Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2020 i Go! Drive & Camp

Bush Lapa has launched its first double-axle off-road caravan. According to the owner, Jannie Oeschger, he received numerous requests to build a large off-road caravan for four people, one without panels that fold down so there’s no canvas between you and nature. Thus the Gravelroader does not have a folding bed, but a fixed queen-sized bed and two bunk beds for the little ones. Even the roof is solid without a pop-up section. So, when you arrive at the campsite with your Gravelroader, you just have to erect the awning – it couldn’t be simpler (or faster). The bathroom with its shower, toilet and basin is built into the caravan. Instead of Bush Lapa’s regular inline gas geyser, the Gravelroader gets a Hansen geyser, which is almost a scaled-down model…

An experienced builder of cold stores has now used his knowledge and built an entire range of caravans he calls Scorpion Trailers. JP Horn, owner of Insulated Trailer Designs, builds no less than four models. The Scorpion Lite is based on American teardrop-type caravans – a bed-on-wheels with the kitchen at the back. The Scorpion Classic is slightly larger but in the same style. It has a queen-sized bed, but also athree-quarter bed that folds out from one of the panels. The Scorpion Toy Hauler has space for abike or motorcycle, and the Grand, the largest of the four, is the full-sized caravan. Because the Grand’s outside kitchen is also fitted at the rear, the entire left panel, which usually houses the kitchen, is open. There is a shelf that…

The Vagabond, based on the traditional teardrop design and made entirely of fibreglass, has acquired a third model, the Rogue. It’s designed for off-road conditions. The Rogue comes standard with a 12 V-220 V fridge/freezer and extra storage space in the kitchen. The stove moves away from the kitchen to the corner of the left-hand panel obviously creating more space for the kitchen. The stove itself fits on a sliding frame that you can pull away from the hull so you don’t get greasy spots on the hull. When you tow, the stove’s table folds away and the stove comes loose from the frame. So you can transport it in the caravan. Below the kitchen, to the left, the Rogue gets extra storage space for an ammo box. The gas…

Summit has completely redesigned its flagship, the Kilimanjaro, says Franscois Mulock Houwer. The dinette has moved to the front left, and the bed – which extends wall to wall – got six large drawers underneath. The new windows can open outwards with screens and blinds included. The Kilimanjaro now also has room for a cassette toilet, and the mechanical pop-up roof has an electric mechanism. But the fanciest change is the pull-out stairs with its strip lights. Each stair has a strip of light on the side so you can see where to step. The Kilimanjaro’s kitchen drawer is close to the rear. GVM 1 650 kg Price R386 900 Contact 012 329 2259 pretoriacaravans.co.za adri@pretoriacaravans.co.za…

Part of the ever-popular Mobi Lodge is the fibreglass caravan’s sand colour finish. Now, says Leon Ras, his 2020 models are changing to white and there are more changes. One is a panoramic window in the left panel above the outdoor kitchen. According to Leon, it is popular with customers, who speak of the Mobi Lodge’s ‘big screen’. Other than an awning that spans over the kitchen area, a similar roof now fits over the sliding bed on the other side of the hull. Buyers also get an option for a bed that extends electrically –ideal for people in a wheelchair. The awning area has been equipped so it can now also be enclosed as a room. The frame in which the sink and drying rack fit also changes to…

The Discoverer range of Motorhome-World’s products has a newcomer. Dennis Bouwers, co-owner of Motorhome-World, says it’s the first time they’ve made a panel-van conversion as part of its range. The Discoverer Journey takes shape in a Fiat Ducato panel van, and even though it is one of the cheapest products they offer, the same high-quality finish applies to the Journey. The entire rear section is two benches across from each other that fold together to form a huge bed. If you open the back doors, you can fit a tent here in case you want to add another ‘room’. As in many other motorhomes, the front seats swivel to look back toward the interior. The door where you get in is obviously a large sliding door in the left panel,…

Camping in this historic town gives you the chance to explore its history on foot, or pitch a tent a few kilometres away… in Mother Nature’s embrace. Graaff-Reinet is South Africa’s oldest colonial town after Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Swellendam. It was founded in 1787 by the Dutch East India Company and named after the then Governor of the Cape Colony, Cornelis Jacob van de Graaff and his wife Reinet. The town is not only known for the nearby natural treasures, but also because it boasts more historical monuments and buildings than any other town or city in South Africa. Pitch your tents at two campsites that give you access to the rich heritage and scenery of this Karoo town. NQWEBA CAMP The beauty of the Camdeboo A mere 4…

