ISSUE
07
EXPLORING ICELAND
REMOTE POWER HISTORY OF OVERLANDING
AWNINGS & ROOF TOP TENTS ABENTEUER & ALLRAD SHOW
LATEST GEAR
& MUCH MORE
V T . S A R U T . W WW
SUBSCR
Y P O C E E R F IBE FOR YOUR
EDITORIAL Summer is here, and we have another action packed issue for you. In this issue we launch the first of our video webisodes series, with the first few episodes covering a trip to Iceland. We hope you enjoy it. We also take a brief look at the origins of overlanding. We report from our recent visit to the UK Adventure Overland and Bushcraft show. As always we bring you the latest touring, camping and 4WD gear and accessories, including some great roof tents, portable power, refrigeration,Off-road GPS Navigation and even a portable camping bar. We have a preview of the upcoming Abenteuer und Allrad expo, Europe’s largest Offroad and 4WD show. And much more..
CONTENTS re e h k c cli
D N A L ICE de 1 webiso
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
Campin 4WD G
ng & Gear
31st May -2nd
June 2018
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hat is now recognised as the largest Camping and 4WD show in the world the ABENTEUER & ALLRAD 2018 CAMPING and 4WD expo will once again take place in Bad Kissingen in Germany between the 31st May - 3rd June 2018. The organisers of the show will be hosting over two hundred and fifty exhibitors from Europe and around the world and over 50,000 people will once again travel to this huge camping and 4WD event. For some this is an annual pilgrimage where people meet up in the now famous shows campground. If you are planning on attending the designated campsite for the first time you will be amazed by the sheer size and number of 4WD rigs, camper trucks and camping tourers on display.
This year’s show is a special one as it
celebrates its 20th anniversary so congratulations to the organisers for reaching this impressive milestone. Since the show started in 1998 it has grown from strength to strength and it is now a real indicator which highlights the ever increasing interest in people who love nothing more that packing up their vehicles and heading for the great outdoors. The show once again will have a number of family activities taking place over the weekend including the very popular talks from well seasoned travelers who will be sharing their experiences from their global adventures. Speakers lined up for the 2018 shows include Thomas Rahn & Sabine Hoppe (An adventurous journey in a vintage car),Friedl Swoboda who travelled around the world in
toilets and you can also have a shower on site for a reasonable €2.The temporary site is on grassland and when the weather is good you will have no issues but if it gets wet expect muddy conditions. Reservations for the CAMP-AREA are not possible so if you are planning on meeting friends, there is no guarantee that you will be able to park and set up camp together, best advice is to arrive at the same time in order to be guaranteed that you The campsite is walking discan set up camp in the same tance to a large supermarket place. food store and just over 2km You will have access to a free from the town center of Bad shuttle bus from the campKissingen. As you approach ground that will take you to Bad Kissingen the campsite the show ground; these buses is very well signposted to the run regularly so you should entrance is at “Im Lindes”, or just put in Lindes into your sa- not have to wait too long for a tang and it will take you there. bus. The temporary campsite has a Star-Puch-Pinzgauer 718T, and Adventurer Mario Goldstein who recently walked over 1400 km in Germany An adventure in the middle of Germany, a monumental journey where he tells a fascinating story. This show caters for all age groups and you will not be disappointed with the variety of activities, services, exhibition stands and incredible atmosphere in the designated campsite.
NEW WEBSITE
Check out the new action packed Abenteuer & Allrad show website with lots of details on the 2018 show, news, details on exhibitors and much more.
on
rmati o f n i e r o for m click here
e s p i l c E 270
AWNING
we take a closer look at this impressive awning that is now available in Europe
DARCHE HAVE 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN DESIGNING TOP QUALITY CAMPING & TOURING GEAR
T
he number of people getting into 4WD touring in Europe is definitely on the increase with more and more adventurers looking for alternative ways to travel and get off the beaten track.
And with this growing interest in 4WD touring/overlanding over the last few years we have started to see an increase in the number of people using awnings as a key accessory to their 4wd’s and touring vehicles. Awning designs for vehicles have come a long way in recent years and now come in all shapes and sizes. They are simple to attach to your vehicle, all you need is either a roof rack or roof bars with attaching mounts and when fitted you will have easy access to instant shelter from the sun or rain. Having used different types of awnings on various excursions we now never go on a camping trip without one. They are a great solution for providing shelter for cooking,eating or just relaxing under the canvas away from the glare of the sun or when it’s raining.
Aw-
As product designers and manufacturers continue to compete in this growing market of adventurers we have seen some numerous innovative awning designs enter the market in the last few years. Some awning models are now free standing requiring no poles to support them (though in windy conditions you need to keep an eye on these setups) and with other companies like DARCHE offering the option to add side walls to their awnings, this has opened up a whole new world for 4WD campers. The addition of side walls to your awning offers a number of advantages, including acting as a windbreaker, providing an enclosed sheltered space that allows the kids to play in comfort while your waiting for the rain to pass.
set up addit ional tents under the aw ning
ts up Th e s g n e ni w a 0 7 y The 2 ery quickl v
e awnin g can by one p be set up erson
stands out when it comes to innovation and the sheer amount of space that this awning with its walls attached covers. Over the last two decades the Australian company DARCHE have been designing predominantly swags and tents and so it was a natural progression for these innovative camping gurus to expand its 4X4 touring offering DARCHE have recently taken the that now includes some top quality awning innovations. Conconcept of an enclosed walled structed and engineered to speawning to an entire new level cifically suit Australia’s rugged with the launch of the Eclipse 270°Awning. With over two years touring conditions these awnings are made from top quality in development and now availmaterials. able in Europe through XP-editions the Eclipse 270° Awning is a class leading design that This type of a set up generally enhances your base-camp by providing a space where you can cook and relax. Another advantage includes being able to provide shelter for those who want to roll out a swag under the awning or even set up a small tent under the additional expansive space.
whole a n e op g walls mpin a e c d i n s e the ld wh r o w new
THE EYE CATCHING ° 0 7 2 e s p i l Ec
Constructed and engineered to specifically suit Australia’s rugged touring conditions these awnings are made from top quality materials. The eye catching DARCHE Eclipse 270° Awning has definitely reached new heights when it comes to providing optional walls and a very generous sheltered space. The Eclipse 270° Awning will have you and the kids more than covered from unexpected showers and from those hot sunny days. For those of you who have a family you will have plenty of space to shelter from the elements and set up camp under with a very impressive 11.5m2 of covered area to relax under. With the optional walls erected, a whopping 20.5m2 of sheltered area can be achieved. Each optional wall can be set up as a wind and weather breaker or as an upright awning extension, allowing the Eclipse 270° Awning to extend further up to 4.2m in total, featuring 2x pivoting alloy telescopic poles which are neatly stowed along the rafter when packing away.
lel and a e t s y t u vy-d The hea ge system n i h l e v loy swi
THE ULTIMATE 4WD TOURING
AWNING
Designed as a freestanding unit to ease set up and pack down only, the Eclipse 270° Awning is easily set up by one person. Hinged from both ends, the huge Awning spans along the full length of the vehicle as well as the rear. ‘’Made from DARCHE’s proven and hard wearing proofed poly cotton ripstop canvas, a strong light weight box tube alloy rafter system, and pivoting from heavy duty steel and alloy swivel hinge system, the Eclipse 270° Aw-
ning definitely holds its own and certainly will turn heads at the campground.’ As awnings go this one definitely stops you in your tracks, it’s the sheer expansive sheltered space provided when the walls are attached thats gives this awning a unique selling point. This awning is now available in Europe through XP-edition who also supply and number of other DARCHE camping products, for more information on the impressive Eclipse 270° click here.
SO WHAT MAKES THIS AWNING STAND OUT FROM THE REST The heavy duty mounting brackets instantly instill confidence in the quality of this awning kit. Despite its size the Eclipse 270° Awning hinges from two sides allowing the awning to neatly attach to your vehicle’s roof rack. The share walled sheltered space makes this awning stand out from the rest, the awning alone covers 11.5m2 and with walls
fitted, the set up covers approx. 20.5m2 depending on height of vehicle. The awning boasts tough poly-cotton ripstop canvas that will keep you dry in wet conditions. The box tube alloy rafter system is lightweight and strong. The awning incorporates heavy-duty steel and alloy swivel hinge system.
The 3 x pivoting alloy telescopic poles are heavy duty.
DARCHE Panarama II Roof Top Tent The Panorama 2 is the ultimate touring roof top tent. Uniquely featuring a zippered sunroof for star gazing and enhanced air flow, 1700mm wide side windows with 180° views and 340gsm proofed poly/cotton rip stop canvas. It’s low profile pack down design aids vehicle handling whilst creating less drag. An improved aluminium checker plate base, frame lugs and compact centre pivoting yoke, provide exceptional strength whilst reducing weight. The Panorama 2 also has a new honeycomb filling reducing condensation build up under the mattress, insulating and energy absorbing, and has a high strength to weight ratio. The tent also comes with a universal mounting kit and much more.We will be having a closer look at the Panorama 2 in issue 8 of the magazine.
r o f e r e click h ormation nf i e r o m
OUT
NOW ICELAND WEBISODE 1
Over the next few months we will be sharing some additional film footage from trips we have completed over the last few years. The first webisodes OUT NOW is the first of a short series on touring and exploring ICELAND. This is the first of a number of webisodes on trips to other parts of the world, so stay tuned.
re e h k c cli
D N A L E IC 1 E D O EPIS
TURAS CAMPING & 4WD ADVENTURES
EXPLORING
ICELAND
WEBISODE 1
g n i r o expl
ICEL
THE LA FIRE A
Photos: Nicolas Genoud, Geko Expeditions www.gekoexpeditions.com and TURAS
LAND
AND OF AND ICE
red in snow Roads can be cove mmertime and ice even in su
A few years, (and issues), ago we visited Iceland. To complement our new series of websiodes around our experiences of Iceland, we recount for you,here again, some of the details of our visit to this Island Country on the northern fringes of Europe, which is frequently described as ‘the land of fire and ice’. Its vast geologically active landscape is dotted with volcanoes, geysers, hot springs and fumaroles and vast areas of its interior landscape are shrouded in enormous glaciers. It is a photographers paradise and importantly, for drivers of 4WD vehicles it also contains a network of rough mountain tracks through its enormous , desolate and yet stunningly beautiful interior. After a very comfortable journey on the modern and well equipped ferry ‘the Norrona’ we finally approached Iceland, the fjords loomed nearer ,as we passed the raw terrain of the shoreline, steep rocky slopes descending towards the shoreline. Disembarking the ferry at Seyðisfjörður
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on Iceland’s east coast, we set out to drive along the East Fjords , having planned to drive along the eastern and southern coasts, with occasional small forays inland to visit points of interest.
just the precipitation, but also the temperature that seemed to vary quite a bit as we moved along the road.
