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Exporting 14 TH to Europe

6K views 33 replies 10 participants last post by  Len1304 
#1 ·
Just found out that I'm being stationed (PCSing) overseas to Germany! The wife and I are looking to make the move with the TH and that got me thinking; Has anyone had any experience with shipping their KL from the states to overseas? Where there any major modifications that you needed to do prior to registering it over there? As of right now I know I'll be taking the tint off the front windows as well as removing the pod lights I have installed on my A pillars:crying:
 
#2 ·
Wabbit, Are you active duty or Government Civilian? I spent 12 years in Germany while in the Air Force, Ramstein specifically. You won't have any issues over there as long as your vehicle is in good working order. You will be registering it through the military. now, if you are registering it with the German TUV as a civilian not affiliated with the military, that would be another story all together.

Let me know if you have any Questions.
 
#6 ·
Wabbit, I've shipped 6 cars back and forth to Germany.
 
#5 ·
In Sweden the red front tow hooks are illegal. I'm not sure, but I think that might be the case in the entire European Union, including Germany. Worth checking up, in any case.

Oh, and welcome to our side of the pond!
:grin:
 
#7 ·
Army vet here. I was stationed in Germany for my first four years of service 2004-2008. Since you are a USAEUR status you won't need to adjust anything. The SOFA (status of forces agreement) allows Americans to drive and have a car in Germany, you'll register and have to take a driver's license test to get your SOFA status license and reg. Your vehicle can be US spec. You could even buy from the US based dealership like I did back in 2007. I got a Jeep Grand Cherokee US spec from the on post dealership and drove that while I was there. But you can ship in any US spec car you want.

Also, you're going to need to study for the driver's license test. It was like a running gag how many times each person had to take the test. First time I made flash cards ever haha. Treat the autobahn with respect. Germans and the road system is far better than anything we have in the US.
 
#8 ·
OH and I totally forgot! When I was stationed in Mannheim (no longer a US Army post) some knuckle head slammed into my parked Grand Cherokee. There are great Jeep dealerships over there and they took care of me. I remember (the days before common GPS) I was driving to the Jeep dealership to get my car fixed and had to call for more accurate directions while I was on the road. The German service guy who was talking to me on the phone said "head north" and whatever else he said. The day was really over cast and I said "I can't see which way is north" and he replies "You are a soldier and don't know which way is North" lol I was embarrassed.
After later that year the brand new mini tube TV looking TomToms were getting to the PX so my friend and I both ran to pick up our brand new $500 TomToms because we were sick of getting lost in Germany. This was 2007ish so no smartphones yet. I never drove on a highway system with no north, south, east, west for their highways. It's all The 6 to Graphenstein or the 11 to Willhem. I remember getting incredibly lost but that also let me see some beautiful areas I would have never seen before.

You'll also get access to the on post fuel, which is A LOT cheaper than the off post stuff. I don't know if USAEUR still does this but you were able to buy gas coupon books with your rations so you could refill off post at participating ESSO and Aral stations.
I was an MP in Mannheim and we had to drive between all the scattered little Army posts in the area. Some of my best memories are going to the Aral stations for breakfast. Gas stations in Germany are like a luxury experience compared to the US.

And get ADAC when you get there. It's the German AAA and it's the ****. They have awesome customer service in English and it's not expensive at all. It will save your ass. We all get it initially as new privates with beater cars because of how expensive the tows were but it's worth it to have anyway.

I think you said your air force and all the Air Force bases are awesome in Germany. We used to drive over an hour from Mannheim to K-Town (Kaiserslaugtern) or Ramstein AB to get Chili's on post. In Mannheim the Air Force guys who lived on our post got paid a substandard living wage haha. They lived in the same barracks but just across the street from us.

Well anyway I'm rambling because my years in Germany were the best of my life. Germany is my heaven on Earth and I miss it every single day.
 
#9 · (Edited)
kylepezz,
I couldn't have said it better. I was at Ramstein 1992-1998 then 2001-2007. I loved it over there. We bought our BMW Z4 over there on our second tour and tore up the Autobahn in that thing. This is us topping out at 165 mph on A62 heading back from a day of fun at Nurburgring. http://www.markandtammysworld.com/Videos/Z4Videos/FastRun/fast%20run.wmv If you want to reminisce, look through my website in my
signature.
 
