne and myself wish you both lots of happiness on the new build project and marking lots of happiness making new memories, 👍👍

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Alf, thank you both 😀

[@phylroberts8830]

Your new truck sounds amazing. I'm more excited about it than you are! I'm looking forward to watching come to fruition.

[@TheGapDecaders]

😂😂 Cheers Phyl, appreciated 👍🏻😀

[@deansutcliffe3596]

Looking forward to seeing it around in the neighbourhood 😀

[@TheGapDecaders]

lol, cheers Dean 👍🏻😀

[@ronbirchard5262]

congrats on your new truck build plans

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Ron, thank you

[@johnbancken2011]

Congrads

[@TheGapDecaders]

cheers John 🙏😀

[@anuraghk5195]

good luck

[@TheGapDecaders]

thank you 😀

[@kevinhasker]

Hey, wanna hear a crazy idea? Of course you do. So The Fit RV is at the Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf, and are looking at electric RVs. Knaus partnered with a company to make their RV electric. It still has an "engine" but it is now just a generator. The actual drive is all electric. Why do you care? Because electric motors are so much more reliable, and since you have a generator you never have to worry about running out of power. I am sure converting your new truck like this will be too expensive, but when you update in five to ten years? It could be a solid option.

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi kevin, no idea what's going on with my notifications but i'm only just seeing this now. Interesting one, I've seen lots of trials happening over the past few years but probably more so in the US, must check this out 👍🏻🙏

[@kevinhasker]

@@TheGapDecaders So I looked into it further, and unfortunately for cars its prohibitively expensive. $40K-$60K right now. (Its a big business for people who want to convert classic cars.) They did say that for heavy trucks (which already might go through several motors) it might be worth converting them in the future, but right now its a definite no go. Maybe it will get cheaper? Especially for heavy trucks where room is not an issue? We can only hope. Such a pity, especially for people like me who want to be 100% electric. I *need* a generator, and electric vehicles are just so much more durable. Watched a video a while ago about an electric car from 1901 with its original motor! That's the kind of reliability I want when I am wandering through Columbia on the Pan-American highway.

[@PenelopetheTruck]

Congratulations guys 🎉

[@TheGapDecaders]

thank you 😊

[@eddiexblue]

So, sooo jealous! It seems that you got a very good deal with the new truck and with the £6k reduction in price and no hassle of getting rid of the 'scrap metal' on the back, even better. I guess if the build comes in on budget and you then add the price that Tonka is worth - it 'could' be a not too expensive upgrade? I wish I had your knowledge and courage! Keep the vlogs coming........they are great!

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Eddie, thank you for the encouragement and hopefully it'll all pan out 😀 Yeah being left with a cab chassis is a nice place to start. It'll be lovely to come out the other side with something that we've designed and all ours (without being that classic Grand Design...over time and. budget) 🙏

[@kevingallagher1445]

As as another NI man is good to hear someone pronounce veyyhicle properly...lol...sounds the business and good luck on the build. I think I was actually parked near you in Italy early in summer but hadn't seen your vids and loved Tonka. Best of luck and hope you don't get too many busted knuckles of the year...

[@TheGapDecaders]

Ah great and good to hear from you. Hadn’t even thought about veyhicle, but I'm sat here smiling (as I say it in my head) 😁 That's a pitty, would’ve been great to meet up, there’s always next time. 🙏😀

[@jasonthomas5925]

Great vid as always guys 😀….I can feel your excitement …😀👍🇬🇧x

[@TheGapDecaders]

Cheers Jason, 😁😁🍷

[@Colorado4x4Van]

Agree with the use of Gas 100%. Cooks better, secondary heat source, easy to refill/replace. Excited to see the progress!

