ORIGINAL RAPIDO OWNERS CLUB

Proposed North American Adventure

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Rapido Caravans on the road like they never have been before.

Come Explore the North American Frontier and bring your Rapido along for the tow.

Introduce yourselves and your Rapido to your colony named British Columbia.

Click Mouse to advance through the slides.

6400km of spectacular mountains & wilderness in 21 days.(Pay no attention to the numbered boxes. They just show the order of direction.)

ShippingIt all starts by getting your trailers here.

It may sound costly but if shared becomes quite reasonable.Our trailers have a distinct advantage. They are designed to be stored upright. This means that they could be packed into a cargo container in a very efficient manner.

Assuming all the trailers were the smaller models with folding hitches; it would be possible to fit anywhere between 14 & 16 units into a standard 40ft container.

Top view of container.

End view of container.

Side view of container.

This is an example of how the trailers could be packed. In this example it is assumed all trailers have folding hitches and cooking boxes are removed and possibly fitted into gaps.

It would be recommended to make your own transport jigs. These would be made from lumber and designed to support the trailers on end.

We would suggest a 2 part jig.

Part 1 (P1) fastens to the rear of the trailer while on its wheels.

Part 2 (P2) is much larger and is designed to support two P1 jigs facing each other. The P2 jig will be designed with forklift slots.

Once the P1 jig is safely attached, the trailer may be lifted upright by a forklift and lowered into one half of a P2 jig. Once 2 trailers are in a P2 jig, they can be lashed together creating a very stable load.

This dual trailer package can then be moved by forklift into the container and braced.

Different jigs and packing arrangements could be designed for the larger Export models.

Our initial inquiry to a local shipping company produced the following recommendations:

• Pay the little bit extra to have a container delivered to you and do your own packing. Then at the far end, have someone supervise the unloading.

• Because you are shipping into another country, use a bonded company that will receive your container for you and handle the foreign inspection issues. This will allow you to land and unload into a safe environment before inspection. Should (unlikely) Canada Customs require the opening of any trailers, arrangements could be made for us to do so on your behalves.

• Allow a large shipping window. This will save money. Shipping companies purchase reserved space on container ships. If they can’t fill the space, they broker out the remaining space at the last minute for lower cost. If you are not in a hurry to move your goods, you can take advantage of the reduced price.

It will be up to you to choose your own shipping company. We will work with their Canadian end to help with the unloading and the reloading after the adventure.

Shipping Costs

• 1st estimate for 40ft container - $6000-$7000 us funds round trip. (Could mean $500us round trip for each trailer.)

• Monthly storage if trailers arrive early – Unknown• Deposit to Canada Customs to ensure you are not selling the trailer.

This is a % of the trailer value and is refunded to you when the trailer returns to England. – Unknown(If you decide to go ahead we will work with a customs broker on this.)

• Insurance – Unknown.You will have to work with the shipping company you choose. Also ensure you have valid international road and peril insurance on your trailers.

• Packing jigs. – Probably will cost a few hundred euros in materials but cheap to make yourselves.

• Loading/Unloading – Labour & time for forklift.

Other Travel Costs

• Airfare to Canada• Medical Insurance• Trailer insurance while it is being used or stored.

(IE: a tree falls on it while camping, or a warehouse fire during storage or road accident etc. etc. etc.)

• Food & FuelPetrol is half the cost here as it is in England. Even towing (at today's prices) it will cost about $720ca (360 pounds) in fuel to do this trip in a mid size car with rapido in tow.

• The usual travel expenses.

Rental Towing VehicleWe looked at the cost of renting vehicles.

Pro’s

• You pick it up. Use & abuse it. Then return it.

Con’s

• The only vehicles with hitches are trucks or larger SUV’s. They are expensive to rent and never come with unlimited miles. This means you will not only pay for your fuel but will pay the rental company for every mile driven.

• They charge you extra if you leave the province. (You will do this numerous times.) GPS will tell them.

• Rental for a month is very expensive.

Owned Towing VehicleWe suggest the following solution:

Everyone comes at least a week early. We will pick up the 1st group that arrives and make our towing vehicle available. (GMC Suburban) Note: We’ll explain the mud on the truck later.

