Table of contents for May 2015 in SA4x4

When Bartolomeu Dias left Portugal to explore the coast of Africa in 1488, and Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott set out to reach the South Pole in 1910, these great adventurers were taking almost unimaginable risks. There’s no denying the courage of those pioneers, or of leather men since. Men like South-African-born Mike Horn, who swam the Amazon in 1997, sailed and walked the Equator in 1999, and hiked the Arctic Circle in 2002. You might say the last of the great adventures has been ticked off by many before. But you’d be wrong. Antarctica is still one of the harshest, driest, continents, right outside our narrow human comfort zone. (Look how seasoned ice man, Ranulph Fiennes, had to be choppered out when frostbite set in on his most…

MODEL PRICING BMW X5M: R1 643 000 BMW X6M: R1 676 500 ENGINE ............................................ 4.4-litre twin turboV8 DRIVE ....................Continuously variable permanent AWD TRANSMISSION ........................ 8-speed automatic with 3 settings forgear-change ferocity POWER ................................................ 423kW @ 6000rpm TORQUE ...................................... 750Nm @ 2200-5000rpm FUELCONSUMPTION .................. 11.1l/100km (claimed) 0-100KM/H ...................................................... 4.4 seconds If supercars are too mainstream for you, then maybe defying the laws of physics with a giant BMW is more your cup of tea. The new X5 and X6M are identical twins underneath, with one of the two sisters donning a slightly shorter skirt, some make-up… and is that a G-string? One thing’s for sure, these sisters are like Serena and Venus Williams of tennis fame – don’t mess with them. Since its launch in 1999, BMW’s X5 has always been…

Beyond the windscreen, I can barely make out the edge of the hood; the rest is white upon white. I glance at the thermometer, which reads -25°C, and then at Gísli, my driving partner of the past 12 days. I rub my face and squint tightly in an attempt to encourage blood flow to my eyes. For the last three hours, we have been transfixed by a thin track line on our GPS screen, which is zoomed in as far as it can go. Outside is a world of crevasses and snow bridges. The line is our guide, our chaperone, our god, at least for the moment. Without it, we stop and wait for clear skies, which could be days. Around my waist there is a climbing harness and a…

Subaru is synonymous with the crossover, having pioneered this market-segment way back in 1994 when they first combined a wagon with an SUV. Since then, we have been treated to five iterations of the Outback, with Subaru’s latest offering due to launch in South Africa during the coming months. It was this new Subaru Outback 2.5 litre petrol AWD with Continually Variable Transmission (CVT) that I was fortunate enough to test-drive while exploring the KZN Drakensberg region. I must be honest and say that, prior to this trip, I had not been the greatest Subaru fan. I have friends that swear by the brand and will buy nothing else, but I had never been that enamoured of their vehicles. All that changed in the Drakensberg. The new Outback offers one…

'Boris' was built for a planned South America trip, and, given the cold and wet climate in some regions, was created to satisfy my need to live 'inside' as opposed to 'alongside,' as we do here in SA. In cold, wet and windy conditions, a roof-top tent is a painful and even dangerous way to have your bedroom on a rocking Land Rover – especially for an old geezer like me. Furthermore, it compromises security when access to the driver’s seat is nullified in a confrontation with thieves. I’ve had some bad experiences of these. Pop-up roofs are also noisy in the wind, insecure from theft or attack, impossible to heat safely, and terrible to pack wet. 'Boris' is absolutely unique and designed by me, using the experience and mistakes…

Wikipedia eloquently describes overlanding as “…self-reliant overland travel to remote destinations where the journey is the principal goal.” Whereas overlanding is often performed on the cheap by intrepid adventurers on bicycles or old motorbikes, or by leathery tramps on foot, 4x4 overlanders often get carried away and spend exorbitantly to equip themselves for travel. Do you ram heavy objects with your huge steel bull bar? How often is a snorkel really necessary? And, most importantly, if you didn’t have this kit, would 4x4 overlanding still be possible? In this guide, we consult industry experts, and draw on some in-house knowledge to prove that overlanding is not only possible on a tight budget, but very easy – and satisfying, too. Despite Wiki’s rather lovely description, overlanding involves a huge spectrum of…