[@TheGapDecaders]

Appreciated, thank you, and good to hear someone else's thoughts on gas. 🙏😀

[@kevinhasker]

Or a back up generator. Gas does not cook better than modern induction cooktops, and is unhealthy in closed spaces. Modern induction is nothing like the garbage we had when growing up. It is faster, more energy efficient, and safer than gas. It also doesn't heat up the space around it. Gas is dangerous when going through low tunnels as well. If the tunnel bows down the gas will accumulate at the low point. Of course I am sure many modern tunnels of this sort (like the one under the channel) have systems to deal with this.

[@TheGapDecaders]

Like many of these debates, it's subjective. We actually carry a modern induction with us and in our previous property, it is clean and relatively efficient but there’s no getting away from the fact it’s still a big power drain. We briefly floated the idea of a backup geny, but if I've gotta run it to power an induction hob, that's not for me. 😀@@kevinhasker

[@kevinhasker]

@@TheGapDecaders Yep. I intend to *try* for induction but don't know if I can. You might want to check out the power you can get with a modern solar set up first. Chuck Cassidy was planning on gas but he changed his mind--he is a professional bus converter. You can see his discussion about it in the video "How I F****** UP my own bus" at about time stamp 6:15.

[@kevinhasker]

@@TheGapDecaders I agree, but you might want to check out the power you can get from a new solar setup first. Chuck Cassidy--a professional bus converter---originally was planning on gas on his bus, but then changed his mind after checking out the power he could get with his solar setup. He discusses this in "How I F****** UP my own bus" at about time stamp 6:15. What is not a matter of opinion is that having gas is more dangerous. Probably your rig will leak enough air that you don't need to be worried about interior air quality but the danger from fire and (to others) of going through low lying tunnels are simply facts.

[@livingworkingoutsidebox]

Congratulations. So Ms. Izzy will be taking 4x4 offroad driving lessons from you?😊😉🤔 She did give you a compliment about how well you know about driving and looking over these trucks. 🚚 😅😊 What was it a.... MAN 18 280. ? 18 tonne 280 engine Nice job AC too. ✔ ✅ well done Thank you for sharing your journey.

[@TheGapDecaders]

Our pleasure, thank you. 😁😁 Despite teaching off-road driving for years and haven driven everything everywhere, I think me teaching Izzy to drive off-road would end in Divorce 😂😂. Exactly right, 18 tons and 280bhp 👍🏻😀

[@livingworkingoutsidebox]

@@TheGapDecaders 🤣👍

[@TheOffgridNomadUK]

You found a great truck I try to tell people keep away from electric filled trucks too many sensor's Can't wait to see the build

[@TheGapDecaders]

Thank you, appreciate the support 👍🏻😀

[@Rob.1340]

👍😎

[@TheGapDecaders]

🙏

[@KevIsOffGrid]

Ooooo exciting ! I better watch now and see.

[@KevIsOffGrid]

Does look a nice clean base vehicle. Especially given the crane removal and chassis clean/paint.

[@KevIsOffGrid]

Surely up the amp hours if going for AC. Then it also means you can use the induction when you have plenty of power. surprised you dont got for diesel cooking inside, then its just 1 fuel to get. Agree on multiple ways to cook - I do induction/electric oven and gas depending on season/power levels.

[@TheGapDecaders]

Cheers Kev, that's the only reason we'd increase... for the a/c. Experience in many countries throughout the seasons has unquestionably led to the multi-fuel decision. We very nearly went down the diesel cooker with our current rig. but we're put off by a number of people with them so decided we'd stick with what we like, gas & electric. @@KevIsOffGrid

[@vandahopwood1305]

As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters. Good luck with everything ❤ Vanda

[@askthechicken]

Wow ! You two congratulations on your truck- lovely to see you both so excited. Most of the detail went over my head 😂- looking forward to seeing how it all unravels 🎉

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Amanda, thank you and yes it was a little like Christmas morning (only better) 😁. Hopefully it'll all go swimmingly well, although I still have Kevin McCloud's voice in my head every time I delve into the detail 😁🍷

[@angelamaxwell4281]

Congratulations on buying your new truck. We're excited to watch your progress when you start the build. Safe travels 🚚

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Angela, thank you and very much appreciated. 🍷😀

[@michaelgarcher]

mega excited for you guys. I can't wait to see all the updates on this. I didn't come across the whole over-landing thing until I found you and am hooked now, and keen to learn more, so can't wait for more on Tonka #2. I'm sure you will have been asked already, but have you already sold Tonka #1 for when you move to Tonka #2 once done?

