Table of contents for March 2017 in SA4x4

There’s a surprising story in this issue, from Hilton reader Carl-Johann van Eeden, who had tired of the complex camping set-up he had developed for his family. It involved a double cab, a trailer, a few tents, no doubt a gazebo, and all the other clutter which guarantees lots of labour in the process of making and breaking camp. Fine, if you are staying put for a few days; not so good when moving every day or so. His solution? Rebuild a 1978 Unimog 416 Series truck into a camper, with a large enclosed rear body – a budget motorhome with all the sleeping arrangements inside. To make camp, all he does is place a few chairs outside the vehicle. And the travelling? The Unimog is old and comparatively slow,…

“Getting torn to bits by a set of 20mm Nazi cannons didn’t sound quite as appealing as lunch” At some point, almost every South African with a car will make the trip from Joburg to Cape Town, and, in general, it’s far from enchanting. Just over 1500km of arrow-straight tar in the company of far too many kamikaze 22-wheeler drivers. Enough to numb the spirit of travel. So, I was less than inspired when given the news that I would be doing just this trip with the brand-new, facelifted Mazda BT-50. Luckily, part of the brief was to find an inspiring, gravel-oriented back-road route. What should I do, then? Take a massive detour to the Northern Cape and head up to Augrabies Falls, then drop down via the West Coast?…

During a recent visit to Spitzkoppe in Namibia I was sitting in the shade of a tree, waiting for the worst heat of the day to pass. My camera and binoculars were close at hand as usual, waiting for a bird or two to make the moment even more enjoyable. It was my first visit to this scenic area and I was bowled over by the variety of camping spots on offer in this naturally magnificent park. In fact it was extremely difficult to make up my mind about which spot to choose, as they were getting better as we moved on from one to the next. My choice was finally made easy when I spotted a pair of Augur Buzzards, sitting close by on one of the giant bold…

After a decision by the Scientific Authority, the Department of Environmental Affairs in South Africa has extended the moratorium on leopard-hunting that was first imposed in January 2016. The decision was based on the review of available scientific information on the status and recovery of leopard populations in South Africa. A zero quota for 2017 has been endorsed for the hunting of leopard, with the possibility of introducing a precautionary hunting quota in South Africa in 2018. The Scientific Authority took into account input from the Scientific Steering Committee for Leopard Monitoring, which is comprised of government institutions, Non-Governmental Organisations, representatives of industry, and universities. Also taken into account were the results of systematic camera-trap surveys as well as relevant data from the information obtained using Cat Spotter – the…

Located just outside the picturesque little farming town of Bot River, the Honingklip trail is a paradise for any nature lover, and especially for one driving a 4x4. As it traverses part of the majestic Kogelberg mountain complex, the picturesque trail offers everything from brutal axle-twisting mayhem to leisurely exploration. Set in and around the Ruwami Nature Reserve, the trail offers eagle-eye views of the lush valley and ocean far below. The main trail stretches over about 28km of intersecting tracks, and explores the top of the mountain’s large plateau at its furthest reaches. It’s generally a leisurely drive with lots of large rocks, sand and steep hills, but nothing too serious or car-breaking. That remains true until you turn down one of the side roads marked with a red…

ARB SPEEDY SEAL PUNCTURE REPAIR KIT IN THE BOX: 1. Alloy T-handle reamer and insertion tool 2. Lubricant for easier tool insertion 3. Additional accessories 4. 30 self-vulcanising repair cords for complete air sealing 5. Allen keys 6. Pencil-type tyre pressure gauge 7. Valve core tool, spare valves and valve caps 8. Tube of vulcanising adhesive 9. Hard carry case As is expected of ARB, their puncture repair kit is of extremely high quality and uses only the best plugs. Adding extra valve accessories is a good idea, in case you damage the valve when deflating tyres for off-road use. Spare cords can be bought in packs of 50 from 4x4 Megaworld. Available from 4x4 Megaworld 011 454 2875 www.4x4megaworld.co.za IRONMAN 4X4 TYRE REPAIR KIT IN THE BOX:…

I’ve had many head torches over the years – they are brilliant for getting about when camping, as they ensure that your hands are free. They work when you’re hiking or running at night because your head points where you want to go; and, when braaing at home, you can see exactly how long the chops go letting go of the tongs or the drink in your other hand. Of course those skinny lightweight torches from the fancy brands are great, and they are superbly light, but ever-so-fussy to get the batteries into and not very wear. This one from Coleman is in the cruiser division, somewhat bigger, with a nice fat strap and a shape that sits comfortably on the forehead. The strap is easy to adjust and the…