As the road wound around the coast , on our left was the seashore and a shoreline strewn with We hadn’t travelled a kilometre when we felt like we had entered small rocks and rubble. On the another universe, the craggy alien righthand side however the vista was continually changing. As we landscape unfolding before us continued along the road distant could have been the surface of low mountain ranges gradually another planet. Low clouds hung over the rugged mountains, all ex- got larger and larger, interruptposed rock and very little foliage. ed only by the occasional and much closer incongruous rocky outcrops, until finally we were Another thing that is really strikdriving along at the foot of these ing about Iceland is the weather. About twenty minutes down the mountains on a tiny strip of road by the sea. The terrain continually road it turned into a bright sun changed, sometimes more mounfilled day, twenty minutes later it tainous near the shore and as the was back into fog, and it was not
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Icelandic Horses
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Old Willys Jeep
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Outside of the towns and the ring road, most roads are unpaved Don’t miss any opportunities to fill up your tanks
NEVER DRIVE INTO
THE INTERIOR
WITHOUT INFORMING SOMEONE OF YOUR PLAN
Photo: Nicolas Genoud www.gekoexpeditions.com
O
R
G NS
mountains receded they were replaced by vast expanses of what looked like fine gravel and then expanses of black sand , and more infrequently expanses of very green grass. Our destination for the first evening was
Fording one of the numerous small streams that cross the higlhands
Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. A newly formed lagoon which is continually filled with small Icebergs which calf from an inland glacier.
our first evening camping in the wild in Iceland.
We arrived at the lagoon just as the light was beginning to fade. It was awesome, huge boulders of Ice floating serenely towards the sea, and every once in awhile there would be a great creaking noise and then a crash and splash as one of the giant icebergs rotated in the water after becoming imbalanced having lost mass from the melting ice exposed to the skies on the surface of the water.
Back on the coast road the following morning, the terrain on our right varied between mossy scrabble and black sand., with a range of low snow covered mountains visible in the distance. We drove past the tongue of a glacier which was sticking out from a valley between some mountains, another twenty minute drive and we were surrounded on both sides by very green grass and passed a few settlements on our right hand side, low single story buildings with red roofs.
We setup camp and cooked from a portable grill, put some beers to chill in the largest beer bin any of us had ever seen (the lagoon itself), and enjoyed
A little later we came across a very colorful but derelict Old willys jeep just sitting in a field near the road, ‘parked’ near some seemingly abandoned
THE LAND
OF FIRE AND ICE
buildings. As we explored a little further we came across an abandoned tractor and a little terrace of ancient huts, their roofs buried under grass. we later learned that these were 15th Century turf huts. There was also a well cared for building seemingly buried under a grass mound,
this was called NĂşpsstaĂ°arkirkja Chapel - and was a very rare example of an Old Icelandic turf church. Getting back onto the ring road after about 30 minutes drive we turned inland again, taking the Laki road towards the famous
Fjadrargljufur Canyon which is one of the most beautiful canyons in Iceland. Having explored the canyon , we headed back onto the ring road, fjording a river on the way. Soon we were driving through another new
environment, like nothing any of us had seen before, enormous expanses of black basalt sands on both sides of the road. This is also one of the wettest places in Iceland. There is no landmass between this part of Iceland and Antarctica and apparently the
Taking a wrong turn in iceland can lead to some very lengthy detours, but the road network is not too complicated .
Photo: Nicolas Genoud www.gekoexpeditions.com
Atlantic rollers can attack with great ferocity along this stretch of the coastline. We next drove though Vík í Mýrdal , the southernmost village in Iceland, at this stage we were about 180km from Reykjavík , our destination for the evening. The final stretch to Reykjavík was less spectacular than the East Fjords and the south coast. The road continually improved
and got wider and wider and we started seeing a lot of other vehicles .We found the Reykjavík campsite without difficulty. As the campsite is located only 3km from the city centre we decided to walk into the City. In Issue eight of the magazine we continue our travels in Iceland, diving between continental plates, visiting some amazing waterfalls and geothermal features and driving great distances across rugged terrain.
Huts Ancient Icelandic
140A
introducing
DUAL BATTERY
CHARGING SYSTEM
Gone are the days when dual battery systems are only found in RV’s and caravans. The installation of dual battery systems has become very popular in 4WD vehicles around the world, particularly in countries like Australia where most 4WD vehicles carry fridge freezers and rely on auxiliary batteries to power essential equipment when in remote areas. On-board dual
battery systems have a number of uses that include giving you access to power to run lights and other appliances at your campsite for a couple of days at a time and making your camping experience a much more enjoyable one. And with the advances in technology companies like the Swedish CTEK organisation they have been taking battery management to a whole new level.
REMOTE POWER
ANYWHERE
A DUAL BATTERY SYSTEM
YOU CAN RELY ON
So how does it work?,well basically the setup is simple; a second or third auxiliary(deep cycle batteries) is installed in addition to your starter battery. The second auxiliary battery is then charged by your alternator when you are driving and when you stop and set up camp the dual battery system cleverly separates your starter battery from your deep cycle batteries giving you the power to run all of your onboard appliances without draining power from your starter
battery.So what are the benefits of dual battery systems? well when you get used to having a system on board its very difficult to travel on extended trips without one. First of all it’s great to be able to set up camp for a couple of days and be able to run a fridge freezer, camping lights and charge some of your gadgets without worrying about your starter battery going dead.
Dual battery systems are designed to ensure the deep-cycle battery is charged, without the chance of the vehicle’s starting battery being discharged. And if you plan on extending your camping trip you can now easily hook up a solar panel that can connect to your dual battery system allowing you to top up your deep cycle batteries when stationary and as a result keeping your drinks cold in the fridge freezer for an extra couple of days. A leading global brand in the care and maintenance of vehicle batteries CTEK has recently launched two complete on-board charging systems, compatible with Smart Alternators. Designed to maximise the performance of leisure batteries and provide information about the state of battery charge, these easy to install solutions deliver piece of mind, leaving you free to get the most from your leisure time. Available as a 20A Off Grid and an impressive 140A Off Road solution, these systems combine a powerful charge, together with a handy monitor that continually checks battery voltage and current. A very neat digital display unit advises the state of charge, together with the number of hours of power available, this CTEK monitor is a very useful addition as it will advise how much power you have left in your auxiliary battery. Drawing its energy from the vehicle alternator, the CTEK Off Grid charging system delivers a safe, powerful charge to the leisure battery, whilst on the move.
heavy-duty steel and alloy swivel hinge system
The CTEK m onitor is a great solution to chec king your a uxillary battery
With the CTEK 14 0A you can spend a couple of days at your favorite campsite system
MAXIMISING
PERFORMANCE
The CTEK 140A pa ckage has raised the bar in dual ba ttery systems
Developed for use with smart alternators meaning that the system won’t shut off even if the smart alternator does, the system also features a specific AGM charge voltage to enable a faster charge for AGM batteries.
system, the CTEK 140A Off Road charging system delivers a much more powerful (140A) charge and will also ensure critical devices such as emergency lighting always function.
THE CTEK 140A DELIVERS A VERY POWERFUL CHARGE
When the voltage on the leisure battery is low, the Off Road charging system A solar panel will protect the operation of critconnector enables additional ical appliances by disconnecting maintenance charging of both the leisure battery and starter non-essential items until there is battery when parked in daylight. sufficient power to re-connect. Whilst offering the same functionality as the CTEK Off Grid
It also features CTEK’s unique Start Assistance function that uses power from your service battery to start your engine if your starter battery is flat. This is also a great addition, we have all been there and there is nothing worse that after having a great couple of days camping finding out that after you have packed up and ready to hit the road that you find your starter battery in your vehicle is dead. This is a very reassuring improvement to a top quality dual battery system. Jerry Svedlund, Inte-
grated Solutions Business Unit Manager, CTEK said “When going off-road and off-grid, and placing complete reliance on the leisure battery for power, it’s all about piece of mind. The CTEK Off Grid and Off Road charging systems puts you firmly in control, providing a clear picture of current battery capacity and charging the leisure battery whilst on the move, it’s the perfect combination - owners can enjoy the good times, without the hassle of a flat battery!”