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Michael, thank you and pleased you're enjoying the overlanding scene 😀. We haven’t put Tonka 1 on the market yet, we're obviously still travelling until the end of the year, and sadly she'll go onto the market early next year. 👍🏻😀

[@annvanderaa2630]

Congrats!! Woohooo, now the real planning for the built can start. How exciting!

[@robhughes4249]

We are going with 1200w solar, 3kw inverter and 280ah lithium at 24v, all through victron Carbo, so we are on the same page for power. I’m going to run a towel rail and a radiator off the engine cooling system, but we won’t have any AC :) I’ll be fitting windows this weekend, so spare a thought to feel my pain. :)

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Rob, all sounds good stuff. Just curious, how are you heating your hot water? Remember, measure 27 times and cut once 😂🙏

[@robhughes4249]

@@TheGapDecadersI can’t make up my Mind, I was a bit put off the eberspacher after your experience in Turkey and Spain, so probably a heat exchange set up and a tank rather than instant hot water.

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Rob, It's true they do go wrong but not often, they're pretty simple with few component parts. We'll definitely fit one to our new truck unless something outstanding comes onto the market. 👍🏻@@robhughes4249

[@robhughes4249]

What eberspacher would you recommend, and what unit do you have fitted?

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Rob, we currently have a D5WSC but on our new truck build, we'll probably go with the newer version - the S3 D5E. But that very much depends on budget as they're £2k 😩@@robhughes4249

[@mcnaughtsontour]

Brill to hear and looks like you are both looking forward to it. Me too!

[@TheGapDecaders]

Thank you, appreciated 👍🏻😀

[@crivensro]

Congratulations! You look so happy and excited! I will enjoy following your progress with your new MAN project!

[@TheGapDecaders]

thank you 🍷😀

[@artemistheoverlander]

glad you found a truck, will be following this with interest!

[@kevinhasker]

Congratulations, guys! And I can't wait to find out how much your box will cost. About where to put the motorcycle. I know having a boot is important, but is it equally important to have rear access? If you are building from scratch you could put doors on either side, and then sling the motorcycle down low in the back---much better for balance and easier than putting it on the roof. Or... you might be able to fit it into the boot, but I am certain that would mean a new miniature motorcycle. Or... another option would be to have the motorcycle stand on hinges, so you could swing it to one side with ease. But now I am fetching.

[@kopeducati]

main thing with your Victron setup is whether you ll carry a silent generator of second alternator ... 1,2kw of solar won't top up your batteries for a full nights of aircon for days on end .. especially when you ll be heating water (for 2 : 30L will do) from electric. Instead of having 1 5KVA, put 2 3kva inverters.. more punch and redundancy in 1 go ... ( we carry 5kw of solar, 20kwh of batteries and 2x5kva inverters. )

[@TheGapDecaders]

We won't be using a generator, we're hoping to fit 2k solar coupled with a 150A alternator and a buck boost which should top them up pretty quickly. In reality, we'll only turn the A/C on a few hours before we sleep as opposed to running all night. In the last week we've spent considerable time in talks with a Victron rep discussing our energy needs and coming up with a pretty sizeable specification, but always happy to take advice from fellow travellers. 🙏😀

[@kopeducati]

no advice, just handing considerations... a 150A as second alternator ? or the main ? we ve got a 180A main and can take 50A off.. but that's a euro6E .. with lots of electronics ... we maximised the solar array .. all is well in summer.. it s the grey seasons , isn't it .. :)

[@TheGapDecaders]

150A as the main, it's the buck boost which for us will be the main advantage in our set up. We've got a totally off grid house in a remote location in Spain with a Victron set up and geny, which is definitely required in the winter months. As you say, it's easy in summer but hopefully with some expert advice and our experience living off grid full time for some years now, we'll get it right first time round. If I don't, I'll definitely put my hand up. Cheers 🙏😀@@kopeducati

[@adrianwestwood550]

Very exciting, can’t wait to see the build process👍👍

[@TheGapDecaders]

Cheers Adrian, 😀

[@janehinchliffe]

Sounds amazing! I'm really excited for you both and to see the build come together next year.

