Table of contents for September 2019 in SA4x4

Having concentrated, for several months now, on some of our larger mammals I thought it was time to shift the focus to our incredible bird assemblage. South Africa is home to approximately 850 bird species, of which 50 are found nowhere else on earth. Bird watching is extremely rewarding and is a great additional activity to any bush or 4x4 outing. For anyone interested in photography, birds are excellent – if somewhat flighty – subjects (pun intended!). Being so spoilt for choice makes deciding which ones to write about something of a challenge. However, the Bee-eaters are in my ‘top five’ of beautiful birds, the others being: Rollers, Sunbirds, Kingfishers and the African Green Pigeon. Bee-eaters are skilled in flight and excellent hunters. Prey – predominantly in the form of…

Gazoo Racing is Toyota’s motorsport wing. Since 1957 Toyota has been racing in all forms of motorsport from rally to touring cars and even the Dakar. Gazoo recently won the Dakar, the FIA World Rally Championships and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in its 20th attempt. The Toyota Gazoo Racing teams are committed to motorsport using technology and skills learned to improve safety and performance in Toyota’s road cars and bakkies. Gazoo Racing or GR Sport brings some motorsport lineage to the road with three tiers of trim levels. ‘GR’ represents cosmetic changes while ‘GR Sport’, as we found in the Hilux, represents cosmetic and chassis/ suspension tweaks. Gazoo Racing Meister of Nürburgring (GRMN), as recently released in the supercharged Yaris, included cosmetic, chassis and engine upgrades.…

I’ve been spending quite a bit of time with our strikingly blue long-termer, and this trip gave me the opportunity to properly put it through its paces. Although not new by any means, the good old 3.0-litre turbodiesel still does the business, and it’s still one of the better-looking double cabs on the market – for me at least. 130kW and 380Nm are plenty for any road conditions, even if you’re dragging a trailer along, and the ride is comfortable and quite refined for a brand better known for its trucks. Outside, the bi-LED headlamps and daytime running lights add a new level of modernity to the rebadged bakkie, while inside there are plenty of slick and soft new surfaces. The infotainment system favours iPhones, but it’s still quite good.…

In 1984 a young man with a full black beard was driving his clapped-out Merc 450SL ragtop down a dusty dirt road on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast. In the back was a cold box, filled with the sort of things that are useful when wooing. Beside him was the object of his intentions. They drove up to a half-completed house and clambered up onto the flat roof, where the young man had set up two camp chairs. There, cold beer in hand and the sun setting in front of them, a young Kingsley turned to his bank manager and asked him for a hand in completing his house. On the deck of Afrika House in Zinkwazi, Kinglsey Holgate recounted this tale with a sparkle in his eye. “My bank manager…

The Holgates believe in legacy as much as Land Rover does, and during this event Ross handed the keys of this 17-year-old Disco 2 to his son, Tristan, recently turned 18. Tristan’s Disco has covered 306 000km and is still on its first engine, but it still has places to go and things to do. Ross hopes that it will play a part in inspiring Tristan to continue the Holgate’s mission of using Land Rover adventures to save and improve lives. It is the Discovery that I covet the most – more modern than the 1, far simpler than the 3, it is a classic that can be driven daily and still used for expeditions. Driving it around Zinkwazi it still felt modern enough to live with, especially with the…

By the time you read this the Holgates will have embarked on their 14th expedition using Land Rover Discoverys, including a 2017 expedition in the All-New Discovery that made it all the way to the most easterly point of Africa – the isolated promontory of Ras Xaafuun in Somalia. “When people heard we intended on doing this expedition in the new Discovery they told us we were absolutely bonkers,” said Kingsley. Ross continued: “You have no idea how good this flippin vehicle is. To reach Ras Xaafuun – in the most dangerous country in the world – we drove for our lives, and we had never really tested these vehicles before we did it. The cars came off the ship, and off on expedition. We drove over 160km in an…

