Table of contents for February 2018 in SA4x4

Tyres are the make-or-break element of any overland venture or 4x4 trail – in fact, of almost any excursion off the tar. They are at the core of the extra traction needed to get through sand, gravel and rocky sections. For every sort of terrain, you alter the pressure to ensure the optimal longer ‘footprint’, and this is largely determined by the tyre you are using and the load being carried. I would add that the most important criteria when selecting a tyre for overlanding are firstly strength, particularly in the sidewall area as punctures and serious tyre damage will stop your holiday in its tracks; then grip, with larger block tyres better at the right pressure in tough terrain; and longevity, because offroading is hard on tyres and you…

Pieter Oosthuizen took the C13 in southern Namibia to Rosh Pinah, then took a less followed route to the west of the Fish River Canyon, exploring some 4x4 trails along the way (SA4x4 Dec ‘17). Chris Stockwell It would be nice if you gave us co-ordinates and a better description of how to do such a trip rather than this brief waffle about how nice it is. Wim Van Den Berg Is it possible to give a detailed description of the route your writer travelled? Duane Du Plessis Can most of this route be driven in a 2x4 vehicle (with fairly good clearance)? Retha Fourie Molier I have driven the C13 with a 2x4 2.7 Nissan diesel. The road is fine. Always make sure you have an extra tyre. We…

MERCEDES G-CLASS BOLD NEW INTERIOR As much as Mercedes-Benz have tried to hide the G-Wagon’s age, simply supergluing iPad lookalikes all over the interior doesn’t really work. The 2019 G-Class will be a complete redesign, and though details are thin on the ground, we can confirm that the interior is a vast improvement. Falling in line with the rest of the Mercedes range, the G-Class will get a large horizontal screen responsible for everything from speedo readouts to climate control and satellite navigation. Merc’s touch pad is also included, while the gear selector will be behind the steering wheel on a stalk. ISUZU MU-X BADGE IS BACK Having originally established the bakkie-based SUV market in the 1990s with the Frontier, Isuzu is back in SA (from the first quarter) with…

Scientific name Milvus migrans Afrikaans name Swartwou Once you learn to distinguish between the numerous birds of prey in southern Africa, which may take a novice birdwatcher quite a while, one of the easier bird species to identify is the duo of kites that visit our part of the world during summer. Well, put it this way: it is fairly easy to identify the bird you see as a kite; but to decide whether the bird in question is an adult Black Kite or whether it is an immature Yellow-billed Kite is not so easy. The easy part of identifying kites is by their brownish colour, their relatively large wingspan and particularly by their give-away habit of vigorously canting their forked tails from one side to the other during flight.…

Wherever we are in the world, providing that there are trees and plants around us, nature tempts us with her own supermarket of fresh fruit and vegetables. The problem is that although a lot of this larder can be eaten, there is a good proportion which is inedible or poisonous; and just tasting or swallowing even a small piece of some of these can cause great discomfort, stomach pain, and even death. As none of these comes with a warning label, how do we know what we can and cannot eat? Avoid before you begin There are some common pointers which help you to determine whether a plant is potentially poisonous. Avoid those plants which have milky saps (an exception being the dandelion) or hairs, spines or thorns; avoid any…

It had been nearly a year since a hefty pole jumped out of a blind spot during a night-time reversing manoeuvre in the Hilux. Bakkies with canopies are hard enough to see out of at the best of times, and this wasn’t one of those times. The resultant crunch put the standard chrome rear bumper badly out of sorts, and it was removed while the insurance machine was put into slow progress. The usual optimistic panel-beating quotes were ignored by the service provider in favour of a paltry payout, confirming my idea of what needed to happen: the fitment of a decent replacement steel item that could handle a heavy towing load and be used for recoveries. So began a long process of finding one with the right bits and…

The winner of this month’s Reader’s Rides prize gets a recovery kit sponsored by LA Sport. Worth R2600, the kit includes an 8000kg kinetic snatch rope, kinetic snatch strap, a 5000kg winch extension strap, two 3.5 ton shackles, leather gloves and a kit bag. For more LA Sport accessories, phone 012 808 9951/2 or go to www.lasport.co.za HOW TO ENTER: Email your Readers Rides entry to editor@sa4x4.co.za. Only hi-res images (1MB or larger) will be considered – no cellphone pics. Please provide a description of the vehicle and the place. Remember to include your Name, Delivery Address and a Contact Number.…

