Innehållsförteckning för December 2021 -January 2022 från Go! Drive & Camp

This time of year, the temptation is great to pontificate on how fast the past 12 months have flown by. And you have to guard against going on about how circumstances have radically changed for all of us since early 2020. Having said all that, it’s a fact that another year has passed, even if it sometimes feels as if you’ve barely managed to come up for air. Too much happens too fast, and before you know it, there are Christmas decorations everywhere in shops, and Boney M CDs get playtime. (I apologise for the stale Christmas decorations and Boney M references. My brain is tired this time of year...) I’ll be the first to admit that I haven’t travelled nearly enough this year. But thanks to my talented colleagues…

MY TWO CENTS In the latest issue of Drive & Camp, Schalk asks us to let him know what we think about go! Motorcycle. Here goes… I think it’s a fantastic magazine and hope it will appear regularly. Some articles, such as the routes, will overlap with the main book as the routes are usually meant for two and four wheels. However, there are many motorcycle-specific articles that justify their own magazine, such as equipment, clothing, test rides with new motorcycles, how to service and repair your steed, and so on. I think you should borrow a motorcycle and do one of Cyril’s weekend trips to experience this for yourself. Choose an easy tar road to start with, something like the R62 to De Rust and back. And to Cyril,…

Major changes are taking place at Pretoria Caravans & Outdoor, which has become quite an institution in the Jacaranda City. Michael Barwise, owner of Caravan Fitment Center, has acquired a stake in the business, and that coincides with the early retirement of Adri Conradi, who until now co-owned the business with Glenda-Ann Colley. Michael’s path crossed with that of Pretoria Caravans & Outdoor five years ago, after he took over the workshop from the caravan dealer. He not only services caravans, but he also handles accidental damage, conversions, and insurance claims. Michael has been busy: There is, amongst other elements, a larger shop that now also stocks fishing gear, new shading, and new signage. Jurgens Campworld’s caravans, the Sprite, Gypsey, and Jurgens, as well as those of GT Camper, Gray,…

Mobi Lodge – which has its headquarters and factory in Middelburg – opened a showroom and service centre in Cape Town about two years ago. The branch is known as Cape Mobi Adventure. That whole Cape enterprise is now moving to Malmesbury. The new premises and showroom are larger, explains Reghardt Jansen Van Vuuren, co-owner. “We’re only 50 km from Cape Town, but still close to our customers, for example in Citrusdal, Riebeek West, Paarl, and Worcester.” Address Industrie SGL, Malmesbury. GPS S33.471421 E18.715053 Contact 082 322 8325 mobilodge.com…

The state-owned Chinese car manufacturer BAIC – or Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co and pronounced as “bike” – launched the B40 PLUS, a compact SUV, near Hartbeespoort on 13 October 2021. The B40 PLUS, in other countries also known as the BJ40, has been manufactured by this company since 2013, but has only now found its way to South Africa. We can only guess how upset Jeep must be with BAIC, because the B40 PLUS clearly borrows from the Wrangler, especially when it comes to the styling of the body panels. However, it’s interesting to note that BAIC and Jeep were once related to each other when DaimlerChrysler and BAIC partnered up. This particular family tree is way too complicated to explain here, though. In short: the BAIC B40 PLUS…

“Camping with a caravan is nothing new to me – in fact, I’ve been doing it ever since the age of 16, when I camped with my parents. My Dad had a 3 l Ford, but there was also the very popular Chev with its 4,1 l engine. In the eighties, I started towing with a BMW 535i, and subsequently with a whole series of towing vehicles – to my current Amarok. After the BMW, there was a Mazda Drifter 2.5, a Ford Ranger 4.0, a Mazda BT-50 3.0, another Ranger (the 3.2 model) and, just before the Amarok, a Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG. Look, that’s a powerful towing vehicle, but I look after my possessions and always felt sorry for the Merc in the campsite when, for example, I chuck…

The Nissan Navara is available in six single-cab and 11 double-cab models, with the 2.5 DDTi Pro-4X 4x4 the flagship version. The Pro-4X is a bakkie for the lifestyle market – it’s aimed at the family man who wants an attractive vehicle for his everyday commute and then takes his family on holiday where he might need four-wheel drive to get them to the destination. And it is indeed an attractive vehicle, in a macho way, especially with its Warrior Gray colour scheme which is limited to the Pro-4X. The styling comes straight from America, where big grilles, big air intakes, and big decals are important, and anything with the prefix “Pro” sells like donuts. “…it is indeed an attractive vehicle, in a macho way, especially with its Warrior Gray…