Equipment list standard: Independent suspension, Micro Dot (compulsory), fitted Atlas gas geyser 5.5-litre, EPP MK2 power panel, 10 amp 12V DCDC charger, 10 amp 110/240V AC charger, 3.1 amp twin USB ports, 250 watt 12V DC PWM solar regulator, DC automatic resettable fuses on all inputs & outputs, low voltage cut-out buzzer, auto low voltage cut-out function, DC polarity protection, rugged military style enclosure, adjustable 110/240V AC input range, earth leakage switch 110/240V AC plug contactor switch, 110/240V AC charger contactor switch, 105Ah high-cycle battery, auto low voltage cutout function on lights, pump & geyser, 12V LED 2-stage lights, Extreme pullout shower, Kunene two-bag kit, steel Jerry cans, mud flaps, Extreme gas stove, 120-litre water tank & tap, 12V water pump with pressure switch & tap, internal wash & mixer,…

Equipment list standard: Metalian Maxi 4x4 Trailer base unit includes 2 100mm x 1 500mm main body, 1 600kg braked axle, 2-ton 950mm leaf springs, Gabriel shock absorbers, Knott surge coupling, 2 internal cupboards and adjustable shelves, carpeting in the doors, 3 x 15-inch rims and 215/80 R15 Kumho AT tyres, container-type locking bars and hinges in 304 Grade stainless steel, seam-sealed and powder-coated exterior grade in epoxy-polyester, fitted with aluminium stone guards, aluminium drawbar plate, 2 water inlets and a 220V nose cone socket, standard colour: Hammer Bronze with black powder-coated stone guard. Equipment list optional: Rear bar and spare wheel bracket, nose cone solid top with gas compartment, nose cone 80/20 with gas compartment, Dometic gas stove with stainless steel worktop kitchen (drop-down door hinged), slide base for…

Equipment list standard: Slide-out stove unit with 2-plate stainless steel gas hob, kitchen unit with microwave andTeflon worktop, slide-out double basin with hot and cold water tap, high-quality melamine crockery set for 6 along with wine and beer glasses, pressure pump system, gas and 220V geyser, 100-litre built-in water tank, solar charge regulator, solar-ready, 105Ah deep-cycle battery, Victron charging system with Bluetooth connectivity, 220V AC three-point all-weather multi-plug, 3 X 12V DC sockets, interior vanity basin with hot and cold water tap, front patio and rally awning, silver reflective sheet, Porta Potti, built-in shower, spare wheel with cover, 2 Jerry can brackets, 1 x 3kg gas bottle bracket, 1 x 3kg gas bottle and 1 x 1kg fire extinguisher. Equipment list optional: Side wall set, fridge, nosebox drawer, shower cubicle.…

One of the many casualties of my Baboon’s Pass trip a couple of months back was the stock side steps on my Hilux Legend 45. They received a proper hammering from the rocks of Lesotho and were badly out of shape at the end of this trail. These steps are bolted partially to the body of the Hilux and were never designed to take this kind of punishment. I knew this at the time of heading up the trail, but decided that damaged side steps were preferable to body damage. Not an easy decision! Since I am aiming to drive a few more 4x4 routes and regularly use my vehicle in off-road situations, I wanted to be better prepared next time out. Luckily, the guys at Onca Off-road, Lee and…

BACK TO NATURE Having read the July 2019 issue of SA4x4, I will most certainly be picking up a print edition more regularly. I have found that competitor magazines are more about 4x4 vehicles and the testosterone that goes with it. Most certainly you do need a fair amount of 4x4 vehicle knowledge, feedback and input from others, back-up and experience when venturing into the most beautiful places available to us, but in the end it must be all about experiencing nature and what it has to offer. I note, with interest, that in your July issue you have responded to requests with regards to an ‘Overlander’s Code’, which I would support wholeheartedly and would like to add the following additional key points: Respect the Animals – So often you…

As four-wheel drive systems have evolved over the years, many different variants have surfaced to do essentially the same job: distribute power to all four wheels. How this is achieved through various systems affects vehicle dynamics on- and off-road. Last month we explained how electronically-controlled clutches automatically distribute power, a system typically used by All Wheel Drive (AWD) soft roaders, which are not equipped with low-range gearing. In this article we explore how the mechanical Torsen (TORque SENsing) differential works, what its benefits are and its application – typically on large SUV-type 4x4s with longitudinal drivetrains, low-range gearing and permanent four-wheel drive (4WD). The history Having a fail-safe centre differential is at the core of permanent 4WD technology; one which allows the wheels on the front and rear axles to…