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Jane, thank you 😊

[@shaunamarshall7672]

Glad you found a truck. Can’t wait to see the build!

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Shauna, thank you 🙏😀

[@MogsAndDogs]

Awesome news! Really looking forward to watching you build it. 🎉

[@TheGapDecaders]

Cheers guys, I know you guys get it so much appreciated 🙏😀

[@notseamus]

Ooh that was a particularly mind blowing gap d episode But absolutely Loved the look of excitement on both your faces though. Which was worth the entrance fee alone. Keep em coming guys ✌🏼👍

[@TheGapDecaders]

LOL... Paul you never fail to make me laugh 😀 Thank you, we'll try, and maybe, just maybe it's your next pathway? 🙏😀

[@notseamus]

@@TheGapDecaders Maybe. And we’ve quickly learned it’s exactly the thing about this way of living. You never know which way the path will take you.

[@TheGapDecaders]

Absolutely, never say never 👍🏻😀@@notseamus

[@JAMJourneys1226]

Really looking forward to seeing the build progress - cracking truck and best wishes !

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Mark, thank you 🙏 😊

[@user-ct2hq2uv5r]

Great news realy looking forward to the new build .All the best

[@TheGapDecaders]

Cheers Alex, 🍷😀

[@davidhall8745]

Great news and so jealous! Looking forward to the journey ahead. Great truck to convert and the build process will be great to follow. Dave

[@TheGapDecaders]

Nice one Dave, appreciated 😀

[@user-ru8od2hq6k]

Really excited to be able to follow this journey with your new truck build . I take my hat off to you both and look forward to further updates as and when they come. 🎉go you two😊

[@TheGapDecaders]

LOL... Thank you, it is exciting and daunting but we're really looking forward to it. 🙏😀

[@johnwarburton7673]

Excellent news guys! Sounds like you got a good result there. Excited for you and looking forward to seeing the plan come together 😀. All the best👍.

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi John, thank you, and yep just need to get back now and get started.👍🏻😀

[@stevelippett6227]

I have been watching you guys for a while now and was very happy when you said you We’re going to do your own van/ truck. Looking forward to seeing the project progress. All the best

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Steve, thank you and appreciate you saying so, fingers crossed it'll go at least 80% as intended 😁

[@peterfinch3548]

Well, the project is real now. As others have said, your excitement shone through your vlog. The truck looks great and to my uneducated eye, looks like a good buy at that price. With the outline spec you described it did cross my mind to achieve all that for £100k would take some doing but obviously you are far more experienced than I am on such matters. I get your thinking about water tank capacities, especially grey waste. We have 90litres grey on our van and it is way too much. The problem with large battery capacity is the problem of keeping it charged so again what you describe makes absolute sense. I am looking forward to the build starting but if you want to 'waffle on' again about specification at a future date I for one would be interested. All the best.

[@TheGapDecaders]

Cheers Peter, Indeed, we still have lots to work through but it's a good start. You're absolutely right with the batteries, it's great having a big bank but refilling it takes a lot of effort. Loving your last paragraph, Izzy thinks I excel at waffling, so possibly maybe 😁🙏

[@georgepaddock4927]

Well done both. Very much looking forward to following your new journey. Phil...can't beat an ocd ex military veteran😂😂😂

[@TheGapDecaders]

LOL... Hi George, thank you...that'a about right 👌😂😂

[@hairadditions]

So looking forward to seeing this build progress. Have a Motorhome at their moment but looking for a self build in the next 2-3 years, so I will have my notebook out and hopefully getting loads of tips. Just hit subscribe to follow your progress.

