TURAS Camping and 4WD Magazine Issue Twenty One by TURAS Camping and 4WD Adventures

GEAR - CAMPING - TRAVEL - CAMP COOKING - NEWS - FISHING

ING DARCHE GEN 2 ECLIPSE AWN

W ABENTEUER & ALLRAD REVIE

ICLES ECO-TECH VEH VER CLUB

FREE

E-MAGAZINE

WINTER 2021 - ISSUE 21

INSIDE

GERMAN LAND RO SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE

PLUS

OUR FIRST TRAVEL SPECIAL MAGAZINE... & Much More

ICELAND SPECIAL - GERMAN LAND ROVER CLUB - ECO-VEHICLES

Editorial Hello folks, hoping you are all safe and well during these unpredictable times. As we head into the holiday season, we hope that you might take the time to sit back and read through this new bumper issue of the magazine,( don’t forget to check out our new Awesome Destinations #1 Iceland magazine supplement also). This issue has a German theme as we take a look back at the Abenteuer & Allrad expo which finally took place in October, and at which the TURAS team exhibited this year. We learn about Germany’s premier Land Rover Club, we find out what is involved in shipping your overland vehicle across the world with Overlander Shipping in Hamburg. If you are on the road for couple of years, and you plan to return to Germany, it is important that your kids can keep up with the German curriculum or can maintain their study of the German Language, and the unique distance learning school Schul Expert -Deutsche Fernschule provides these services to children of

Photo:Nicolas Genoud - Geko Expeditions

overlanding families. The team at Bavarian company Offroad Monkeys shares their experience at the autumn Abenteur & Allrad expo with us, and we also take a look back at our own trip to the expo, a 3000KM road trip on our Nokian Tyres Rockproof tyres. Another theme in this issue is the revolution in eco-tech vehicles and the changes post COP26 that are coming to the motoring industries. We examine what some of these changes mean for vehicle manufacturers and for drivers in the future. We take a look at some of the most exciting electrical and eco-tech vehicles currently in production and planned and lots lots more. We would like to wish all of our readers, brand partners and associates a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous 2022. Take care everyone, have a great holiday.

The TURAS team

EDITORIAL TEAM

Russ Ryan Mark O’Toole CONTRIBUTORS

Paul Frith Trish Melody Alison Scanlon Marie Frith Frank Cassidy

Russ Mark

DESIGN TEAM

Paul

Russ Ryan Mark O’Toole Marie Frith PUBLISHED BY

TURAS Camping & 4WD Adventures Ltd.

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DARCHE Gen 2 Eclipse 270 Awning

COP 26 Big Changes Ahead

Germany’s Premier Landy Club

The Eco-Tech Vehicle Revolution

Going Green Vehicle Conversions

contents. 100 3000KM on Nokian Tyres Rockproof Tyres

Abenteur & Allrad 2021

136

107

Servicing the Landy For the big trip

Wrought Iron Pans from Petromax

122

Petromax Coolbox Cushions

144

Latest Gear The latest camping gear

200+

pages Full of

outdoor lifestyle

Euro4x4Parts 4x4 parts & Accessories

150

Education on the 164 Road Distance Shipping your Learning Overland Vehicle

156

180 Big Country Drawer

Offroad Monkeys at Abenteur & Allrad

Sytem from APB Trading Ltd.

188

contents.

We had a spin Leave no Trace in the Grenadier

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Secure Storage From Mobile Storage Systems

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& g n i p m Ca r a e G D 4W Every month we bring you the latest and greatest camping and 4WD gear and accessories

A.DARCHE 270 Awning Gen 2 The Eclipse 270° Awning brings next-level shade to your 4WD camping setup. Offering a huge 11.5m² of instant cover, it spans the full length of your vehicle, then wraps around to the rear, giving you greater cover than a straight awning. B. Nokian Tyres Rockproof This summer tyre offers extreme durability for professional driving and off-road enthusiasts. This sturdy new tyre is a tireless workhorse with a thoroughbred compound that can handle even unexpected impacts during demanding off-road use.

C. Bearmach Service Kit for Land Rover Defender Keep your Land Rover Defender working at its optimum level for as long as possible with Bearmach Service Kits.

F. Savute Drawer System from Big Country 4x4 Available via APB Trading Ltd. This rugged, high capacity drawer system is a great addition to any 4WD, built to last.

E. Petromax Seat Cushion for the Cool Box kx25 and Kx50 Convert your Petromax coolbox into a comfortable seat with this hard wearing attachable seat cushion. D

D. Petromax Wrought Iron Pans High-quality wrought iron with excellent heat conductivity for a perfect steak outdoors or in the home kitchen: thanks to Petromax Wrought Iron Pans everyone can have unique and delicious meals on any cooker or stove type and even on an open fire.

GEN 2 ECLIPSE

270 AWNING

ollowing our recent trip to Germany we got a chance to use some of the latest products added to the Landy, and one of these products was the Generation 2, 270 degree Eclipse awning. One of the things that we keep saying about DARCHE as a company is that they are committed to releasing quality products while always looking at ways on how they can improve them even more. We had the original 270 Eclipse awning on the 90 for over four years and it was awesome, hard to see how it could have been improved but it has been with the release of the Gen 2. But it was not just the 270 that was improved, DARCHE also added some new features to the walls that can be added to the awning. A couple of years ago DARCHE took the concept of an enclosed walled awning to an entirely new level with extended poles and the launch of the Eclipse 270°Awning. The Eclipse

270° Awning is a class-leading design that stood out when it comes to innovation and the sheer amount of covered space that this awning with its walls attached provides. Having displayed the new setup at the Abenteuer & Allrad show you could instantly see what attracted people to this awning setup. One of the key benefits that stood out for people was the amount of space to shelter from the elements and set up camp under with a very impressive 11.5m2 of covered area to relax beneath, but also the quality of the canvas and of course the strong hinge system that brings confidence when set up in windy conditions. The Eclipse was designed for an easy one-person set up, the unit is free-standing during set up and pack down. The Generation 2 Awning Improvements. The Generation 2 awning is now made from premium 320gsm (Originally 260) rip-stop polycotton canvas and

2 n e G O E D I V g n i NEW n w A e s p i l 270 Ec

has an impressive PU 1500mm water rating plus seam sealing that will keep you dry in extended rainy conditions. The kit also includes a removable, heavy-duty 600gsm PVC cover for protection when you’re on the road. Another key upgrade is the Aluminium Hinge System. Hinged from both ends, the awning pans along the full length of the vehicle, as well as the rear, offering additional undercover area compared to other general market offerings. Also the box-tube alloy arm system is light, strong, and built to last. Available in left or right-hand side mount configurations you can put one on the car, on the camp trailer, or the shed your options are endless. With multiple wall panels to choose from (sold separately), you can set up one as a wind and weather break or add them all for a whopping 20.5m2 of shelter around your vehicle.

1. New & Improved Alloy Hinge System 2. New and improved 320gsm Canvas (Originally 260) 3. New clear PVC windows and solid window flaps.

