SVO ....Small Vehicle Overlanding

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Luis Merlo

Luis Merlo

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As the topic has popped up in different threads, I didn't know where to post this....:)
For me, my everyday drive had to be economical ,as my kids live 90 kms (one way),around (60 miles)...and that's a trip I make every second weekend and half of all school holidays, along with getting to work and back and general running around.
Small vehicle touring has it's drawbacks....low ground clearance, bad approach and departure angles, lower power / torque and storage / carrying capacity....but...challenge accepted....lol

I hope to find other like minded folk here, i think there are a few and the community as a whole has been awesome !...so many people have reached out to welcome me and am enjoying watching your posts, amazing photos of landscapes and vehicles we just don't get here !

Cheers for now ......Luis

IMG_20160313_111554.jpg
 
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Steve

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@Luis Merlo From the photos you've posted, I think it is great where you've gone in your Kia! This forum is all about driving what you have and making the most of it, and the Kia is a perfect example.

I spent a lot of weeks in my younger days exploring gravel mountain roads in a 1969 FIAT 124 station wagon. Similar to the Kia, it didn't have much ground clearance, but the short wheelbase helps make up for that. Unlike you, I was sporting cheap nylon belted tires with not much tread, which made for fun winter driving!

 
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Winterpeg

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My FJ is bigger... but you can bet I'll be lurking on this thread too.... some of the things people come up with out of necessity end up being great for anyone to use.

Necessity is the mother of all invention afterall....
:sunglasses:
 
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Meta6981

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Well from driving my brothers jeep renegade (a 4wd Fiat 500l) I am surprisingly impressed by its performance. My brother lives in the middle of nowhere and takes a "4wd" approach up to his house. It looks little but acts pretty mighty. He also commutes about 60 miles each way to work and back. Maintains decent mpg's (30ish) depending on variables. We are going to be taking it out in Arizona at Overland Expo next week. Should be interesting!
 
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Luis Merlo

Luis Merlo

OB1962
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Collingwood Park, Queensland,4301
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Luis
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Merlo
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The small Renegade was released here a couple of months ago....I thought it was a great idea....I know some Jeep folk don't appreciate it...but fuel is not getting any cheaper (currently around $1.20 a litre AUD)...look forward to some pics !
 
Luis Merlo

Luis Merlo

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Collingwood Park, Queensland,4301
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Luis
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Merlo
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1962

Tom-Tom GPS, Handy torch, Fire extinguisher , Basic tool box , First aid pouches (molle), grounded antenna base, 2 x 12 volt and 2x USB ports to rear of console, headlamp doubles as additional rear cargo light, went with ROH steel 15" rims to accommodate 65 series tires,

10418314_10206921172970871_7967922140523547861_n.jpg 10422477_10206921170050798_2093319835176120699_n.jpg 10422591_10206921170330805_5251929342549713317_n.jpg 10470782_10206921170570811_6510692190500598248_n.jpg 11035932_10206921171810842_3286737807455365430_o.jpg 11215723_10206619728834956_3854814080069013325_n.jpg 11242201_10206921172810867_6309038259584582652_n.jpg 11257938_10206921171450833_946938903270636323_n.jpg 12512566_10208482417201001_3921978838707095840_n.jpg 12647851_10208434800210606_1355561863_n.jpg
 
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mmnorthdirections

mmnorthdirections

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LUIS your rig is awesome and set up nice, BUT and it's a big BUT. The steering wheel is wrong, and I had no idea you bought Korean down under Dude...?
The wife drives 2013 Kia Forte Koup, and we love it. It was the first car designed by there new designer Peter Schreyer.
The man has an amazing history in automotive design.
Now back to SVO, I realy like the Renagade Trailhawk. The drive system has ties to Steyr-Daimler-Puch.
The most advanced drive system to come out in years. I really would like an addition to the driveway.
Small and outfitted right is perfect. More room means more stuff witch is not always good or "price sensitive"
 
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Luis Merlo

Luis Merlo

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mmnorthdirections said:
LUIS your rig is awesome and set up nice, BUT and it's a big BUT. The steering wheel is wrong, and I had no idea you bought Korean down under Dude...?
The wife drives 2013 Kia Forte Koup, and we love it. It was the first car designed by there new designer Peter Schreyer.
The man has an amazing history in automotive design.
Now back to SVO, I realy like the Renagade Trailhawk. The drive system has ties to Steyr-Daimler-Puch.
The most advanced drive system to come out in years. I really would like an addition to the driveway.
Small and outfitted right is perfect. More room means more stuff witch is not always good or "price sensitive"
Click to expand...
Thanks mate !
 
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mmnorthdirections

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Hi Luis,
I have the same CB, it works great and with the 4' firestick on the back just fine. The price point is great for what you get in the kit.
Loved the pics of those smaller rigs, I bet some are pretty darn pricey set up like that. My dilemma, not a bad one but. OUTFIT AND EXPLORE is addictive! I am a DIYer, I want to outfit our rig or anyone else that needs or wants help, and then go. This can be costly!
But so much fun to be involved with it.
 
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MidwestOverlanders

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Looking forward to your adventures! Nothing wrong with a small vehicle, the point of all this is to get outdoors. Hell, we spend most of our time exploring by foot anyhow.

Before recently trading it in for our 4Runner, we explored the midwest in a Kia Sorento and it took us more places than most people expod rigs that just sit in their driveways do.


 
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Daniel Etter

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I feel like compact awd/4x4s are going to be taking over the offroad market because of environment protection laws/regulations. I'm fine with car companies making smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles because they haven't taken away many capabilities due to the advancements to awd/4x4 systems. We have a Subaru Crosstrek as our second vehicle and I couldn't be happier with how it performs!


Sent from my iPhone using Overland Bound Talk
 
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