[@TheGapDecaders]

Thank you, I hope it doesn’t disappoint. It'll certainly be a learning curve for me too, so hopefully I can share warts and all. 👍🏻😀

[@simonbarrett8418]

Well done on truck purchase , it really fits the bill with longer wheel base . Interested to find out the box build !!

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Simon, thank you. Still lots to work through as you well know (with the box being one of those) 🙏😀

[@gordonbryson2986]

Well my Fiona is wetting her pants and jumping up n down can't wait for the new build ,WHY CANY WE DO THAT,!, cheers phil n Izzy Think and agree 100% with your ideas and vitron ,hope vitron are watching and sponsor you guys ( they do for motorhomers ) Well anyway we both wish you all the success and many happy safe miles when it take place All the very best from Fiona and Gordon fae bonnie Scotland

[@TheGapDecaders]

😁😁This is hilarious,... Gordan, I think Fiona's right..forget the Hymer, this is the answer to all your retirement dreams. It would be lovely to get a sponsor or some support but we're certainly not counting on it. Thank you for all the support and hopefully we can share a glass together at some point 🍷😀

[@carlredmond3642]

Plans for the new truck sound great. Best of luck on it. Will be looking forward to following your build. ?? How to you plan to have the empty habit box constructed...build it yourself somehow, or subcontract it to a vendor to build ?..to sub it out, what do you expect as an approximate cost for that part of the build ?

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Carl, thank you. Indeed, one of the biggest costs, if you go to any hab box builder in the UK right now, a 5.6m box with door is coming in around £25k (without subframe or paint). Obviously, your choice of windows (with screens), roof lights and garage doors/cut through can easily be another £15k - if you oft for a glass option. This is exactly the stage we're at right now and we're exploring all the options, but it won't be £25k. Have a great Christmas 🎄 🍷😀 P&I

[@carlredmond3642]

@TheGapDecaders Thanks...great info...very helpful

[@carlredmond3642]

@TheGapDecaders Happy Christmas to you too.

[@backbeatpat]

Good start to project. See you looking at splitrims, are there split rims on your current truck.

[@TheGapDecaders]

Thank you, yes we currently have split rims on this truck. I'm happy to use split rims again despite their bad rep, might go down the Hutchinson route but expensive and I'd much prefer to keep them steel (for deflation without the risk of damage).

[@backbeatpat]

@@TheGapDecaders I'm dilemmaed. Are split rims over rated in the modern day scheme of things. Have traveled remote with them before but never needed them. Do you have an opinion on this?

[@TheGapDecaders]

Having spent 25years in the army and split literally hundreds (of three piece) over the years. I suppose for me, there's a little comfort in the familiarity of what I know. I'm open to any bolted rim option but I'd prefer it to be steel (which potentially rules out the Hutchinson rims). I could of course go with a one-piece super single, a challenge to change by yourself in the middle of nowhere. Although in fairness, you could probably get it changed anywhere. For us, we''ll keep this truck for a long time and we know that shit happens, we'll do the America's and parts of Asia & Africa so just trying to pre-empt and make life easier as and when things go wrong. I'm certainly no expert on rims, and always open to people's thoughts. Cheers 🙏😀@@backbeatpat

[@bitasuite]

Thanks great video. What's the plan with the old truck? Any idea on its value?

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Phil, thank you. It's not 100% but it'll be about £95k 🙏

[@bitasuite]

@@TheGapDecaders thanks so much. My wife and I are planning to do something similar but we're realistically about 10 years off.