The included mounting brackets suit most commercially available flat roof rack or steel basket set-ups. Make sure to check the weight rating and suitability of your roof rack and vehicle with appropriate manufacturers prior to purchase. We recommend professional installation through your

QUALITY Built for Adventure

local 4WD centre or ask your DARCHE dealer for advice about installation. Generation 2 Walls upgrade; With new clear PVC windows and solid window flaps, you will get all the wind and weather protection as with the traditional solid walls set, plus the added benefit of letting in the light on gloomy days.The added walls can be used for protection against the elements or even as awning extensions for extra cover (poles sold separately). The zippered wall panels connect to allow for various wall configurations. The wide zippered door on wall one allows easy access if you peg down all the walls. The walls are made from quality ripstop polycotton canvas and have an impressive PU 1500mm water rating and seam sealing that will keep you dry in rainy conditions.NOTE: the Eclipse 270 PVC window walls are not compatible or interchangeable with solid Eclipse 270 walls.

g in n w A 0 7 2 se ip cl E 2 Generation

KEY FEATURES Provides 11.5m² of cover in all weather conditions; Free-standing set up mode allows for quick and easy one person set up/pack down; Lightweight and strong construction; Includes 3 x pivoting telescopic leg poles stowed on the rafters plus 3 x additional leg poles in a separate carry bag; Includes 3 x mounting brackets; 2 x steel-buckled tension straps, guy ropes and pegs; also includes transit cover.

GEN 2 WALLS Clear PVC windows plus solid window flaps give you more light inside the awning. With all walls anchored, it provides approx. 20.5m2 of coverage depending on vehicle height. Acts as a wind/weather break or as an awning extension (poles sold separately). Zippered wall panels allows versatile configurations 1300mm wide zippered door on centre panel. Includes pegs and guy ropes.

DARCHE has done it again with this improved Eclipse 270 Awning, like all DARCHE products this is premium quality. The awning canvas has gone from 260 to 320 rip-stop polycotton canvas and has an impressive PU 1500mm water rating, the aluminium rafters are TIG welded and very smooth. The windows added to the walls are a great addition,the heavy-duty mounting brackets are some of the strongest on the market.All up DARCHE, you have made what was an awesome awning even better.

A whopping

11.5M2 OF COVERED AREA

GERMANY’S

PREMIER LANDY CLUB

hat is it about Land Rover Clubs around the world that makes them so welcoming and unbelievably well-organised? The first club that I joined was in Sydney, Australia, and what blew me away was how well the club was structured. After initially meeting some of the members I automatically felt very welcome and it wasn’t long before I received plenty of expert knowledge about fourwheel driving around Australia, pre-trip preparation and the potential dangers of heading out into remote locations in the Australian Outback. And thanks to the members of the Sydney Land Rover Owners Club, I learned loads and experienced some

awesome trips with confidence. On the other side of the globe, I recently caught up with Wolfgang Stadie from the Deutscher Land Rover Club, who attended the recent Abenteuer & Allrad show in Germany. Just like the Australian Land Rover Owners Club, these guys meant business. Wolfgang and I got the opportunity to chat about their awesome club and delve a bit more into what they do and where they go on their adventures. Similar to the Sydney based Land Rover Owners Club the Deutscher Land Rover Club have been around for a while. ‘’Founded in 1975, we are an independent club that focuses on outdoor events/ offroad-activities/ and of course Land

Rovers’’. With approximately 1,200 members the national Deutscher Land Rover Club is organised regionally and often meets each other regularly in their respective regions and at their national events. The club also have their very own and very impressive magazine that comes out twice a year, simply called the “ROVERBLATT”. Wolfgang told me that they print the popular magazine for their members, and it is distributed nationally. The club also hosts a very popular internet-forum and website. These online forums are a great way for club members to exchange information, their experiences and advice. Wolfgang highlighted that a key objective of the club is to build relationships with other clubs throughout Europe and around the world, ‘’We always welcome participants from abroad to participate in DLRC events’’ said Wolfgang, by doing this we have built long term relationships with like-minded people. ’’Without a doubt, most of our events have a social aspect incorporating camp-fires, barbecues and dinners for instance but it’s not all about eating and drinking, we love to be active with our vehicles, organising training programmes and competitions for our members and of course packing up and heading off on a club adventure.

One of these trips included a club trip to visit to the Spanish Land Rover Club (CLRTTE) in Rioja, Spain. One of the great things about mainland Europe is being able to visit countries and experience cultures without having to get on a Ferry or an aeroplane. Wolfgang recalls Rioja being an awesome destination, it’s a Spanish province located in the north of Spain with Logroño being the capital . The province is known for the red wine of the same name. There are more than 100 wineries, some of which are world-famous, such as Marques de Riscal..The province is geographically encircled by 2 long mountain ranges in the North and South, which leads to an exceptional microclimate and offers visitors great views. Theirs was a two-week round trip which started in the Basque Country. Due to the Covid-19 regulations, registrations were limited and only reserved for club members. They took part in an awesome event organised by their Spanish friends. The event took place at the Club Nautico in El Rasillo de Los Cameros. It’s a small, wonderfully restored mountain village located right on

the lake. In the village, a large tent was erected next to a restaurant, where the meals and other events took place. In front of the tent, a small but challenging off-road course was set up. The whole meeting was very well-organised. In total, 85 vehicles and 200 enthusiasts took part in the event. The number was limited to 200 people due to the strict Covid-19 rules in Rioja. The club had arranged three off-road routes but due to the length, it was impossible to do them all in one day. “On Saturday morning we were spoiled with the beautiful mild Basque Country weather, but we were also a bit “surprised” by the 2 degrees night temperature” recalls Wolfgang. Unfortunately, the fire bowl was not allowed to be used because of the danger of forest fires. Wolfgang recounts some of the details of the trip “The tracks that we covered were not technically demanding with 80% of them led over gravel roads.

ONE OF TH BEING ABLE WITHOUT H

HE GREAT THINGS ABOUT MAINLAND EUROPE IS E TO VISIT COUNTRIES AND EXPERIENCE CULTURES HAVING TO GET ON A FERRY OR AN AEROPLANE

We had an awesome time tackling some of the tracks with our Spanish friends. Off-road driving is prohibited in the entire Rioja region, as the land is either privately owned or has been declared a nature reserve. This means that you cannot move around on your own as freely as in the Pyrenees or the Western Alps. The Spanish Land Rover Club officially obtained permits from the local Mayor of the village. The tracks are monitored to ensure rules are not being used illegally, in fact a green Defender of the Communidad La Rioja stopped us and asked us in a friendly way what we were doing there. After explaining that we had a permit,and a friendly exchange about our

trip from Germany, we continued our adventure. We traversed through the mountain ranges that encircle Rioja and got a chance to enjoy the amazing scenery in this region” The evening programme on Saturday consisted of a joint dinner for all participants in the big tent, followed by a raffle of various utensils from the sponsors - from a T-shirt to a real Pata Negra ham to a winch, there was everything an off-roader could possibly wish for. A culinary highlight was the “Quemada” prepared by the members from Gallicia - a strong alcoholic drink similar to a “Feuerzangenbouwle” with fruits, coffee beans and high-level-alcoholic Orujo,

EXCHANGING EXPERIENCES WITH LIKE MINDED PEOPLE

the Spanish version of grappa. The locals say, it can be used to drive away evil spirits and establish communication with one’s deceased ancestors - “I didn’t succeed in either of these on the evening, but it certainly warms the inside very nicely” said Wolfgang Last, but not least, as a sign of friendship, the flag of the German Land Rover Club was presented to the President of the Spanish Club. This caused the hall to erupt with cheering and there was a standing ovation which was awesome. The Deutscher Land Rover Club, of course, issued an official return invitation for their annual meeting in June 2022, to which some participants responded promptly the next day, asking for more details, and assuring their visit. Wolfgang recalls a fantastic trip and is very much looking forward to welcoming their Spanish friends to Germany.