The Suburban will seat 8 people and their luggage. It may be used to move your trailers, obtain supplies, fetch others from the airport, and generally get around.

As you arrive, we will set your trailer up at a full amenity campground in historic Fort Langley. This campsite is walking distance from all shops and services. You are about 1 hour from the airport here and in the perfect area to shop for a used towing vehicle. (Outside the city in a rural setting.)

During this week, everyone purchases a used vehicle. We can arrange for a local garage to help with inspections. Prior to your return to England, you consign the vehicle for resale.

Why Purchase a Vehicle?We determined that renting a towing vehicle would be about $2200 for 4 weeks + .16/km if over 3000km. (The proposed tour is 6400km + misc. side trips.) This would make the total rental cost exceed $3000. Not taking into account extra fees for entering Alberta, Alaska, and the Yukon.

Good used light SUV’s, larger cars, mini vans etc. that are between 5 and 10 years old can be had for $3000 to $6000 dollars. If you are not in a hurry to buy, you can get them much cheaper. Once you are done, you can sell the same vehicle for close to what you paid for it.

Your costs:

Vehicle registration & insurance for period of ownership.

Difference in price between purchase & resale.

Minor modifications. (Perhaps a hitch, trailer light wiring etc.)

Total could be around $1500 which is half the price of renting. The only disadvantage is you would have to budget the capital to purchase then sell the car.

About Selling a Vehicle

• Our group won't the first to purchase, tour, & sell vehicles. We see a lot of German and Australian tourists here that do that. There are many reputable places that will give you instant cash for a vehicle. There are also places that will get you more by selling it for commission and wiring the funds after sale. If you plan to stay in the area for a bit after the tour you may be able to even do a private sale for the same price you paid. There are many options but don't worry about having to leave behind a vehicle you can't sell.

Other ConsiderationsThis tour covers the scenic parts of British Columbia, some of Alberta, some of the Yukon, and gives you a taste of the Alaska highway.

It is a perfect way to SAFELY see these wilderness areas amongst a group of friends on a tour that is designed to take you to the highlights as determined by local knowledge.

After the tour there is so much more to see while your trailers are here. For those of you with the time, you may wish to continue touring on your own or as a smaller group into other areas or perhaps the US. The Oregon Coastal highway is a camper’s delight and safe for all. California and Disneyland are the next stop beyond Oregon. The Grand Canyon and other parts of Arizona are all within a camper’s reach. This is the perfect time to explore while you have a vehicle and camper on this soil.

The return shipping date of your trailers can be scheduled for after the camping season. Those that must return after the initial tour will store their trailers until all units are ready for shipping. At that time we will supervise the loading into a container.

Even if you cannot continue traveling on your own, you may have another friend or relative that may wish to take advantage of the fact you have a car and camper here for the next few months and allow them to use it until the return date. The options are flexible.

Schedules

We would consider this tour as a 3 week to 4 week adventure ending in the month of June.

The tour can be done in 21 days but would become more relaxed if extended an additional week.

We suggest June because the days are longer in the northern country and the campgrounds are not in peak season. It is also easier for those that work to get extended time off in the month of June.

Another advantage of June, is that those who wish to explore after the tour have the best 3 months of weather to do so: July, Aug, and Sept.

The big disadvantage is that June can be hit and miss for good weather. Usually we have the warm weather begin in May. A couple of weeks of rain in late May/early June can be normal. Everyone must just plan accordingly.

Packing & trailer stuffWe would suggest organizing your trailer for quick setup & take down. Put all overnight items in 1 bin for easy access. There will be nights we pull in, set up and leave in the AM.

Cooking boxes with fridges & propane stoves are a plus but not required. You will appreciate having access to your fridge & stove top while on the road.

Short height propane tanks for cooking boxes are available here. You may not be allowed to ship them so we would make sure the local supplier has enough to meet our needs.

The power here is 110V 60hz. You can get 220V 60hz at some places. We suggest you ensure you are comfortable with running your trailer on 12V from a car source. There will be many nights where you will have to do so. (You may even decide to pack or buy a separate battery to power your trailer. However, if you do run your car battery down there are many people able to give you a jump start.)