WINNER TJAART TALJARD Southern Namibia. Toyota Hilux 2.5 D4-D 4x4. Need we say more? ANTHONY MARTIN It could’ve been a moody shot from an Oliver Stone movie; instead, it’s a sunset pic of Anthony Martin’s MB Jeep somewhere in a field on the East Rand after a thunderstorm. JJ JACOBS Getting up the slippery pass to Tiffindell after a heavy overnight snowfall at Rhodes in the Eastern Cape was a cinch for JJ Jacobs, who has equipped his Jeep Wrangler CRD with 35-inch Mickey Thompson MTZ tyres, Fox Suspension with a 4-inch lift, and front and back Eaton lockers. Way to go. JARYD VAN DAALEN Sani Pass in Lesotho was no big challenge for Jaryd van Daalen’s 2009 Suzuki Jimny, but, going up, he did witness a brand-new Evoque mired…

Actual Position The ground position, determined by a direct observation Almanac Data Satellite constellation information (the position of the satellites) Altitude A vertical distance to a point measured from mean sea level ARC1950 Map Datum used in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zambia, DRC ARC 1960 Map Datum used in Kenya and Tanzania BackTrack Retracing one’s path using the electronic tracklog (Bread Crumb trail) Bearing Direction to a point (destination) expressed in a horizontal angle, clockwise BeiDou Current regional Chinese Satellite Navigation System Bessel Spheroid used in Namibia Cape Old Datum for South Africa prior to January 1999 Clarke 1880 Spheroid commonly used in southern Africa Compass / Beidou-2 Proposed international Chinese Satellite Navigation System, also known as BeiDou-2 (operational by 2020 ) Co-ordinate A unique numeric or alphanumeric description of…

WILDERNESS WONDER In 2010, I visited Mabuasehube in the Botswana section of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, with relatives. Since then, I have wanted to take the family – five sons and their significant others – to experience this pristine wilderness. After having planned and booked the trip a year in advance, we made it a reality in July 2014. Four of the five vehicles in our party were Toyotas of various vintages: two modern D-4D Hiluxes, my 79 series diesel Land Cruiser, and our eldest son’s late-1980s solid front axle Hilux, that had recently been fitted with a new 3-litre 5L Toyota diesel motor. The old Hilux was on its proving trip, and performed excellently throughout. My brother lent us his Mitsubishi Triton to round out the convoy. As we…

Ford’s new Everest SUV and updated Ranger bakkie (refreshed inside and out) have been revealed in Thailand. South African sales start only in the fourth quarter. Like the Ranger, the Everest uses a body-on-frame design, with an independent Watt’s link rear suspension, the option of seven seats and two familiar Duratorq turbodiesel engine choices –2.2-litre 118kW/385Nm, or 3.2-litre 147kW/470Nm. Both engines have been refined for better fuel efficiency. In addition, the Ranger offers a 2.5-litre Duratec petrol with 122kW. Ranger and Everest are offered with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, and (depending on the model) the option of a range of sophisticated electronic infotainment and safety aids.…

My wife, who plans all our routes, has a principle: if you’re going from A to B and it’s a tarred road, rather go via C on a gravel road, even if it is twice as long and takes a lot longer. She reckons that you get to see more of the countryside this way, because the back roads are usually in worse condition than the main roads, so you have to drive more slowly. That, in turn, gives you more time to take in your surroundings. The second reason is that, on all these back roads, you will often come across a variety of rivers where the cost of erecting a bridge could not be justified - so that the obvious means of crossing the river is via either…

WHERE WE STAYED Spioenkop Nature Reserve offers camping facilities and the enigmatic Iphika Tented Camp, but non-camping families might find Spionkop Lodge – which offers a choice between full board and self-catering accommodation – a more convenient option. Call them on 036 488 1404, or 082 573 0224. Dalmore Guest Farm – contact Pippa on 082 344 0159 or 083 235 6537 – is another conveniently located and highly-rated option, located eight kilometres from the Spioenkop Nature Reserve entrance gate. The rustic-yet-comfortable chalets of Lotheni offer excellent value for money in a wild tract of mountainous Drakensberg wilderness. Except for a small curio shop with limited supplies, guests need to be totally self-sufficient when staying at this little 14-chalet camp and campsite. Contact the resort directly on 033 702 0540.…