EBEN BLOM 2008 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 3 2.7 TDV6 (“DIE WIT TENK”) Age: 42 Occupation: Sales rep Modifications: DiscoEast suspension rod lift, Desert Hawk MTX mud terrain tyres, roof rack with double Jerrycan holder, gas bottle holder, 45-litre water tank, 2x 18W LED spots, DuraTrend rock sliders, DuraTrend Nudge Bar & LED light bar, and a free-flow exhaust. Future modifications: Replacement bumper with winch, upgrade grille to D4 look, roof-rack ladder. And that’s it; this vehicle in standard format is already very capable! Dream vehicle: Discovery 5 SVX edition. Most memorable trip/s: Kosi Bay in December 2015, exploring sandy tracks, and including a visit to Black Rock and Bhanga Nek. Planned trip: Namibia, taking in Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei, the Fish River Canyon and Dune 45. I never leave home without:…

OVERLANDING EN SEKURITEIT Die overlanding artikel “Berg to Bush” (SA4x4 November 2017) veroorsaak dat ons almal graag so ‘n trip sal wil onderneem in ‘n 4x4 saam met ander, maar wat doen jy as jy nie ‘n 4x4 voertuig het nie? Overlanding hoef mos nie noodwendig net oor ruwe terrein in die bundu te wees nie. Kies net noukerig jou roete oor begaanbare paaie en geniet... Tog sou ek ook baie graag ‘n 4x4 wou hê! Hier is my storie… Daar is so baie pragtige plekke binnelands en aan die kus om te sien. Ek is ‘n pensionaris, en elke keer wanneer ek my 4x2 bakkie opsaal met my rooftoptent om weer te gaan verken en te geniet, is dit opnuut vir my ‘n avontuur, ‘n groot voorreg en genade…

Mention the word scales and most of us cast a furtive look in the direction of the bedroom cupboard where the dreaded machine is stored… surely that triple chocolate sundae couldn’t have been that bad! So, you ask, what does this have to do with nature and the environment? The answer: nothing! As is the case with so much of the English language, this is a classic example of one word having incredibly disparate meanings. The scales that I am referring to have nothing to do with weight measurement, and everything to do with water-proofing, protection, movement, thermo-regulation and camouflage. Scales are one of the three most common body coverings in animals, the others being fur and feathers; but, unlike the latter two, scales have convergently evolved (i.e. they have…

When the Wrangler made its début in 1987 as the YJ, Jeep purists poked fun at Jeep’s new prodigy, casting derogatory insults such as “Yuppie Jeep” and “Real Jeeps have round headlights.” While I agree with them regarding round headlamps, the YJ retained the DNA of its venerable predecessors in the CJ lineup. It had solid axles, a reliable 6-cylinder mill, and traditional leaf springs. A decade later we met the coil-sprung TJ, and in 2007, the internationally acclaimed JK. When Jeep announced that a new generation of Wrangler would replace the JK, the public, as well as those in the media, feared the brand would succumb to soccer-mom factor: a wind-tunnel-designed land sled sans proper chassis and solid axles. I voiced my concerns with Jeep insiders during the last…

QUICK DRAW Gerbers 4WD’s aluminium drawer systems are custom-made and machine-punched for maximum efficiency. Powder-coating, sealed stainless steel bearings and heavy duty carpeting make the drawers tough, while paddle locks ensure solid security. The unit can be fitted without any welding whatsoever. POA 011 979 7147/7748 sales@gerbers4wd.co.za  www.gerbers4wd.co.za COVER MY SHIFT, PLEASE Escape Gear’s reputation for durable seat covers now extends to tranny covers as well. Not only does it protect your gear shift area from dirt and grime, but it also has pockets for extra storage on the road, easily within your reach. R775 021 706 0440 info@escapegear.co.za  www.escapegear.co.za SUPERWINCH With the aim of building the world’s best winches, the USA’s Superwinch has developed a range of machines capable of pulling off remarkable weight-lifting feats. There’s…