Since 1975

Exchange of experience with like-minded people Events and offroad experiences Overland adventures and tips Restauration of classic cars

More to Discover

Further Information: Deutscher Land Rover Club e.V., Bausmühlenstraße 45, 42719 Solingen Tel. +49 30 69200742-0, Fax +49 30 69200742-9, www.dlrc.org

COP26 BIG CHANGES ARE COMING what does it all mean?

BIG CHANGES IN THE AUTOMOBILE

INDUSTRY ARE

COMING

s natural disasters become more common and warnings about climate change become more urgent, discussion around the future of the global climate crisis recently took place in Scotland at the COP26. And I think at this stage, most of us recognise that the time for sticking our heads in the sand is over as the writing is truly on the wall. Since COP 26 came to a close in November, many governments and vehicle manufacturers are now actively implementing and developing new strategies that will introduce huge changes

when it comes to vehicle emissions by 2040, with some countries working towards 2030.So does that mean that we cannot drive our diesel and petrol vehicles post 2040, no not entirely true, we will still be able to drive petrol or diesel vehicles following the ban in 2040, the new rules will mostly affect new vehicles registered after that date. In many countries vehicles registered after 2040 will have to be zero-emissions vehicles. So what were the main objectives of COP 26? Well in a nutshell,l it was about securing global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach.Countries have been asked to

come forward with ambitious 2030 emissions reductions targets that align with reaching net zero by the middle of the century. To deliver on these stretching targets, countries have been asked to : • accelerate the phase-out of coal • curtail deforestation • speed up the switch to electric vehicles • encourage investment in renewables. Look, most of us get it, there is a need to move away from Diesel and Petrol engines and it’s not just about doing our bit for climate change, we also know that Nitrogen Dioxide is a harmful gas released from the exhaust of diesel and petrol engines and that this is linked to health issues like respiratory conditions, and with the world’s population increasing leading to more people wanting to drive vehicles we have to take action.We are also going to see regions and cities throughout Europe, in the UK, and globally introducing stricter rules when it comes to non-electric vehicles traveling around and through urban centres. For example, the Brussels regional government recently announced a ban on diesel cars in the region by 2030 and petrol cars by 2035 in an effort to meet the European Union’s carbon neutrality goal by 2050.The ban will also apply to vehicles running on compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, and hybrids from 2035.

Low Emission Zone (LEZ) information

The increase in the number of electric and hydrogen powered vehicles is inevitable and in truth much needed as we race to try to reverse the affects of climate change before we go too far past the tipping point. Sadly, in turn this means the clock is ticking for many of our diesel powered 4x4 vehicles that we so love to use to get out

and about and take us to places of adventure. Indeed recently in the UK alongside London which has had a Low Emission Zone in place for several years, recently other major cities in the UK have now introduced similar schemes whereby to take a non ULEZ compliant vehicle into a demarcated city centre area will incur a daily charge. Since June this year Birmingham, the UK’s second city, introduced a scheme that means a driver taking a non-ULEZ compliant vehicle into the city centre will incur a charge of £8 or 9.50 Euro. A similar scheme is already in operation in Bath and Portsmouth and Manchester, Bradford and several other cities lined up to introduce similar schemes next year. Of course in Europe, this is nothing new, with LEZ’s or Umweltzonen as known in Germany, Milieuzones in the Netherlands, Lavutslippssone in Norway, Miljozone in Denmark and Miljozon in Sweden already in operation, in some cases since as long ago as 2008. Indeed an ever-growing number across the continent in places such as Paris, Lyon, Grenoble in France and Antwerp in Belgium also have similar schemes.It all begs the question, what is to become of our diesel and petrol-powered vehicles, how much longer have we got before they are taxed or legislated off the roads? Or will we be able to convert their power trains to a new clean / green power source that will let them live on in a greener world? I guess it’s a case of watch this space!

Switch to Electrical Vehicles

But this ambitious switch to electric vehicles

will not be a straightforward transition. With many governments around the world now committed to these targets, the question really needs to be asked if they will be ready. One of the key questions is if national grids have the ability to handle the increased electrical load required to charge hundreds of thousands of new electric vehicles at the same time? But also if the required infrastructure to charge all of the newly introduced electrical vehicles can be put in place in time. So who has signed up, the agreement to sell only zero-emissions vehicles includes Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Ireland and the UK, which had already agreed to phase out new petrol and diesel car sales by 2030.In total twenty-four countries and a group of leading car manufacturers have committed to ending the era of fossil-fuel powered vehicles by 2040 “or earlier”. Some of the vehicle companies that have signed up include Avera Electric Vehicles, BYD Auto, General Motors,Etrio Automobiles, Ford, Gayam Motor Works, GM, Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Mobi, Quantum Motors and Volvo Cars, pledging to reach the goal by 2035. Also countries like India have agreed to “work intensely towards accelerated proliferation” of zero-emissions vehicles. It’s interesting to note that the BMW Group, Renault Group, Hyundai Motor Group, Stellantis, Toyota and the Volkswagen have not signed the deal.Toyota said: “Although we refrain from joining the statement, we share the same spirit and deter-

mination to address climate change and remain open to engage and work with stakeholders. Toyota will continue to contribute by making the best efforts to achieve carbon neutrality.” But is not all about cars, we are also going to see some major changes in the Truck, Bus and Van industry. Its interesting to note that “Globally, freight trucks and buses represent about 4% of the on-road fleet globally but are responsible for 36% of greenhouse gas emissions, and over 70% of nitrogen oxide emissions that contribute to local air pollution,” Cristiano Façanha, CALSTART’s global director, said in a statement. “This makes trucks and buses a very effective target for fast decarbonization.” Fifteen countries also agreed to a separate pledge to work toward 100% zero-emission sales of new trucks and buses by 2040

Globally, freight trucks and buses represent about 4% of the on-road fleet globally but are responsible for 36% of greenhouse gas emissions.

the eco-tech

VEHICLE revolution

IS WELL UNDERWAY

et’s have a look at what’s happening in the industry particularly when it comes to the development of 4WD electric vehicles. There is no doubt about it, we are all starting to see some innovative eco-friendly electric vehicles coming to the market, and if some of the pre-orders are anything to go by well, the future does look bright for electric 4WD’s. But for many 4WD owners, the decision to move towards an electrical vehicle is in our view a lot more challenging than those who drive cars. A lot of it also depends on where you are from, for example for those living in some European countries it will be difficult to sustain your beloved 4WD going into the future whereas in countries like Australia where the idea of having an electrical 4WD is widely not very well received, for various reasons including the sheer size of the country and the extreme remote environments that tourers venture into, It is also worth noting that Australia has not signed up to key targets identified at the Cop 26.

