As I've been on a few overland expeditions in my time, by simple matter of repetition I have miraculously learned a few things:
1) Any type of vehicle will do as most times you are on pavement
2) There is no amount of preparation which will be sufficient.
3) You must be flexible in patience, understanding, and willing to get outside your comfort zone
4) Complex large vehicles are great when they are working 100%, otherwise the worst
5) Finding availability of spare parts should be the primary factor in choosing a vehicle
6) Do not trust any mechanic to do a good job; do it yourself if you can
7) Biggest wastes of money are the off-road suspension, tires, winch, etc.
8) Interact with as many people as possible, you never know who you will meet.
9) You must have the ability to sleep in cold, hot, wet, and windy climates.
10) Bring your own spices
11) Change your oils, filters, and greasing frequently and strictly.
12) You must have a basic set of decent quality tools
13) Keep a log book of your maintenance schedule
14) Do not drive at night or at high speeds
15) Do not bring large items which you will use infrequently. Find another solution.
16) Space and weight are precious, so allocate accordingly.
17) Keep it simple: drive, eat, drink, sleep, bath, defecate; figure out if your system handles it all.
18) Build as much of your system as possible on your own. Hence you can repair it.
19) If your vehicle has an item which tends to break, it will break for you. Be prepared for it.
20) Traveling as a couple is the best way to share the load and stay sane.
1) Any type of vehicle will do as most times you are on pavement
2) There is no amount of preparation which will be sufficient.
3) You must be flexible in patience, understanding, and willing to get outside your comfort zone
4) Complex large vehicles are great when they are working 100%, otherwise the worst
5) Finding availability of spare parts should be the primary factor in choosing a vehicle
6) Do not trust any mechanic to do a good job; do it yourself if you can
7) Biggest wastes of money are the off-road suspension, tires, winch, etc.
8) Interact with as many people as possible, you never know who you will meet.
9) You must have the ability to sleep in cold, hot, wet, and windy climates.
10) Bring your own spices
11) Change your oils, filters, and greasing frequently and strictly.
12) You must have a basic set of decent quality tools
13) Keep a log book of your maintenance schedule
14) Do not drive at night or at high speeds
15) Do not bring large items which you will use infrequently. Find another solution.
16) Space and weight are precious, so allocate accordingly.
17) Keep it simple: drive, eat, drink, sleep, bath, defecate; figure out if your system handles it all.
18) Build as much of your system as possible on your own. Hence you can repair it.
19) If your vehicle has an item which tends to break, it will break for you. Be prepared for it.
20) Traveling as a couple is the best way to share the load and stay sane.