There are two types of travellers out there: those who plan and those who ‘wing it’. Personally, I'm of the latter variety. I’d like to tell you that it’s because I’m an adventurous soul, a person whose heart yearns for the long road of mystery; but the truth is (and I’m sure my wife will agree with me here), that I’m a pathetic organiser and I hate booking things. To some, it’s seen as a shameful quality and often mistaken as laziness; but, in my defence, it’s simply a character trait. My need to know more is outweighed by my supreme confidence that I can sleep just about anywhere… provided I have a few beers beforehand. And so, with a fridge full of brewskis, we left Pretoria at 19:00 on…

• Johan Klopper of 4x4 Eco Dynamic Tours (www.4x4ecodynamictours.co.za): Get to know the limits of your vehicle before you go overlanding; that way, you won’t get caught. In order to get to know your vehicle safely, training is very important. Another important thing is to be comfortable, so remember to bring the little things that make your life that much easier when you are camping far from home. • Johan Viljoen of 1st Alignment Centre (www.1stalignment.co.za): Driving on tar with tyres deflated for off-road use is extremely dangerous, because the tyres flex a lot and overheat, weakening them. A blowout is likely. • Kevin Bolton of Navworld (www.navworld.co.za): Make sure your GPS suits the trip you’re going on. Some units are built for street navigation and won’t work well in the sticks. Also…

Most tow balls are designed to articulate to a minimum angle of 15 degrees above or below a horizontal line relative to the trailer, allowing a degree of ‘hinging’. If you go beyond that, the hinging effect is lost and the tow vehicle and trailer effectively lock together, transferring forces directly into the chassis of the car and/or the frame of the trailer. This can have a dire effect on the rig, the towbar and the tow ball. Depending on the strength of the various components that make up the chain, it may be the towbar that breaks, or its mountings points may rip out of the chassis, or the ball my fracture because it has exceeded its shear strength – usually at the narrowest part of the neck just…

The first few off-road trail rides in your new 4x4 didn't present you with too many hassles. Sure, the bull bar has a couple of scuff marks, and the shiny side steps proudly display some dents and other battle scars, but you did manage to conquer most obstacles thanks to their sacrifice. But, there's a thorn in your side: your buddy's ancient Hilux – albeit heavily modified – managed to negotiate those same obstacles without touching its chassis to the ground, and kept all four wheels on dirt in the places where your fancier vehicle had to rely on its diff-locks to get out of a cross-axle situation. The solution is obvious: you need more axle articulation and extra ground clearance – but how do you go about adding that…

JAN VAN EYNDHOVEN 2013 ISUZU KB300 LX Age:58 Occupation: Entrepreneur. Modifications: Fuel saver off-road canopy and winch. Future modifications: Long-range fuel tank and a suspension upgrade. Dream vehicle: KB300. Most memorable trips: Kaokoland and the Richtersveld. These places are what I call big-sky country, with awe-inspiring geology and spectacular scenic views. They are a must-see, especially if you are a landscape photographer. Watch out for thick sand and the heat – summer temperatures are not for the faint-hearted. Future trip: As soon as the rainy season is over, it’s off to Mweru Mantipa National Park in northern Zambia. I never leave the home without: My favorite bush hat, water bottle and a long list of other items. SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO & WIN A FREDLIN HOIST! There’s no point in driving…

TO BEER OR NOT TO BEER We all love a good braai and we all love a good beer… so, why not combine the two? If you place an open can of your favorite hops ’n barley under a chicken on Beer Bird’s unique rack, the beer infuses the chicken meat with a taste so incredible that sharing is not an option. It’s lucky, then, that two plump egg-layers will fit on the ‘Double Bird’ grill. R120 single, R160 double Call 011 462 3331, or visit www.beerbird.co.za Want one? Simply answer this easy question in an email to editor@sa4x4.co.za , and SIX lucky winners, selected on a first-come-first-served basis, will soon be in either single- or double-chicken heaven. Don’t forget to include your contact details and a…