The CTEK 140A is easily installed in your veh icle
A COMPLETE ON-BOARD
POWER MANAGEMENT
SOLUTION
“With many charging systems lacking the sophistication required to charge batteries beyond 80%, owners are not using available battery power to the maximum – if you filled up your petrol tank or oil tank, you would take it up to 100% capacity, so why wouldn’t you do the same for the battery? The CTEK range of chargers use patented technology to condition, 100% charge and maintain leisure batteries, thereby maximising performance and increasing the battery’s capacity.” The CTEK Off Grid and Off Road charging systems are fully automatic, require no specialist knowledge for installation or use and come with a two year warranty.
e r o m r fo e r e h he t click n o on i t a D m A r O R info FF O A 0 14 K E T m C e t s y S ng i g r a h C
the all NEW
PEUGEOT
RIFTER
U
nveiled at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show where it made its world debut, the new PEUGEOT RIFTER will go on sale worldwide as early as September 2018.
Is this the beginning of a wave of smaller and more environmentally friendly off road vehicles entering in the market.?The PEUGEOT Rifter Concept is built
for adventure and capable of tackling all types of terrain with its rugged tyres and a raised 80 mm ground clearance. The vehicle is also fitted with an Overland roof tent so you can explore for longer and supports the all-new electric mountain bike with the PEUGEOT eM02 FS Powertube whose battery is directly integrated into the frame.
FOR YEARS THE WHEREABOUTS OF THIS LAND ROVER WAS A MYSTERY Partly developed by DANGEL who specialise in four-wheel drive transformations, the 4WDtransmission uses viscous coupling via a selector that is located at arm’s reach on the dashboard.
There are 3 driving modes:
- the 2RM mode which allows you to drive in front-wheel drive mode for your everyday trips - the 4RM mode where the transmission powers the rear wheels and - the Lock mode, to lock the rear axle, which is useful for extreme travel. The BlueHDi 130 engine, has a manual six-speed gearbox and produces 300Nm of torque torque. The car also has a mounted LED strip at the top of the windscreen. The curved, 1.35m-wide strip aligns 100 LED lights provides an impressive 300W. The RIFTER 4x4 is also fitted with an “Overland” tent developed by Autohome. The tent canvas is specifically designed for the PEUGEOT RIFTER 4x4 CONCEPT. It is PEUGEOT-branded and has the same graphic theme as the show-car.
The car has borrowed some of the stylistic and functional characteristics within the SUV world:
The car has borrowed some of the stylistic and functional characteristics within the SUV world: they include ; a high ride height, large wheels,a large door and body sill,a wheel arch rear bumper protections and front and rear stop blocks. You can also get this vehicle in a longer version option (+35 centimeters) that will give additional interior space. The car boasts a Pseudo MacPherson front suspension and a rear suspension with a deformable cross beam. For more adventurous explorers, drivers can venture off the beaten tracks by opting for the Advanced Grip Control. The work achieved on the vehicle’s architecture and on the optimisation of its mass is a determining factor in the ongoing quest to reduce CO2 emissions and consumption. The efficiency of the engines offered is also impressive with the engine meeting the latest Euro 6.c. The European emission standards define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU and EEA member states. The emission standards are defined in a series of European Union directives staging the introduction of increasingly stringent standards.
. With the petrol option, two versions of the 1.2 PureTech engine are available: PureTech 130ch S&S with an 8-speed automatic gearbox / EAT8 (available in 2019) PureTech 110ch S&S with a 6-speed manual gearbox, also available in a very low consumption version. The PureTech 130 includes a Gasoline Particulate Filter to reduce particle emissions. With the diesel option, three 1.5 BlueHDi engine powers are available: BlueHDi 130ch S&S with a 6-speed manual gearbox or 8-speed automatic gearbox / EAT8 BlueHDi 100ch with a 5-speed manual gearbox, also available in S&S very low consumption version BlueHDi 75ch with a 5-speed manual gearbox The Diesel engines are all equipped with a particle filter and selective catalytic reduction system. This technology enables emission control upon starting the engine and without requiring a particle filter additive.
AS IT MEETS THE NEEDS OF EVERYDAY LIFE, THE NEW PEUGEOT RIFTER NATURALLY BENEFITS FROM THE BRANDS LATEST TECHNOLOGICAL
ADVANCES
analyze driver behaviour and steering wheel movements. An audible and visual warning goes off when a lapse in attention is detected. The Active Safety Brake is triggered if a risk of collision is detected. A tow bar stability control system stabilises your trailer or slow down the vehicle if necA backup electric brake. A large storage area takes the essary. place of the handbrake, opti- Automatic activation of main mising the space on board as and dipped headlamps. The “Visiopark 180°” reversing well as the practicality. camera shows the back view An adaptive cruise control at a 180-degree angle with Widened recognition of road the option to display a classic signs displays the maximum (bird’s-eye) 180° view or zoom speed detected and offers in when in immediate proximto adjust the speed limiter/ ity to an obstacle. cruise control. The blind spot monitoring An active lane departure system, with alerts for the warning system corrects the door mirrors. trajectory in the event of a Keyless entry and engine drivers inattention. start. A driver attention warning using camera surveillance to As it meets the needs of everyday life, the new PEUGEOT RIFTER naturally benefits from the brand’s latest technological advances.The list of technological equipments is impressive and includes the following, depending on the vehicle.
P O T F O O R T N TE from
There is no place like home.. except perhaps your Tembo 4x4 rooftop tent. Find a beautiful spot, set up your tent and within 5 minutes the room of your dreams is ready. Imagine having a comfortable private room in a variety of the most stunning, remote locations, the 5 billion star hotel. The Tembo 4x4 rooftop tent has been produced to very high quality standards. It features strong waterproof canvas that allows for natural ventilation, high quality zippers and a comfortable mattress. The big windows give you an excellent view, while the mosquito nets keep the unwanted guests outside. The special ventilation system also gives you full control over the temperature inside the tent. Tembo have managed to improve the design of the classic Rooftop tent. The Tembo 4x4 Rooftop tent has lots of interior space, is made of tough canvas fabric and has an excellent mattress. Due to the special ven
se 4 Tents u X 4 O ed B M TE are design d n a s a v ty can heavy du weather e h t o t p to stand u
EXPLORING IN A ROOF TOP TENT
ventilation and the double roof it stays cool and pleasant inside your tent even in warm weather, and conversely stays warmer in cold weather, in addition to having lots of windows which can be used for summer ventilation. The Tembo 4x4 Rooftop Tent can be ordered in three sizes, 140 cm, 160 cm and 190 cm
wide, and in two shapes, with or without overhang and optional Annex tent. the 140cm wide compact model is easy to unfold and pack. For a little more luxury, the Tembo 4x4 Tourer with the overhang and dry entry is the way to go. If you want to do a holiday with the entire family, the 190cm model is for you. It
h t e c
T a a d d
A T
has plenty of space and the optional Annex tent (for the Tourer versions only) gives a lot of comfort on longer stays.
These tough, high quality tents are a reliable accommodation in all types of adverse weather conditions and through continual dialogue and conversation with
their customers Tembo are continually striving to improve their products, and they often sell all of the available tents very rapidly, so if you need one for your next trip you should let then know ASAP.
We have had the Tembo Roof Top tent and Annexxe with us on several trips in both very warm and sunny and very cold and extremely wet conditions and the tent has proven a very reliable and comfortable shelter. The heavy canvas and rain cover keeps the tent cool and dark during the day, no more waking up with the sunrise as the sunlight wakes you (unless of course you have planned an early rise- in which case its back to an alarm clock). In the sunshine if it gets too warm you can open some of the windows and allow for a cool breeze to flow though the tent.
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A recent rainy trip, with persistent rain for nearly four days did not challenge the tent and we and all of our gear and bedclothes remained dry. The annexxe also is exremely conveneient offering lots of additional protected space to store gear and to inhabit if the conditions are wet. We really like the large extent of dry, enclosed and private space provided for and the tough rubber floor also ensures that your gear stays dry and free from moisture sand and creepy crawlies, which is always a bonus.
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1.The tent has a very comfortable mattress 2. Climbing the ladder into the tent 3.The annexxe adds lots of shelter and usable space 5. A perfect tent for our fishing trips 6. At the end of another great day, preparing for a good night’s sleep in the Tembo RTT
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A HIGH QUALITY AND TOUGH ROOF TENT 6
click here for more information
S N I G I R O E TH
overlan
Photo: Nicolas Genoud www.gekoexpeditions.com
OF
nding
Photo: David Holt
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LittleSandyDesert_CanningStockRoute.jpg
It is generally agreed that the term overlanding originated in Australia as a word to describe the herding of livestock across great distances, either to open up new grazing grounds or to transport the livestock. In Australia between 1906 and 1910 Alfred Canning surveyed and opened up a stockroute for bringing cattle 1500 km overland from the Kimberley district to the goldfields. He returned the following year to commence construction of 51 wells which were set one days march (20 km) apart to feed travelling livestock. The route was completed in 1910 and runs from Halls Creek to Wiluna. Another notable Australian, Len Beadell often also has his name associated with overlanding, Beadell was also a surveyor, road builder, bushman, artist and author, and was responsible
Photo: Aleksander Veljkovic www.rustikatravel.com
for managing the construction of over 6000 km of roads and opening up isolated desert areas (some 2.5 million square kilometres) of central Australia from 1947 to 1963. Overlanding started to become associated with its more modern usage, as travel and exploration in vehicles, usually 4WD but also motorcycles in the middle of the 20th Century. The availability of capable four wheel drive vehicles made by a variety of vehicle manufacturers led to a growth in the numbers of people exploring these routes.
OVERLANDING
COMES TO PROMINENCE Overlanding probably came to its most prominent moment of public awareness in the last few decades of the 20th Century as a result of high profile events such as the Camel Trophy and the Land Rover G4 Challenge. The global financial crisis lent to the decision to cease the running of the G4 Challenge in 2008. Overlanding in general has never been more popular however, and there are numerous excellent overlanding shows held around the world every year, including one of our favourite events, the Abenteuer and Allrad show in Bad Kissingen, Germany. An entire industry has arisen around the activity and there are a very wide range of vehicles, accessories and customisation services available for those planning extended trips in distant lands.