But all of this does not necessarily mean that you need to purchase a new electrical 4WD. There are options out there with new companies now offering electrical conversions, though this is an expensive option at the moment, the cost to convert will inevitably come down as the technology improves. In a nutshell, converting to a fully electric 4WD will not only save you money on fuel bills, ongoing maintenance but also servicing as electric drive systems are generally maintenance-free so that is worth considering. Whether we like it or not, future transport will be electric.Vehicles leading the electrical charge include the Tesla Cybertruck, the Ford F-150, the Hummer EV the Rivian R1T and the recently announced EF1-T from EdisonFuture are pretty much all offering independent four-wheel control and lots of other awesome new features. With camper vans also now making the transition we have a closer look at some of these options over the next few pages.

TOYOTA e g n a r c i r t c e l E

his month Toyota’s President Akio Toyoda unveiled Toyota’s ambitious strategy for achieving carbon neutrality particularly for battery electric vehicles, with a preview of 30 models that are on the way. He said ’’I believe that achieving carbon neutrality means realizing a world in which all people living on this planet continue to live happily.We want

to help realize such a world. This has been and will continue to be Toyota’s wish and our mission as a global company.For that challenge, we need to reduce CO2 emissions as much as possible, as soon as possible.We are living in a diversified world and in an era in which it is hard to predict the future. Therefore, it is difficult to make everyone happy with a one-size-fits-all option.That is why Toyota wants

Akio Toyoda, Toyota’s president, has unveiled Toyota’s ambitious strategy for achieving carbon neutrality particularly for battery electric vehicles, with a recent preview of 30 models that are on the way.

to prepare as many options as possible for our customers around the world’’ said Mr Toyoda.He also went on to say that all electrified vehicles can be divided into two categories, depending on the energy that they use.One category is that of “carbon-reducing vehicles”.If the energy that powers vehicles is not clean, the use of an electrified vehicle, no matter what type it might be, would not result in zero CO2 emissions.The other category is that of “carbon-neutral vehicles”. Vehicles in this category run on clean energy and achieve zero CO2 emissions in the whole process of their use. Toyota plans to roll out 30 battery EV models by 2030, globally offering a full lineup of battery EVs in the passenger and commercial segments. We do not have a lot of information on the 4WD options at time of writing, though one of the 30 vehicles showcased includes a cool looking pickup that looks very impressive, we will probably have more details in 2022. Like most vehicle manufacturers Toyota does seem to be taking the electric market very seriously, having invested 17.6 billion dollars in battery technology and with a target of selling 3.5million electric vehicles around the world by 2030. We will watch this space. This month Toyota’s President Akio Toyoda unveiled Toyota’s ambitious strategy for achieving carbon neutrality particularly for

TOYOTA PLANS TO ROLL OUT 30 BATTERY EV MODELS

BY 2030

battery electric vehicles, with a preview of 30 models that are on the way. He said ’’I believe that achieving carbon neutrality means realizing a world in which all people living on this planet continue to live happily.We want to help realize such a world. This has been and will continue to be Toyota’s wish and our mission as a global company. For that challenge, we need to reduce CO2 emissions as much as possible, as soon as possible.We are living in a diversified world and in an era in which it is hard to predict the future. Therefore, it is difficult to make everyone happy with a one-size-fits-all option. That is why Toyota wants to prepare as many options as possible for our customers around the world’’ said Mr Toyoda.He also went on to say that all electrified vehicles can be divided into two categories, depending on the energy that they use.One category is that of “carbon-reducing vehicles”.If the energy that powers vehicles is not clean, the use of an electrified vehicle, no matter what type it might be, would not result in zero CO2 emissions. The other category is that of “carbon-neutral vehicles”. Vehicles in this category run on clean energy and achieve zero CO2 emissions in the whole process of their use. Toyota plans to roll out 30 battery EV models by 2030, globally offering a full lineup of battery EVs in the passenger and commercial segments. We do not have a lot of information on the 4WD options at time of writing, though one of the 30 vehicles showcased includes a cool looking pickup that looks very impressive, we will probably have more details in 2022. Like most vehicle manufacturers Toyota does seem to be taking the electric market very seriously, having invested 17.6 billion dollars in battery technology and with a target of selling 3.5million electric vehicles around the world by 2030. We will watch this space.

TELSA Cybertruck

h he Tesla Cybertruck has been hugely popular since being introduced to the world in 2019, with orders continuing to be made in high numbers despite the vehicle’s release being delayed until 2022, this electric vehicle has definitely captured people’s attention. The Cybertruck is the second major Tesla vehicle outside the mainline S, 3, X, Y lineup. The first outsider actually predated the line: the Roadster. The futuristic looking vehicle is built with an exterior shell made for ultimate durability and passenger protection. Starting with a nearly impenetrable exoskeleton, every component is designed for superior strength and endurance, from Ultra-Hard 30X Cold-Rolled stainless-steel structural skin to Tesla armour glass.

The low-end Cybertruck, which has a single-motor and rearwheel drive, should get 250 miles per charge. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive version, should get 300 miles of range. And the trimotor with all-wheel drive will cost $69,900 or approx. €61,000 with 500 miles of range. All versions of the pickup will have

Tesla’s Autopilot, advanced driver-assist features standard. An optional “self-driving” package costs $7,000 if customers order it today and are willing to wait for autonomous driving features that have yet to be developed. The Cybertruck can go from 0 to 60 mph in less than 6.5 seconds at the low end, and in 2.9 sec-

onds at the high end. The midrange dual-motor version does it in 4.5 seconds. Towing capacity for the single motor version is around 7,500 pounds, dual-motor around 10,000 pounds and trimotor around 14,000 pounds Tesla has confirmed rumours of the delayed launch of the Cybertruck electric pickup truck, re-

vealing the much-awaited truck will only roll off production lines next year.. Following a recent update, the Tesla Cybertruck’s order page now reads, ‘You will be able to complete your configuration as production nears in 2022.’The delay isn’t exactly surprising, though, as the Cyberstuck’s production is already

behind schedule. When Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled the Cybertruck in 2019, it was supposed to be on the assembly line in the latter half of 2021. When Tesla’s fourth-quarter earnings call happened in January this year, Musk said a “few deliveries” of the Cybertruck would happen towards the end of this year. However, he said he expected mass production to begin only in 2022.

RIVIAN R1T & R1S

major competitor to Tesla, Rivian has developed and vertically integrated a connected electric platform that can be flexibly applied to a range of applications, including the company’s adventure products as well as B2B products such as their last mile delivery vans. The company’s launch products, the R1T and R1S, claim to provide an unmatched combination of performance, offroad capability and utility.

