Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2015 i Go! Drive & Camp

Daan Louw is a farmer from the Bonnievale district and Deon van Wyk is a businessman from Stellenbosch. These two men have shared a mutual love of old cars since their varsity days. What better excuse than that to take part in the Drive Out Bull Run? What vehicle are you taking to the Bull Run? A Dodge Monaco four door sedan from 1966. It is a 3-speed automatic with a 5,2litre V8 engine and it weighs a solid 1755kg. Where did you find it? It belonged to a farmer who used it as a family car up until 1997. Since then it has been sitting in a store room for the past 18 years! How did it get its name? The farmer’s son reupholstered the interior a few years…

I’ve been struggling to find an easy way to hang a light in our tent and gazebo so it can illuminate the whole area. We used to struggle with Velcro strips and strings, but putting it up and taking it down again was always a headache. One Saturday I was walking around Builders Warehouse slightly bored, when I came across these little red clamps. It’s basically a steel clothes peg on steroids. When I clamped it on my finger, it stuck so tightly that the whole store became aware of my experiment. Then and there I bought four of these little torture devices. I took the plastic casing off the handle and drilled a hole through the steel. Through this hole I attached a cheap aluminium karabiner to which I…

Ive been using GPS devices since 2001. In those days, very few people knew about a GPS and a laptop was a luxury reserved for executives. USB ports didn’t even exist. GPS devices were chunky things that didn’t have good maps. The best maps available for Africa at the time were created by the Russian army. Their accuracy was uncanny, but they, like other available maps, were printed on paper. Some good Samaritans set out to scan and geo-reference these maps so they could be used on mapping software like Ozi Explorer and Fugavi. You had to connect your GPS to your laptop through a thing called an RS232 port, then run the software to display a scanned map and your GPS position on the screen. This “carputer” had to…

Your vehicle: This is 4x4-country. Your vehicle needs to be in top shape mechanically and have good ground clearance, low range and diff lock. Remove your running boards. Time: Give yourself at least 10 days to explore. Hit the road early, no later than 08:00. Planning: Do proper day-to-day planning and stick to it. Travel with at least two vehicles, but four is ideal, so that no one stays behind alone in an emergency. Bring radios for all the vehicles in the convoy, a satellite phone and a first aid kit. There is a hospital in Kamanjab and Opuwo. Navigation: A GPS with the latest Tracks4Africa maps is essential, so is a paper map. Fuel: To be safe take about 180 litres of diesel or 200 litres of petrol. You…

TOUR #1 Explore three lands Join Drive Out Tours and Bhejane 4x4 Adventures on a diverse expedition to the Kruger National Park, Swaziland and Mozambique. DAY 1: We meet at the Kruger Park’s Numbi Gate and camp at Buffalo Rock, our private camp site for the next two nights where we get a real wild experience. We go to bed serenaded by the wild calls of Kruger. DAY 2: After a hearty bush breakfast, our convoy makes its way to the Madlabantu 4x4 Trail. We spend most of the day, which includes lunch, enjoying that area of Kruger. DAY 3: We make our way down to Malelane Gate. From here we enter Swaziland via the Jeppes Reef border post and head to our camp site for the next two nights…

ENGINE: 3,2 litre Pentastar V6-petrol POWER: 199 kW TORQUE: 316 Nm TRANSMISSION: 9-speed automatic, high and low range, Active Drive terrain-specific traction control, rear diff lock. GROUND CLEARANCE: 221 mm COMMENTS: No one would acknowledge that the normal Cherokee is a rough-riding 4x4. But as we said in the April 2015 issue of Drive Out #88, the Trailhawk model is in another class compared to your average Cherokee. Over challenging terrain, which included axle-twisters, sand, loose rocks and rocky steps, the Trailhawk managed everything with ease.…

There are easier ways to give your engine oomph than by performing open heart surgery and taking it out completely. To find out more about it, we checked in at Steve’s Auto Clinic in Cape Town to see how this is done. Let the air flow An engine is effectively an air compressor. A mixture of fuel and air is injected on one side of the cylinders, compressed and ignited. As the mixture burns, the piston is pushed down in the cylinder. The gasses that stay behind are then pushed out the other side of the engine through the exhaust manifold. If the air can flow through the engine easier and quicker, the engine will be more effective. So it is logical that if you improve the exhaust system, you…