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Photo: Nicolas Genoud gekoexpeditions.com
Early popular overlanding routes outside of Australia were London to Kathmandu and trans Europe/Africa routes such as London to Cape Town or Cairo to Cape Town. Regular overlanders of the 70s and 80s reported that as these routes remained relatively unchanged even as they became more and more popular, and in fact did not see much significant change until the late 90s when political instability in several African countries led to increased risk and difficulty in passing some of these routes. Overlanding in Africa is still very popular, all across Africa , though long duration trans African expeditions are less common to see these days. Overlanding of course, is not limited to Africa, there are an increasing number of companies offering extended guided overlanding experiences across Europe and the Northern hemisphere, such as routes across Romania, Iceland, the Balkans and Russia.
Photos: Aleksander Veljkovic - www.rustikatravel.com
Overlanding vehicles come in all shapes and sizes such as massive 4WD Buses carrying large groups across Africa (or Iceland) ever reliable Land Rover Defender, Toyota Land Cruisers, converted Bedford trucks, the variety of vehicle types is enormous as can be discerned easily by visiting the parking area
Photo: Nicolas Genoud www.gekoexpeditions.com
of any major overlanding expo, such as Abenteuer and Allrad. A capable overlanding vehicle needs to be very dependable and reliable with the ability to traverse extremely uneven terrain and to cross large bodies of deep water without cutting out. Off road expedition trailers can also be towed
to extend the range of equipment and resources available to the overlanding group. Roof tents also have become almost synonymous with the activity of overlanding, as roof tents allow for a shelter to be pitched on a wide variety of terrain types and can also lend an additional sense of security if
pitching a tent in an area where dangerous wild animals or insects may be present. If you would be interested in having one of your overland adventures featured in TURAS Magazine, get in touch with us.
n contact us with your ow stories
FINDING THE BEST CAMPSITES with
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR
NAVIGATTOR CAMEL 8 V2 All navigattor camel owners receive free worldwide topographical and satellite maps which can be provided on request to be installed on the device when ordering from Navigattor and which can also be downloaded directly from the Navigattor website.
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0FF ROAD GPS SYSTEM
Unlike most GPS systems, the Navigattor systems are capable of using highly detailed topographical maps, which provide a level of detail not normally available in GPS systems. Using the device itself or the accompanying OZIExplorer software it is possible to pre-plan and to create marked routes which can then be navigated using the Camel 8 V 2 when out on the
tracks.There are a host of other options and configurations available on the system which allows you to customise the maps, routes, displays and also the type of vehicle that you are using. For more detailed information, make sure to check out the Navigattor website. www.navigattor.comW
PROVIDING A FREE
INTEGRATED
MAPPING
SYSTEM
www.navig
gattor.com EUROPEAN Distributors
Navigattor have distributors located all over Europe where you can get access and see these top quality products. With distributors located in Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Lithuania Portugal and Colegas. Click on the map below to find your nearest distributor or visit https://navigattor.com for details on the range of navigational products
a also offer r o tt a g i v Na mounts M A R of ge wide ran website r i e h t n o available
VE
PRE
FOR
im
EHICLE
EPARATION
R THAT BIG TRIP
mages Dream Overland & TURAS
BE PREPARED
image: www.dreamoverland
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or those of us who love nothing more than planning a 4WD adventure be it for a weekend fishing trip or for taking our vehicles to far off places for a couple of weeks camping and touring sometimes a general service before you depart is not always quite enough. Especially if you are planning a remote trip that is going to take you and your vehicle off the beaten track for an extended period of time. Europe presents some hidden gems when it comes to diverse terrain and places to explore with a number of these destinations reachable through some challenging terrain. Be it tackling the mountainous tracks in the Pyrenees, the Forests in the Balkans, remote parts of Serbia or exploring the dusty tracks in Portugal your vehicle should always be mechanically sound before embarking on your trip. The last thing you want to happen is for your dream 4WD adventure to come to a sudden end simply because your suspension might not be up to the task or worse.
MOST OF US ARE ABLE TO GIVE OUR 4WD VEHICLES A BASIC SERVICE
Being a couple of hundred kilometers into a trip and finding out that you have a damaged bearing in a gearbox can end up being a costly experience, not only will it bring you a lot of heartache trying to source the right parts but it will also possible bring your well planned trip to an end.It goes without saying if you hear a sinister noise from your vehicle get it checked well in advance of your tripThere are plenty of things we can check on our vehicles prior to
heading off on that big adventure and by doing so this will bring you peace when on the road. Most of us are able are able to give our 4WD vehicles a basic service like changing oils, topping up on fluids, changing the oil filters etc but you should always consider giving your vehicle a detailed look over before departing on your big overlanding trip.
BE PREPARED
CHECK YOUR BELTS & HOSES
If you are not that mechanically minded you should take your vehicle to a professional prior to your trip, in most countries in Europe it is mandatory to get your vehicle regularly assessed for road worthiness. Important areas to focus on include checking the brakes, fluids, wheel bearings, bushes, suspension, if you plan on crossing rivers, make sure you have a snorkel and breather installed this will also ensure good clean air is hitting your engine should you be tackling dusty environments. Check your belts and hoses look for cracks or bulges and carry some spares. Check and clean your battery terminals and make sure your tyres are up for the task ahead also make sure you grease drive and tail shafts. This is just a sample of a number of checks you should make to your vehicle . Remember ‘’ by failing to prepare you are preparing to fail’’.
euro4x4parts provide over 70,000 parts for all types of 4WD vehicles
More and more of us are learning new skills when it comes to looking after our vehicles and with companies like euro4x4parts who have a catalogue of over 70,000 parts covering 99% of all 4WD vehicles on the market, things have never been easier for sourcing quality parts at competitive prices and all in the one place. Getting your vehicle mechanically sound does not mean that you need to pay a fortune once you know what you are looking for.
cessory you need for your 4WD. For example if you are not sure about your existing suspension you can ask the professional team at euro4x4parts and they will advise you on options available.
Now employing over seventy employees across three continents euro4x4parts ship worldwide from their recently opened state of the art premises in France where they stock their impressive catalogue of 4WD parts and accessories. In addition to the main Unlike the modern experience of headquarters in France they also dealing with faceless companies have an outlet in Spain and recent expansions that include two with euro4x4parts you will be dealing with real people who can additional outlets on the Reunion Island, a shop in the Canaries, advise you on their huge catalogue of parts available and make and a shop in the French Alps. sure that you get the products/ac-
The on-line euro4x4parts catalogue easily allows you to select the precise 4X4 part you need, avoiding unnecessary returns or you can call one of the experienced sales team who will guide you to ensure that you get the correct 4WD part or accessory. The euro4X4parts range of products is extensive including quality rebuild kits including brakes, transmission, steering, engines, axles, and swivels to name. These guys have developed a solid reputation for providing a top quality service not only in Europe but also throughout the world. With an impressive 80% of parts dispatched the same or the next day, they do not muck about and will ensure that you receive your required parts on time. So if you are looking for a one stop shop where you can purchase all your 4WD mechanical parts, camping and overlanding gear and much more at competitive prices and all topped off with an excellent customer service well euro 4x4 parts provides all of the above. For more information on the range of euro4x4parts available check out there website at www.euro4x4parts.com
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF
TENTS
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1. Prospectors tent in 19th Century America 2.Reconstruction of an Iron Age tent 3. Reconstruction of a Leather Roman Army Tent
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Today tents are an essential piece of equipment for any sort of light weight continual travel, whether it be hiking, camping or overlanding. Across the globe tents are used to shelter armies, to protect recreational campers, to keep mountaineers warm and generally to aid comfort and survival. Over time, the idea of a tent has become synonymous with the idea of ‘the outdoors’ and with ‘nature’, however the first tents served as homes to the people that erected them, and the lightweight and component based structure of tents suited the nomadic lifestyle of early humans. Tents are a continuation and an evolution of earlier structures that were originally built using animal hide, animal bones and tree branches. Bones from massive Woolly Mammoths were
used as support materials to build shelters, by both Neanderthals and early humans during the ice age. The oldest known example of this type of shelter was found in Moldova and dates to around 40,000 BC. More than seventy examples of these shelters have been discovered, mainly on the Russian Plane. These huts were all circular and ranged in size from between 8 to 24 square metres. Some of these dwellings were located in proximity to each other, and where this was the case were spaced from 1 meter to 20 meters apart, depending on the terrain. Large Mammoth bones were used to support and serve as foundation and the curved tusks were used to support an entrance gap, both bones and tusks were likely used to support the animal hide roofs. There is evidence that some of
these huts had a space to light a fire, and that bones were used as fuel (in a time when wood was very scarce). Archaeologists belive that though some of these bones may have come from animals killed by humans or neanderthals but bones in some of the shelters had differences in age of several thousand years, suggesting that the building materials were rather the collected remains of animals that had died many hundreds of years previously. These bones were not only used to make shelter but also served as a material from which tools , decoration, furniture and even musical instruments were hewn.
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Photo: Nicolas Genoud www.gekoexpeditions.com
Tents that look a lot more similar to our modern idea of a tent have been used at least as far back as the early Iron Age and probably a lot longer. Tents are also mentioned in the Bible, notably in Genesis 4:20 Jabal is described as ‘the first to live in tents and raise sheep and goats’. And in Isaiah 54:2 indicates how important the tent was in early societies:”Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of your habitations: spare not, lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes.” All early tents were made from
1.Tipi’s have been ic tribes for mille been used as dwe over 3,000 years.
2
n used by nomadenia . 2.Yurts have ellings in Asia for .