Standard propane torches (Coleman etc) are sold everywhere.

Laundry services will be available at most of the stops.

ComparisonTo rent a motor home camper for 1 month will cost anywhere from $3200 to $4200 for the cheaper base model.

If you total your costs it is still cheaper to bring the Rapidos; if enough people share the overseas shipping.

The longer you plan to tour and use your own camper, the better the cost difference.

There is also the option of shipping less trailers in a 20ft container. That would be something for the interested people to investigate.

Should enough people show serious interest, then we can research more details in the various costs to be incurred at this end.

DistancesDon’t be turned off by the distances between stops.

This is Canada! We are big! (England itself could fit 7 times into British Columbia and still leave room for others.)

Our roads are scenic and wide. The highway traffic outside the city is light. You are not going to be in nose to tail traffic for hours. You will be moving at highway speed with few other cars than ourselves. The views will be ever changing and drives stimulating.

A 4 hour drive is a medium jaunt. 8 hours actually gets you somewhere. In the city 2 hours can be considered a normal commute.

To travel from one corner of British Columbia to the opposing corner would take 4 to 5 days of driving. We will do this and back in 21 days.

The Proposed Tour

• D01 – Anderson Lake• D02 – Whistler/Seton Portage

day trip• D03 – Fintry• D04 – Okanagan Wine tour

day trip• D05 – Relax socialize• D06 – Nakusp• D07 – Ainsworth day trip• D08 – Lake Louise• D09 – Day trip• D10 – Jasper

• D11 – Smithers• D12 – Relax or day trip• D13 – Hyder Alaska• D14 – Salmon Glacier day trip• D15 – Dease Lake• D 16 – Telegraph Creek day

trip• D17 – Laird Hot Springs• D18 – Charlie Lake• D19 – Barkerville• D20 – Day trip• D21 – Vancouver

“Relax” and “day trip” mean the trailers don’t move that day.Trailers will be set up on days marked in blue.

Note: This is rough proposal. An actual tour may be fine tuned, extended and modified.

Day 01 – Fort Langley to Anderson Lake

(244km 3.5hrs)

We will leave historic Fort Langley and take the #1 freeway through Vancouver and turn onto Highway 99. The famous and scenic “Sea to Sky” Highway.

We will stop in Whistler (home of the 2010 Winter Olympics) for lunch and grocery shopping. Of course the snow will be gone from the lower levels.

We will then travel up the Birken valley to set up camp on the lakeshore of Anderson Lake.

Whistler in winter

Day 02 – Anderson lake (rest day)

Train buffs will enjoy watching as the occasional freight snakes its way along the lakeshore.

There is a world class golf course near by.

For the more adventurous type a day trip over the rugged Anderson Lake Power Line Road to Seton Portage.

Day 03 – Anderson Lake to Fintry(526km 7.5hrs)

This route is the scenic route. Depending on how quickly we pack up in the morning we will follow it. We can adapt the route at Lillooet or Merritt to make it shorter.

This journey starts over the spectacular Duffey Lake Road then we pass through the Stein & Nicola Valleys past many scenic lakes. We shop and lunch in Merritt. We then take the “Old Highways” as we travel to Fintry on the shores of Okanagan Lake.

Day 04 – Okanagan Wine

TourWe have our favourites! But this is British Columbia wine country. There are far too many fine wineries to visit in one day but we shall try our best.

Day 05 – Relax and socializeat Fintry

Sit by the lake (with your wine)

Perhaps you will see the Ogopogo.Nessy’s long lost Canadian cousinbelieved to live in the waters ofLake Okanagan.

Day 6 – Fintry to Nakusp(250km 4hrs)

Enjoy the drive through Monashee Pass and over the great Monashee Mountain towards Needles.

Catch the Needles/Fauquier ferry across Lower Arrow Lake. This is one of the longest free cable ferries in Canada.

A reward to the day’s journey. Relaxing in the hot springs at Nakusp campground with nothing surrounding you but mountains and the stars.

Ainsworth Day TripToday we will cross over the Selkirk Mountains on a road that was once a narrow gauge railway built to carry silver ore from Sandon.