THE OLD GUNPOWDER MAGAZINE was built in 1893 by the British army to defend the town against Boer forces. Graaff-Reinet was to become the British military seat in the Eastern Cape in 1901 during the Second Boer War. THE OBESA NURSERY at the end of Leeb Street exports succulents to the whole of South Africa and around the world. Chances are that the succulents in your local nursery were originally grown at Obesa. THE MOTHER CHURCH at the top of Church Street seats 1 500 congregants and its design is based on the Salisbury Cathedral in England. The first service was held in 1887. It is the fourth Dutch Reformed church on this site. THE OLD STATION is in ruins – it formed the railway link…

The Audi Q3 is a small SUV, but it’s not scared of a farm road. It’s actually quite sprightly – even while towing a caravan. In a recent tow test, it flexed its muscle with a Sprite Swing that weighed 940 kg. The standard model costs R599 000, but if you’re going to be towing, you’ll need the electric tow bar (R10 500 extra). The rearview camera (R6 800) is also an optional extra if you don’t want to struggle when parking your caravan. (See our January issue for the full tow test. – Ed)…

“Friends who previously camped here recommended the Bonnievale River Lodge, and when we recently spent some time in the Robertson area, we decided to come and stay here for a couple of days to really relax. WHAT IS THE CAMPSITE LIKE? The landscape is picturesque, with green grass everywhere, a neat garden and the Breede River flowing next to the resort. The stands are large with space for more than one tent and plenty of space to relax. The stands vary in size. Those next to the water are bigger, but your car isn’t allowed there. On the terrace, the stands are slightly smaller, but you have a better view from here. Those look like the better stands for braaiing and having fun. WERE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE ABLUTION FACILITIES?…

Many factors will determine what kind of bicycle rack you require: are you tall or short, old or young? Is your SUV a hatchback or does it have a door with a spare wheel mounted on it? How heavy are your bikes and how many members of your family will be cycling? Here are 10 bike racks that you can consider, depending on your type of vehicle and individual needs. Mount it on the spare wheel The spare wheel on the back door of an SUV is a great place to mount a bicycle rack, because then the tow bar remains free to hitch a trailer and the roof is available to fit a roof rack or rooftop tent. The disadvantage, however, is that women’s bikes don’t hang level on…

Being avid campers, we know what it’s like when you live and work in the city and look forward to a weekend or a family holiday away from the urban jungle, traffic congestion, and the confines of an office space. Besides, when you’re away from it all, you also usually get a whiff of fresh air, perhaps a sea breeze, with a few floral scents thrown in and bees buzzing nearby. Well, alternative workspace solutions firm Work & Co, who offer entrepreneurs, freelancers and small businesses hot desks, private offices and meeting rooms in Cape Town on a short-term basis has come up with an innovative alternative – a mobile workspace that can be towed to scenic locations in and around the Mother City. The Nova is essentially a trailer,…

We discovered camping... My wife, Christa, and I are avid travellers and have visited around 40 different countries in the past 30 years. As kids, we spent a lot of time in the Kruger – then as a young couple and later with our kids. We used to stay in hotels, chalets or B&Bs until we went camping with friends a few years ago. That’s when the caravanning bug bit us. We bought a Sprite Swing and customised it to our needs. We initially planned to use it for Kruger Park excursions but now that we’ve gained experience, we are planning longer and more frequent touring trips to different destinations. We love the caravanning lifestyle for a number of reasons. Firstly is the simplicity. Less is more. We have everything…

A modular off-road trailer that fits together like building blocks until you have the camper that suits your needs is what Albre de Villiers of ADV Trailers in Centurion came up with. The lower part of the trailer and the chassis looks a bit like a flatbed tow truck. On top of this sits a frame that fits up to four containers of equal size, each with a door at the end. Up to two roof tents can then fit on top of the frame with its containers, and when the roof tents are folded, a roof rack flattens over it. The secret – and clever idea – behind this lies in the four containers. Each is oblong (1,3 x 0,6 x 0,6 m), and you can place one to…

Aha Outdoor Systems is known for its bakkie campers, but has now built a caravan, the Mobile Cabin. You don’t use steps to get into the caravan, but a ramp – so people in a wheelchair can get up, too. The interior is also wheelchair friendly. The entire kitchen is built into the nose side behind one big door. As you open the door, you have access to a sink-and-stove combination, your fridge/freezer, a shelf for groceries, and the in-line gas geyser on the far left. When you close the door, you still have access to the entire kitchen from the inside. You can divide the interior of the Mobile Cabin into two: where the ramp comes in through the door is a huge shower area to the left, with…