Best time of year? Anytime of year! The temperature of the water varies between 22-24°C in the winter and 25- EK 28 WIL °C in OOK summer GAAN . ! Do I need a 4x4? Yes, in order to drive through the elephant reserve as well as on the sand tracks in and around Santa Maria. Where can I get fuel? Try to fill up in South Africa and bring enough with before you cross the border. If you enter Mozambique through the Lebombo border post, you can still get fuel in Maputo. Where did you stay? Nhoxani Beach Lodge – Braby Villa (083-419-9874, www.nhoxani.com) Is there cell phone reception? Yes. Do I need to take visas, money and travel documents? South Africans don’t need visas. Most places accept South…

HERE ARE OUR TOP TIPS TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF TAKING GREAT PHOTOS IN THE KGALAGADI. Patience is a virtue Corlette: For the winning shot, you need to be prepared to wait many hours. In February I waited six hours for a leopard to stand up – in temperatures of 42°C! Villiers: Few people have the perseverance to spend half a day in one place, sitting and waiting, but even an hour or two of patience at one of the Kgalagadi’s water holes can deliver excellent results. Predators like lion and cheetah can often be found drinking from waterholes in the early morning and late afternoon. Herbivores like springbok and wildebeest quench their thirst during the hotter hours of the day, while birds of prey tend to congregate around the…

STAY BUSY OUT THERE THINGS TO DO IN MOER & GONE PLACES By Jacques Marais, MapStudio, R220 on mapstudio.co.za Some books are just like a tin of baked beans: What it says on the label is exactly what you’ll get inside. Things To Do in Moer & Gone Places is one such book. This travel guide was compiled by the experienced travel journalist and outdoor enthusiast, Jacques Marais. Reading his introduction, you get the feeling this man is a bit allergic to the sound of quad bikes and jet skis, TV’s and cell phones. His goal with Moer & Gone, therefore, was to put together a list of destinations where these things would be far, far away. They’re listed alphabetically and range from destinations like the Richtersveld to…

Same name, same game Johann Groenewald writes our bi-monthly GPS column and travels almost as much as he breathes. Tell us one of your best travel memories My first real bush camping experience was back in 1991, more or less where Mabuasehube’s gate is today. I was travelling with an experienced group of campers and they stopped right next to the road to set up camp for the night. I tried not to show it, but I slept with one eye open. What’s your favourite place in the bush? The lesser known parts of Zambia, but it changes often. What do you always pack for a trip (apart from your GPS)? A passport and a credit card, the rest is optional. Top travel tip? Don’t be upset if a place…

Anyone can participate in the Drive Out Bull Run. This year we chose 120 participants, but entries are now closed. If you weren’t chosen, you’re still welcome join us at Vosburg as a spectator. Every team that enters must have a vehicle that can get to (or at least try to get to) Vosburg on their own steam. The purchase price of the vehicles, as well as any improvements or repairs may not exceed R20 000. Your vehicle must be older than 30 years (a 1985 model or older). Entrants must arrive with a four-door sedan, but organisers can make an exception for other vehicles that fit in with the theme and spirit of the event. The vehicle and team members must be kitted-out according to a theme. This also…

WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR STORY! Have you been on exciting adventures or to interesting places in your Fortuner? If you can answer “yes” to the above, send us your story for inclusion in our Toyota Fortuner #TellBetterStories series. This is what we need from you: A story of between 600 and 1000 words where you tell us more about your Fortuner. Please write it in story form, and not short, cryptic telegram-style language. We also need a minimum of four photos of your Fortuner in action, plus pictures of you/your whole family with the Fortuner. Photos must be high-resolution. You are welcome to send more than four photos. Tips on how to write your “My Fortuner and I” story in a jiffy: 1. How long have you had your…

When I first laid eyes on my wife many years ago, it was love at first sight. I said to myself then and there: I’m going to marry that woman someday. I’m sure there are many men out there who know what I’m talking about. The first time I ever saw a Fortuner on the road, I felt the same.The only question was: how long before we could be together? At that stage I had just upgraded my (previous) 4x4 to the specs that I wanted, and I realised that I first had to get my money’s worth from it. My friends always tease me, saying that I don’t buy a 4x4, I buy a project. Never in my life have I left a vehicle in the condition that I…

Do you want to go drive 4x4s in Moab?” Richard Sloman of Jeep South Africa asked me at the end of last year. “Hmmm,” I said “is Nkandla a waste of taxpayers’ money?” Any 4x4 enthusiast, especially those that know what Americans tackle in their Jeeps, will tell you that there are two places where they really want to go play:The Rubicon Route in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in eastern California, and the Moab territory in Utah, near the border with Colorado. It wasn’t long before the invitation arrived in the post. The rest of the story is simple: I pulled rank and offered to take the yoke upon myself, on behalf of the rest of the editorial team. A month or two later, I was boarding a plane with…

