tatra 813 new owner

[AfricanFarmer]

I tried to but as you already mentioned, theyre not too great on customer contact, so I ended up buying parts somewhere else. No other experience with them, have written them off for doing business myself. Ofcourse going there in person is likely to give a completely different view on this.

Signs for the truck being really fixed would be the amount of oil leakage, the condition of the air piping, the slack in the brake cylinders and the thickness and condition of the brake shoes (there are inspection hatches on each brake), also the state of the 100+ grease nipples, and the wear of the belts on compressor and alternator. Plus a ton of other stuff ofcourse.

And don't accept with just checking it at their parking lot, get at least a 50km drive and then check again. I can clean my truck into showroom condition too and no leaks will show... untill it's done a little distance.

Yea they are um slow, I even tried to send them sms in Checkish. Ill ask to see if my Polish friend got some friends from work that might speak Checkish?
Good advice as always, yea id bring a good lamp and clothes that can be dirty and crawl under over and inside the truck, looking at every thing, see how many friends I might be able to force, um "ask" to come help me check it out hehe.
Some good news is that I asked a fellow Swedish that drove from Sweden to South Africa, and they said that the price for diesel is very very cheap (sorry not in a Tatra but in a small VW buss). So might not be impossible as id thought. Just the mechanics, and land mines, and robbers and customs and police that want bribes and so one But that's life in Africa as usual.

Sorry if I gotten of topic a tad, its it Tatra related, just not soo mechanical, yet

 

[duncan]

Diesel prices are only high in the western world, as soon as you leave this region, the problem shifts from diesel prices to travel time and speed.

I have had no problems with thieves so far, guessing mainly because the truck is so out of the ordinary that they rather choose some regular tourists to target. Sort of a security by stupidity. Spend a month with it all over eastern europe, and I can't even lock it. Noone touched anything.

Customs is a whole different story. I spend quite some time on crossing borders having to convince the officials its a traveling vehicle, not a cargo truck. You're best bet here is to have a fixed camper interior in the back. I just put some beds, a kitchen and some boxes for stuff, but was told this does not make it a camper because I can remove this easily and use the truck for cargo.

Also, please strongly consider not having your truck all military green. It looks cool, it's the original, etcetera, I know. But even travelling around europe, in countries like Serbia, Bosnia, Romania, Ukraine, and so on, the bright yellow helped me a lot.
For example; I took a wrong turn in Serbia and ended up at the gate of a military base hidden in some forest. It ended up with laughs and smiles... but would not have been if the truck was military colored. Same goes for the ukraine border, and other places where the military is not as laid back as in western europe... like africa. It doesn't help that in many places these trucks are still in active service too. To be honest I would rather have it bright pink than military green for traveling purposes.

 

[AfricanFarmer]

Diesel prices are only high in the western world, as soon as you leave this region, the problem shifts from diesel prices to travel time and speed.

I have had no problems with thieves so far, guessing mainly because the truck is so out of the ordinary that they rather choose some regular tourists to target. Sort of a security by stupidity. Spend a month with it all over eastern europe, and I can't even lock it. Noone touched anything.

Customs is a whole different story. I spend quite some time on crossing borders having to convince the officials its a traveling vehicle, not a cargo truck. You're best bet here is to have a fixed camper interior in the back. I just put some beds, a kitchen and some boxes for stuff, but was told this does not make it a camper because I can remove this easily and use the truck for cargo.

Also, please strongly consider not having your truck all military green. It looks cool, it's the original, etcetera, I know. But even travelling around europe, in countries like Serbia, Bosnia, Romania, Ukraine, and so on, the bright yellow helped me a lot.
For example; I took a wrong turn in Serbia and ended up at the gate of a military base hidden in some forest. It ended up with laughs and smiles... but would not have been if the truck was military colored. Same goes for the ukraine border, and other places where the military is not as laid back as in western europe... like africa. It doesn't help that in many places these trucks are still in active service too. To be honest I would rather have it bright pink than military green for traveling purposes.