In terms of building materials and general appearance, Conqueror’s UEV range definitely differs from their other off-road trailers. Instead of metal, the panels of the bodywork consist mainly of a synthetic material – one of the reasons why the UEVs are white. The series consists of four models. We hitched the small UEV-14i to see how it performs. On the right A large swing-down door opens to the inner cupboard, another separate cupboard, a 220 V socket for the power supply, a cigarette lighter socket, and the water tank’s plug. Between this swing-down door and the nose cone and beneath the other cupboard with storage space, is a metal box next to the chassis that’s a good spot for packing tent pegs or a toolbox. On the other side, there’s…

WHALE SHARK (RHINCODON TYPUS) Whale sharks are found in marine environments worldwide but mainly in tropical oceans. The whale shark is enormous and capable of reaching a maximum length of about 18 metres. Prey includes zooplankton, shrimp, fish, mollusks, squid, and even small tuna. While the whale shark is usually solitary, it is sometimes found in schools of up to hundreds of individuals. Scientists estimate that the life span of the whale shark ranges from 60 to 100 years. Since 2016, it has been placed on the endangered speciesgo list! of marine.…

Circles in the Eastern Cape My wife, Arina, and I fulfilled a long-standing wish in May this year when we ventured on a circular route through the Eastern Cape with our caravan. It was an unknown part of our country for us, and we were very surprised. We tow a Sprite Swing with our Nissan X-Trail, and our first stop was at Kleinplaas in Oudtshoorn. Between Willowmore and Aberdeen, we pulled over at Santjie Meiring’s Oppi-Vlak farm stall and enjoyed delicious freshly baked pies and roosterkoek. We also checked out the tall steeple of the Dutch Reformed Church in Aberdeen and spent two nights in the Kamdeboo National Park’s Nqweba camp – it’s just outside Graaff-Reinet. Of course, we also visited the Valley of Desolation, then joined up with some…

The new Ford Ranger was introduced to the world via YouTube on 24 November 2021. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for information not yet available at the time of going to press. What we did hear from the horse’s mouth is that Ford asked 5 000 customers what they would want in the next Ranger. “As designers, we engaged with customers much earlier in the process, spent more time with them, and got more insights than ever before. Interestingly, we found that no matter what market, our customers are doers. They like solving their own problems, and they like to feel confident in their truck … not just the way the vehicle functions but the way they feel when they’re driving it,” says Max Tran, chief designer of…

In the market for a roof-mounted air con? Accessories importer Parasol has one for your consideration. German-made Truma is available in countries such as England, Italy, and Sweden – all the way to China and America – and is now coming to South Africa. The unit is intended for vehicles with a fixed roof – think motorhomes or caravans – and depending on the specific model, it weighs 27,5-33 kg. The three models, Aventa Comfort (8 200 BTU), Aventa Compact (5 800 BTU), and Aventa Compact Plus (7 500 BTU) all work with 230 V power. The Comfort heats and cools at 1 700 W and 2 400 W respectively, while the other two use 1 700 W and 2 200 W for cooling. Depending on the model, the outdoor…

The Tonga was launched in 2019, but Cape-based manufacturer Tojem has just completely revamped the bodywork of this small caravan. It’s still made of fibreglass, but the panels have been reinforced, and there’s also a lot more storage space. So, what’s different? The most noticeable change is the colour. No more charcoal, now it’s beige and grey. Another change is to the design of the awnings holder – it sits on top of the roof and are now more aligned with the roof’s profile. The awning itself no longer has sides that extend close to the ground, it’s more of a standard 270 ° roof that extends from the back door to the nose. In the nose is a 30 ℓ cooler box, and the adjacent cupboard, where the fridge/freezer…

When Hennie and Emmerentia got married, he warned her that their journey together would be an adventure. He admits now that she may not have been prepared for exactly how adventurous he is. They’ve been to the Gamkaskloof around 10 times, sometimes with significant objections and excuses from Emmerentia, but Hennie always insisted they experience adventures together. When Hennie’s retirement grew near at the end of 2019, he had already come a long way in planning and booking accommodation for their next big adventure. He “obsessively checked out Google Maps” as he stared at roads and routes, made plans and then changed them again. By January 2020, everything had been meticulously planned. Every last stay was booked and, in most cases, paid in full. The plan was as follows: spend…

Toyota has sold more than 10 million Land Cruisers around the world – most of them probably to United Nations Peacekeeping and Bushveld farmers in the north of our country. At a recent local launch on the West Coast, Toyota South Africa Motors parked five generations of Land Cruisers side by side: the boxy 60 Series (1981), the short-lived 80 (1991), the rounded 100 (1998), the enduring 200 (2007), and the new 300 series that arrived in late 2021. The similarities between the different vehicles were striking, and you could clearly see the gradual evolution of the Land Cruiser over time. This is where we realised that we find the oldest 60 series and the latest 300 series equally attractive – and that speaks volumes of Toyota’s successful design philosophy,…

