The DaCaLuF Family: Two Years (and Counting) Living the Road in a Converted 4x4 Truck

Roadtrip dreams often start quietly: a conversation at university, a map on a wall, a “one day” repeated for years. For the DaCaLuF family—David, Camille, Lucile and Félix—that “one day” became a long-haul roadtrip in a converted 4x4 truck, with school on the move and the world outside the door. Their approach is simple: fewer countries, more time, and a home that can stop where hotels don’t exist. Here’s their story, in their own words, and what it teaches anyone planning a roadtrip with kids.

A family dream, finally put into motion

DaCaLuF: “We’ve had the idea of a long trip since we met at university more than 20 years ago. Back then, we imagined leaving with backpacks after graduation… then work started, the children arrived, and life filled up. But the dream never disappeared.”

DaCaLuF: “We spent hours reading other travellers’ blogs—sailing, campervans, bikes. In the end, we decided it would be a 4x4 truck. That’s how we’d do a family trip to discover the world.”

Two years, two continents… and one truck

DaCaLuF: “The plan was ‘two years, two continents’. We’ve now been on the road for almost two years, and it looks like it’ll be closer to three in the end.”

DaCaLuF: “We started with 16 months in South America, from Colombia all the way down to the mythical Tierra del Fuego. From Buenos Aires, the truck was shipped by boat to South Africa. After three months there, we’re now in Namibia.”

DaCaLuF: “The idea was to get back to France by road for summer 2016—though we didn’t yet know which route we’d take.”

Preparation feels like the first part of the journey

DaCaLuF: “It took several years of savings to shape the budget. And once the departure date was set, the checklist took over: find the right vehicle, quit jobs, vaccinations, enrol the kids for distance learning, brush up on mechanics and first aid, learn Spanish, renew passports… it’s long.”

DaCaLuF: “But that preparation phase is genuinely enjoyable. You feel energised—almost as if you’re already travelling.”

Why South America first, before the ‘African family dream’

DaCaLuF: “We didn’t want to ‘do the world’ like a stamp collection. We chose fewer countries so we could stay longer and really absorb daily life.”

DaCaLuF: “If we’d only had one year, we would have come straight to Africa—it’s the continent that had attracted us for the longest time. But we’d never been to South America, and we wanted to follow the trail of the ‘Mysterious Cities of Gold’.”

DaCaLuF: “Also, compared with Africa, day-to-day life felt easier in South America—health, security, road conditions. It was a way to warm up and learn our rolling home before tackling Africa.”

A tough old Renault 4x4 truck as a home

DaCaLuF: “We first met the Chamaco family and their truck during a holiday in Jordan. We later bought it when they came back from their two-year trip.”

DaCaLuF: “It’s an old Renault 4x4 truck from 1981. No electronics—just solid, straightforward mechanics. After 30 years in the fire brigade, it’s now enjoying an active retirement as a travel truck for small families. And we’re pretty sure another family will take it on after us.”

DaCaLuF: “Life onboard is great: strong moments together. But living four people in about 10 m² also means you’re sometimes happy to have a big garden outside.”

DaCaLuF: “That’s one big advantage of Africa: with mild weather, you live outside most of the time.”

Landscapes—and the encounters that stay with you

DaCaLuF: “For landscapes, Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni and the Sud Lipez were absolutely mind-blowing.”

DaCaLuF: “Right now in Namibia, the feeling of being alone in the world makes our wild camps unforgettable.”

DaCaLuF: “But our best memories aren’t a single ‘best place’. They’re the people we meet everywhere. Those shared moments are what stay.”

The worst moment? Thinking the road might end

DaCaLuF: “Maybe the day in a garage when we thought the engine cylinder head was gone. The idea of not moving forward is terrifying.”

DaCaLuF: “In the end it was a false alarm—we could leave. And we’ve learned something: you always get through the hard parts (breakdowns, getting stuck…). It helps you face the next one more calmly. If you’re going to get out anyway, there’s no point panicking.”

On a roadtrip, we don’t chase a specific ‘thing’

DaCaLuF: “When you build up an idea of a place or a goal, reality can disappoint. With no expectations, you enjoy what you find.”

DaCaLuF: “And without even looking for them, the encounters become the charm of travel. A place with nothing ‘special’ can turn magical thanks to locals and a shared everyday moment.”

The real upside of a converted truck roadtrip: leaving the main track

DaCaLuF: “Meeting locals far from tourist crowds, finding truly isolated wild camps, spending a night bogged down with caimans around, sleeping on small village squares… we could fill a page with the small joys of travelling by truck.”

DaCaLuF: “Having your home with you—even if it’s bulky—means you can stop where you want, when you want. You have what you need, and you have time, so you don’t refuse invitations. Not knowing in the morning what the day will be made of—that’s a big part of the charm.”

To follow their journey, find them on dacaluf.com, on Facebook, or on Vimeo.

What this story teaches (without turning it into a manual)

• Cadence beats distance. In a heavy vehicle on mixed surfaces (tarmac, corrugations, sand), plan days around real fatigue—especially with kids. A “short” day can still feel long.
• Mechanics matter more than gadgets. Their 1981 truck choice is a reminder: in remote areas, simple, repairable systems can be a form of freedom.
• Space is outside. A compact living area works if your routine is built around outdoor life—cooking outside, shade breaks, early starts.
• Wild camping is a skill. Choosing a discreet spot before dark, checking ground firmness, and keeping an exit line can prevent the “stuck for the night” scenario.

À savoir aujourd’hui

This family portrait reflects a journey planned to return by summer 2016. The mindset—slow travel, fewer borders, learning the vehicle as you go—remains highly relevant. What should be checked before leaving today: border procedures, shipping conditions for vehicles between continents, and local rules for wild camping, especially in protected areas.

Mini-FAQ

Is a roadtrip with kids more stressful in a 4x4 truck?

It can be more intense logistically, but the routine (sleep, meals, school time) becomes easier when your “home” is always with you and you control the pace.

How do you plan driving days on a long roadtrip in a heavy vehicle?

Assume slower averages than a car, add margin for stops and road conditions, and keep one lighter day regularly—Planet Ride’s rule of thumb is to protect attention and reduce risk, not to “win kilometres.”

Do you need to book everything in advance for this kind of roadtrip?

Not everything, but some pinch points (vehicle shipping, certain parks, peak-season areas) can require anticipation. Keep flexibility for the rest—spontaneity is part of the value.