Stealth has properly established itself in the marketplace in the past year or two. Now, says owner Garry Coady, they have gone back to its roots with the new Bakkie Mate. They originally wanted to kick off with a bakkie camper, but as they began to build caravans, that gained momentum and the Bakkie Mate got left behind… until now, that is. The Bakkie Mate consists of a monocoque frame originally consisting of two fibreglass sections that are bonded together – the way some boats are made. To make the Bakkie Mate lighter, the panels are not made of composite materials, but fibreglass. An empty unit weighs about 500 kg, which means you still have a good 250 kg load weight when you look at the average double-cab loading capacity.…

After Badger recently launched four caravans, it also revealed its Camper – a bakkie camper. You could say it’s a Badger caravan without wheels that fits onto the back of a bakkie, but it is 10 cm narrower than the caravan’s 170 cm. Still, the layout remains essentially the same – including the unique right panel that pulls out as a whole to form part of the bed. Unlike the king-size in the caravans, the Camper has a double bed. The bakkie camper has the same 12 V-220 V power system as the caravans. The outdoor kitchen, a compact version of those in the caravans, still pulls left out of the hull at the rear. The fridge is located inside close to the cab, and the Camper gets supports on…

Fred Oosthuizen’s Gray caravan is one of the heaviest and largest caravans on the road. At 8 m in length with a GVM of 2 500kg you need a huge towing vehicle. The caravan is much like ahotel suite, but Fred has made a few more changes. The anti-swing coupler and Al-Ko Trailer Control are now standard. The microwave that stood inside moved outside and has its own cupboard just to the left of the door. Fred allows custom changes when it comes to interior finishes and colour schemes. The basin, which previously pulled from the hull on the left, now moves closer to the rear, and an induction plate now sits where the basin was. GVM 2 500 kg Price From R525 000 Contact 084 470 0802 customcampers.co.za sales@customcampers.co.za…

Panther, known for its small fibreglass caravans, has built its first full-sized road caravan, the Onca. Owner Martin van der Westhuizen explains that though the smaller caravans are popular, some of his customers are looking for ‘everything’ in a caravan. At the rear-end is abuilt-in island bed, and as you get in, the small dinette is to the left with the fridge in the far corner. Manufacturers usually place the fridge above or near the axle, but Martin says the fridge is light enough to be where it is. The following new models will get a larger dinette so it can fold out as a single bed. The fridge will also move and be replaced by a double-door model. The outdoor kitchen is above the left wheel and the caravan…

Quantum, that focuses on luxury fixed-roof caravans, has added two more models to its range of four. The new Oasis takes over as flagship model from the Grand Infinity and is manufactured to order only. At 8,385 m, it is more than a meter longer than the Grand Infinity, but both come standard with roughly the same accessories. The Grand Infinity can accommodate up to three people, while the Oasis has a bunk bed for two – thus a total of four people can sleep in it. The bathroom is not a combined unit either – the toilet is now on its own. Outside at the rear is a cupboard that’s already wired for a TV. On the other side of the rear, a bicycle rack sits on a sliding…

Mahindra is filled with renewed confidence in its Pik Up after testing the reliability of a new automatic transmission for a whole year at the Gerotek testing facility outside Pretoria. “South Africa is the first country in the world to officially launch the all-new Pik Up Automatic, which is only fitting, since it was the test bed for this model. There has been an overwhelming demand for an automatic transmission in our bakkie range, and we believe we have the perfect answer with the S11 and S11 Karoo AT,” says Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa. The gearbox wasn’t developed by Mahindra itself, but supplied by Aisin Seiki (formerly Aisin-Warner), who supplies gearboxes to manufacturers including Toyota, Suzuki, Jeep and Volkswagen. “Our market research showed that South Africans prefer…

When you gaze at all the vineyards and orchards in the Breede River Valley, you realise why this region is known as the fruit basket of the Western Cape. The smaller Slanghoek Valley on the Cape side of Worcester is also here, and it is truly picturesque with its mountains, blue sky and all the greenery. Right at the top of the Slanghoek Valley is the farm Moreson with its chardonnay and chenin blanc grapes. The Breede River forms the northern boundary of the farm, and this is where you come to take a break.. ABOUT HALFWAY BETWEEN Worcester and Ceres, the Slanghoek road turns off the R43 in the direction of the well-known ATKV Goudini Spa and the town of Rawsonville. The turn-off to Moreson Farm comes up quickly…

