Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2017 i Caravan and Outdoor Life

Longer, wider, higher and with increased payload – the brand new Jurgens Ci range of caravans has set the market abuzz since its launch in November 2016. It has been 14 years since market-leader Jurgens has launched a model revamp, and caravan lovers are waiting anxiously to get a look at the new range, reportedly set to launch in February. And, judging by the reaction from our website and Facebook page, the interest in the new designs is as intense as it is widespread. At the time of going to press last month, information on the new caravans was scarce, largely because half the models (Penta, Fleetline) had not even been built yet. Only the flagship Exclusive and Classique were ready, and those only as prototypes. Furthermore, the only people…

Is it just me, or does the Suzuki range of vehicles just smack of quality? Right from their entry-level models such as the Celerio and Swift, up through to the Ertiga, Ciaz, SX4, Jimny, Vitara, and ending with their flagship Grand Vitara? Good quality coupled with competitive pricing is always hard to find. This stands true for the Suzuki range, and coupled with good spec levels, makes this a brand that should get serious consideration from buyers. I’m surprised that there aren’t more Suzuki drivers on the road. My 15 years spent in the motor industry, surrounded by new and used vehicles, and managing a large used-car department, meant that I got to know the dependability of particular brands - and I cut my teeth on the Suzuki brand, with…

We’re in the middle of summer, and that means sunny weather all round. But, during these warm months, the sun can be a little too much to handle… and you can’t always find shelter from those merciless rays in the shade of a tree. This is especially true for us campers and caravanners. That’s why every outdoor enthusiast should have a gazebo or awning when they head into nature –when that sun is beating down, and the temperature is rising into the 30s or even the 40s, you’re going to want some shade! GAZEBOS OZTRAIL FESTIVAL 15 SHADE DOME WITH WALL Whether for extra sun-protection or as a wind break, the Festival 15 Shade Dome comes with an additional wall. The wall can be installed on any side of the…

Tomato Chicken Potjie Ingredients 4 chicken drumsticks and 4 thighs, skin on 2 onions, chopped 2 green peppers, chopped 3 cans tomato paste Sliced cheese (cheddar or gouda) Potatoes (for mash) Method: 1. Peel the potatoes, cook until soft, and mash them with milk, butter and salt to taste. 2. Heat some olive oil in a potjie and fry the chicken pieces until the skin is light brown, then remove them from the pot. Do this in batches for the best results. 3. Now fry the onions and green pepper together. 4. When the onions are glassy, add the tomato paste. Cover the chicken pieces completely in tomato paste, and add to the potjie. 5. Cover the potjie and cook for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Maintain enough coals to keep…

OUR FIRST CARAVAN TRIP Last year we went on a road trip to Eastern Cape, staying in B&B's, lodges, chalets and so on, one night here, two nights there. On our return we were reminiscing about our trip, saying that the only downside to the whole interesting trip was the amount you pay per night, yet how there were always something not quite acceptable, ie. dirty linen, suspect showers, that kind of thing. Wouldn't it be nice to have your very own chalet that you could cart around with you, where you have control over what's on offer, like clean linen. “Like a caravan”, Willie pipes up. No no no, never a caravan, not for me, shock horror! Then you realize but a caravan is exactly what you are talking…

EXCLUSIVE The bathroom is still at the back of the caravan, but has been completely redesigned. When one enters, the shower will now be to the right in the new range, not to the left as in the previous model, and the toilet will be on the left. The hand basin will still be in the middle. In the main area, the fridge has been moved to the right side of the caravan (facing forward, towards the nose), as it is in the Exclusive Deluxe, but will be more to the back, between the bathroom and the dinette area. CLASSIQUE The entire interior layout of the Classique has been flipped around. In the bathroom at the back, the shower is now on your right as you enter, and the toilet…

We were so keen to get to the Pilanesberg National Park that we didn’t even stop once after heading out of the city – not even for something to eat or drink. We entered through the Bakgatla gate at the north of the park, and immediately noticed the many round huts on the mountains, near trees behind the huge fences. At the office we paid for our weekend visit, and headed in. We weren’t far into the park before we were passed by a tour bus, then a few more – the drivers and passengers greeting us with warm smiles, and waving. We were heading towards the Manyane Resort, and were glad that we had our Pilanesberg official map and park guide-book with us so that we could go off…

If we tried to explain what “KAMP-MAL” means, people who don’t caravan and camp probably wouldn’t understand. It’s a… thing. It’s a… condition. Now, this “thing” is something you either get born into, or you pick it up as you grow older and wiser. This “thing” is quite incurable, but luckily, it’s not something you want to be rid of! You want it to grow in severity and, quite frankly, it will grow even if left alone. People suffering from being “kamp mal” will gladly contaminate the next person; very soon this can turn into an epidemic. Of course, this is exactly what these people want. When this happens, they just want to share their experiences and symptoms with others suffering from the same condition. These people give each other…

The wanderlust of December-born people (and I am one) is well documented, so you will understand my joy when I was given the opportunity to put my city life on hold and trade it in for a full weekend of visiting bush camps in the Dinokeng Game Reserve. I was quick to discard any thoughts about the drudgery of my nightly forays into full-contact pottery and online chess marathons, my social media addictions, and the occasional repair of broken electrical appliances, and instead prepare to be welcomed into the great outdoors. I first picked up a sparkling new Suzuki Grand Vitara at OR Tambo airport. Then, after driving a short distance to Kempton Caravans to collect a XT120 trailer with extension box and full Howling Moon tent (which they had…

The caravan industry has been buzzing with the news of the new range of Jurgens Ci models that were revealed last month. But, while Caravan & Outdoor Life has been bringing you every scrap of information available, from pictures to inside information and even the first look at the newly-designed interiors, these models are all still just prototypes, and nobody can say when they will actually be on the market. Meanwhile, the brand new Jurgens Exclusive Deluxe was launched earlier this year, and it is actually available for purchase. We took it out to see whether it lives up to its promise of providing “unlimited luxury”. I had the opportunity of spending three nights in what truly is Jurgens’ top model, the Exclusive… and that was not just any exclusive,…

I love camping on the Cape’s West Coast, and I recently “discovered” Ganzekraal Coastal Resort. Literally on Cape Town’s doorstep, the resort is right on the Atlantic Ocean and has a large tidal pool which offers safe swimming. The resort is just off the R27, some 23km before the coastal village of Yzerfontein. Ganzekraal has 46 grassed campsites with power. The caravan- and campsites are split into two sections, A and B. Each section has its own ablution block which consists of four showers, four toilets and four wash basins. There are scullery facilities at each ablution block. The resort also has 28 sea-facing self-catering wooden chalets, a tidal pool, a slipway, conference facilities with a lapa bar, and a restaurant. Each campsite has its own braai facilities. Braai wood…

CHEV CAPTIVA TOWING PROBLEM… SOLVED! In the December issue of Caravan Clinic, Peter and Heather Field shared with us their problem of a Gypsy Romany swaying while being towed by a Chevrolet Captiva. Since 1980, I have had many tow cars; these included sedans, double cabs and SUVs, including a mighty Ford Territory. My Chev Captiva 2.4 LT is the second-best tow car of these, beaten only by my KIA Sorrento 2.5 diesel. The Captiva and the Romany is a match made in hell if left standard, but (fortunately) there is redemption if a few adjustments are made. A fellow camper experienced the same problem with a Honda CRV and a Romany. It even managed to bend a Trapezium stabiliser through excessive sway. At the core of the problem lies…