We will drop in on the town that time forgot, “Sandon”.This is a true ghost town. In the 1800’s it was considered the Monte Carlo of North America. It was the first place in BC to have electricity. It had 29 hotels, 28 saloons, 85 houses of ill-repute!, 3 breweries, a handful of churches (obviously not as popular as the saloons and brothels), sawmills, a school, a hospital, 2 newspapers, theatres, opera houses, a bowling alley, curling rink, and even a cigar factory. It has now been reduced from aerial tramways to a dirt track and a population of 10 people.

From TrainsTo meeting the friendly locals.

There is a little something to bring a smile to the face of everyone.

Next is Kaslo, home of S.S. Moyie, a historic river boat that has a berth built exclusively for the Queen.

We can stop for a relaxing soak at Ainsworth Hot Springs. These hot springs have caves that you can explore while enjoying the natural warmth of thermal spring water.

We will return to Nakusp via a leisurely trip through the city of Nelson. (Known for its hippies and draft dodgers)

Day 08 - Lake Louise(330km 5hrs)

We travel north, catch another free ferry and head into Alberta.

Day 09 – Day Trip(Kootenay & Yoho

National Parks)

Marble Canyon

Indian Paint Pots

Wildlife

Tremendous Waterfalls

Day 10 - Jasper(230km 3hrs)

Watch for wildlife next to road.

Day 11 - Smithers(750km 8.5hrs)

One of the longer days, this gets us from Alberta just past the geographical center of BC and positions us at the base of beautiful Hudson’s Bay Mountain to prepare us for our journey into the north country.

Day 12 – Relax see the sights

Day 13 – Hyder Alaska

(340km 4.5hrs)

Yes, you can tell your friends you camped a couple of days in Alaska.

Day 14 – Salmon Glacier Tour Day Trip

Day 15 - Dease Lake

(400km 5.5hrs)

You will likely see a bear

We are now in the true wilderness. You are going to see Moose, Bear, Elk, Mountain Sheep and other wildlife.No need to worry. All campgrounds are well established and wildlife will not be a threat to us.

Day 16 – Telegraph Creek Day TripCalled “Canada’s Grand Canyon” this is a must see drive. The road is dirty. (Remember our earlier dirty truck picture.) That is why we will leave the trailers in Dease Lake. There is much history and tradition here. You won’t forget it!

Day 17 -Liard Hot Springs(460km 6hrs)

This is a day on the road with a reward. And oh what a reward!

The 2nd largest hot springs in Canada and it is in an unpopulated area. Enjoy the natural pools. The water is not contained by manmade structure but by mother earth.

Day 18 - Charlie Lake(680km 8hrs)

Day 19 - Barkerville

(630km 7.5hrs)

With a stop along the way at the WAC Bennett Hydro Electric Dam. One of the biggest in the world.

Day 20 – Tour day of Barkerville & Wells Gray

ParkThey still live here like they did in the 1800’s. This is a period town.

You’re welcome to sit in on a lesson in the schoolhouse but I warn you any sass will result in a wrap across the knuckles with a ruler.

There is still gold to be found in these hills and many tourists leave with gold flakes they have panned themselves.

The day wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Wells Gray Park.

Day 21 – Fort Langley(710km 8.5hrs)

Today’s journey takes us down the impressive Fraser Canyon through many tunnels and wonderful sights.

6400km in 21days

WOW!

It is now time to relax back at Fort Langley.

You can rest a bit and clean your trailers.

Those wishing to continue adventuring can spend a couple of days helping those who are returning to England get their trailers ready for storage until transport. Perhaps by helping them drop their cars off for consignment sale and getting them to the airport.

As the people who stay longer return to the Vancouver area, we will help them prepare their trailers and get them to the airport.

Eventually, your trailers will all be safe and sound on their way home and we will all have memories to share.

DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE LONG DISTANCES.

• The highways are great. We will stop along the way at viewpoints. There are rest areas with toilets about every 40km on our highways. Believe it or not; it is not tiring to drive for 8 hours on one of our highways. The sights stimulate the mind. If we do this, we will most likely look at going 4 weeks and adding some nights in a hotel or slipping an extra campground in on the longer driving stages.

Hope you enjoyed the proposal. Bye for now – Dave & Kelly Beddows