The Cederberg is one of the best places in the country to get away from people. Kagga Kamma clearly specialises in this kind of escape, because they offer open-air rooms and secluded bush camps where you sleep alone under the stars – with no cellphone signal or electricity. The 4x4 trail in this nature reserve, which has been around for more than 20 years, stays true to form as it takes you deep into the mountains. THE ROUTE After paying your access fees at reception, drive back toward the entrance gate and turn left at a road sign with the number 36. Keep straight until you reach no 40 – this is where the route officially begins. It is a circular route with several loops running north, and each intersection…

“My husband Louis is in the glass business, and needed a vehicle that could carry glass panes for work. He didn’t want a double-cab bakkie, and the only other requirement was that it could also carry his bicycle, as he’s an avid cyclist. We looked at the usual panel van suspects, including the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Volkswagen Transporter, but settled on this used 2017 Hyundai H1 2.5 CRDi automatic for R370 000. It met our requirements with its good service plan and warranty. Not only that, but we could also throw the Vespa in with the bicycles for weekends away, and still have more than enough space to spare. We had to fit our own Bluetooth system  so that our cellphones would always be connected and then we also had…

The French have always built quirky vehicles, and Citroën is often the frontrunner when it comes to distinctive cars. There was, however, a period around the millennium when this manufacturer got really boring, especially with regard to its C range of vehicles. The C5 family sedan (2000 to 2017) was the epitome of conformity and the C3 hatchback (2002 to 2009) looked cute with its bubble roof, but it was otherwise unremarkable. Citroën’s had bigger problems in South Africa than bland appearance, though: its reputation for a serious shortage of available parts. Things got so bad that the manufacturer withdrew from the country in 2016 – not that anyone really noticed. Xavier Gobille, the man largely responsible for Renault South Africa’s resurrection, has now been tasked to reincarnate Citroën South…

Okto is a new road caravan manufacturer that doesn’t follow the conventional approach. They apply contemporary trends to the design and construction of their caravans, which means they are more suited to the modern-day camper. This is especially true when it comes to the materials they use. The panels are made of fibreglass and aluminium, so they’re not only strong, but also impervious to rot. Another plus is the fact that Okto caravans – including the Cabana – fit into a standard garage and the caravan’s refrigerator runs on 12 V power instead of the usual 220 V. On our trip through the Bushveld, we found that even though the Cabana is meant for tar roads, it’s not scared of a dirt road at all. Solid foundation The Cabana’s chassis…

Last month we took some of the popular choices of firewood and put them to the test to see which burns hotter and longer. To get to that point, though, we first had to split some of the larger stumps from the nine bags of wood we used. Does that mean we simply chucked the axe back into the shed for use during the next camping trip? No, because just like any other expensive camping investment, if you look after your axe properly, it’ll look after you. Abraham Lincoln famously said “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” Not only was good old Abe honest, he was pretty wise too. The rarest of politicians indeed. We’re not going…

Not only did Armadillo launch its latest model, the XTR302, but all existing models were also slightly updated. The XTR302 gets a door directly across from the existing entry door – it is used for adressing room and shower area. There are also no canvas panels between you and the outside after you pitch the caravan (except the shower tent section). You do, however, have a door that you can close at night. Just as with the other models, the spare wheel’s storage space shifts from the chassis to the tail, and all the caravans now also have permanent plumbing and gas-pipe networks. A 3,5m awning is now standard as well – the same one fits all models. The XTR302 is designed for two people, pitches within 15 minutes and…

Conqueror, known for its rigid off-road trailers and caravans, has now built a model halfway between the two styles of caravans and dubbed it the UEV Hybrid. (UEV stands for Urban Escape Vehicle and is already used for Conquerer’s last off-road caravan series, but Hybrid refers to the blending of the two styles.) The Hybrid is similar to Invader’s Duo and the hull is similar to an old collapsible caravan because the roof with its pneumatic pillars lifts to create an interior. When the roof is raised, a bed pulls out with canvas around it that makes it part of the interior. Conqueror’s Philip de Vries says the concept is nothing new, but this one was built as a prototype to see the market’s reaction. What isn’t immediately apparent is…

Jurgens recently revamped its range, but not all models changed at once. First up was the popular Penta, and now the grand master of the series, the Exclusive, has had its chance. It retained its distinctive double axle, but instead of the dark strip at the bottom of the hull you associate with the older Jurgens models, the newcomer is completely white. The door used to sit near the rear before, but now moves forward, between the wheels and the A-frame. In addition, the outdoor kitchen extends just above the wheels, and the microwave is now larger at 28 ℓ. Because the door has moved, the interior layout looks completely different. The bathroom was previously in the back section with the bed by the nose. Now the dinette is in…

