Pachone

Ok well we hit the road.

Landed in Ottawa... going to be recording the whole thing on a blog!

www.crosscanada.wordpress.com

Also hit up some awesome fireworks, and loooking forward to montreal and fishing soon!

Peace!

Pachone

How many of you guys are going? Hopefully you guys are great buddies because that long coop up in the van can drive some people crazy. The bunk looks great, I doubt you will even need the blinds considering the tints on the rear windows. One thing I have learned traveling is that you shouldn't be too concern about the finances and just have fun and try, see everything you can. You can always work once you get back but the memories and experiences are priceless.

I completely agree with the finances and the experiences part. We just need to get out on the road first. Just got the insurance done today, waiting for safety certification :S, then e-test and SEEYA

the bunk is allllooott bigger than you think. We test slept it and its great,,, even with a thick mattress. very comfortable.

Just worried about getting it on the road, and packing up.

Yup, there's a lot of space going to waste on the roof of your van if you don't put some kind of storage up there.

 

Does your van have a roof rack or roof rails?

It does, but we would need some sort of storage. and we dont have one of those containers.... and they can cost $... and we dont have tooo much. We havent even left yet!

we have investigated on kijiji and craigslist, and nothing too special. we would really only need for max 2 months...

any ideas?

could use the ol strap er down technique

Thanks for the responses guys,

I got some Pics added of the construction of the bunk... check it out..

This is gunna be one hella adventure!

We just put in a mattress and gave it a test run and its comfy as hella. Just need to setup some blinds, and pack'er up. Leaving next week hopefully!

Also got an SLR borrowed from my dad, so gunna get some wicked pictures.

Unfortunate the touchscreen on my Sony Camcorder isnt working, I need to bring it to the store this week.

Im in !!!!!

Sounds like a great adventure.

 

While I was preparing for university and then pursuing my studies (4 years full time), I had to work during "holidays" to make enough money to keep going. I also got married during that time. Then I got a full time teaching job (which I held, with variations, for 32 years) and family came along. There was never enough time to do something like this. Not that I'm complaining, far from it, but this sounds like something I would have loved to do - open road, going wherever it leads, stopping whenever you feel like it. I've had tastes of that, of course (in one- to three-week stretches), but never a protracted "time out" exploration trip all over the country, so I find this fascinating. There is SO much to see and do.

 

I wish you good times and no adversities that you can't overcome (those can be part of the fun, in retrospect).

thanks for the response Jocko.

Yeah, thats a huge part of the reason why me and my friend are going. We are 22, and next thing you know... ill have a mortgage, 2 kids, car loan, full time job with 2 weeks a year, wife, and a bunch of other shackles. Dont get me wrong, those things are nice and have its rewards, But I just wont have a chance to do this if I dont do it now.

We havent put a limit on anything really, the only thing holding us back is obviously $$ ... cant go crazy. and if something happens to the vehicle > fingers crossed. lol we really only need it to go 10,000 Kms. Plus just get back before it starts getting really cold, so we have lots of time. we are estimating to get out for at least a month, rough it in a van and tent, here and there, and just adventure.

We bought the van yesterday, and by midnight we had the bunk built (homedepot stays open til 10 in pickering!!)

I need to get some pics up on here.

I need to geter e-tested and certified on tuesday, and put plates on er too.

Anyone know an honest mechanic located in Pickering-ish? any advice?

thanks

bought a DODGE CARAVAN today... building the bunk this weekend. ITs coming together!!!!!

Ill post pics soon of what we are doing

Pachone

thanks alot for the feedback so far guys. Im taking notes!

Do you think it would be possible to run a charger for some things, coming from the cigarette outlet in a van? or would that burn out the engine? I was hoping to charge my laptop over it.

Also thinking about showering... are there places to do that on the road? Im not thinking of spending alot of $$$$ either...

Thanks for the tips guys!

Keep em coming if you can!

Ok I have an experience...

 

some years ago I was driving through the Rocky mtns ---anyway to keep this short I looked on my map and figured out a shortcut that would take me and the family into Kamloops.

 

started headin down this mountain in my ext cab truck with "automatic transmission"---all looking at the beautiful scenery---noticed sign saying this decline had 5 runaway truck lanes.

 

Anyway this puppy went downhill forever---I periodically stepped on brake to slow us down but half way down the mountain the pedal got a little spongy.

 

Sooo I seen a pull over area and got int it a literally stood on the brakes to get us stopped.--it did and the wheels were smokin when we got out..

 

Now remember where we are-----so here we are half way down a mountain at a rest stop and you bet---here comes a bear.---Soooeveryone back into the truck.

 

After some time---bear gone --wheels cooled I put it in***** Low gear***** and made it safely into Kamloops to have my truck looked at.

 

Mechanic says it's quite common---called Brake Fade---I guess what happens trying to slow yourself down with the brakes is you actually boil the brake fluid and create a vapor spot making brakes spongy

 

Cure-- gear down going down those mtns even with an automatic---sorry for length

 

Bushart

 

PS My wife wonders why I drink?