Drakensberg defined Mention the Drakensberg to any avid 4x4 enthusiast, and the conversation invariably turns to talk of Sani Pass and exploring Lesotho. However, there is considerably more to the Drakensberg massif than perennially tackling this old chestnut, so we opted for a very different type of Drakensberg adventure. Our goal was dead simple: a week-long exploration of the lesser known routes in and around the rugged KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg, in a softroader. But, in order to reconnoitre the region properly, we needed first to define the area of exploration. We took the mountainous international border with Lesotho as our western boundary, the Free State frontier as the northern perimeter, the N3 and Midlands Meander as the eastern margin, and the Sani Pass approach as the southern limit. With our target…

The wind rushing by, the sensation of speed, and the feeling of truly being one with nature cannot be bettered than by riding a motorcycle through a wild area where the chance of encountering wild animals is a certainty. Riding a bicycle, trail-running, or walking through a wild area might be more appealing to some, though it is nice to know that, on a motorbike, you have the power to get out of a sticky situation if the need arises. In a closed vehicle, you (and not the animals) are effectively the one in the cage,. Although this does give one a false sense of security in wild country, you miss out on so much. During my years as a game ranger in the Kruger National Park, the motorcycle was…

PROVINCE Mpumalanga Nearest town Hazyview (14km) Nearest fuel stop Viva (2km) Directions From White River, follow the R40 towards Phalaborwa for approximately 40km; after which you’ll see a signboard on your right for Hamilton Parks Country Lodge. TRAIL DETAILS Terrain Rock, clay and bushveld Distance Approximately 5km Duration Approximately three hours Guided/Unguided? The route is unguided, but a guide can be requested for groups or clubs. Minimum/maximum number of vehicles 4/12 Open/Closed Open all year round; booking essential. Will I get lost? No, you’ll be given a map. Difficulty Grade 2, but optional 3s and 4s are available. Could be 5, after heavy rain. VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS Low-range No Diff-lock No Minimum ground clearance 200mm Tyres HTs will be fine, but MTs are a must if you plan to tackle the…

The design, engineering and manufacturing integrity of Toyota accessories is critical, so any Toyota-branded approved equipment – such as a towbar – has undergone a rigorous process of prototyping, measuring, analysis and testing, before receiving approval. What’s more, as long as that vehicle model remains in production, the supplier must undergo regular and rigorous checks to ensure ongoing compliance. Toyota uses only leading towbar suppliers to ensure that all minimum legal requirements of the South-African market are adhered to. This is only the beginning, in terms of testing, as Toyota requires their towbars to comply with more rigorous internal approval processes. And an important aspect is that an approved towbar is developed alongside the vehicle for which it is destined. Chosen suppliers must also meet Toyota’s stringent Quality, Durability and…

There was a vast range of outdoor paraphernalia at the 2105 Beeld Holiday Show held at Gallagher Estate in Midrand. From lighting systems to a serious overland-expedition motorhome, from camping products to consumables, tents, solar panels, and special suspension systems for off-roading and towing alike, there was something to interest the full spectrum of outdoor enthusiasts. More than 15 new products were launched onto the South African market. One of the stars at the huge Campworld display was the Jurgens XT65, a highly customisable 5ft camping trailer (from R24 450) with a nosecone, and a host of potential tent set-ups; the accessories included a gas-stove mounting on the rear door, a fridge slide and a variety of attachments for gas bottles and jerry cans. At the other end of the…

THIS MONTH’S WINNER KERASHEN NAIDOO AGE: 12 PRIZES TO BE WON! SEND US YOUR ENTRIES: Post: Send to Junior Explorers’ Club, PO Box 31062, Tokai, 7966 Email: Scan an original drawing, or send us digital artwork via email to angus@sa4x4.co.za. Please make sure you include a photo of yourself together with your name, age and your mom’s or dad’s contact details (including their email address). Entries featured on this page will win a mini LA Sport Jeep or another prize of equivalent value. Entries are restricted to children between the ages of three and 12. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.…