Back in the day, Grandpa had a blanket on the backseat of the Valiant. Whether it was for the grandkids’ sticky hands or the sun, the purpose was plain: It had to protect the seat. These days there are much more stylish and durable options than an old blankie (and if you park between the guys with a blankie over your seats, you’ll probably be alone around the braai tonight). We went to the leading suppliers in South Africa and found out that there is much more to seat covers than the chain store special that your neighbour uses. Most suppliers give you the option to buy a set for all the seats and also fitting floor mats and load bin protection. There are even bags that fit on the…

WHY GO THERE? It is a great weekend getaway to have fun and relax. Drivers can brush up on their driving skills while the whole family can enjoy the excellent facilities and game. ON THE TRAIL How long are the routes? All three routes together are 10,3 km long. They will take you about 4-6 hours in total to complete. Maximum number of vehicles? 35 Do I get a map? Yes. Will my car get scratched? It’s a possibility but will depend on the driver. Should I take my running boards off? It’s not essential, but advisable. Should I take a compressor? Yes. Can we have a braai en route? Yes, along route A. Can I turn around halfway? Yes. Will I see wildlife? Yes. AROUND THE TRAIL Best time…

In South Africa we refer to all skewered meat dishes as “sosaties.” Strictly speaking however, this only applies to the sweet, spicy Cape Malay-inspired version. The correct term to refer to all other types of skewered food would be “kebabs” – as a sosatie is just a very specific type of kebab. As a child I loved camping in the Du Toitskloof Mountains and braaing sosaties that my mom packed for us. If the meat is pickled, it can keep for weeks. These days I am horrified when I see vacuum packed versions from the supermarkets. The inferior meat and overly chemical sauces just confirm my suspicions: If you want a quality product, you’ll have to make it yourself. A dish full of proper sosaties or kebabs is always popular,…

“THE GOLDEN OLDIES” DO SANI, IN A SANI! We loved your feature on Lesotho in the June issue (Drive Out #90) because our team of bucketlisting over 70’s have also just conquered the Mountain Kingdom! Four couples set off in an old Nissan Sani and a Toyota Rav from Port Elizabeth to overnight in Dordrecht. Overnight brought a cold front, pouring rain and snow on the mountains. But that was the last of the bad weather and on we went on slushy roads under clear blue skies to snowcapped mountains. We entered Lesotho at Tele Bridge and travelled north to stay two nights at Mmelesi Lodge and from here we climbed Thaba Bosiu. It was a steep scramble, but excellent guides and views made it worth the while. The next…

Attention meat lovers: Calvinia is where it’s at! The Hantam Vleisfees was started in 1990 to promote the region’s mutton. This is still mutton country 25 years later. So if you’re vegetarian, you’d best keep going until you reach the next town. The Hantam Vleisfees takes place in Calvinia on the last weekend of August. Here you’ll find mutton on the braai, the stove, in curries, on kebabs, in potjies and in a roosterkoek. And if you’re a fan of sheep’s head, you’ll have a ball here. When you’ve eventually had your fill, there is also music, a dance and a classic car rally. Don’t forget to swing by the largest post box in the country in Hoop Street! Apart from the festival, Calvinia is also a great destination at…

We receive a number of requests for suspension upgrades to “soft-roaders”. But this is rarely a good idea. Let me explain. For the purposes of this article, let’s define a soft-roader as a vehicle that can send power to all four wheels but doesn’t have low-range gears or difflocks. A “true” 4x4 typically has a central diff-lock, low-range gears and often diff-locks on the rear and on the front axles. Soft-roader suspension and ride height Soft-roaders aren’t designed for serious 4x4 driving. As a rule, they have a slightly higher ride height than normal cars, to provide better ground clearance. With this, they can negotiate rougher terrain with more ease. Soft-roaders usually have independent suspension all round, giving you a more comfortable ride than something like leaf springs would –…

When determining your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity, you also need to consider the loading limits of its tow bar. Your tow bar has two weight limitations: how much it can “pull” and how much vertical weight it can take. The first limit determines how heavy your trailer may be, while the second determines how heavy that trailer’s downward force on the tow bar can be. You should be able to find these limits on the tow bar itself. If not, check with the manufacturer. Then make sure that your trailer’s GVM is less than the tow bar’s maximum towing capacity. Also remember to check that the nose weight is less than the tow bar’s maximum vertical load. A tow bar doesn’t break off for no reason, but if you put…

