Yesterday, I was googling off road trucks ( would-be survival trucks ) and first I saw some photos like these


http://dodgeram.org/rides/12/T-Rex/set4/Stan_and_Dodge.jpg
http://dodgeram.org/rides/12/T-Rex/set6/finished5.jpg

Then I saw this webpage

I didnt care much for the guys on off road races, but I especially stopped at the photos of what looks to be 4 or 5 French families going on a Safari . I didnt understand a word on the page but liked the pictures so much. Every Landcruiser looked like a well-invested in survival truck ( or a great BOV) even when some were stuck in the sand.

http://home.tiscali.be/afrique/4x4.html

So, what is the relation between a green 6x6 truck and a bunch of families roaming around some desert ?

It struck me that some people spemnd tonnes of money to produce a flashy truck that is CARRIED from place to place. What a waste IMHO !! Off course, I dont know this guy who owns it and I am not even talking about this truck in particular. It is merely an example.

In simple words, my brain tried very hard to envision seeing this 6x6 along with those land cruisers in the Sahara and see if it had indeed done any better or got stuck less than the 4x4s. It would have been a REAL test. And it would have been a better goal fro investing $$$1000s IMO.

This reminds me of Bob Chandlers Monster Trucks being used to crush cars, and may indeed fail to go through a swamp or whatever.

If I had invested time and money to make a 6x6 , then by all means I will equip it with a truck bed tool box enough to make an extra large fixed BOB. Then I will join as many 4x4 clubs voyages as I can to improve my "bugging out" skills through enjoyable trips.

There was a picture of this truck crushing cars . which is hardly something I would maufacfture such a magnificent SURVIVAL TRUCK to do.

I get it know
That website covers several desert trips/ if you are interested you can view them all:

http://home.tiscali.be/afrique/voyages.html

OK, I cofess.
The subject isnt attractive nor it is clear enough.

Lets say that prepartionists are focused on getting good cars that will do the job and nothing more. The more "average looking" it is , the better.

On the other hand, there are people who add to their vehicle a dozen lights, bigger tires, and what have you, then use it to SHOW others how great looking their rigs are.

What a waste !!!

I've heard of that t-rex before. its a small company who specializes in 6x56 trucks for whatever use. My guess is somene bought one and posted about it and their adventures on that page you found.
I don't like "trialer queens" either. I see a lot of the "survivalist" types who have some bug out/survival vehicle sitting at home but if something happens and they are at work and can't can't get to their survival vehicle then its just wasted. I like having my daily driver my survival vehicle. Sure its a compromise as I'm not going to be able to drive a 6x6 or rock crawler or military vehicle to and from work but I'm stuck in a front wheel drive minicar either. I went with a regular pickup truck with extended cab since I have a family and cap on the bed for my supplies. I get decent gas milage (around 20mpg) and still have 4 wheel drive and plently of supplies on board. From a BOB and FAK under the front seats to tools and gear under the back seat to larger capming supplies under the cap (the cap its self can be used as shelter as well) I'm still prepared while I'm at work.

Speaking of wasted capabilities.... have you ever looked at most of the SUVs and 4WD trucks that people drive around (or did before the gas prices zoomed)? Not a scratch, not a dent, not a speck of mud. It seems pretty silly to me to pay $30-40,000 for a vehicle and use it for the same purposes that you would use an RX-7. And equally silly to buy them just to be able to get out of a ditch because they were driving too fast on ice. They're just pets.

Worse: a young woman at work has a new Hummer that her daddy bought her.......... just for 'guy bait'.

Sue

"Just for Guy bait"

Speaking as a Dad of 3 girls, 7,4 and 13 weeks I'm still looking for a guy repellent! <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

"I didnt understand a word on the page but liked the pictures so much."


4 x 4 en difficulté, montées et descentes de dunes, etc.

4 X 4 in difficulty, rises and descents of dunes, etc.


(ces photos ont été trouvées sur Internet ou nous ont été transmises, sauf celles où il y a la mention "Photo perso")

(these photographs were found on [the] Internet or were transmitted to us, except those where there is the mention "Photo [person]")

Note: I am assuming "perso" is a typo.


The remaining text is of little relevance: instructions for correcting technical difficulties, thanking people for sending photos and credits.

Jeanette Isabelle

Chris Scott's "Sahara Overland", by Trailblazer Press (or something similar), has got to be one of the Best! And perhaps *the* Best! Book on Sahara and other Desert Offroading out there! Its been a Real Joy to "Slurp so Much of this Up!", -in the Bookstores 2 or 3 years ago! Its Updated and Revised every few years.

And though it probably also comes in French and some other Languages, -*It Certainly also Comes in English!!!!*

Get a Hold of it sometime!, if you can!

*This* is Anything BUT a Waste!!!! [color:"black"] [/color] [email]Chisel[/email]

"photo perso" means "pix taken by myself" or "my own pix"
....