As travel journalists we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to adventure, but every once in a while, a trip comes up that really excites the senses; something so special you know for sure that it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The 15-day African Migrations Expedition was just that; plus I was in for a few surprises. The adventure heads deep into the open Savannah grasslands of Africa, chasing two of the world’s most spectacular migrations from one end of Zambia to the other. My journey, like most others, kind of snuck up on me, in that it had been planned months before. But all of a sudden, reality hit when Desiree Steadman gestured to the back seat of their Land Cruiser and said, “This will be your home for the next…

17 TYRES, 5 TOUGH TESTS – THE MOTHER OF SHOWDOWNS With a contact patch that’s not much bigger than a big human hand to provide grip, stability and ride comfort, tyres nowadays are marvels of modern technology. Since the first pneumatic tyre was made 130 years ago by John Boyd Dunlop (actually patented 40 years earlier by fellow Scotsman Robert William Thomson), the only feature that has remained unchanged since 1888 is the round shape. Many innovations have followed over the years. Besides synthetic rubber, the most prominent has been the development of radial tyre construction by Michelin exactly 70 years ago (though was patented by Arthur Savage in 1915). Radial construction, better compounds and computer-aided tread designs have allowed for even more specialised tyre applications, and led to three…

When you’ve just completed the five highest passes in South Africa, and been bombarded with jaw-dropping views over svelte mountain scenery for three days, your expectations on reaching a relatively unknown 4x4 track venue near the small town of Sterkstroom are understandably tempered. But how wrong assumptions can be. It was while gazing mindlessly at the rising slopes of the Bamboesberg in front of our converted barn cottage that I caught my first glimpse of the 4x4 track that my co-pilot, Harvey Tyson, and I were to tackle the next day. I only noticed the route when I chanced to see a horseman’s head bobbing up and down through the thick bush on the sharply-angled track. Deciding to walk the start of the steep 4x4 track later, I continued reading…

BASICS Date: 14-20 April 2018 Venue: Lesotho Cost: R6750 per person sharing Includes: Lodge & Camping Accommodation, Dinner & 2 breakfasts Excludes: Fuel, Lunch, Drinks, VHF radio hire TOUR DETAILS Baboon’s Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2689m (8822ft), located in the Maseru District of Lesotho. This pass near Ramabanta is one of the most remote, roughest and impassable passes in the country – more suitable for donkeys than for vehicles. It’s one of the highest mountain passes of Lesotho. The road to the summit is extreme. Only 4x4s with high clearance should tackle this challenge. It’s not for the fainthearted, comprising 26km of the toughest terrain in southern Africa, climbing up from an altitude of 1200m to 2689m. Much of the track consists of huge…

Imagine this: You’re out driving by yourself, checking out the new campsite that you plan to stay at in a couple of weeks. There is a dry river bed and you are driving through it, and the next moment you are stuck. With no-one around, it can be a daunting experience, unless you have the most useful tool in the off-roaders’ arsenal: a winch. With a recovery kit sitting on the back seat, and a tree 30m away, a winch turns something that could be a disaster into a five-minute delay. The downside is that winching places enormous loads not only on your recovery gear, but also on your four-wheel drive. It’s a simple enough process, but one that can have destructive consequences. WINCHING: STEP BY STEP 1. CHECK IT…

With a heritage dating back to the early 1950s, the Nissan Patrol has a long legacy, and a fervent fan base. Australian 4x4ers in particular are Patrol-obsessed, thanks to the vehicle’s heritage of an extremely strong ladder frame chassis, and bullet-proof diffs and gearboxes, making them perfect for serious, often competitive, off-road driving. Unlike the Y61 Patrol, the Y62 on show here favours luxury over outright capability, with plush independent suspension and a sumptuous interior. For those in need of more articulation and ruggedness, the Y61 is still available brand-new in SA. This, the latest 6th gen Patrol, has in fact been on sale in its current shape since 2010, and the latest facelift changes only a couple of trim items – notably the grille, wheels and rather aftermarket-looking taillights.…

“You have to be brave to do this,” said Refilwe, as she stepped confidently across the chaotic surface that is the muddy, knee-twisting, temporary shoreline of an ever-transforming lake which centuries ago drew explorers to its capricious existence. Past the dead tree stumps and mud pockmarked by the desperate struggle of cattle, lies a still expanse of water – miles and miles of it shimmering in the early heat of November. If you want to make a living here, on land, you have to be plucky. And quick, because of the occasional inrush of water, and the ring of mud left behind as it recedes under the power of the sun. When a lot of water keeps on coming in this flat land, the lake reveals its dark side -…