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animal hide or leather, using wooden supports, ropes and wooden stakes support, and this basic design and construction method did not significantly change for 40 or 50 thousand years.
by modern re-enactors. A wide variety of tent styles and sizes were used by the Roman Army from the ‘Contubernium’ an 8 man group tent , a 3M square tent which was about 1.5M tall and slept 8 soldiers and The tents used by the Roman Army Each contubernium is usually aswere also normally made of leath- signed a pack mule to carry the er, and enough is known about the tent and other heavy gear, at least designs that some good examples from the time of Marius on. A serof this type of tent have been built vant led the mule on the march in modern times, most frequently and provided other services to the
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Photo: Nicolas Genoud www.gekoexpeditions.com
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1. A modern tunne 2.Drawing of ancie Tent encampemen constructed mamm and bone shelter, the oldest known h ter built 40,000 ye
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el tent ent Roman nt 3. A remoth hide similar to human shelears ago.
A mule carrying the two tent poles, a folded tent, stakes, ropes, two baskets that were also used in excavating the camp ditch, the digging tools, a small stone wheat grinder, and extra food. A Centurion had a larger tent , and had it to himself, since as officers, Centurions also had meetings in their tent the higher walls and additoinal poles ( two center poles and 4 corner poles) gave more head room and internal space. The general and, perhaps, other senior officers are shown with much larger tents.
Note the length of the guy ropes (not present in the picture). Because of the size of the tent it would have been necessary to use a number of poles for its support. The poles could have been carried on two mules. Across the globe nomadic people have continually developed different design of tent structures. These nomads, such as Native Americans, Mongolian tribes, and Bedouin people have used and continue to use tents as homes when following their livestock.
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1. A modern h from Nordisk. 2. Dutch Army
A tipi, tepee or teepee is another kind of tent historically used by nomadic people. These cone shaped tents are different from other cone shaped tents in that they all have a smoke flap at the top to allow fires to be burnt within the tent. Tipi’s were used by Native Americans and by indigenous people in Northern Europe and Asia. Tepees are still in use today by some of these indigenous people , mainly for ceremonial purposes, and there are a number of companies that now manufacture modern Tepees from high tech materials, such as the wide range of tents from Danish Company Nordisk.
Another type of traditional nomadic shelter is the yurt. A yurt is a portable, circular tent traditionally covered with skins or felt and was and still is used as a dwelling by nomadic people in the steppes of Central Asia. Yurts are made with wood and bamboo supports and rafters and have a large, roof sometimes self supporting and sometimes supported with a central interior post (or several). Yurts have been used as dwellings in Asia for over 3,000 years. Yurts are designed to be relatively easy to dismantle and to pack away into a package that could be carried on the back of a camel or yak. In more recent times, manufacturers like the Eureka tent company began to produce recre-
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hi-tech tepee .Eu y Tent, 1955 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dutch_army_tent_1955.jpg
ational tents that helped lend to the growth of the camping and outdoor industry at the start of the 20th Century, and helped to make camping a very popular and widespread recreational activity in America at the start of the 20th century. Tent design and materials were radically updated during the 20th century. The heavy wooden support poles were replaced with metal and then plastic poles,flexible poles became more common
and the shape of tents began to change and rigid linear tents with lots of guy ropes became less common. Today’s tents can often be setup extremely quickly and made from lightweight material such as nylon are both easy to carry and very resistant to the elements. Today the range of shapes and material of tents is enormous, we have tunnel tents, inflatable tents, Pop up tents , Geodesic tents, Roof Top Tents, trailer tents and more.
Yet, no matter how much tents may have improved over millenia, one thing is still true, tents fill that very important requirement to keep us warm and dry when out in nature , and perhaps also allows us to
feel a continuity with our ancestors who spent their lives roaming the plains and sleeping out under their own shelters across history.
G O D P O T tents roof
W
e had a look at some of the 3Dog camper trailers in Issue 6 and now we are going to have a closer look at the 3 Dog Roof Top Tents. Whether it’s surfing, sailing, climbing, hill walking,diving or hang-gliding, the TopDog roof top tent is an ideal solution for
anyone looking to break free for a quick getaway over the weekend or for an extended trip around Europe. These German made Top Dog tents come in two different sizes. The width of the platform can be 1.40 the (TopDog 140) or 1.60 (TopDog 160) meters wide
TOPDOG s t n e t p o t of ro
These top quality tents are hand stitched in Germany
3DOG
CANVAS
While driving you’ll hardly notice the compact package on top of your car. Once you arrive at your destination,the TopDog folds out into a comfortable living space. The large sleeping area, with an ultra-comfortable 8 cm thick mattress, can be accessed with ease using the provided ladder. The possibility to close the tent on all sides allows you to create a cosy cocoon inside, and sheltering you from the elements. With the Top Dog you won’t have any real issues with condensation thanks to a fully integrated floor in the living area and all-round enclosed walls.When it’s nice and warm outside, you can remove the walls and the floor in just a few simple steps making an airy sleeping quarters with a large awning. As with other models, the cover of TopDog’s panoramic window provides extra shade when the sun comes out. Similar to the 3Dog trailer tents the TopDog consists of three layers that includes a mosquito net, window foil and canvas. The doors, too, can be made insect-proof or closed with fabric, allowing the temperature of the room to be adjusted depending on the weather. A partition wall is also available for the TopDog, which can be used between the bedroom and living space as an enclosed wall, or as a protection against insects.
The TopDog will fit most cars the size of a station wagon or bigger with a load capacity of at least 70 kg. 3Dog fabricate every single tent individually, and can customize them and create the tent that suits your needs. A conventional roof rack can be used to secure the TopDog to your car’s roof. The maximum roof load, as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, is to be found in the owner‘s manual. It’s
important that you don’t exceed this limit. Its important to note that this information applies only to the load during the journey. When the vehicle is stationary, a higher load on the roof may be permissible, due to the absence of braking forces, crosswinds, etc. Proper installation will ensure no damage occurs to your vehicle, even with more than two people in the sleeping area.
e You will find plenty of spac nopy under the Top Dog tents ca
www
w.3DOG.eu click here for more information
click here for more information
r o f e r e click h ion at m r o f n i
Contact Tel. +351 936 296 798 - E-mail: infos@jamesbaroud.com
excellence’16
Garantie comprenant la coque, la toile et mécanisme.
facebook.com/JamesBaroudOfficial instagram.com/jamesbaroud
in focus
GENESIS
IMPORT OFF ROAD EQUIPMENT
I
f you are from Germany and you are into touring, camping and 4WD adventures, well, you will be very familiar with the very recognisable Genesis Import Logo.
This is a company that is certainly starting to spread its wings across Europe offering a wide range of top quality camping, touring, overlanding and 4WD accessories. The animal on
the Genesis Import logo stands out, it’s basically a ‘’Steppe Wolf’’ (Coyte), this is a wild animal that continues to conquer new habitats and as a company Genesis Import is also gaining new ground . Genesis Import who are based in Germany import and distribute top quality products for the off road, camping and touring markets all over Europe.
So where did it all begin?, Dror Harel, Managing Director of Genesis Import initially founded the Steppenwolf 4x4 company in 2010. He quickly recognised the potential in the off road and touring market in Germany and Europe and together with Klaus Nahr they would set up Genesis Import GmbH. Over the years the easily recognisable Genesis Import brand and product portfolio has expanded rapidly. In the Genesis Import extensive catalogue you will see a wide range of international companies who manufacture top quality products for the 4WD touring and camping
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market. These internationally recognised brands and products include the South African based Alu-Cab who manufacture, (hardtops, roof tents, awnings, campers, etc.),Camp Cover (bags and storage systems),Escape Gear (seat covers and accessories),EZDown (tailgate dampers and bonnet lifts for pickup vehicles),Rigidek - (cargo space covers for pickup vehicles), Front Runner (roof rack and off road/ camping equipment) and SnoMaster - (refrigerators and freezers), we take a look at these fridge freezers elsewhere in the magazine.
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Genesis Import only sell top quality Camping and 4WD products. The Alu Cab free standing awning is a very popular 4WD camping accessory
But it is not all South African products that you will see in the Genesis Import catalogue with the popular James Baroud roof top tents that are built in Portugal and the well known Lazer Lamps and the high quality Thule products from Sweden.
And lastly you will also find the Russian Rival products and the Vision X LED headlights that come from the USA. It’s a pretty impressive selection of high quality off road and touring relating products from all over the world.
Genesis Import high quality brands and products are perOther products showcased ome from Asia include HEBE fectly suited for distribution (plastic sanding sheets), Rasta in off road,vehicle repair and outdoor and camping stores. 4x4 (underbody protection) systems and T-MAX (winches and mountain accessories).
supply a Genesis Import of South wide variety s African brand
James Baroud
roof profile also increases air circulation through the tent, James Baroud whose tents providing a natural vent for are manufactured in Portugal warmer air as it rises. The have a reputation for building large doors and windows prosome of the best hard shell vide superb cross flow ventiroof top tents on the market. lation, and the solar-powered Sample James Baroud tents roof fan can be turned on include, the James Baroud for increased ventilation in Discovery Space, this is a extreme climates. The real hard shell fibreglass tent that benefit to these tents is how comes with a generous five quick they can be set up, year warranty. its really just the matter of opening 4 latches and bingo The unique design of the Disthe tent is up, its as simple covery Space Evolution comas that. A perfect solution bines the compact, angled when arriving into camp after roof profile of the Discovery a long days touring.You can Evolution but adds additional check out the James Baroud room in the front as well as range on the Genesis Import increased headroom in the website/catalogue by clicking rear. The innovative raked here.