TOYOTA PRADO New engine at last While the rest of the world has been getting Prados with Toyota’s super-smooth 2.8 GD-6 since 2015, we’ve been stuck with the grumbly (but reliable and overland-friendly) old 3.0 D4-D until now. From 2020 onwards, local models will receive the new engine, which pumps out 130kW and 450Nm. That’s up 10kW and 50Nm on the old 3.0. Mated to a six-speed automatic the Prado claims 8.0 litres/100km while a six-speed manual is also available in the Aussie market. As before, the venerable 170kW 4.0 V6 will remain an option. MERCEDES-BENZ X-CLASS Is it dead already? It might be that after less than two years since the local launch in 2017, Merc’s ‘Luxury bakkie’ is taking its last few breaths. Automotive News and other media…

To showcase the new Hilux we took them on what Toyota dubbed the ‘Legendary Road Trip’. This entailed several hundred kilometres of gravel travel through Zimbabwe and Botswana, as well as a quick trip over the border to Zambia while sampling the best offerings of each location – as any Hilux owner may do. After flying into Kasane in Botswana, which lies literally on the meeting point of the three countries, we stayed in the stunning five-star Chobe Safari Lodge. From there we took a boat tour on the Chobe River. If you’re ever in the area, make a note of this as Botswana’s game is often best experienced from the water. With the sun setting over countless elephants, crocs and the most gargantuan hippos I’ve ever seen, the experience…

‘Shova shova Mike’ has been an expedition member for years now, although he usually powers his own travel via a bicycle. His Disco 3 would have many tales to tell, though, and has been all over the continent. It goes back and forth across Lesotho, with bikes loaded and towing a trailer. It also played a role in the Boundless southern Africa Expedition, uniting nine southern African countries, seven Transfrontier Conservation Areas and over 30 national parks. Despite showing its hard life, it is still amazingly comfortable to drive and the TDV6 engine purrs beautifully.…

Before entertaining the purchase of an off-road or gravel road trailer or caravan, it is important to decide what you will use it for. Will it be used predominantly on tar and good gravel roads, or will it be subjected to difficult off-road terrains that require a more robust chassis and suspension design? Once you’ve decided on the types of usage your towable treat will be subjected to, and settled on your needs in terms of space required and spending budget, it’s time to gather the family and go shopping. We’ve helped things along over the next few pages with some great examples from South Africa’s premier trailer manufacturers, ranging from tough full off-road multi-berth camping palaces, to gravel-optimised caravans. We urge you to browse the size and capacity specifications,…

Equipment list standard: 2.5-ton axle with greaseable eye-to- eye shackles, 16-inch aluminium alloy rims and 245/70 R16 tyres, nose cone with 3 access doors, 4 aluminum side steps, laser-cut aluminium decals, 2 heavy-duty support legs fitted at rear of trailer, roof rack fitted on nose cone, fridge with sliding rail, large L-shaped slide-out kitchen unit with self-pull device, 2 x 75-litre water tanks, tent pole container, 2 gas bottle holders fitted on the A-frame, 2 Jerry can holders, spare wheel bracket, 2 slide-out shelves, 2 slide-out Wolfpack frames including 2 Wolfpacks per frame, 2 loading boxes, bathroom cupboard, mini bar, slide-out basin drawer including 2 basins, slide-out stove drawer fitted with Dometic stainless steel 2-plate stove, EXPERIA Intelligent power pack 24A 14.5V, pressurised water pump and plumbing, 4 Hella exterior…

Equipment list standard: 220V appliances include fridge, microwave and gas hob, slide-out kitchen with single bowl sink, modular awning and draught skirt, 12V auto cut-off pump, inside wash basin, 15-inch steel spare wheel (alloy optional), 25-litre water tank. Equipment list optional: Side walls, front walls and patio extensions for modular awning, 12V upgrade included 12V fridge, 110Ah battery, 10A C-Tek charger, 4 bank rocker switch panel and 50A Anderson plug to tow vehicle, bathroom annex on rear included all plumbing with shower head mixer, 220V geyser (gas/ electric optional), removable wash hand basin, folding shower cubicle, geyser options gas/electric or 220V if bathroom not fitted, travel blanket which is advisable on the gravel road vans, air conditioning 220V, pocket spring mattress.…