Hahaha great story thanks for sharing. That little peice of advice WILL HELP.. thanks!

Hey Guys,

A friend and I have decided that we want to spend maybe at least a month to 2 months on the road, travelling the great brute of a country we live in. Do some fishing, explore, adventure, see things, eat places, chill. And just enjoy doing something not usually done. Road trip style.

We were thinking of purchasing or borrowing a van... preferably a Chevy or GMC Astro/Safari, and building a bunk in the back, and voila. Weve seen it done before. Gas and food we have calculated. We basically need to find a decent van but not for alot of $. Also need to pick up some tips along the way...

We are going from Toronto, to Cape Spear NF, and then over to Vancouver, and back HOPEFULLY!!! Should be quite the experience.

I was hoping people might have some experiences and TIPS to share. Has any one ever done this before? Places that i MUST SEE?

Maybe even a vehicle you might know to make it? Anything we should be weary about?

ANY TIPS, ADVICE, AND EXPERIENCES SHARED would be the most helpful... and probably make for a cool thread! (it will definitely be the biggest report of all time lol)

Thanks alot

Pachone

well said!!!!!!

Thanks for the feedback!

we have already established the rights to canada for the products, and already have 2 types ready to sell, and more on the way.. straight from the manufacturer overseas.

I probably not sure if i would give the product on consignment, and allow to store to sell to me... but to maybe even sell them to the stores, and they can sell it for there own use. it all depends. but it raises a good question. thanx

so contact the purchasing dept eh? thats what i thought. Would anyone know how to find that contact? the websites arent the easiest to navigate. I was hoping someone knew someone or a friend that does this for a living, or has done it before.

Thanks for the feedback guys!

nice pig.. the fish and the truck!

wow that IS a really healthy looking Pike.... and the size is huge!!!

meet u at barrie! lol

Hey guys,

this post is NOT spam... I simply have a question in regards to getting a product distributed across canada.

A friend and I have stumbled across a very interesting idea/product, that could be sold in the Home Depots, Lowes, Home hardwares and Canadian tires across our nation. Its an Item used for Housing, from cottages to residential all the way to condos...

Our advantage is the price point as the product already exists, but we can sell it, and still make a very good $, for a FRACTION of the retail cost.

I was just wondering if anyone has ever distributed a product in the retail market before? Or HOW I would go abouts maybe contacting the right department at one of the large retail stores to get it distributed???

Any experiences?

I appreciate any advice that can be given!

OH, and I would mention the product... but that wouldnt be fun would it?

THANKS!

Pachone

just went camping up in Tobermory which is in the same area. If you can find a place to fish in town, do it. There are some big pike that like to float thru the waters, along with trout and salmon too. if you can get off a dock... the area is really for smallmouth too. not exactly where you are staying, are going to be, nor if your gunna get a boat... either way... the fish are there.

Pachone

WOW . great report. Some of those Pikeys are monsters. Keep it up

Pachone

thats unreal!

Have you ever thought of starting a business? so you cannot be laid-off again?

have people work for you, instead of for them?

Job security does not exist these days unless u go out and get it for yourself.

If anyone on this board makes money in any shape or form. you should read "rich dad, poor dad" by Robert Kiyosaki.

Its principles on how money works, and why we all work for it, and the different ways you can make... you choose.

http://cashflow-for-life.com/wp-content/up...ow_quadrant.jpg

http://www.richdad.com/

http://books.google.com/books?id=5iIqi_OIK...=result#PPP1,M1

read this book instead of watching and staring at the gloom and doom all over the radio and news.

Cheers!

PM sent

Go to Chapters. Sit for an hour or 2. And read through the book " Financial Planning for Dummies " (you know the dummies series?)

Skim through some other financial ones too.

The best suggestion is to learn some things about Money, and how it works. Before you listen to someone tell you what to do with it and pay there commission.

Learn for yourself.... your money is important right?

I believe they should be putting ALOT more money education into schools right now, as there is NONE! Bring that to the PM.

I also think they should have the book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki taught in highschool.

I agree with the sentiments expressed.

I still think my idea which I asked about awhile back is a good one though .

A "Best of OFC" archive section for the very best trip reports. There's been many, many outstanding reports posted over the years that get lost in the shuffle....

Sounds like a great Idea to me! i find myself digging through to find some moosebunk or solo threads! as well as many other interesting ones.

We pretty much ZERO control. Just bend over Canada...

Hey guys,

*this was not meant to be spam*

Ive stumbled across this website through a referral... im looking to purchase a new car soon enough, and i checked out this site...

www.repodepot.ca

Im wondering if anyone has purchased anything from this site, or a repo dealer? are the deals good? is the quality / service there? any tips or info...?

Thanks OFC!

BTW --- u might find urself a good lil gem too.

Pachone

OH and ull need to get a login to see the values and prices. My friend was offered a vehicle after he bid LESS than half of the market value. Thats why im asking u guys if this is legit or worth it... sounds too good to be true in a way... whats the catch?