[@meurigjones2469]

Really excited for you. One question though, will going for an Euro 4 cause you problems with emission zones in the future? (I know nothing about this by the way)

[@TheGapDecaders]

Thank you 😊 I very much doubt it, it's only a European standard /requirement which is more applicable to bigger towns or cities, not the sort of place we want to take the rig anyway. Outside of Europe, it just isn’t a thing, our current truck has a Euro 2 engine and it hasn’t been an issue. Cheers 🍷🙏

[@meurigjones2469]

Ideal. Can I please ask how you are going to source the habitation pod? P.S. Brilliant video again this week from Montenegro.

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi thank you. We’re currently looking at our options but it'll probably be a re-purposed solution and fabricated to our size/spec. We know a chap (Simon) who reached out and suggested we bring one in from China, (this is where the Australian market source them). I think it'll be easier to go firm on the source once we're back in the UK. 🙏 @@meurigjones2469

[@Dandy-Offroad]

Think about that the Cabin is not 250 cm. The smaller (in to 15 feet) Bliss cabins are only 227 which is much easier in narrow places. If you build another cabin, do not buy any AC from Truma as this has no inverter technology (too noisy, too high electricity consumption. I recommend standard split AC for home use. (Check the channel of (WoMo-adventure)

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi, great advice on the a/c...I'll check them out, thank you. Our current box is 225 which sits well on our L2000, and yes even with that, we've been in some very tight spots. However, part of the attraction is to have a little more width, in reality it'll probably be 245 and proportionately closer to the 18ft unit. Lot's of food for thought 🙏😀

[@mcljot]

What's the asking for Tonka 1? :)

[@TheGapDecaders]

We've yet to go firm on a final asking price, but it'll be around £95k

[@mcljot]

@@TheGapDecaders Fair! Greetings from rainy Cork, Ireland 😁

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hello, yeah the weathers been terrible this summer in Ireland, but honestly right now after weeks of 35-40 degrees, we're craving rain 🌧 😁 @@mcljot

[@richhall9788]

Hi Phill looks like I may be buying a truck can you tell me who you insure with. Any help would be appreciated. Rich

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Rich, we're currently insured with Sterling however we're just about to renew to Stavely Head. Just be aware, the vehicle value with greatly determine the Insurance cost. Not sure what your rigs worth but anything under £55k will be significantly less. Good luck 👍🏻😁

[@richhall9788]

@@TheGapDecaders Thanks for the info looking forward to your new build. 👍

[@TheGapDecaders]

Cheers Rich, 🙏😀

[@kevinhasker]

OK, I just gotta ask, what are two ENGLISH people do going south in the summertime? Norway? Sweden? Finland? Much cooler at this time of year 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TheGapDecaders]

We like the heat, ok maybe not 40 degrees but yeah it's hot 😁 Done Scandinavia, so many other places to see, can't let the weather get in the way 😂😂👍🏻

[@kevinhasker]

@@TheGapDecaders 👊 The road calls... but maybe AC in the new truck? That's what us Americans do. 🤣 Just heard you are planning on AC, good on yer. It will be ready to go anywhere. Too bad you can't really drive to SE Asia these days.

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Kev, you can if you're happy driving through Iran, but Brit's and Americans will struggle to get a visa to transit through. Lot's of European overlanders are still making the journey without issue. Shipping a rig into Oman is uber expensive and not straightforward. 🙏😀 @@kevinhasker

[@kevinhasker]

@@TheGapDecaders What about Burma? I mean, India, yea. Kazakhstan (can get a ferry), Pakistan and then India, all fairly stable. But I am talking about Thailand and surrounding countries. That would require Burma or getting a driver through China. Do you know people who have gone through Burma with no hassle?

[@TheGapDecaders]

The big problem for all nationalities right now is getting across the Caspian sea, the land border into Azerbaijan remains closed with no shipping option. Myanmar (Burma) has been fighting its own internal conflict for the past few years, so definitely nobody has been transiting through for some time, and as you say China requires an escort. Pakistan, India, Thailand are all doable but it's how to get there. There's no question there's frustration within the overlanding world right now, as traveling east is challenging.👍🏻😀@@kevinhasker