GENESIS IMPO
The South African based Alu-Cab build high quality, innovative vehicle accessories and conversions. With many years of experience they have become a leading manufacturer of aluminium canopies and campers amongst other specialised products, for both commercial and recreational use. Alu Cabs main focus has been building products for overlanding (vehicular wilderness travel), where they de-
sign and build gear that’s light, strong, durable and functional. AluCab build most of their products from aluminium as it is strong yet very light and it does not corrode. In many cases Alus-Cab claim that their products outlast the vehicle itself. You can check out the AluCab range on the Genesis Import website/catalogue by clicking here.
ORT EQUIPPED
ICE COLD ANYWHERE
Portabl come a lo
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here’s nothing quite like pulling into your camp after a hard days touring , getting a nice big fire going, preparing dinner and sitting down to enjoy a cold beer from your portable fridge freezer. With an increasing selection of portable fridge freezer products of all shapes and sizes now on the market and with the addition of a dual battery system and portable battery power packs we can now literally stay at our favourite camping spot and have the fridge running for a couple of days. Portable fridge freezers have come a long way in the last few years, becoming more robust and efficient with better performing compressors and as a result bringing a whole new dimension to touring and camping . If you are in the market for one you should consider a couple of things, first of all the size of the unit (do you require a dual zone fridge/freezer), whether it has removable baskets (this allows easy access to your food and drinks), the power draw (they do vary amongst products on the market), the strength (if you are going off road you should make sure that your unit is well built and has suitable tie down points to prevent the unit from moving around), the compressor, the quality of the compressor in intense heat will predict how hard it will need to work to keep your food and
drinks cold, and the harder it works the more power it draws. And lastly the warranty some fridge freezers like the SnoMaster range come with an impressive 5 year warranty which tells alot about their confidence in these fridge freezers.
found in the back of 4WD vehicles and camper trailers all over the world. The development of these fridge freezers has been ongoing over the last number of years with the 12v SnoMaster Compressor initially launched in 2000.
SnoMaster in recent years have very much started to make a name for themselves for building top quality units within the fridge freezer market in Europe and internationally. Originally constructed for tough use in South Africa, SnoMaster fridges and freezers can now be
In 2014 SnoMaster entered the European market and convinced by the quality and attractiveness of these fridge freezers Genesis Import GmbH from Schwarzach am Main, Germany, has taken a leading role in the import and distribution of these hardy SnoMaster refrigerators.
a very The SMDZ-CL56 is zer popular fridge free
The high quality st ainless steel body
ments for Plenty of compart rinks storing food and d
All of the SnoMaster fridge freezers come with a high quality insulation bag
r remote mon e st a M w o n S e Th u to see how o y s w o ll a r o it operating your .fridge is
me All SnowMaster products co s with high quality connector
On first taking the SnoMaster SMDZ-CL56 out of the box you can tell that this product is built for longevity with the stainless steel body,locks, hinges and handles giving it a very high quality look at first glance. Unlike other fridge freezers the SnoMasters also come with an insulation bag, this bag protects the surface of the cooler from
dirt and damage, but also provides additional insulation. Anyone traveling in hot weather or dusty environments, will appreciate the benefits of an insulation bag especially if your vehicle is not air conditioned. The protective case is closed with a sturdy zipper and has a storage pocket for power cables,remote control, and general storage.
r is a simple n e p o e tl ot b e th a but clever ide
The the high quality stainless steel honeycomb outer shell which is also very easy to clean gives the SnoMaster fridge freezers a unique appearance for sure in comparison to the plastic bodies that you see on some of its competitors. The surface is also more scratch resistant than plastic, smooth aluminum or steel surfaces.
By having two lids this will save energy and keep contents at a more consistent temperature.
This unit is also fitted on the left side with two stacked baskets and on the right side with a basket that sits just above the compressor. This setup is perfect for separating your food and drinks and means you don’t have to take everything out This fridge freezer incorporates two in order to find your frozen steak for your camp dinner, it just means storage compartments, with septhat it helps with the organisation arated hinged lids covering each and easier access of your food. As compartment. This is very benefiregards insulation the shells are 60 cial particularly when used in hot mm for the Classic Series and 70 weather, remember each opening mm for the Expedition Series, so of the lid means that the temperature in the freezer rises slightly and they have excellent cold storage then has to be cooled again, putting capacities at higher outside temextra work on your compressor/bat- peratures. tery.
HIGH QUALITY STAINLESS STEEL
Within the fridge freezers compartments,you will also find seal-able drains. These are very useful when defrosting food and cleaning the interior of the fridge freezer, nothing worse that trying to clean up a spilled liquid from the bottom of your fridge freezer,these plug holes just make life easier,simply pull out the plug and drain the unwanted liquid. Another very interesting feature of this fridge freezer is the innovative remote control supplied. SnoMaster fridge freezers are supplied with a wireless remote control that can be charged with a USB and solar power. The wireless remote keeps the coolers fully monitored and controlled and displays the desired/ actual temperature, battery voltage and the control conveniently allows the cooling setting to be turned on or off via the unit. The unit also has a built in back light to view in the dark and wait for it an integrated LED flashlight should you drop your keys under the seat and can’t find them after dark, no shortage of innovative and practical; add-ons here.
In order to prevent deep discharge of the battery supply all SnoMaster fridge freezers are also equipped with a built battery monitor.This can be set via the control panel or the remote control in three stages between 10.0, 10.7 or 11.8 volts. When falling below the voltage, the cooler is automatically turned off avoiding your battery from being discharged and damaged. To guarantee the best cooling performance, SnoMaster has also developed its own compressor. The SnoMaster compressor is designed to resist dust and dirt, and for those of you who love to get off the beaten track it is built to withstand vehicle vibrations that can result from challenging terrain and driving on corrugated tracks.Snomaster are so confident with the toughness of their compressor that it comes with a 5 year warranty.
Additional features include a power-saving LED light that automatically turns on when the lid is opened,an alarm tone that will sound after 90 seconds to remind you that the door of the fridge freezer may have accidentally been left open. As regards setting the coolers settings, each compartment can be set anywhere from 10° to -22°C according to your needs allowing you to use one compartment as a fridge and the other as a freezer. And finally the units comes with an attachable bottle opener that can be screwed into the pre-drilled points on the front or on the right side of the fridge freezer. When mounted on the right side, the bottle caps fall right into the pocket below in the protective cover. This is just a simple idea but one that we absolutely love.
click here for more information
TOURING
w
G CRETE
h t i w
SAFARI CLUB IS NOW THE NUMBER ONE TOUR ON THE
ISLAND OF CRETE
ACCORDING TO TRIP ADVISOR
Crete is a wonderful and varied island with so much to offer to its many visitors and inhabitants alike. The island is steeped in history and also the scene of much of ancient Greek mythology, the home of many ancient Grecian gods. Today, Safari Club Crete has as its mission the aim of providing a fun and enthusiastic introduction to its raw and natural beauty, traditions, trades,
history and gastronomy as well as modern day life on the island. At the time the company was started, any off road tours on the island were self-drive only and Safari Club wanted to give the customers the option of taking some more advanced and lesser known routes safely and also to provide more immersion in Crete and an introduction to the local people.
A day with Vangelis and his team at Safari Club is the perfect way to explore the central part of Crete with its two seperate plateaus, its fascinating mythology and lots of fun and interesting information about Crete and the local life. The team of professional, trained drivers includes drivers that speak English, German, Dutch, Greek , French and Spanish. Safari Club operates over twenty 4WD Vehicles on the island. One tour takes visitors to
the plateau of Katharo passing through the biggest forest on the island, where the roads are non-existent and the mountains reach a height of 1.500 metres,usually at the top the convoy will stop for a refreshment break at a local ‘kafenion’ somewhere in the mountain wilderness. Having refreshed ourselves we continue through dirt tracks, valleys populated only by goats and across several rivers,and this is where the journey really gets exciting.
‘our aim is to take guests off the beaten track and high into the mountains for a taste of ‘the real Crete’
point provides an opportunity to take photographs with a helicopter-eye- view of the Lassithi Plateau before dropping down from here to the plateau for a delicious BBQ lunch with unlimited wine for the non-drivers. The next stop is Lassithi plateau itself where time has virtually One of these tours the day starts stood still, the local people are from the moment you meet your mainly farmers. You will also see drivers where they take you to your first stop at the Potamies Res- many donkeys at work. Then the tour makes its way to Seli, where ervoir water dam. This tour cononce again there is an opportunitinues through remote paths and ty to take amazing photos of this olive trees, eventually reaching unique Grecian scenery. As the the ruins of the Roman aqueduct tour again continues it reaches the of Lyttos. Next stop is the quaint village of Krassi which is the final village of Kastamonitsa where the groups join the locals for a coffee stop of the day, which is famous for a 2,000-year-old plane tree and break in a traditional cafeneion. From here the real off-road adven- also has a natural spring water source. ture begins by climbing high into the mountains and following the click here ancient minoan path that leads to the cave where the great Greek for more god Zeus, father of all the Greek tion gods, was born. The next stop off informa A full day tour is the perfect way to explore the central part of Crete with two different plateaus to choose from and lots of mythology and other of fun and interesting information about Crete and local life sprinkled in across the day.
RE
EAR WHEEL E BAG G A R STO
1 The euro4x4parts storage bag fits neatly on your spare wheel
3 eatly on The design hugs n are wheel your spare rear sp
2 rage bag has a this useful sto 5 litres capacity of 5
4 C Made from a waterproof PV od the bag also incorporates go quality straps and clips
6 5 The bag is well seal ed using the zip and velcro seals
The two side pockets offer additional space for your gear
‘‘
A
spare wheel bag attached to the rear of your 4WD is a great solution for storing gear that you wish to access quickly. The new euro4x4parts storage bag is designed to strap securely and quickly on the spare wheel of your 4X4 . These bags are Ideal for storing any rubbish you may have after a couple of days camping. They are also a great solution for storing muddy recovery straps including, snatch straps, tree trunk protectors and your muddy clothes and boots, basically anything that that is damp, dirty or smells.