Yea light pink is apparently the new international colour for daring expeditions. Like the pink buses n pink jeeps. I was in Zambia for 18 months only had 2 things stolen, got them back, well laptop I got back then it got stolen again, then not returned. So thinking of getting it pink or white as id want it classy looking..or sand coloured. Diesel in Egypt was apparently 0.1€ per litre. Thinking of doing just like you said putting some camping beds inside the back, lill kitchen n so. Allso they are selling me a military field shower unit. So it will have a shower with it also And a 1000l water tank

You seam to have made some more travels that you haven't mentioned here, cool Let me know if you travel up the west coast of Sweden, ill buy you some beers

 

[AfricanFarmer]

Diesel

Diesel prices are only high in the western world, as soon as you leave this region, the problem shifts from diesel prices to travel time and speed.

I have had no problems with thieves so far, guessing mainly because the truck is so out of the ordinary that they rather choose some regular tourists to target. Sort of a security by stupidity. Spend a month with it all over eastern europe, and I can't even lock it. Noone touched anything.

Customs is a whole different story. I spend quite some time on crossing borders having to convince the officials its a traveling vehicle, not a cargo truck. You're best bet here is to have a fixed camper interior in the back. I just put some beds, a kitchen and some boxes for stuff, but was told this does not make it a camper because I can remove this easily and use the truck for cargo.

Also, please strongly consider not having your truck all military green. It looks cool, it's the original, etcetera, I know. But even travelling around europe, in countries like Serbia, Bosnia, Romania, Ukraine, and so on, the bright yellow helped me a lot.
For example; I took a wrong turn in Serbia and ended up at the gate of a military base hidden in some forest. It ended up with laughs and smiles... but would not have been if the truck was military colored. Same goes for the ukraine border, and other places where the military is not as laid back as in western europe... like africa. It doesn't help that in many places these trucks are still in active service too. To be honest I would rather have it bright pink than military green for traveling purposes.

Yea light pink is apparently the new international colour for daring expeditions. Like the pink buses n pink jeeps. I was in Zambia for 18 months only had 2 things stolen, got them back, well laptop I got back then it got stolen again, then not returned. So thinking of getting it pink or white as id want it classy looking..or sand coloured. Diesel in Egypt was apparently 0.1€ per litre. Thinking of doing just like you said putting some camping beds inside the back, lill kitchen n so. Allso they are selling me a military field shower unit. So it will have a shower with it also And a 1000l water tank

You seam to have made some more travels that you haven't mentioned here, cool Let me know if you travel up the west coast of Sweden, ill buy you some beers

 

[Karl kostman]

Duncan thanks for the pics impressive to say the very least!! When I first saw you 813 I was questioning the "YELLOW" color a lot, in the West we dont ever consider it a problem to restore a military vehicle back to as close to original as possible including unit placards etc. YOU have a very good point on why the yellow is better if even not required! Your truck is beyond awesome and its beautiful even in yellow, thanks again for the pics, that truck is something dreams are made of!
KK

 

[duncan]

...Let me know if you travel up the west coast of Sweden, ill buy you some beers

...

Thanks for the kind words! The yellow also helps at home, since it's the color for all roadside works vehicles. This allows me to park anywhere without drawing too much attention

 

[AfricanFarmer]

Thats a small fortune you're offering, considering your beer prices Diesel is around 10 euro cents in the african regions, around 40 cents in russia, and around 2 cents in Iran (yes, thats right).

This summer's trip is summed up here: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/military-vehicle-road-trips/73311-tour-eastern-europe.html



Thanks for the kind words! The yellow also helps at home, since it's the color for all roadside works vehicles. This allows me to park anywhere without drawing too much attention

Hehe, yea beer is expensive here, that´s why we all buy it in Germany
Now I told the Mortar guys that I intend to drive the truck from them to Zambia, so they offered a different deal, not so much more but this time more detailed in that the parts be renovated and the cab new.
Trouble now seams to if i can get it registered in CZ so I can drive on the roads. Any one got any suggestions on that?