The R1T boasts up to 800 horsepower and a claimed zero-to-60-mph time of 3.0 seconds. Adjustable air suspension will be standard and can adjust the clearance height from eight to 14 inches. Every version of the R1T has all-wheel drive, with an electric motor at each wheel The Launch Edition R1T features a battery pack with a 300-mile driving range. The vehicle comes wellequipped with an array of driver-assistance features as well as a host of infotainment and connectivity technologies. Rivian also offers both the entry-level Explore model and the well-equipped Adventure. A larger battery pack that is said to deliver around 400 miles of driving range is available for an extra$10,000 or 8,800 euros. As a company Rivian takes Climate Action very seriously.Rivian and global conservation group The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have a collaboration dedicated to preserving biodiversity and fighting climate change. This partnership leverages the capabilities of both organizations, providing valuable resources and public education opportunities while creating new avenues for responsible access to natural spaces. As part of the relationship, Rivian will provide TNC with vehicles to use

at its preserves—specifically at sites in California, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Florida. Rivian vehicles are inherently quieter than conventional trucks, equipped for the most challenging off-road conditions, and produce no tailpipe emissions, providing unique benefits and research possibilities for sensitive ecological areas. TNC will share data collected to help enhance the development of new off-the-beaten-path driver experiences. “Rivian vehicles have been developed to enable and inspire a connection with the natural

world, and our partnership with The Nature Conservancy allows us to further help protect these wild places we care about”said Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe. “We share a common, deep commitment to safeguard the planet’s lands and waters, and we’re excited to collaborate alongside an organization with such broad impact in land restoration and conservation.”“Our relationship with Rivian heralds a new kind of partnership, showing how smart, clean technology can work with nature to address the twin crises of climate and biodiversity loss. It’s exciting to imagine the possibilities for

tech-enabled conservation, and these vehicles are blazing a trail for the future,” according to Jennifer Morris, CEO of TNC. TNC will also participate in the Rivian Waypoints charging stations rollout, supporting the deployment of chargers in select locations across TNC’s nationwide preserve network. The organisations will work together to demonstrate the importance of electrified transportation as a tool to combat the climate crisis. Rivian and TNC also intend to expand their relationship to include: advocacy for transportation, energy, climate, and conservation issues; conserving and restoring important natural places; and helping people learn more about nature, how they can protect it, and have fun outdoors.

EDISON EF-T pick up We also now have a new player on the block called the Edison Futures EF-T e-pickup. Recently debuted at the LA auto show and certainly turned heads with its innovative telescope-like solar canopy on the roof and tray

EdisonFuture’s EF1-T e-pickup truck, developed in partnership with Icona and leading automaker partners, is the first product in a line of advanced all-electric pickup trucks ad last-mile delivery vans incorporating Edison Future & Phoenix Motor’s vision for human-centered future transportation and revolutionize how customers and vehicles interact.The EF1-T standard model comes equipped with total power of 350 kilowatts (kW), or 470 horsepower (HP), while EdisonFuture’s top of the line “Super” model offers 600kW, or 816HP.An ideal solution for utility and commercial customers, the EF1-T e-pickup trucks use a uniquely designed solar mosaic technology that provides a stunning visual signature while also harnessing the power of the sun to recharge the batteries, enabling work vehicles to continuously charge while in the field. “Our vision for EdisionFuture and Phoenix Motorcars is to be leaders in sustainable transportation with focus on energy efficiency and innovative design,” stated Mr. Xiaofeng Peng, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of SPI Energy. “We have already filed multiple design and technology patents in the US related to the EF1-T and look forward to introducing this game-changing vehicle to the market in the coming months.”

GRENADIER rogen option Hyd

he first Grenadiers will start to reach customers in the third quarter of 2022, powered by the latest petrol and diesel engines from BMW. But INEOS is also looking further ahead to zero emissions powertrain technology for the future. The company has announced that a hydrogen fuel cell demonstrator vehicle is under development and will begin testing by the end of next year, as part of INEOS taking a leading role in the hydrogen revolution. To develop the demonstrator model, INEOS Automotive is partnering with AVL, one of the world’s leading automotive powertrain engineering specialists Of the zero emissions technologies being evaluated for future introduction in the Grenadier, the INEOS

Automotive team believes that hydrogen fuel cells is the most attractive. When enabled by sustainably produced green or blue hydrogen, fuel cells are a very clean way to power vehicles capable of long range between rapid refuelling stops. And they also offer significant weight advantages over battery electric vehicles. Of course, critical to any future alternative-fuel powertrain is that it must retain or even enhance the Grenadier’s performance and capability. There will be no compromising the vehicle’s Built on Purpose philosophy. As a global chemical company, INEOS already produces over 400,000 tonnes of low carbon hydrogen a year. With the expertise to make it, capture it and store it safely, INEOS is uniquely positioned to be at the heart of green hydrogen development. The last piece of the puzzle is to create a hydrogen infrastructure to support widespread adoption, and INEOS is campaigning hard to make sure this gets done. There is a global drive to net zero emissions and to meet targets set by countries around the world. The team behind the Grenadier fully supports this mission and the fuel cell demonstrator vehicle is a big step in the right direction.

HUMMER C M G m o r f V E

nother competitor, the 2022 GMC HUMMER EV claims to be the first-of-its-kind supertruck developed to forge new paths with zero emissions. With a strong foundation of manufacturing trucks since 1902 and now selling in a dozen countries across the world, GMC offers purpose-built vehicles designed and engineered to the highest standard. From the all-new compact SUV Terrain to the Sierra HD, their trucks and crossovers deliver GMC’s signature combination of intuitive technologies. Some of these features will be available Terrain Mode One-Pedal Driving, available Watts to Freedom† and the Bose† Electric Vehicle Sound Enhancement technology. The HUMMER EV’s Terrain Mode will be tailored for such off-road experiences. It is one of the vehicle’s five driving modes and will offer two selectable braking calibrations. The mild-braking calibration is ideal for two-pedal driving on mild, less technical terrain. The second calibration is One-Ped-

al Driving, which is for low-speed, off-road technical scenarios. According to the developers this gives the driver greater control when taking on rugged environments. “One-Pedal Driving allows for precision handling at low speeds while off-roading and rock crawling,” Pfau said. “It combines the fine control of the immediate torque provided by the EV propulsion system and the conventional brakes to deliver a level of modulation that is beyond anything we could deliver from a gas- or diesel-powered engine.” “The HUMMER EV celebrates the performance possibilities of electric propulsion,” Pfau said. “This is a truck you want to drive because it delivers performance in a way that no other truck can match, and it happens to have zero emissions.” For those of you who love your music, In addition, the HUMMER EV is the first GMC vehicle to have Bose’s advanced Electric Vehicle Sound Enhancement. This standard feature optimizes the acoustic environment inside the cabin. Combined with this sound enhancement technology, GMC and Bose engineers worked together to develop unique sound characteristics for some of the HUMMER EV’s available drive modes.

e-Camper rom LE VC f

ot a 4WD but another interesting entry in the new electric camper van race. LEVC revealed its first leisure vehicle, the new e-Camper during the summer. According to Joerg Hofmann, LEVC CEO ‘’The campervan market is growing rapidly and, despite these vehicles being used for coastal and countryside adventures which often include national parks and protected areas, they are still powered by petrol or diesel engines. This is a major conflict; we can see a shift in consumer attitudes, with demand for greener mobility solutions to help to protect and improve air quality. Our new electric, zero-emissions capable e-Camper offers the perfect solution and is well-equipped with high-quality features that can be tailored to meet a range of customer requirements.”

The e-Camper offers definitely meets the growing demand for independent, self-contained holidays, a trend accelerated by both the Covid pandemic and the search for more sustainable travel. LEVC sees huge potential across the UK and Europe and, in partnership with Wellhouse Leisure*, first deliveries of e-Camper, with an indicative list price (excl VAT) of £62,250 / €73,000.. Prospective customers can register their interest at levc. com/ecamper Based on VN5, LEVC’s new electric van, e-Camper has the same pure EV range of over 60 miles**

(98 km) with a total flexible range of 304 miles (489 km) and is designed for those who want to both protect and enjoy the outdoor environment. Its zero emissions capability delivers a low carbon footprint and its innovative range extender technology allows owners to travel off the beaten track, where there is no or limited charging infrastructure, with complete peace of mind. At the same time, owners can operate in zero emissions mode, ideal for the campsite and also even powering the integrated electric kitchenette without the need for fossil fuels.Watch this space.