These soft shackle strong as metal sha just feel safer t
The euro4x4parts spare wheel bag is built from a tough waterproof PVC bag has an impressive storage capacity of 55 liters. With two additional side pockets the bag allows you to easily access additional bits and bobs when on the road. The bag easily fits es are ason your rear spare wheel and d be quickly secured using ackles ancan to use the high quality straps, heavy duty plastic clips and velcro straps. The additional zipper prevents any gear, rubbish, boots or clothes from being displaced when hitting bumpy off road tracks. Whenever you find yourself having to recover another 4WD these bags are also perfect for quickly assessing
your recover gear like snatch straps and tree trunk protectors. These bags also incorporate some drain holes at the bottom of the bag which help when cleaning the bag. The euro4x4parts spare wheel bag is not just a solution for storing your rubbish, this stylish bag sits neatly and can be attached and taken off your spare wheel quickly. It is the ideal solution for storing that dirty and wet gear and equipment that you don’t want in the back of your 4WD.The neat design holds an impressive amount of gear, is strong and will keep those bad smells on the outside of your truck.
ore click here for m information
S R A TB
GH o I L de LED
vi
s e l ck
S
a h S eo oft
vid
PORTABLE
REMOTE R E W O P
P
With more people in recent years embracing the great outdoors and going camping we are now seeing an increase in the demand for new and innovative portable products that can provide us with remote power to keep all our gadgets charged.
an proc s k c a p r e w Portable po suitable r e w o p y r a vide auxili camping for off grid
NIWA of f grid so lar ligh ts
With this trend and demand in the marketplace a number of companies like Portable Power Technology, NIWA who provide solar lighting solutions and the Australian based ARK Corporation have all designed and developed a complete range of portable power products that are introducing some very innovative portable power solutions to the market. Portable power packs can provide auxiliary power suitable for off grid camping with a number of these new power packs now having ports where they can be recharged using solar panels or by using a 12V DC-DC car charger adaptors. These additions now allow us to run camping accessories and to charge our mobile phones cameras, laptops etc when off the beaten track and camped up for a couple of days.
Off grid c amping w ith all the mod c ons The other benefits of these portable systems is that you can move the power packs to where your vehicle can’t go, no drama just pick up your power pack and carry it to your camping spot of choice and enjoy all the comforts of pre stored portable power. The Li-Ion Power pack 300 Portable Power Pack delivers AC and DC power wherever and whenever you need it. It is perfect for camping, off grid outdoor activities, cabins, garages, market stalls and for backup during a power cut.
lar blankes o s C R A D E R option for r a l u p o p y ver a in Australi
st are a charging
Lights NIWA Solar
Other options for light include the Niwa Home 200 X2 System.With 2x ceiling lamps the system offers off grid energy independence. Each lamp offers impressive 100 Lumen brightness which brings total system brightness to 200 Lumen, more than enough to light up your off grid campsite. All lamps are water and dust proof, the lamps can also be individually dimmed (3x Light Modes for each Lamp) according to need and area required to light up. The LiFePO4 3000mAh battery built into the system has a life cycle exceeding 5 years and can also be used to charge smartphones; tablets and all devices via submit other words the unit battery also operates as a charger. For more information please click here click
i
e r o m r o f e r he on i t a m nfor
REMOTE
POWER
PORTABLE s n o i t u l o s r e pow
ark pak
with
ArkPak might sound like a new entry as providers of portable power packs amongst other things to the European market but these guys have been around, and have been developing camping related products for forty years. It all started in Australia with the humble tow ball in 1978, fast forward 40 years of innovation and design and Ark Corporation are now industry leaders in trailer parts, towing and 4wd accessories that include portable power packs. With an ever growing inventory of parts from the tough as nails XO Series jockey wheels and couplings to the pioneer-
ing portable power system like the ARK Pak 730 have played a major role in providing innovative portable power solutions to the Australian camping market. With the modern age we live in there’s no denying just how dependent on technology we have become and this has led to an ever increasing demand on having access to remote power when camping and touring. In order to charge our mobile phones, cameras, fridge freezers and camping lights etc having a 12v dual battery system has in many cases become a necessity as opposed to a luxury.
has imy g o l o n h c ak te e The ArkP y over th l t n a c fi i n g proved si ears last few y
ArkPak are a very well recognised brand in Australia
ArkPak
730
Now available in Europe, the Australian based ArkPak have come up with a remote power oack called the ArkPak 730 that will keep your gadgets charged for extended periods when exploring the great outdoors. This clever unit has a built in 300W inverter, a 7 stage smart charger and a built in battery management screen, the system also has a variety of sockets and ports to charge various types of accessories. The all in one battery charger, portable power station and dual battery system is another excellent option for powering your camping gadgets. This multipurpose power pack is also compatible with all 4WD batteries, including lead acid, calcium, gel, AGM and LiFePO4 of up to 130Ah in size. Once you have added your leisure battery of choice the ARK Pak screen will ask you a couple of questions about your installed battery to insure you get accurate information like how
rious opa v h t i w comes s ur gadget This unit o y g n i g r cha tions for
much power has been used etc. ArkPak claim that you can get up to three days of continuous 240V power, or up to seven days of 12V power from a 130Ah deep-cycle battery based on the power consumption of a 37L fridge/freezer and that’s impressive.
late the charge to the internal 12V battery throughout its life just by leaving it plugged in at home, so you don’t have to worry about checking the battery every few hours,
The ArkPak also has a Time Tracker function; it is essentially an on-board microprocessor that constantly assesses the state of The built-in 300W inverter prothe battery. It tells you both the vides 240V power without the percentage of battery remaining, need to run an external invertand the number of hours until er or additional cabling. Power it’s full during charging via an is delivered through the mains socket, two 12V cigarette lighter interactive LCD screen. ports, a 5V USB connection, external high-current terminals or via the 50A Anderson plug, all of which can be used simultaneously. As well as being a portable power station, the ArkPak has a built-in 7A seven-stage Smart Charger. It’s designed to regu-
i.
A great feature for those struggling to find room for a second battery under your bonnet is the optional DC-DC 12V Car Charge Adaptor that lets you charge up and run your ArkPak via your vehicle’s 12V socket. What this means is you can charge your ArkPak using the 4WD’s alternator just like a conventional dual-battery system. If you’re staying in the one place for a while and don’t want to flatten your starting battery, you can also recharge your ArkPak using the 240V charging adaptor, the Anderson plug, or even via solar panels.
efits being that the box is compatible with a variety of types of batteries that can be changed over time with the ability to slot in any battery up to 130Ah into the box. The monitoring system is also very useful in that it will tell you how much power you have left in your batter helping you avoid running your battery flat which is not good for the life of your battery.
When you insert your battery into the box it is heavy and you won’t want to be carrying your ArkPak 730 too far from your campsite so extension leads might be a good idea. Overall this is a great solution for portaThe ArkPak 730 portable battery ble power on the go. is not just a portable power pack it is also a battery management system with one of the key ben-
1
click here for more information
3
1
Run LED camp lights for days.
2
Keep your drinks cold by running a fridge freezer.
3
The monitor will tell you how much charge you have left in your battery.
MEET
2
4
3
1.A dedication to quality is integral to Exmoor Trim 2. Quality Canvas hoods in a range of colours and styles 3.Stylish interior kits and restorations 4-5. TURAS use an Exmoor Trim hood on our 110 Crew Cab 6. Three Generations of working with Land Rovers
5 Three Generations of Working with Series and Defender Land Rovers.
6
Meet Exmoor Trim - the British company that’s producing authentic Series I seats and hoods to the same high standards of craftsmanship as the originals. It’s 1946. World War II has ended and young designer Bert Gostling has just started his career at the Rover car company’s Solihull factory. One of his first jobs is to work on an experimental four-wheel drive vehicle based upon the US Jeep. Two years later that distinctive prototype with its central steering wheel would have evolved into the original Series I Land Rover. The rest, as they say, is history. Since then, Land Rover has
1
forged an unrivalled reputation spanning over six decades. And so has the Gostling family. In fact the Gostlings’ success story mirrors Land Rover’s in an uncanny fashion. Bert grew up – he eventually became Land Rover’s Senior Design Engineer – married, and his son, Lew, eventually followed in his father’s footsteps through those famous factory gates in Lode Lane, Solihull. Exmoor Trim manufactures and supplies a wide variety of products for the Land Rover range of vehicles. The Exmoor Trim brand has become known globally for quality and service. The product range is available direct online or through appointed distributors and their outlets
click here for more information
The Exmoor Trim product range encompasses all trim parts that have been produced since 1947 to 2016 and they are constantly adding to the range to offer more options to the customer. A strong dedication to quality throughout the business ensures that all of the products produced by Exmoor Trim are of the highest quality standards.
OVERLAN
YOUR ill experience Your vehicle w for was designed it t a th in a r r te
Discover beau tiful scenery, landscapes an d wildlife .
All our expeditions are guided and will be limited to 7 guest vehicles. We believe that by limiting the number of vehicles will give everybody in the group a unique experience. Your vehicle will experience
terrain that it was designed for, and in the process discover beautiful scenery, landscapes and wildlife. Kudu is to reflect a love of the African continent, wildlife and the great outdoors.