Equipment list standard: Double fold-out bed, kitchen hatch, 2 hatches, 1 x 800mm fridge drawer, 1 x power inlet, 3 x 220V double sockets, 12V LED lights internal, external and kitchen hatch, 12V DC transformer 2 internal 3-shelf, cupboards (600 x 1 400mm), pop-up roof with canvas surround, 4 floor-mounted spring-loaded tie-down loops . Equipment list optional: Option without brakes, (750GVM) for code b licence holders) less R6000, 270 degree awning or standard awning (lightweight or heavy-duty), side wall sets, 12V deep-cycle battery, solar panels, 12V controller, fridge-freezer, travel blanket, solar panel, mobile kitchen with cutlery, crockery, utensils and gas stove, wash basin with support brackets, motor bike ramp, water tanks, gas bottles, Jerry can holders. MANUFACTURER DETAILS Company address: 9 West Coachmans park, Jackaranda Str, Hennopspark, Centurion Cell: 072…

Brent Fleming Brent’s 2.8 GD-6 Hilux proudly looks over the great Tankwa expanse after a day in the Western Cape’s notoriously rocky micro-desert. To cope with the Klein Karoo’s nastiest terrain, Brent has fitted Burnco front and rear bumpers as well as rock sliders, a drawer system, Ironman suspension, and a Hannibal rooftop tent atop his Gomad canopy. Odette Joubert Nothing looks as comfortable in the bush as an old Defender and Odette’s 2.4 Puma is no different, as it explores a network of sand roads near Potchefstroom in early June. Jeffrey Kilner Exploring a mushroom farm near the Shongweni Farmer’s Market in Durban, Jeffrey’s faithful 1997 2.8D Hilux stretches its legs through a rut. Aubrey Heymans New to the overland lifestyle, the Heymans family explored Red Bus 4x4 trail…

Toyota is known for their over-the-top launch events and this one, to unleash two new special edition Hilux models, was no different. Catching the dreaded redeye flight from Cape Town to Lanseria and on to Kasane in the far north-eastern corner of Botswana, we then picked up our chariots for an epic adventure through Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana. Celebrating five decades at the top of the food chain, Toyota is releasing two very special new models to up the game once again. The Legend 50 replaces all new Raider models at the top end of the Hilux hierarchy, offering improved interior tech, high spec levels and a host of cosmetic changes. The Legend 50 will also be the last in a line of ‘Legend’ models named after their anniversary every…

Car launches are carefully managed events that show off a vehicle’s best qualities. While they do usually take place in spectacular locations, the emphasis is nearly always on the car, with little thought given to the actual travel experience. But for the launch of the new Everest, Ford managed to blend the best of both worlds into one heck of an experience in Botswana. The journey began with a flight to Maun, the go-to jump-off point for many a traveller heading into the Okavango Delta. We’d be spending two nights exploring the highlights of the region, all from the comfort of Ford’s plush new bi-turbo Everest. Pan-tastic The first chapter of our journey took us some 200km along the A3 road, towards one of Mother Nature’s more surreal works of…

Minouw and I are back after an amazing trip through Botswana and Namibia where we spent nearly a month in the bush. Getting out into nature, camping, relaxing and getting by without all the technology and clutter of daily life is something we constantly realise we need to do as often as we can. When we started planning our month-long trip, one thing we were sure of was that we wanted to visit a place in the remote Kavango area known as Khaudum. It sits on the remote north-eastern border between Botswana and Namibia, and has a reputation for being wild, not easy to get to and home to some magnificent animals. As we found, the road there consists of narrow tweespoor tracks dug into thick sand, surrounded by dense…

The Queen Mother of the fleet, the Holgate’s Disco 1 actually belongs to Sheelagh Antrobus, Kingsley’s girlfriend and a vital part of the expedition team. ‘Clunky Blue’ started life in conservation, fittingly, belonging to a trail guide officer in the Kruger National Park for many years. She continues her conservation effort to this day, being used for the Holgate Foundation’s rhino and elephant work, and also to take kids from underprivileged backgrounds into game reserves. Driving Clunky Blue, I’m impressed that the suspension is still noteworthy, soaking up bumps in a manner that many modern vehicles would battle to emulate. The 200 Tdi engine feels underpowered compared to today’s norms and the clutch is harder to get ‘just right’ on pull-off than you’d like, but otherwise it’s hard to fault.…

