Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2018 i Caravan and Outdoor Life

“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.” - Jack Kerouac My wife recently posted a quote by Jack Kerouac on my Facebook wall that reads: "Because in the end, you won't remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing the lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain." Let me tell you, reading that while at work in the office (on deadline!) makes one want to jump up, grab the camping and hiking gear, and hit the road. Actually, I don't mind work; but I don't think Kerouac is saying quit your job and go live in the mountains, he just wants us to break out of the routine every now and then. For those…

Is a teardrop caravan fit for oldies? Last month, 77-year-“young” pensioner Bryan Innes wrote to us because he was interested in going caravanning again. He definitely did not want to buy a rooftop tent, since "climbing up and down ladders is not for me or my wife”. He then referred to various articles in Caravan & Outdoor Life in which we went camping in a teardrop caravan, but he raised a few issues he thought could make camping in such a unit a problem for older people. These issues include bending down and crawling around inside a teardrop, lack of privacy, no porta potti, storage areas, and the fact that there is only an outside kitchen. We asked our readers and online fans about their experiences in a teardrop caravan……

Caravan, Motor, Touristik - also known as CMT - is the world’s largest public leisure and tourism trade fair, showcasing over a thousand vehicles and a myriad of accessories and holiday packages to travellers each year. Manufacturers from all over Europe converge in Stuttgart, Germany, to show off their best work, competing to produce the most innovative motorhomes, caravans and recreational vehicles in the world. This year, the event’s 50thanniversary, showcased some truly remarkable (and expensive) vehicles, the likes of which are seldom seen here in South Africa. THE SHEER SCALE We were given access to the event a day before its official opening, to give us some idea of the meticulous preparation involved in such an immense event. Hundreds of stand-builders go about their work without fuss, constructing stunning…

Sometimes you have to just go with the flow. That flow, over four of six days of my recent trip, was caused by unrelenting rain, rain, and some more rain. Sure, we need the rain in the Cape, but not even the most highly decorated weatherman, armed with four synoptic charts, could have predicted the sea-sawing weather conditions I endured on this journey. There was rain in Mossel Bay, thick fog on the road to Victoria Bay, lightning and thunder in Glentana, billows of sea mist, and some sleet thrown in for good measure. Thankfully, there were some sporadic bits of sunshine. Still, caravanning is fun in any type of weather, even if electrocution is a real threat during a quick sprint to the ablutions! DIE PUNT, MOSSEL BAY I…

I was fast asleep, but woke to a tremendous racket. The sound of tins (or something) clattering about was interspersed with a series of loud grunts and snuffles. Safe in the cabin of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, I shone my powerful Petzl head torch out of the window. I realized that the ruckus was coming from the dustbin I’d seen just on the fringe of our campsite. It was made of heavy gauge iron and covered with thick 1mm steel mesh, and I remember thinking to myself that no hyena or monkey would be able to get into that bin. The next moment, with an almighty clatter, the heavy container rolled into view. Inside was a black-and-white critter, and outside was another, trying to get in too! They were two honey…

From the moment I heard the cheerful laugh of Anneke Olwage on the phone, I felt at home at Koro-Koro. I arrived quite late in the day, and waiting at the gate to show me to my site was Anneke’s husband, Daan. Strolling across the neatly-trimmed lawn to the ablution blocks, I found that I had all 16 family bathrooms to myself. Let me tell you, Koro-Koro (just half an hour’s drive from the popular Bela-Bela) is as neat as a pin. Despite my late arrival, I was up and at it again early, excited to see more of the resort. I soon made my first camp friend… the Olwage’s friendly Staffie, who I found in the bathroom. He must have chased a bird or something into the building. And…

Your reply to Dave Pineo’s letter entitled“Movers on a Sherpa”in the September 2017 issue (page 58) was of particular interest to me, and I am sure to many others as well. When I purchased my Jurgens Xplorer, I was really uncomfortable towing it with only a breakaway cable as, up to that point, all my towing experience had been with a safety chain, which made a lot of sense. The breakaway cable was something I first encountered when hooking up my new Xplorer for the first time. I disliked it immediately - and my feelings have not changed. I spoke to the dealer and received reassurances; however, I also did my own research on the topic. Each time I towed the van, I felt uncomfortable about the breakaway cable being…