We drove the Pajero Sport a little over three years ago. Now, Mitsubishi has added a third revamped model. The Exceed model is more luxurious and, among other things, includes a sunroof and an electrically operated tailgate. The newcomer has the same engine as the other two. The vehicle’s nose and tail received lots of attention, and the original analogue clocks are now a digital display. There’s a small graphic representation of a Pajero in the rev counter and when you step on the brakes, the brake lights of the little Pajero graphic glow red as well. Adorable! Even if your focus isn’t entirely on towing, the Pajero Sport still has plenty to offer. One aspect Mitsubishi seems to be modest about, is the new gearbox. The company describes it…

When you turn 18, it is, of course, time to get your driving licence. For a light vehicle driving licence (code B), you first have to pass the learner’s driving licence and then learn to drive – then return to the test facility and do your best to pass again. Some people are lucky and get it right on their first try, but it’s quite common to have to try a second or even a third time. With your licence in your pocket, you can explore the world on your own. You may not, however, tow most caravans, as your driving licence only allows you to tow a trailer of 750 kg or lighter, which includes smaller trailers such as Gypsey’s Lite or the Peri Peri from Aloe Caravans. The…

BUNDUTEC BUNDUTOP Electric Boogaloo The shell is made of aluminium, with 300 g Riptech canvas sides, and is raised and lowered by an electric motor. The interior is lined with foam. There’s also a 12 V power socket, LED, and wiring for a solar panel. Measurements 2,1 x 1,35 m Weight 80 kg Price R33 270 at BunduTec Contact 010 055 5839 info@bundutec.co.za bundutec.co.za Drive & Camp says Also available in extra large 3 x 1,6 m (R39 700). HOWLING MOON LUNAR Sleeping Satellite The fibreglass shell is lifted by four gas struts. The mattress is 10 cm thick, and there are pockets in the ceiling in which you can store all kinds of loose items. Two bars on the roof allow you to install a solar panel. Measurements 2,15…

“I live in the Limpopo province, where you see Land Cruisers everywhere you look. When I came accross a 1986 Nissan Safari on OLX, I immediately decided to buy it, as they’re not easily found, and I wanted to show the Cruiser guys that Nissan also has a bakkie like theirs. The seller claimed the vehicle had previously belonged to rally driver Hannes Grobler, and that the second owner was apparently Martin van Rensburg, founder of Maus Performance. At first, I thought it was a sales ploy, but I tracked down Hannes and Martin – and they confirmed it was true. Hannes was racing for Nissan South Africa Motorsport at the time, and he says Nissan commissioned Meano Conversions in Krugersdorp to convert a Safari into a double cab as…

Johan Cilliers wins a cooler bag worth R220. Whether you’re a camper, fisherman, or sports fan next to a cricket pitch, this cooler bag has room for lunch box and a 1,5 ℓ cooldrink bottle. The lid also has space for a coffee flask. The interior is lined with PVC, which makes it easy to keep this bag clean and hygienic. The bag has a short strap that reaches over the top and attaches with a Velcro strip, as well as a longer shoulder strap if you’re going to carry it over longer distances. It’s an ideal picnic accessory or a padkos bag for a road trip. winkel.weg.co.za…

Caravans change often, but the Gecko Xtreme off-road caravan still looks exactly the same as its prototype did 10 years ago. That indicates just how well thought out the initial concept was, and caravan buyers agree when you consider the more than 170 Xtreme models on the road. So, it’s big news when something small changes: the short leg of the L-shaped bench against the panel opposite the door has been removed. This means the bench is now straight, making it more spacious for the two people – they are, after all, who the Xtreme’s designers had in mind. The power panel on the tip of the short leg moved to the side of the bench, and the corner cupboard also changed slightly – its lower part is now part…

We love multipurpose camping gear, as it allows you to travel lighter. Carma Quip’s braai apron is a proper chameleon. It’s an apron as well as a storage place for your braai grid. The apron has two sides: one side has a PVC layer and the other a camouflage-print polyester weave fabric. The sides are, in fact, two layers of a pocket with an opening at the bottom. Your grid – up to 400 x 500 mm in size – fits nicely in here and ends the relentless struggle of a dirty grid spoiling your camping gear. As the polyester fabric has its own PVC layer, the grid fits between these two plastic layers and none of the oiliness seeps through or smears on something else. So, when you’re done…