This 2015 Disco 4 has been on a few of Kingsley’s expeditions, and has become known as the ECD (Early Childhood Development) vehicle, carrying as it does a vast amount of ECD material sponsored by Barrows. It’s got 150 000km on the clock, so is still fairly new but keeps on rolling. Driving the Disco 4 at the event, I’m struck by how it still feels like a modern, cutting-edge vehicle – the Disco was that far ahead of the pack when it was launched that it has barely dated a decade later. Admittedly, Ian’s model is only five years old, but it feels almost new despite the miles under its belt and the luxury levels definitely don’t let it down – even when compared to Range Rovers.…

Equipment list standard: Bush Wing awning 90° x 270°, sides for Bush Wing, draft skirt, kitchen with stainless steel working table, stabilisers/jacks/high lift jacks, wheel spanner, lockable spare wheel, cupboards for clothes with canvassing and zips, mattresses one queen and one double, side and front beds with tents, inside floor carpet, heavy duty jockey wheel, jockey wheel out of the way bracket, two aluminium checkered nose boxes, Jerry can holder, 2 Jerry cans, aluminium wood racks on top of nose boxes, two deep cycle batteries with cover boxes, 8-LED light, 2 outside dual touch LED lights, 2 Hella points 12V output, 1 Anderson fridge points 12V 50A, 220V inlet caravan plug, 3 x 220V plug (3 point) outside at kitchen, 3 x 220V plug (2 point) inside (built-in breaker), 1…

Are there any unique design and special features you can tell us about? The Conqueror Comfort trailer has remained a popular choice for serious campers. The Conqueror Comfort offers a large quick setup tent with massive king size bed and dressing room. Multiple awning options, ample storage space, large 610-litre nose cone, an unparalleled kitchen layout with hot and cold water, washing-up facilities, on-board geyser, water tanks and shower plumbing. What construction methods are used in your trailer? The Conqueror Comfort is manufactured using a combination of aluminium and motor industry grade electro galvanised steel. All parts are epoxy coated or better known as powder coated, which is more resistant against scratches, chipping, wear and fade compared to other finishes. Components are of a modular design allowing for easy panel…

Equipment list standard: Jerry cans, spare wheel, mag wheels, fridge, mattress, camping chairs, braai, geyser, water pressure pump, Porta Potti, fully equipped kitchen, 5 LED lights, tool kit, roof rack, 6 ammo boxes, shower tent, awning, stabilising legs, USB chargers, 15 amp AC-DC charger, 150-litre water tank, water level meter, 105Ah battery, gas stove, gas cylinder, dish washing unit, 2-ton Knott brake coupler. Equipment list optional: Batwing awning with full tent, solar system, rooftop tent. MANUFACTURER DETAILS Tel: 013 246 1080 Cell: 083 230 6131 Contact: Ronél Louw Email: ronel@mobilodge.com, marius@mobilodge.com Facebook: MobiLodge Website: www.mobilodge.com…

BASICS Venue: Iceland Cost: R105 000 per person sharing Includes: • 7 nights’ accommodation in hotels/lodges • Breakfast, lunch & dinner daily • Toyota Hilux AT 38, including fuel • AT guide for duration of the tour • Private transfer from airport to hotel, hotel to AT HQ, AT HQ to hotel & hotel to airport • Entrance to the Ice Cave in Langjökull glacier Excludes: • Return flights to Reykjavik • Drinks TOUR DETAILS Come and join Ultimate Adventures and Arctic Truck Experience for an off-road adventure of a lifetime. You will get to drive your very own Toyota Hilux Arctic Truck while under the expert guidance of the AT guide. The guide will accompany us for the full duration of the tour, sharing local knowledge and…

DIRK LAUBSCHER 2011 Volkswagen AmaTrok 2.0 BiTDi Occupation: Production Print Field Engineer Modifications : Suspension Upgrade (EFS Elite), Snorkel (Safari), Rock sliders (Stofpad... the best), Roof rack (Big Country 4x4... also the best), and the Klipspringer Roll-On-Roll-Off camper of course, including amongst others National Luna Freezers x2, Water tanks, Flexo Power roll-up solar panel and gear, Alu-Cab Shadow Awning and a hard-shell rooftop tent by Custom Leisure Tech, with many small tweaks brilliantly done by Paul Lydes-Uings! Future modifications: Front bumper (Rhino 4x4 or Seikel), rear bumper (was definitely going to be Wildog 4x4 until they did away with the original design) and bash plates. Dream vehicle: VW Amarok, but the manual gear box might keep me with the 2.0 BiTDi. How about the manual box and low range with…