Just read your tour of the east, very cool reading, loved the pics.
Was doing some maths, is it just me or do you need to fill up the truck every 7 hrs?

 

[quickfarms]

Interesting truck

 

[Radegast]

Hehe, yea beer is expensive here, that´s why we all buy it in Germany
Now I told the Mortar guys that I intend to drive the truck from them to Zambia, so they offered a different deal, not so much more but this time more detailed in that the parts be renovated and the cab new.
Trouble now seams to if i can get it registered in CZ so I can drive on the roads. Any one got any suggestions on that?

Just read your tour of the east, very cool reading, loved the pics.
Was doing some maths, is it just me or do you need to fill up the truck every 7 hrs?

look, thay have trucks from our army and trucks in army are with registration as well as civil versions. Thay should have it registered. we have really strict rules here, much more than in rest of EU , I think.

 

[AfricanFarmer]

Thats a small fortune you're offering, considering your beer prices Diesel is around 10 euro cents in the african regions, around 40 cents in russia, and around 2 cents in Iran (yes, thats right).

This summer's trip is summed up here: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/military-vehicle-road-trips/73311-tour-eastern-europe.html



Thanks for the kind words! The yellow also helps at home, since it's the color for all roadside works vehicles. This allows me to park anywhere without drawing too much attention

Ah I meant to ask, now that you have the new cab, is the seats nice and comfy? Or you have to switch drivers now and then when driving far? And trying to arrange to get one of the CZ army's tool kits to keep in the truck The right tools in a BIG wooden crate hehe

 

[duncan]

Ah, the driver's seat is quite good, with spring and damper, and adjustable in all possible ways. Spend many hours in it without problems. I just hope you're not over 1.9m tall, because then you will hit the roof of the cab a lot The other seats are acceptable, with the commander/shotgun one being the best place to sit ofcourse. Rear bench is not that great, but works for a week or so. According to the papers it should fit 3 people, but I would advise against trying that for more than a few hours.

 

[AfricanFarmer]

Ah that's nice news Duncan, I am actually started to think if I should go for the 4 door cab instead. Just that I am afraid that the turists (later on) might think sitting in the cab be too noise even with headsets like yours. Tho for the trip down I am having a friend looking into if he can connect 3-4 Peltors via there Bluetooth. That way we can be any where on the truck talking.

And if any one wonder, yes I will document this whole adventure properly specially driving on the bad roads in africa Right now it looks like I have to go from Prag then drive trou Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulagria, Turket, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania THEN into Zambia. Short tripp eh?

 

[AfricanFarmer]

ARG! Woulnt you guys belive that the mortar boys just ran out of dubble cabins for the Tatras? Sigh

 

[Robo McDuff]

....Trouble now seams to if i can get it registered in CZ so I can drive on the roads. Any one got any suggestions on that?

The moment you buy a car, you have to get it on your name and adres. Don't know how they do it with non-residents from other EU states, I can look into it if you want. If it is old enough you can register it as a veteran truck, but in that case it is better to be member of a veteran MV club. Then again, they don't accept a drive to Africa or real commercial use.

Other problem is that insurances might make problems for a truck with a foreign, that is non-resident owner. Almost certainly your Swedish insurance will not insure a vehicle on Czech license plates either. Driving it back to Sweden to get papers is not a cheap option either.

As to your route: would it not be possible and better (shorter and less dangerous countries to cross) to just drive to the South of Italy and take a ferry accross?

 

[AfricanFarmer]

The moment you buy a car, you have to get it on your name and adres. Don't know how they do it with non-residents from other EU states, I can look into it if you want. If it is old enough you can register it as a veteran truck, but in that case it is better to be member of a veteran MV club. Then again, they don't accept a drive to Africa or real commercial use.

Other problem is that insurances might make problems for a truck with a foreign, that is non-resident owner. Almost certainly your Swedish insurance will not insure a vehicle on Czech license plates either. Driving it back to Sweden to get papers is not a cheap option either.

As to your route: would it not be possible and better (shorter and less dangerous countries to cross) to just drive to the South of Italy and take a ferry accross?