In a deal signed in October 2016, the Renault-Nissan Alliance took a 30% controlling share in Mitsubishi Motors, promising exciting times for the manufacturer which has held back for years on significant R&D, and kept older models beyond the average replacement date. The promise is that Mitsubishi will now accrue economy-of-scale benefits in parts supply, and share platforms, technology and manufacturing facilities. It’s a potential leap forward, and while the results are yet to become manifest, the latest Triton bakkie is a harbinger of future quality offerings from this brand. Launched locally in January after an agonisingly long delay, in which every other local bakkie vendor had leapfrogged it in the technology race, it is finally here after the dollar exchange rate improved – and no doubt a myriad other…

“You hungry? I’ve got a pocket Peanut Butter & Jam.” As the facetious host of TV show Dirt Every Day, Fred Williams has a warped sense of humor. It was around midnight and we had been getting dragged on a tow strap for the previous 12 hours. An electrical issue that morning had left the motor of our FJ40 as functional as a 300-pound parachute. We’d dug ourselves out of several mud bogs and from the knee down my bare legs and feet were covered in mud, which had dried like cement in the frigid desert air. The lights and heater were kaput and we hadn’t eaten since our escapade began that morning. Glancing at Fred, his ghoulish and unshaven grin, illuminated red by the taillights of the tow rig…

With the popularity of body-on-frame SUVs at an all-time high, it was only a matter of time before Ford expanded the Everest lineup to include cheaper models. Ford now offers their full-sized SUV with a small capacity engine, a basic interior, and manual transmission, to achieve a price point almost R100 000 less than the cheapest Everest 3.2-litre alternative - although retaining the sophisticated permanent 4x4 system. At the price of R537 000, the 2.2-litre XLS manual has no direct 4WD-equipped rival in this class, either: the closest Fortuner is a manual 2.8-litre at just on R600 000, with a Chev Trailblazer 2.8 (auto only) cresting that at R624 000. When it is launched locally this quarter, the new Mitsubishi Pajero Sport might well point a sharper pencil at the…

Whenever I head up the coast or anywhere near water, my “essential gear” includes a stand up paddleboard (SUP) and fishing tackle. And these need to fit in somehow alongside the cooler boxes, braai grids, kids’ toys, etc. My regular boards are bulky and require a roof rack, and some of my rods are too long to fit inside the car. So, for my latest trip, I was chuffed when I got my hands on some really compact equipment. And my daughter was happy too, as there was plenty of space for her equally-essential boogie board, bike, and all the rest. Destination: the Breede River mouth in the Western Cape, home to numerous fish and bird species, and, as the name implies, with plenty of water on which to play.…

PETRUS HENDRIK While exploring Wilderness in the garden route during a recent holiday, the Hendrik family stopped for a picnic and found this incredible view. Believe it or not, their 2005 Discovery has “295 000 happy smiles” on it. FRITZ KRAEHMER Peter Middleton captures Fritz and Ester Kraehmer leaving the Makgadikgadi Pans en route to the Central Kalahari and Namibia in their fully kitted 2015 Defender. FRANCOIS NEETHLING Francois thought it a good idea to test out the new suspension and remapped engine of his 2013 Hilux D-4D on the Honingklip trail in Botrivier. The extra-charged Hilux passed the test with flying colours. DIRK BOOYSE While messing around in a seriously empty section of the Fanie Botha Dam in Tzaneen, Dirk snapped this pic of his 2006 Jeep Cherokee 2.8CRD,…

BRYAN MILNE 1998 TOYOTA PRADO KZ-TE (308 000km) Age: 42 Occupation: IT Specialist Modifications: Old Man Emu suspension, African Outback drawers & flatbed rack, Genesis dual-battery system, 40L Engel fridge, reverse camera, light bar, SAC intercooler & chip (tuned for smooth torque delivery). Future modifications: Nothing planned, but a rear diff lock would be nice. Dream vehicle: Tough question, the Prado would take some beating. Maybe a kitted 105 Cruiser. Most memorable trip: Our first trip to Kgalagadi where we spent four awesome days on the Nossob Eco Trail, was just such a special trip. Planned Trips: Kgalagadi, Storms River, Garden Route. I never leave home without: My Aeropress coffee maker, Leatherman. SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO & WIN A FREDLIN HOIST! There’s no point in driving around with your roofrack/rooftop tent…