GOING

GREEN

VEHICLE CONVERSIONS

or those of us who are very attached to our 4WD vehicles, what options do we have when it comes to converting our pride and joys into electrical vehicles? Well there are a number of companies presently doing this throughout Europe. Some of these companies include the Dutch outfit Plowers and the Polish firm Innovation AG.There is no doubt that we will see a lot more demand for these conversions going into the future. We recently caught up with the Polish-based innovation AG who have a conversion called Falcon 4×4. Founded in 2012 Innovation AG uses a 300hp motor with 500Nm torque and an 85kWh battery pack. The Falcon 4x4 is a universal platform with 100% electric drive.The technologies implemented in Falcon 4x4 are ready to be transferred to any other vehicle from the electromobility market including Land Rover Defenders. The body itself can be freely modified, and technologies implemented individually for newly constructed vehicles and eco-conversions from existing vehicles This technology continues to evolve and as highlighted by Innovation AG ‘’Ever since man built the first powered wheeled vehicle at the end of the 19th century, its designers were looking for a way to use it in difficult terrain. Let’s remember that 130 years ago there were no asphalt roads, no concrete highways,

gas stations, parking lots and all the infrastructure that we beneficiaries use so eagerly today’’. Innovation AG consciously follows the path marked by the pioneers of the global automotive industry by converting used offroad vehicles. Joanne from Innovation AG highlighted that there are a number of advantages to their conversations and some of

these include on average a sixtime reduction in maintenance cost, reduction in greenhouse gases, noise reduction, reduction in waste materials, i.e. no more filters or engine and lastly for companies and individuals it creates a more positive image all round. For more information on the conversion process and costs please click

THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR ELECTRIC CARS IN FACT THE TIME IS CRITICAL.

Carlos Ghosn

THE PROCESS

For more information on the conversion process and costs please click here.

M K 0 300 P I R T D ROUN S F O O R P K C O R WITH THE

e added the Nokian Tyre Rockproofs to the Landy for our recent 3,000km round trip to Germany. We’d normally use all terrains for long road trips like this,but we were displaying the Rockproofs at our stand at the Abenteuer and Allrad show and this trip gave us the opportunity to see how they handled on roads. In general, mud terrain tyres provide better off-road traction on extreme, deep mud, dirt, rock and sand-filled terrain. They usually have a more aggressive tread and provide more grip in off-road conditions. Many mud-terrain tyres can also perform well on surfaced roads and are legal to use on roads, however, they can be noisier, less fuel-efficient and potentially provide less grip on smooth surfaces. The truth is, you should probably not have mud terrains on your vehicle if you don’t do much off-road driving. All-terrain tyres on the other hand, as the name implies, are designed to perform on a variety of surfaces instead of being specialised like mud terrains. All up, given we did a 3,000 km round trip in the Landy, we got a good feel for the Rockproofs. We were pretty impressed with their on-road handling given we were heavily loaded, mud terrains can often feel clumsy but we did not feel this with the Rockproofs, also the noise level from them was surprising. It is also

ALL UP, GIVEN WE DID A 3,000 KM ROUND TRIP IN THE LANDY, WE GOT A GOOD FEEL FOR THE ROCKPROOFS. WE WERE PRETTY IMPRESSED WITH THEIR ON ROAD HANDLING.

very comforting to know that the sidewall compound is exceptionally durable and puncture-resistant with strong aramid fibres. The same material is utilised by the aerospace and defence industries. The aramid fibre strengthens the sidewall rubber to withstand external impacts and pressing against the wheel flange which often happens in the Defender. As regards their off-road capability well that’s where the Rockproofs come into their own and you can tell by the online reviews that these mud terrains are well-liked by off-road 4WD and those that use them for mining and in other extreme working environments.At the show in Germany, the Rockproofs hugged around the eyecatching Nakatanenga ANR-Classics steel frame rims, which grabbed a lot of attention at the show.The simplicity of the classic rim and the black option with the aggressive-looking Rockproofs in our view just look awesome. The traditional steel rims are also very strong with all the relevant thumbs up including the TUV approval.The 8X16 fits land Rover Defender models up to 2016 and also fit various tyre sizes including the following ;245/70 R 16, 255/65 R 16, 255/70 R 16,255/85 R 16,265/70 R 16,265/75 R 16,275/70 R 16,285/75 R 16,295/75 R 16.As we get out and about more in the spring we will be tackling some more challenging terrain and look forward to putting the Rockproofs through their paces so do stay tuned.

We think the Rockproofs look the business on the Nakatanenga ANR Clasic Steel Rims.

D L I U B THE

3 E D O EPIS le lifesty

JOB DONE e th of es od is ep e th t ou k ec ch You can ......... e er h ild u b er ov R d n a L S A R TU

1 2 20

he Abenteuer and Allrad expo took place in Germany in late October, the first time it has taken place in the Autumn. The event had a bumpy start on Thursday, when the expo had to be delayed for the safety of visitors as the Bad Kissingen region suffered intense, almost hurricane level, gale-force winds. An announcement was made early on Thursday morning that on the

direction of the police, the expo would now open on the Friday morning instead. The exhibitors took the opportunity on the Thursday to stow and protect and if necessary to repair their exhibits, and later took some time to meet and mingle with other exhibitors, normally a pastime for which they have very little time or opportunity. When the event opened on the Friday morning (and for the rest of the weekend), what a show it was. Friday morning was a bright and sunny day, and from early on the show was very busy with visitors that had planned to come on Friday joined by many visitors that had been unable to attend on the previous day. 2021 brought yet another fantastic event, with over 350 distributors presenting a wide range of 4WD Touring and Camping related equipment. What can we say? Despite the delays experi-

DIE OFF-ROAD-ME

ESSE

enced by some from the carpark to the show due to the large numbers attending,this expo was excellent, and the organisers have once again produced an amazing experience despite the setback with the storm. This year the TURAS team had a stand at the show and exhibited the Land Rover Defender 90 build and accessories which was made possible with the collaboration of our brand partners. We are happy to report that many visitors to our stand were regular readers of the magazine and that we also connected with some new subscribers. The show was very busy, unlike in its normal summertime slot , the mornings were frosty, the nights cold, and in the famous expo campsite, there was mud,

n a t a wh e m o s awe . . . . . . . . . . show lots of mud, but hey, it’s a good thing this is a 4WD expo right?! Everyone we spoke to at the show whether visitor or exhibitor was very impressed at the quality of the event, the Covid-19 controls and safeguards and also the number of exhibitors that all came to present their wares to the public.

We are already looking forward to next year’s expo which is scheduled to take place at the usual date in spring, from 16.06.-19.06.2022. So not very long to wait.

Congratulations from the team at TURAS to the Abenteuer & Allrad team on overcoming adversity, Covid-19 and even the weather to produce such a successful Holding this fair under the current conditions around Covid 19 and entertaining show. A big thank you to Marion, Thomas, was a very big challenge for the Abenteuer & Allrad team and one Peter, Patrizia, Frank and all of the Abenteuer & Allrad Team and that they overcame with hard work and determination and with especially to all of you who came the trust, understanding and pa- to visit our stand, it was really tience shown by visitors and ex- great to meet as many people as we did. And we hope to see you hibitors alike. all again in 2022...