KEY STATS Engine: 4367 cc V8 turbo diesel Power: 250 kW@3 500 r/min Torque: 740 Nm@ 1 750 – 2 300 r/min Top speed: 215 km/h 0-100 km/h: 6,9s Transmission: 8 speed automatic gearbox, full-time four wheel drive with low range gearbox and electronic traction control Suspension: Electronic air suspension, front and back Tyres: 275/45R21 Fuel tank: 97 litre Fuel consumption: 8,7 litre/100km (combined cycle) Ground clearance: 235-330mm (with air suspension) Approach angle: 26°-34,7° (with air suspension) Departure angle: 24,6°- 29,6° (with air suspension) Wading depth: 900 mm Weight: 2410 kg Towing capacity: 3 500 kg (braked) Warranty: 3year/100 000 km Service plan: 5year/100 000 km PRICE: R1 80 9500 What does “vogue” mean? And why would an offroader have this name? The answer is actually quite obvious. It is…

Best time of the year? The flower season is in August and September, but you can drive these routes all year round. Remember that certain roads might flood in winter. Where can I find fuel? All towns on the route should have fuel. Where can I sleep? There are four chalets at the Skilpad Rest Camp in the Namaqua National Park. During off-peak it costs R525 for two people sharing and in flower season it is R880. The Luiperdskloof chalet can take 6 people and costs R1 200 per night. You can camp along the coast between the Spoeg and Groen rivers at R116 per person per night (max 6 people per site).Conservation fees are R32 per day for adults and R16 for children. Contact 027 672 1948 (Skilpad entrance),…

The current Wrangler (also known as the JK) was introduced back in 2007, which means that it’s been around for 8 years already. It also means that the next generation Wrangler is just around the corner. But what will it look like? Will it still have Jeep’s iconic round lights? Will it still have a fixed front axle? Or is Jeep going to make it “softer” so that it’s lighter on fuel? To answer these questions, we’ll have to take a look at Land Rover to see how not to do it. The Wrangler has always been to Jeep what the Defender is to Land Rover. It’s the vehicle through which the company can trace it’s origins and DNA. But instead of giving the Defender a gradual face lift without…

Good. It’s going to cost you though, because from Johannesburg you’ll have to catch at least three flights before you get there. Delta Airlines flies from O.R. Tambo to Atlanta. From there you have to catch another plane to Salt Lake City, and then a short flight to Grand Junction in western Colarado. From there its 185 km drive to Moab in Utah. 4x4 hiring: Moab is full of places that hire 4x4’s for people to tackle the routes in the area. A quick Google search for “4x4 rental Moab” delivered the following results: www.moabadventurecenter.com,www.twistedjeeps.com and www.farabeesjeeprentals.com Cost: $5 (around R65) to drive Hell’s Revenge.…

GOPRO HD HERO+ LCD For the everyday action hero GoPro turned the world of action videos upside down when they released the first HD HERO a few years ago. And with every new version they kept pushing the boundaries. Their flagship model, the HERO 4, which was released earlier this year, is priced at R7500 and not within everyone’s financial reach, plus a lot of the features are superfluous. Luckily there is now a model available which is both advanced and affordable. One of the best features of the HERO+ LCD is, as the name suggests, the built-in LCD screen, previously only available on the top of the range models. Now you can see what you’re recording and immediately play videos back without having to download them onto a computer…

1 Use the 8mm flat iron, steel blocks and the steel rod to build a hinge like this. 2 Bolts on either side of the steel rod tighten onto the hinge and prevent it from moving when the holder is in the upright position. 3 Measure the dimensions of your jerry cans and weld a frame accordingly. Weld the hinge to the bottom of the frame. 4 The bar at the top of the frame must swivel in order to be able to remove the jerry cans. 5 Drill holes in the frame to fit a lock so the frame is able to be secured. 6 The holder bolts to the tow bar. 7 Extensions on the steel rod prevent the holder from tilting too far horizontally. 8 You can…

Name: Johan Rothmann Hometown: Somerset West Occupation: Retired Favourite places: The paths of Southern Africa, with the Kgalagadi, Waterberg and the Kruger Park at the top of the list. Your next destination? I want to explore the north of Mozambique. Santa Maria in Mozambique is one of a handful of places in or near South Africa that is still a truly exclusive 4x4 destination. If you want to drive there, you can only go by 4x4.You don’t need low range, but it’s not somewhere you can get to chop-chop. It will provide you with six hours of great 4x4 driving and then of course the same when you drive back. But all of this fun comes at a price. Choose your route Santa Maria is a small village on the…