DRAG STAR TJM Torq Electric Winch 9500Lb Whether used for your escapes, or to rescue a friend, a winch is your final line of defence against staying stuck. TJM’s Torq 9500 has a 4.3-ton towing capacity and is perfect for medium-to-large 4x4s. The winch itself is IP67 waterproof-rated, as is the wireless controller. Plastic parts are UV protected, and the 28m synthetic line is both lighter and stronger than its steel equivalent. The 3.6kW series-wound motor and planetary gear system ensure that Australia’s highest standards are met. R11 995 www.safaricentre.co.za WIRE ME UP, SCOTTY Big Country 4x4 Portable Jump Starter There’s nothing worse than a flat battery without the option of a push. For this reason, Big Country is stocking a 900A portable jump starter that weighs only…

DAY ONE: Oranjeville offers beautiful surroundings and a small aeronautical museum which has a full-scale model of a Messerschmitt Bf109 parked outside. There are two churches, five bars and only 555 people living here. The roads from Oranjeville to Ladybrand are spectacular, especially if you drive on as many of the farm tracks as you can. DAY TWO: From Ladybrand, I planned to go straight to Graaff-Reinet; but, upon discovering Bethulie, I simply couldn’t leave, and so achieved only 232km of all-tar driving along the western edge of Lesotho. Unfortunately, this caused me a huge drive on Day Three, but I think it was worth it. Speak to some locals and check out the ‘Old Smokey’viewpoint, the 4x4 tracks along the Orange River, and the massive D H Steyn Bridge.…

Ever since I can remember, I have been fascinated by trucks, off-road driving and camping. My first vehicle, as a student, was a 1953 Willy Jeep CJ-3B: a soft-top with a three-speed gearbox. I moved up through the ranks: Land Rover 300TDi hardtop, Club-cab 4x4, and Hilux 2.5-litre D-4D double cab, before I ended with a 4.0 Hilux with raised suspension, towing an off-road trailer fully equipped with roof-top tent, fridge, freezer, awnings and the like. For many, this would have been the ultimate vehicle-combination to strive for, and it has served us well. As a family, we like to travel. We camp one or two days in a location, explore the surrounding areas, and move on. Our camping system was very comfortable when deployed, but took hours to unpack…

We’ve all been there, stuck on the roadside and in need of a quick fix. Most 4x4 drivers carry compressors, so a repair kit may save you changing a tyre - but do you know that not all repair kits are created equal? We can speak from personal experience: poor-quality kits simply don’t work. In this quick guide, we compare the pricing and features of a list of kits from most of the premium brands, where you expect the quality to be at a high level. This is an important purchase, and while it is not the most expensive outlay you will make in preparing your rig for overlanding, there are a couple of things you should remember. Firstly, be sure that the kit you’re using has sturdy components. The…

I had long wanted to replace the fibreglass canopy on my double-cab Hilux Vigo. It was perfectly adequate at keeping out the rain, but it failed to keep out the dust, and because it can’t take much of a load on top, I was reluctant to source a roof rack and roof-top tent. Ferdie van de Merwe of Rhinoman must have felt my pain, because he offered to fit one of his flagship aluminium canopies, the Rhino-Cab. He is well known in the industry as a supplier to Safari Centre, Opposite Lock, Megaworld, LA Sport, and others, and his factory in Jatex Park, Rosslyn, is set up for production jobbing. And, as I’d seen the canopy at various shows and showrooms, I knew the quality was right up there with…

 This trail listing is designed to be an easy reference guide to trails in and around South Africa and southern Africa. All trails have been rated by their owners according to the grading system alongside. We recommend you phone the trail operator to check conditions as weather and other factors can easily change a trail’s difficulty rating. COOPER TIRES SOUTH AFRICA wants to promote your trail, and has offered to pick up the advertising costs. So, if you are a trail operator, this is a great chance to get 4x4 owners driving your route. To include your trail in this listing, or to update or amend any details, simply send all the required information to editor@SA4x4.co.za, or phone SA4x4 (021 702 4200). In addition, if you think…