Well when it comes to the firries i havent been able to find a ferry rout that still works to africa. well used to be to Tunisia n so but who wanna go there right now.
But when it comes to insuranse, as soon as i get to an African country i have to get the local insurans of that country, so thouse i spoken to that drives Swedish trucks n cars in Africa put the cars out of active duty so to speak in Sweden. As the insuranse is local for every new place u goto. I seen trucks with buss seats that i know is just regged for 2 people but carries 20. Still with Swedish plates but they keep them self in Africa.

But if you could check on that registration it be cool, a memeber here said it took like 1-2 hrs and it be done, (hes from CZ allso but i havent meet him yett)
Thanks

 

[Robo McDuff]

A lot of Dutch used to do that in the 70s and 80s with old peugeots and VW vans. They went "on holiday" on their own insurance including repatriation clauses etc with four or five cars. Once in Africa, they sold all but one car, and came back with the last one. Don't know how it is now, but then you needed also all kind of transit permits to cross borders etc.

As Czech witgh a czech car or as Swede with a Swedish car, that would still work. your problem is you are a Swede buying a Czech car. You need solid insurance until you reach your destination.

Ferries: most Dutch would cross from Marseille into Algiers or Maroko, and continue through the Sahara. Tunesia now I still would not see as a problem, provided you have all papers inorder and just leave the ferry and keep driving until you are out of Tunesia.

More later

 

[AfricanFarmer]

A lot of Dutch used to do that in the 70s and 80s with old peugeots and VW vans. They went "on holiday" on their own insurance including repatriation clauses etc with four or five cars. Once in Africa, they sold all but one car, and came back with the last one. Don't know how it is now, but then you needed also all kind of transit permits to cross borders etc.

As Czech witgh a czech car or as Swede with a Swedish car, that would still work. your problem is you are a Swede buying a Czech car. You need solid insurance until you reach your destination.

Ferries: most Dutch would cross from Marseille into Algiers or Maroko, and continue through the Sahara. Tunesia now I still would not see as a problem, provided you have all papers inorder and just leave the ferry and keep driving until you are out of Tunesia.

More later

Well ill ask my wel traveld friends that been heading trou lots of African countries about having different plates of my own nationality They just paid 100$○ at borders in toll. the truck be seated with more than just the regular stuff. I know that thre is swedish trucs down there with 20 seats in them but only regged for 2 and that dont seam to caouse any truble so cant be that hard. But most things i notiched is solved by smiling and having some thing in my hand ($). then again EU is EU and im suposed to be able to have a car from one place me from another. Me i just stayed in Zambia for 18 months getting my farm to go. ut i do have a SADAC drivers license Good for most of Africa.

 

[Robo McDuff]

Duncan, sorry to hi-jack the thread a bit longer.

Info from 2008 (Czechs entered the EU in 2004)
…..“It isn’t quite so incredibly easy for non Czechs to purchase a car here in CR. I know the EU laws mandate free movement of labor and possessions, but the Czech Dopravni Inspekorat (Traffic Police) will not register a car to anyone who does not posses a registered Czech address. Therefore, one must have a living permit, a working permit or a trvaly pobyt (permanent residence) in order to purchase a car.”…..


Probably a foreignor can buy a car with an export declaration and temporary licence plates, specifying its final destination. You should be able to get insurance for that as well, but it will be pricy. Ask the sellers how they normally do that.



For me, the only important thing would be to have ALL my papers (registration and insurance) 100% during the trip, in particular within Europe (once in Africa, it's an entire other ball game). If you ever get checked or are involved in an accident in the EU and your papers are not ok, you are up the creek without paddle or boat.

 

[miaowensheng]

Hello Duncan,how are you my friend,i learn quite much for you,and may i know you skype or msn,i want learn more my friend,thank you for your shareing.my skype is airenshuangyue,ples add me thank you!

 

[duncan]

Anything you want to know just ask here on the forum, so your questions can benefit others too. In case of specific private questions, use the private-message function.