Rondeberg Resort Western Cape Book a chalet from a Monday till a Wednesday, and get 3 nights for the price of 2! T’s and C’s apply. Valid until the end of March 2018. Rondeberg Resort was voted as the Number 1 resort in the Western Cape in The Great Outdoors Guide. T: 021 100 3689 C: 079 760 0247 W: www.rondeberg.com Paradise Holiday Resort KwaZulu-Natal Low season rates on caravan sites, chalets and log cabins. Stay 5 nights, only pay for 3, or stay 10 nights, only pay for 7. Pensioner discount: 20% out of season. Valid until 1st April 2018 E: paradise@megadial.com  W: www.paradiseholidayresort.co.zaF: Paradise Holiday Resort Fairhills Caravan Park KwaZulu-Natal Easter special: R2 000 for 4 people for 10 days during April school holidays!…

TEARDROP? GO FOR IT! Dear Sir. I write regarding the letter about teardrop trailers in the February edition of Caravan & Outdoor Life. I am now 64 years old and have had a Jetstream Teardrop for more than four years. I have travelled extensively in it and never found it wanting. I’ve been to Botswana and Namibia several times, with the longest trip being just over three weeks. I don’t view my “Foxy” (each one gets a nickname of the buyer’s choice) as a weekender at all! I do have a large bow gazebo just like the one you used on your trip, but I have the three sides so I can block off and have privacy if needed. I’ve also added a tow hitch for a small inflatable boat…

B Licence ready – no EB licence required to tow this caravan. My six-day trip to three caravan parks in and around Mossel Bay in the Duster with a new Gypsy Lite in tow proved to be an uncomplicated and easy drive. The Duster offers excellent comfort and brilliant consumption, hovering at around 6.4 L/100 km on the entire trip. The Duster has an all-wheel drive system with an in-dash rotary switch to change from two wheel drive to four wheel drive. In 4X4 mode it becomes a very capable off-road vehicle, and its 210 mm ground clearance allows it to traverse steep inclines, negotiate undulating ground and dirt roads with ease. The Duster is a soft-roader at heart with a lot of get up and go. There are three…

The Sterland Caravan Park, on the right hand side as you enter the small town of Sutherland, is one of my favourite campsites in the Karoo. I say this for a number of reasons. Firstly the owners Jurg and Rita Wagener, who in their words “farm with stars”, make you welcome from the moment you arrive at the small, well-run campsite. Entering the property you get the first intimation of what the Sterland experience is all about. What are those strange white doodads on your right? It looks like a tribe of R2-D2 robots. Then the penny drops: they’re celestial telescopes; six extremely powerful eyes looking into the night sky. You quickly learn that the Milky Way, stars, planets and night sky are Jurg’s passion. For 28 nights of the…

STICK TO THE LIMITS • Always look at the maximum allowable towing capacity of your vehicle that it is able safely tow the trailer and boat weights. • Also ensure that the trailer hitch can handle the trailer, boat and load. It is always advised to check the correct tongue weight in the owner’s manual or consult a trailer manufacturer for advice. OVERLOADED TOW VEHICLE • Never exceed the gross vehicle weight rating which is the combined payload (passengers, driver and cargo) and the tongue weight of the trailered boat. • In addition to this, don’t exceed the gross vehicle maximum load capacity found in the owner’s manual or on the B-pillar of the tow vehicle. TONGUE WEIGHT In the trailer’s owner manual it will indicate the maximum down force…

Sometimes it pays to change things up for the family with regard to how you spend your fun times on the water. Okay, sunset cruises will never lose their appeal, but finding new ways to keep the family as enthusiastic about boating as you means that you have to come up with some creative ideas to keep them interested in your favourite pastime. BEHIND THE BOAT Introduce the family to wake surfing and watch them have the time of their lives.You don’t have to have a boat specifically designed for wake surfing as many boats create enough of a wake to allow for wake surfing. If your boat does not create enough of a wake, throw some tubing or waterskiing into the mix, they’re all loads of fun for the…