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#13 ·
kylepezz,
I couldn't have said it better. I was at Ramstein 1992-1998 then 2001-2007. I loved it over there. We bought our BMW Z4 over there on our second tour and tore up the Autobahn in that thing. This is us topping out at 165 mph on A62 heading back from a day of fun at Nurburgring. http://www.markandtammysworld.com/Videos/Z4Videos/FastRun/fast run.wmv If you want to reminisce, look through my website in my
signature.

You have a nice collection of photos and videos. It was a nice lunch hour stroll for me. I've been to Germany for work two times. This thread overall was very interesting to read.
 
#10 ·
Thank you all for the advice you've given. I too made flash cards to study up for this driver's test. If it's anything like the test I had to take when stationed in Korea, then dang I'm screwed lol


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#11 ·
If it's anything like the test I had to take when stationed in Korea, then dang I'm screwed lol
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My last assignment before retiring was in Korea at Osan AB. I thought the German Test was quite a bit harder. Sorry.
 
#12 ·
I loved it out at Osan, was stationed there back in 13. Surprising enough, now they allow you to take the German test online.


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#15 ·
For those of you overseas, from my understanding all vehicles require a front plate? I'm wondering if I should place my bracket on the vehicle or if there is any other mounting alternative?
 
#16 ·
There will be a long standing network of experts / shops on what if anything you will need to do. Would have thought the a-pillar lights would be ok.

Jeep expert in Stuttgart area Allroad-Center Peter Pauli may be worth emailing. Ps: May want to chuck a set of snow tires in the rig.
 
#18 ·
We have front plates and mine had the larger plate holder on the front. I removed it and mounted the plate directly to the bumper. I do have a slimline plate though, about the same height as the flat section of the bumper.



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#21 ·
For EU you have the plastic support homologate that fix properly, in this way it looks "nice" remember that here in EU all has to be homologated, so if you have change the tire and you plan to keep it, you lift it etc.... do it in the exporting process to avoid extra costs.
Also be in mind that probably you have to change the turning lights. But check it first with the TUV or similar where you go. Each country call different.



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#22 ·
For EU you have the plastic support homologate that fix properly, in this way it looks "nice" remember that here in EU all has to be homologated, so if you have change the tire and you plan to keep it, you lift it etc.... do it in the exporting process to avoid extra costs.
Also be in mind that probably you have to change the turning lights. But check it first with the TUV or similar where you go. Each country call different.
He will not have to make any modifications to his automobile He will be living in Germany and working for the United States Military. His automobile will be registered with the American military and not with the German TUV. He does not have to follow the TUV requirements. He will need to mount a license plate to the front of his automobile though.

No tendrá que hacer ninguna modificación en su automóvil. Vivirá en Alemania y trabajará para los militares de los Estados Unidos.
Su automóvil será registrado con el ejército estadounidense y no con el TUV alemán. Él no tiene que seguir los requisitos de TUV.
Él necesitará montar una placa de la licencia al frente de su automóvil sin embargo.
 
#27 ·
Lol this is not the Jungle... Europe means a group of different nations so it's normal see many people from diferente countries arround, green plates, red plates, local and foreign plates and nothing happens.
Germans are one of the most open countries in EU, and I'm not from there...

The only Jungle you will see it's the traffic inside big city's at morning hahaha but you don't have to bee afraid, we have traffic lights, signals, marks on the road... and something that it's not common in USA round pounds on each intersection.

Out of jokes there is no security issues here. The only recommendation it's that we have some differences on signals driving so take your time to adaptive those to your driving way. Normally you can turn right with red light in most states but here you can't. Yellow lines means the road is with working people/construction and some small difference. :)

Hope you enjoy the EU Jungle :)


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#30 ·
Best of luck.


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#32 ·
Just got emailed that my TH made it to Germany! Pretty excited to pick it up tomorrow. Pending the vehicle inspection process goes smooth[emoji53]


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#33 ·
Finally reunited with the TH, registration and inspection was a pita but it passed. So happy it didn't get dinged up in transit.


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#34 ·
Should have seen our military equipment in transport, came back with flats, dents and even forklift stab marks through the sides.

Glad you are reunited with your KL though. Enjoy your time in Europe.


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