16th-19th JUNE

2022

R U O Y G N SERVICI T A H T R O F Y LAND

P I R T BIG

ervicing your Land Rover We recently completed a 3,000km round trip in the 20-year Land Rover Defender and we are delighted to report that thanks to a good service prior to departure, the Landy hummed like a bird with no issues to report at all. A couple of weeks ago, we drove down to the Abenteuer and Allrad show in Germany, enroute we mostly stayed on the Autobahn and on the motorways in France. Doing long trips like this one in the 20-year-old TURAS Land Rover Defender, always brings with it a bit of anxiety, particularly

PARTS AND ACCESSORIES SUITABLE FOR LAND ROVER VEHICLES

ith so many high-profile 4WD build projects out there on social media, one of the questions that does not always get brought to the fore and that is what do they actually cost, when everything is added up. Two of these incredible build projects that do come to mind that we came across in recent times are not Land Rover vehicle builds but rather large 4WD vehicles that are kitted out for some pretty challenging environments. Now despite the fact that there is no denying that our

PARTS AND ACCESSORIES SUITABLE FOR LAND ROVER VEHICLES

now that the vehicle is getting on in years. We needed to make sure that the vehicle was well serviced before we left in order to alleviate any potential issues that could lead to a breakdown on the way, so no stone was left unturned when giving it a good going over. Servicing a 4WD vehicle is not like servicing a regular 2WD vehicle as there are more components that require a bit more TLC. You really should refer to your vehicle manual which will give good advice on how often and what you need to keep an eye on when servicing your vehicle. The Defender 90 has the Td5 engine and we have always kept it well serviced over the years. The Defender is normally in for a service every six months or every 6000-70000 kms. Prior to this trip to Germany we did a bit more to the vehicle than normal

when getting it ready for the trip as we did not want to take any chances. Our standard service incorporated the replacement of the oil, air and fuel filters using the Bearmach servicing kit and a couple of other tweeks just to be sure. We had a small deposit of diesel on the driveway a couple of days before we departed and after some investigation we linked this to the fuel pressure regulator. On the Td5 engine this can be a common failure but it also is an easy fix, we got onto Martin our Land Rover guru and luckily he had a spare Bearmach fuel regulator replacement at hand and had it installed within an hour. Other jobs/tweeks completed prior to the trip included the replacement of all the oils including the 2 diffs, gearbox and transfer case. It goes without saying that you need to make sure that you always change your oils according to your owner’s manual, particularly for 4WD vehicles. Off road vehicles can put a lot more stress on your vehicle when in low range causing more wear and tear on the workings of the vehicle so making sure your vehicle is well oiled is key to increasing the longevity of your pride and joy. In the engine the pulley and tensioner were also replaced as it looked a bit worse for wear. We also replaced the washer on the bulkhead with a new one. When giving the vehicle a good look over Martin suggested that we also replace the A-Frame ball joint. This was an important repair as the one that was there was well

shot. The rear “A” frame on a Land Rover Defender connects the axle centre point to the chassis to prevent sideways and torsional movement. And lastly, we did a bit of soundproofing on the vehicle, it can get a bit deafening in the Landy when on the open road. The sound from the Td5 engine combined with that of the driveline, exhaust, and road noise not to mention the heat that often comes from the undercarriage can be a bit noisy, but this can also be addressed in fact it can be reduced by anything up to 20% by simply adding some sound proofing.Given we had a 3000km round trip ahead of us, we applied the Bearmach Sound Proof Heat Mats before hitting the road and this simple job made an impressive difference. These mats create the ultimate in acoustic and thermal protection for your vehicle. After completing all of these jobs, we were confident that the 90- was good to go and that she was.

As partners with the TURAS Land Rover Build, Bearmach played a key role in servicing and bringing the 20-year-old Defender back to life.

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DARCHE DISTRIBUTORS Trek Overland are the British Isles sole distributors of the premium and very popular Australian DARCHE range of camping and overlanding related products. Click here for more information.

n a P y t i l A Qua a r o f t s a l that will

e m i t e Lif

Petromax Wrought

Iron Pan

We first started using the Petromax Wrought Iron Pans in our outdoor kitchen at the beginning of summer and they have become the go to since then. They are very easy to use, heating up quickly and evenly, particularly over an open flame. We’ve used them for all sorts, from frying an egg to baking bread and what we find great about them is how evenly the heat is dispersed and the fact that the food never sticks.We usually use a neutral cooking oil, (not olive oil as it tends to smoke) and off we go. They are very easy to clean afterwards, just wipe out thoroughly with kitchen towel or rinse it with hot water and dry it off with a clean cloth, then grease it with some neutral oil until the next use.When you first buy the Petromax Wrought Iron Pans you should season them of course. Petromax recommend you follow the steps below before your first use:Soak the pan in hot water with detergent for 5 to 10 minutes to remove the colourless anti-corrosion protection. Do not use dish soap! Wash it with a dishwashing brush or a sponge. Rinse the protection residues and dry it thoroughly with

a clean cloth. Fill the bottom of the pan with cooking oil. Slowly heat up the pan over medium heat, so that the iron has enough time to dilate. Add a teaspoon of salt. Increase the heat to the highest level and stir from time to time with a wooden spoon or spatula. After some time, the surface of the pan turns brown. This is the patina we want. Empty the pan and let it cool down. Rinse the pan with hot water and remove frying residues. Dry it with a clean cloth. Your pan is now seasoned. It’s worth mentioning that the pans are very heavy so ideally you shouldn’t have to move them around much when cooking. We have ours permanently in our outdoor kitchen so at hands reach when we need them. They have a long handle which is good to balance the weight but it can get very hot in cooking, so always use oven gloves when moving it from the heat.Ours has just gotten better the more we use it, it’s the go to pan for cooking a nice steak and there is great satisfaction cooking on a pan that doesn’t stick. Another high quality product from Petromax.

0 5 x K Kx25

X O B L O O C N O I H S U C T A SE

ith the Seat Cushion addons the ultra-passive coolbox system kx25 or Kx50 become comfortable seats for outdoors. The permanently elastic synthetic foam ensures ideal pressure distribution under load and thus pleasant seating comfort. The black outer shell is made of resistant ripstop fabric (600D) and provides great durability. Dirt can be easily brushed off or wiped with a damp cloth. The mesh fabric underneath the Seat Cushion creates a reliable anti-slip coating and breathable membrane for firm fit when wet as well as quick drying in fresh air. The topside of the cushion has been furnished with high-quality logo embroidery. Thanks to the practical 4-point-press-stud system the Seat Cushion can be simply attached to and removed from the lid. Prior to the first use, the matching counterparts need to be screwed onto the markings provided in the lid. To prepare to attach the cushion stud counterpoints, clean the four factory embedded depressions in the lid of the Cool Box and dry them well. Afterwards a counterpart for a press stud is placed centre on the depression and screwed in and tightened by hand. Place the Seat Cushion (mesh fabric facing downwards) on the Cool Box, align flush and lightly one-by-one press each of the four loops with press stud onto the screwed-on counterparts. For removal of your Seat Cushion pull off the four cushion loops with press studs sideways one-byone and away from the lid.