FRONT RUNNER KIT Slimline II Roof Rack (R8 450) Plus points: The roof rack fitted is of sturdy construction and the pickup and mounting points fitted to locate various pieces of camping equipment are well laid out and allow for a multitude of adjustments and fitting configurations for such equipment. Negative points: You can have the world’s most brilliant roof rack, but without a ladder it turns into an unwanted obstacle – a place where only a nimble person can operate. Secondly, carrying more than 200kg on your roof is a disaster waiting to happen. The roof rack supplied was fitted by bolting through the vehicle roof onto the internal bolt-on points. This method makes the roof rack a permanent fixture of the vehicle, as removal will entail…

Lulaine & John Smuts: 2007 Ford Ranger 3.0 TDCi with Aha camper trailer As their Ranger is used as both a daily driver and an adventure vehicle, Lulaine and John sorted themselves with an Aha Camper on a custom trailer. The Aha Camper is actually designed to be mounted on the back of a bakkie, but with this setup, manoeuvrability is compromised once the camper is set up. Lulaine and John wanted to be able to park their ‘house’ and use the vehicle for game drives once they were settled. Having the Aha mounted to a custom trailer gives the bakkie extra interior space to store things, and allows for large cargo holds in the trailer, positioned under the Aha. The couple has travelled extensively since 2005 to most of…

It’s not the Sodwana Bay I know – peaceful and serene, with odd bursts of activity as a diving boat hits the shore. This is Sodwana at a heightened level, the beach frenetic as the sun rises, even if that sun is hidden behind white clouds that are moving at an incredible lick thanks to winds that would keep most normal people off the beach, never mind out of the sea. I take a walk up to the dune above the beach for shelter in the pines, and to get a better view of the action. From there, the movements of over 30 tractors are a noisy, bordering-on-elegant ballet as they push and pull boats around the beach and into the white-topped waves. It’s my first opportunity to see a…

It’s not easy being a Toyota driver amongst a sea of Land Rover owners. Not when your overriding feeling is one of envy. But that’s precisely how I felt when I recently joined a Land Rover charity run in the UK, driving a Rav4. Having left South Africa’s sunny shores at the end of April, I was planning to buy a Defender once I’d settled in the UK. “They’re dirt cheap,” I’d been told on more than one occasion. With a budget of £1 600, (around R28 000), I began my search, but soon found that the only “Drovers” in my price range were older model Freelanders. Decent, and by that I mean driveable, older-model Defenders were priced upwards of £3 000 (R54 000), the cost having been driven up…

Ryan Bennewith Mana Pools is a region imbued with magic, as seen in this gorgeous image of Ryan’s KB at the Mucheni 3 campsite. The Isuzu is kitted out with a RhinoCab aluminium canopy and a Wild Earth roof top tent. Ilana Bischoff After years of chugging along in a 1981 Toyota 4Runner, Ilana managed to get her hands on a practical Hilux Revo 4x4, which she promptly named ‘Annetjie’. This photo was submitted by her proud hubby, Jan. Surprise, Ilana! Petrus Haggard This Disco looks like part of the scenery on top of Gert se Klip at De Wildt 4x4 in Pretoria. Believe it or not, this pic was taken by his 10-year-old son! Well done, young man! Eben Blom The rocky Drakensberg around Barberton posed no threat to…

It must have happened over a craft beer or two. Three blokes have teamed up to fund mods and upgrades to their 2001 Jeep Cherokee by selling T-shirt “votes”. The background is that the three Ami-Bro's (Andrew, Michael and Graham) have started a clothing and accessories range aimed primarily at the 4x4, off-road, overlanding and camping communities - starting small, with just a trendy line in T-shirts. They hope to extend the range of quality products on offer; but for now, to kick things into higher gear, they’ve come up with a competition in which you could win the Broject Jeep. This stock 4.0-litre Cherokee XJ has reportedly never been off-road in the last 10 years, travelling only from Tableview to Observatory and back every day - something the Bro's…