BUSH LAPA OPENS NEW SHOWROOM One of South Africa’s biggest manufacturers of off-road caravans, Bush Lapa, has opened a brand new showroom where you can view their impressive range. The new showroom, which officially opened at the start of February, is situated on the R101 between Paarl and Klapmuts in the Western Cape, less than 15km from the factory. Most of the Bush Lapa range is permanently on show, and if you like what you see, you can order on the spot and put down your deposit. There is more than enough space on the property outside on the grass to set up a caravan, and the friendly staff are on site to provide new buyers with special hands-on instructions and guidance on how to set up their Bush Lapa.…

HOW TO ENTER To win this Suzuki multi-tool set, simply send an email with the subject line “Where are we” to editor@caravansa.co.za, and tell me where we took this picture. Please also include your name, contact number and address. LAST MONTH'S PIC CAPE POINT – The most south western corner of the continent. At the tip of the Cape Peninsula, Cape Point’s rolling green plains give way to sheer cliffs and perilous seas that have claimed many a sailor’s life over the centuries. Today, however, the Cape of Good Hope draws in masses of visitors each year. The sandstone cliffs tower more than 200 metres over the churning ocean below, creating a dramatic setting completed by the beauty and greenery of endemic fynbos. A winding walkway leads visitors up to…

My Pajero Sport has done some moderate off-road driving and towing of an on-road caravan (a Jurgens XCell XT140, and for the last 75 000 km, a Conqueror Comfort) and at around 90 000km I found that the rear coils and shocks were done. It was time to replace the suspension. The big question was: Should I go with the original Mitsubishi replacement parts, or an after-market fitment? After comparing prices, I found that a full after-market suspension is marginally more expensive than the original suspension. I am a firm believer in not making huge changes to one’s vehicle, so had a meeting with Darrell van Zeil from Opposite Lock, who are is the importer of Tough Dog Suspensions, as they are an industry leader in innovative and quality suspension…

POP-TOP LIFTS WHEN TOW Why, when I am towing at 80-100km/h, does the roof of my Sprite Sport 1991 model lift? I have to tie it down with tie-down ratchets. Neo Kuhn Godfrey: Your letter reminds me that those horrible ‘H’ bars used to lift up the roof and hold it in place, that have already been around for more than 27 years! Every year I see at least one pop-top caravan being towed with the roof lifting at the front. This is due to the low air pressure area (or vacuum) generated by the caravan being moved forward fast. The problem is usually because the roof has not been correctly secured with the overlocking ‘tooth’ engaging a side bolt (see picture). Over the years, safety straps and wing…

Towing is no longer restricted to skiing and wakeboarding as there are numerous other disciplines such as wake skating, knee boarding, tube riding and multi-person inflatable riding that have joined the fun water sports fray. With this increase in towed traffic comes the need to be more careful and more vigilant on the waterways. Here are Leisure Boating’s top 10 tips that will improve your towing abilities and reduce accidents. APPROVED PFD Always wear an approved PFD that offers you premium protection when being towed. Use a PFD that fits snugly and won’t slip off if you hit the water at speed. GEAR CHECK Before entering the water, ensure that your gear is in order and does not show signs of any significant wear and tear. If your equipment does…

‘Bubble and squeak’ This classic British potluck recipe can help you get rid of those leftover veggies and meat. It’s easy and delicious! There is no set recipe to this dish, it is just a way of using up whatever you have left from dinner. Ingredients • Any leftover vegetables, chopped• Leftover meat, deboned & chopped• Potatoes, mashed• Onion• Butter or olive oil• Salt to taste Method 1 1. Mix the chopped veggies and meat, then stir in the mashed potato. The potato is the“glue”that holds this all together. 2. Place a big scoop of the vegetables-meat-potato mix onto a medium heat pan and fry for 10 minutes, turning over often.You can make a few of these“fritters”or “patties”at a time. 3. Remove once the vegetables and meat are reheated and…