UniPod Toy Haulers builds ‘caravans’ with which you can also carry your big toys. The caravans, therefore, have room to load your motorbike, for example, and once offloaded, that’s space for abed. The BushPod XL is such a model, but Brandon Hardie explains the interlayer panels have been changed to fibreglass outer layers with a synthetic honeycomb interior. Furthermore, the bare aluminium strips now get a powder coating, and the pop-up roof – which pops up at the back where you get in – is 60 cm wider than before. This creates more space in the caravan, although they kept the double bed. GVM 1 500 kg Price R199 500 Contact 072 192 2845 unipod.co.za sales@unipod.co.za…

Okto is one of the newer caravan manufacturers with two models: the Villa and Cabana. Now they have a variant of both models. The Villa En-Suite is aVilla with a bathroom. That sits in the rear, close to the door, instead of the dinette. As you stand in front of the bathroom, the shower cubicle is to the left, the basin in the middle with the cassette toilet to the far right against the wall. Woody Loftus, who oversees the marketing of Okto, says it’s now the only road caravan with a pop-up roof that has a built-in bathroom. Because the fridge is next to the bathroom, this door has also been changed to open from the right. The new Gravellor has the same layout as the Cabana, but you…

After Nayela introduced its Okapi last year, it has made afew minor changes. The outdoor kitchen’s crockery cupboard is deeper, and the door at the back that you could open from the inside to get to it is now a permanent panel. The wardrobe near the far corner of the bed gets shelves – previously it had hanging space. The lower section of the Okapi’s hull is charcoal in colour, but you can also choose khaki. GVM 1 750 kg Price R495 000 Contact 058 863 1027 nayela.co.za info@nayela.co.za…

A large section of National Luna’s plant burnt to the ground in November last year. The factory consists of seven buildings, two of which were destroyed – with everything in it. Customers whose fridges were at National Luna for service and repairs got the unpleasant news about their December holiday plans. The good news is that the buildings are being rebuilt and National Luna is temporarily renting another building to keep up with its orders from America, Australia, the Far East and South Africa. Customers who lost their fridges will be given abrand-new one with a new three-year warranty.…

Have you ever just wanted to take your off-roader and drive right around the country? With this monster of an itinerary, you pass through all nine provinces and 12 of South Africa’s best-known off-road destinations in a single circular route. The route is almost 10 000 km long and you stay away as far as possible from capitals, highways and tar roads; instead you aim for back roads, dirt roads and 4x4 twin tracks. Along the way, however, there are plenty of big towns where you can buy supplies for the next leg of your journey. You could drive the entire route continuously, but also each of the different stages separately – we indicate the minimum distance and recommended days for each leg. The route is shown counterclockwise here, but…

FISHING RESORT Bassfeather Country Lodge STRETCH YOUR LEGS – AND YOUR RODS – NEXT TO THE LANGSPRUIT The Bassfeather Country Lodge is located on the Langspruit just outside Reitz in the northeastern Free State. When you turn off the Reitz road, the small river runs for about half a kilometre to the right of the good dirt road to meet a dam wall. The owner, Manie Fichardt, built the embankment here 37 years ago with the idea of establishing a spot where people could relax. From here, of course, the water forms a dam with Bassfeather on the other side of it. In stark difference to the Free State plains that stretch around you, shade trees are plentiful here, and the neat lawn extends to the water. There are 23…

Following the Ranger bakkies, the much-talked-about new 2 ℓ engine from Ford is now also the flagship model in the Everest range. Here to stay Ford’s focus is clearly now on the new engine: of the six available Everest models, three have the 2 ℓ bi-turbo diesel engine, one the 2 ℓ single turbo, while only one model each has the 2,2 ℓ and 3,2 ℓ engine. In terms of power output, the bi-turbo engine overshadows the other two: the 2,2 ℓ and the 3,2 ℓ deliver 118 kW and 147 kW respectively (with 385 Nm and 470 Nm of torque, respectively), while the new engine boasts 157 kW and 500 Nm. These numbers are also reflected in the improved gross combination mass (GCM) of the new engine and its…

I thought my eyes were deceiving me when I spotted my slender mother and her girlfriend casually lift a freezer into the minibus. How on earth was there still space for it? In there already were six mattresses, enough bedding for a five-bedroom house, a steel table – the kind people use to bake pancakes on at the church bazaar – and two brand-new fans. It was the December holidays and the Mailovich family was on its way to camp in a place where there would be only a barbed wire fence between us and hell: Serengeti, where the temperature varies between 39 ºC and 45 ºC. No, not the one in East Africa with all the animals… we were heading for a caravan park just outside Marble Hall in…