The Chinese car company Chery has launched a renewed campaign to win South African hearts with the cute Tiggo 4 Pro. This is the company’s first product after an absence of three years. “The Tiggo 4 Pro will be one of the most advanced SUVs in the compact urban SUV class, and one of the most competitively priced models in its class,” said Tony Liu, executive deputy general manager of Chery South Africa. “It is only fitting that it will be launched first in South Africa, which incidentally is the first country on the globe to launch the right-hand drive version.” At the end of October 2021, motoring journalists were given the opportunity to drive the Tiggo 4 Pro at the Gerotech test track in Gauteng under restricted conditions, but…

Bushwakka’s off-road caravans are unique in that they don’t follow the traditional design. The kitchen, for example, isn’t built in on the left side but at the rear end, where you also get in. Moreover, it’s unusual to see that neither of the existing Bhoma models’ two beds fold out over the A-frame but rather from the side panels of the caravan. This applies to the new kid on the block, Bhoma Fargo, too. Its body and chassis are made of 3CR12 stainless steel, which means you really don’t have to worry about rust. The metal is also tough in terms of its welding properties, especially in spots that must cope with shocks and vibrations. What is where? To open the door, you must first swing the kitchen – a…

The Garden Route is known for popular getaways, including Knysna, Wilderness, and the Tsitsikamma. Just don’t forget about George: after Cape Town, it’s the largest city in the Western Cape. Within a radius of 15 km, you can relax at some of the most beautiful campsites in the country. George lies at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountain. On its slopes, you’ll find a brand-new campsite, where you’re surrounded by all the greenery of this environment. ArendsRus was laid out on the edge of the last developments where the Outeniqua starts getting real steep. On the side of the ocean, a tarred road winds through some wooded hills down to Victoria Bay. These stands on the final hill has you feeling as though you’re sitting on a balcony with the…

There’s a saying that the West Coast is the best coast. People who say that are obviously not in love with tropical beaches and sunbathing bodies, umbrellas and ice-cream sellers. They’re also not crazy about beach resorts, promenades, or even balmy seas, because all of these are rare commodities in the West Coast. No, you fall in love with the West Coast because of its unique – and sometimes quite rough! – character. You can’t, for example, describe the West Coast without using the words snoek, crayfish, bokkoms, and black mussels. You’ll also need to mention the southeaster, kelp, and soutslaai (common ice plant). All these are plentiful in places like Tietiesbaai, Dwarskersbos, Papendorp, and Hondeklip Bay. And the farther north you travel to the coast, the more you discover…

Kagga Kamma’s website mentions that certain campsites can only be reached with a 4x4 vehicle, and if you call to book one of these campsites, you’ll be told that the trails can be challenging. As soon as you report to reception, you’ll receive a printed map showing all the trails in the reserve. The map also shows numbered beacons, the distances between these beacons, the GPS coordinates of each campsite, and a few roadside attractions. The receptionist may indicate roads on the map that you’re not allowed to drive – some of these roads are badly damaged and management is still weighing up whether to repair them or not. Kagga Kamma does not encourage day visitors, and the best way to access the 4x4 trails is to book accommodation. You…

“For many years, my husband Neill and I camped with a big caravan and did our best to do so at Addo at least once every two months. We lost Neill last year to Covid-19, and I then decided to get rid of our big caravan. I had no intention of not going camping, though, and bought myself a Skipper trailer. My one son helped me to master hitching it and then reversing, and recently I took it on its maiden voyage. There was only one place I wanted to go and that was my beloved Addo. My friend Amanda Baldie also camps with a Skipper, and she joined me. We are, in fact, part of a group of eight women who all mostly camp solo. The group is called…

FISHING RESORT SIONBERGH PEACEFUL WATERS Set aside all your worries at a lovely campsite barely a kilometre south of the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve near Johannesburg. It’s really just a stone’s throw from the busy city, so come find yourself again next to the fishing waters and return home with renewed vigour. The Suikerbosrand actually feeds the Sionbergh campsite, as the water from that dam comes from the fountain in the reserve. From here, it flows into the Blesbokspruit, where you can see if you can catch a fish or two. Sionbergh is on the farm Rivierdraai with its lucerne fields. Before you can get to it, though, you need to let resort staff know you’re at the gate so they can open it – the phone number is on the…

When your off-road vehicle goes up in smoke, it’s often due to grass that accumulated somewhere in the chassis – often at the exhaust pipe, especially the catalyst – where heat can cause the dry grass to ignite. Other reasons for a fire include short circuits in the electrical wiring, an engine that dangerously overheats, long-range fuel tanks that leak, and even an ember from a cigarette that flies off to land somehere in the back of your car. Second to grass in the chassis, electric fires are the most common. Such a fire usually occurs if a dual-battery system or towbar is incorrectly wired up, resulting in a short-circuit. Your vehicle’s standard loom has been tested to avoid any problems – issues usually only occur when you start tinkering…