Our aim is to h the overland e in your own 4 Our expeditio use of tracks a stretch throug scenery and la Europe and M
ND EXPEDITIONS IN
4x4 VEHICLE We’ll guide you to amazing places
have you join expeditions 4x4 vehicle. ons include the and trails that gh spectacular andscapes of Morocco
https://www.kuduoverland.co.uk/ T. 01278 424153 M: 07456 668530 E.admin@kuduoverland.co.uk
click here for more information
PORTABLE g n i p m Ca
BAR
act
omp The c
ing camp
bar
Not everyone loves the idea of roughing it when camping particularly those who like to be organised and are not particularly into the idea of spending a few days looking for knives, forks, cups or searching for wine glasses and their favorite bottle of vino in the back of your 4WD. Being organised with your camping equipment will save you a lot of time and will impress your friends and partner should they decide to go camping with you. There is no shortage of products
o The sturdy Wolf Pack Amm box protects the bars contents when on the road
ng your fai r b w o n n You ca on your e n i w of e vorite bottl ng trip next campi
on the market that will assist you organising your camping equipment and having easy access to cooking utensils with a few very interesting products now available under the Genesis Import banner worth having a look at. In keeping with the South African theme and the high quality products that are always associated with the German based Genesis Import we have a look at two of these very interesting storage products, the BarKit and the Camp Kitchen.
The cups and win e glasses are made from good qu ality stainless steel
The Wolf Pack Am mo boxes neatly pack in you r 4WD
CAMP BAR
First up is the four person Bar Kit for hot and cold drinks. This is a very well designed product that allows everything to be packed in a sturdy Wolf Pack Ammo box. Most of us have been there before , broken wine or spirit bottle in the back of the 4WD, never being able to put your hands on the bottle opener when you need it after a longs day driving and constantly having to replace all of the inferior quality plastic cups and glasses that you have wasted hard earned cash on over the years. The Bar Kit comes in the South African designed Wolf Pack Ammo box
The Wolf Pack box es are made from a heavy duty plastic
that is made from injection molded heavy-duty plastic and features a removable lid. The lid is secured with a total of four latches to secure the lid when traveling. The lid is designed so that multiple boxes can be stacked on top of each other. The lid is also completely removable so you can easily access your cargo. Approximately 18 x 13 x 8 space holds a decent amount of gear while still allowing you to keep it effectively organized.
e fers som of r a b ping n The cam s when o rt o f m o c creature the road
You ca win
The custom designed foam inserts ensure order within the Wolf Box and prevent any rattling or glass/bottle damage when driving over difficult terrain,.
The Bar Kit kit comprises of two foam layers and includes ; 4 stainless steel cups, 4 stainless steel coffee cups, 4 stainless steel wine glasses and a corkscrew.
The cleverly designed foam inserts are made of cross-linked, high-density polyethylene foam, this foam has a fine, regular and closed structure and does not absorb water making it the perfect solution for securing liquids.
The bottom layer allows for four wine or spirit bottles to be securely inserted into the foam bottle cut outs. No more broken bottles of wine, this is a simple idea but that works very well.
an carry four bottl es of ne in the Wolf Pack
tle of ot b e t i r o ur fav S tore yo tive foam c e ot r p the d wine in provide moulds
ore m r o f e r e h Clich n informatio
a high quality camping kitchen in a box
e l b a port
CAMP
KITCHEN
CAMP
KITCHEN Similar to the Bar Kit the Kitchen Kit is designed for four people and perfect for a family. Also housed in the slightly larger hard wearing Wolf Pack Ammo Box. This box incorporates three levels with foam inserts. The inserts are also made of cross-linked, high-density polyethylene foam. This setup provides a comprehensive camp kitchen with the kit including; a cutlery tray with lid, 6 spice jars secured by elastic bands, 4 sauce bottles also secured by elastic bands, 4 stainless steel cups,4 stainless steel coffee cups,2 stainless steel wine glasses,4 large oval plates,4 soup / cereal bowls,1 medium sized cutting board a 16-piece cutlery set, you also get spice & sauce labels that will help you identify what you need to add to your favorite camping meal.
The camp kitchen Wolf Pack box is made from HDPE plastic with dimensions of 510 x 400 mm, it has a higher lid than the standard Wolf Pack box to accommodate the additional kitchen utensils. Similar to the standard Wolf Pack the lid is also secured with four clips an is easily removable. These clever designs are led by Camp-style Organisers in partnership with Fearless Projects & Services who have been servicing the camping industry from their manufacturing facility in Silverton Pretoria in South Africa since 2012. They specialise in closed cell High Density Foams for specialised packaging and space management solutions and they also boast extensive knowledge and experience in the caravan, camping trailer and motor-home industries.
The kit comes with a selection of high quality cutlery
The kit also co mes with some shot glass es, cups & stainless steel wine goblets
more r o f e r e h h Clic n informatio
www.genesi As keen campers and travellers who are constantly trying to perfect easy access to our camp cooking gear this has been a great addition to our set up. Helping us efficiently organise and have easy access to essential camp cooking products and all neatly stored in the hard wearing and stackable Wolf pack Ammo box.
form for more in n cli e h c t i k p m ca here
is-import.eu everything ne atly packs away in the a mmo box
htt es ca ca
the n o n o i t a m ick the high quality ammo boxes will protect your kitchens contents
THE
UNIFLAME CHARCOAL STARTER
C
harcoal has been used since earliest times for a large range of purposes including art and medicine, but by far its most important use has been as a fuel for cooking. It is also interesting to note that Charcoal is the traditional fuel of a blacksmith’s forge intense heat is required making it perfect for camp cooking. Charcoal was also used historically as a source of black pigment by grinding it up. In this form charcoal was important to early chemists and was a constituent of formulas for mixtures such as black powder. Due to its high surface area charcoal can be used as a filter, and as a catalyst or as an adsorbent. Charcoal is the lightweight black carbon and ash residue hydrocarbon produced by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. It is believed that the charcoal briquette was first invented and patented in the USA in 1897 and was produced by the Zwoyer Fuel Company.
e starter r fi E M A L The UNIF it perfect g n i k a m t folds fla our 4WD y n i g n i r o for st
The Drifta / Uniflame charcoal fire starters is one of the quickest and most effective ways to get your coals heated quickly and without the use of lighter fluid etc. Uniflame is a Japanese company whose products are promoted and sold by the Australian based Drifta who have now set up a distribution network in Europe where you can purchase a whole range of high quality camping and 4WD related accessories. The fire starter is made from high quality Japanese steel. The fire started comes flat packed and is very easily stored. The clever design is very simple incorporating a folding grate that locks into position. All you need to do pour the required amount of charcoal into your fire starter and place 2-3 small fire lighters underneath the charcoal starter and light them. It will take approximately fifteen to twenty minutes to head your charcoal beads.
surprised y r e v e b l l You wi coals heat e h t y l k c i u how q re starter fi e h t n i p u
bags are A T IF R D e All th Australia n i e d a m hand
withe r o f e b d e g we mana w o h e r u s Not fire starter. l a o c r a h c out a
Drifta make a very neat bag for the fire starter.
www.drifta.eu
Not sure how we managed before without a charcoal fire starter, they really speed up the heating of charcoal beads and by not having to use lighter fluid you won’t have to worry about getting fluid on your steaks. You will be surprised how much charcoal they will hold and heat. The ventilation holes are what make these products so efficient. This is a very high quality product that can be neatly stored in the back of your 4WD and like all of the Snow-
peak and Uniflame cooking products they will last a lifetime if you look after them. For more information on the Uniflame fire starter contact DRIFTA the European suppliers at www.drifta.eu
re o m r e fo r e h click on i t a m infor
THE SPRING 2018
OVERLAND SHOW STRATFORD-UPON AVON
Tom McGuigan, the main organiser and promoter of the Adventure Overland Show, has been running off-of Road related events for over 20 years. Its early evening on 27th April, the eve of this years first show and Tom is busy marshalling and directing all the trade exhibitors to the locations of their various pitches. This is the first time the show has been held in the spring, and the weather is a little muddier
and messier than everyone is used to. Even some shiny new range rovers are occassionally brought to a halt, wheels spinning. Tom has a paper map in his hand which shows the locations of the various pitches and which is slowly disintegrating in the rain, but this does not matter as the master map is held in his head. In any case, as the poor weather makes some of the planned pitches unavailable ,
he is reconfiguring the layout as the situation evolves, directing vehicles in an intricate choreography across Stratford upon Avon Racecourse to their destinations. Soon the show begins to take form with the rows and avenues of exhibitors starting to setup their stalls. This is TURAS first visit to the show, and we are really enjoying the weekend. There is something for everyone here, with traders demonstrating a variety of wares and services. From guided tours across the world, to camping equipment, to demonstrations and les-
sons in blacksmithing. There is a real sense of community, with most of the traders familiar with each other and very friendly. The rain does not seem to be having any perceptible effect on attendence to the show, with all of the traders professing satisfaction with the show at the end of the weekend. The show is spread out across the racecourse with exhibitors in and around the race course stand and also spread out across the green area in the centre of the racetrack. The marshalls and staff re all very friendly and efficient.
isplays D g n i h t acksmi
Bl
Bands playing in the bar
Mark Barnes with his custom setup
c Tom M
e Bar h t t a Guigan
Plenty of food options on offer
Overall this is a fascinating weekend, there is lots to do and see. Time can be spent pottering through the exhibitors pitches, learning about the wide variety of Overlanding related products and services. There is a very nice food area with a selection of different and excellent food from a variety of food trucks and, of course , a bar, where some local beers and ciders are available. Late into the evening bands entertain from the stage in the beer tent. We also enjoy dancing beside a cool defender converted
into a DJ sound stage, a festival atmosphere prevails all evening. One thing that quite a lot of the traders are saying to us over the weekend is that if there could only be one Overlanding/4WD show held in the UK every year , or if they had to choose to go to only one UK show during the year, that it would be this one. We agree. We hope to see you here in September for the later summer show which is held on 22nd-23rd September, and which will no doubt , be a little less muddy.
click here for more information
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