TRAVEL S

ICELA

SPECIAL FREE e-Magazine

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here is no peer to euro4x4parts when it comes to the range of parts available for 4WD and SUV vehicles. The company’s product database contains over 70,000 parts, this represents parts available for over 95% of the 4x4 vehicles on the road today. The company also sells rebuild kits (Brakes, transmission and transfer, steering, engine, axle, swivel etc).

4parts can speak the following languages: French, English, Spanish, Catalan, Portuguese, Arabic, German, Dutch, Italian, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Mandarin Chinese and Korean.

In addition to its massive catalogue, the team is committed to doing its best to find the rare parts needed by its customer. Euro4x4parts does not simply just sell products, the team are happy to help customer diagnose problems, prepare for journeys and generally help to You can order original manufind solutions to problems. This facturer parts, OEM/OES parts includes providing mechanical or replacement and aftermarket advice. In fact, the company parts. Because the primary shop regularly publishes news and for euro4x4parts is its website, articles about different products you will find that the prices coming on the market, tips and there are less expensive than its information on mechanical topcompetitors, this is because the ics and also published a dedicompany has drastically reduced cated 4x4 Magazine ‘Mecazine the number of intermediaries 4x4’ and also regularly provides between the manufacturer and information on upcoming 4x4 the client/end-user. Euro4x4parts holds a massive stock and can therefore rapidly ship parts, and 80% of orders are dispatched the same or the next day. In addition to its multilingual website (English, French and Spanish) the team at Euro4x-

WINCH MOUNTS

events, competitions and organised travel expeditions. Euro4x4parts is also proud to offer a sponsorship programme to 4x4 travellers and overlanders. The sponsored partner puts their trust in Euro4x4parts by using the parts and accessories supplied by the company and promotes the brand on their 4x4.

WINCH MOUNTS Euro4x4parts offer various winch mounts that will enable you to equip your 4x4 with a winch. Each model adapts without needing any modifications and integrates and bolts onto the chassis. Mounts are available for Toyota Serie 15, Volkswagen Amarok, Mitsubishi L200, Isuzu D-Max, Toyota Hilux Revo, Toyota Serie 9. There is also a universal model which adapts to your 4x4.

LEARNING On The Road

A Unique German School

n 1971, the teacher Alfred Finken created the first distance learning material for primary school students on a private initiative. Alfred explained “The Muckenhaupt family wanted to go to Kenya with their young children and didn’t know how to do it. We looked around to see if there was a correspondence school. There was none. There was nothing left but for us to arrange to give some private help. “Can’t you give us some books?” - that was their question. I picked out a couple of books. But then I thought: “The mother must also be able to understand how to do all this.” And that’s why I designed the lesson units. I was still a teacher myself and had to do that early in the morning before school started. At five o’clock I was already sitting at the typewriter, typing matrices for the lesson letters. The thought occurred to me: “What helps the Muckenhaupt family can also help others!” Now in operation for over 50 years, Deutsche Fernschule offers children of German families school lessons that comply with German educational standards. Detailed learning materials and professional support make the school’s distance learning very successful. Kids can enter into distance learning at any time and each course covers the content of a school year for one subject. Importantly the school offers a special course ‘German as a supplement’ for

Little Globulus is the school mascot, a funny and adventurous fellow who learns the subjects together with the students and helps to make learning a bit more fun..

children that are attending local or international schools abroad, this helps the children to maintain a connection to the German language and to Germany, this course has been designed in acknowledgement that the students using the course may also have to cope with a long day of regular school onsite in addition to the supplemental course. For German-speaking children abroad, lessons in their mother tongue are of inestimable value for two reasons: On the one hand, it makes an important contribution to the development of identity and personality. On the other hand, it ensures that the children speak and write German like their peers in Germany and this is particularly important if the family plans to return to Germany. The school’s classic German course series fully covers all areas of German teaching that are provided for in the curriculum. The school has served over 45,000 students during its 50 years of operation. Now employing 28 staff, the school offers all subjects that are available in the German curriculum (German, Maths, English, Art, etc). Approximately 600 students ‘attend’ the school every year and for most families the duration of the time abroad is limited (2-5 years on average). Many of the parents of the school’s students work in the public service (e.g.

diplomats, professional soldiers) or as development workers, missionaries and as world travellers/overlanders. The school’s mascot is ‘Globulus’ a diminutive blonde fellow. Globulus is also a globe trotter and although for these students, the teacher is physically absent (though the teachers do correspond with the students) it can be more difficult for the kids to build a relationship with the teacher, and so Globulus helps here, learning with the students, providing a personality to connect with and can be funny, cheeky and also help to raise funny or good questions that the children may not have asked. Globulus provides a face and a personality for the children to connect with.

Distance learning is available from preschool through to grade 6. The school also serves students in Germany, providing Education according to German standards for children who cannot attend a regular school, for example Children on the Autism Spectrum, Children of youth welfare, gifted children, children suffering from illness that requires flexible and protected learning environments and more. Within Germany an exemption from compulsory schooling is necessary for the student and there are restrictive requirements for this from the education authority.

R U O Y G N I P P I SH

D N A L OVER VEHICLE

or Ricardo Gomes it all started with the idea to found a pure forwarding agency for Overlanders. An agency that would take care of and cover all aspects of shipping, from preparation to risk management, delivery, shipping to processing in the various ports of the world and which would also provide help with language barriers and communication. Ricardo had been working with some business partners shipping motorhomes since 2017 but a difference in vision for the company led Ricardo to set out on his own to found Overlander Shipping Hamburg during the pandemic in 2020. Ricardo’s stated goal is ‘to offer travellers the opportunity to travel with the most flexibility and more individual options than ever available before, with the coastal ports of this world.’ Thanks to his network of contacts across the world, Ricardo can access agents in almost any port to help with the organisation of a shipping process. Ricardo has seen the international Overlanding scene grow from year to year and yet this has not been followed by a commensurate growth in the availability of carriers and shippers for overlander vehicles. Overlander Shipping Hamburg ships worldwide. Ricardo explained to TURAS the various options available when shipping your

vehicle.The advantages of shipping your own vehicle are that you can take your own vehicle on the journey which is suitable for your individual needs, including the things you need for your trip, sports equipment, etc. It is worthwhile to take your own vehicle to most places, only when the travel period exceeds about 3 months, compared to the usually expensive rental of a rental camper abroad. In addition, you are not

bound to return the rental camper to the rental station, but can drive your own vehicle through different countries and then later ship it home from any port. Nowadays, personal effects in the vehicle during a shipment are not liked by the shipping companies, but if they are neatly stowed and secured in the designated storage compartments and drawers, there is usually nothing to complain about.

Ricardo Gomes company founder

Ro-Ro

verted Renault Kangoo type motorhomes, there are hardly any RoRo (Roll-On / Roll-Off) from any restrictions. One of the few exceptions are two-wheelers (motorcypossible RoRo port. At RoRo, the vehicle is driven onto the ship. On cles), which are shipped in a sea box in a container. At RoRo from the ship is a bridge that is lowEurope, vehicles can be shipped ered, the vehicle is driven in as on the decks of a parking garage mainly from Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Emden. But can also offer and seaworthy and fastened. All types of vehicles nowadays can be shipments from Liverpool, Zeebruegge and Antwerp. (Antwerp shipped by RoRo. Whether large can be a bit iffy as burglaries are expedition vehicles or small conunfortunately common in this

port). The ports in Southern Europe are less suitable for RoRo shipping. On the one hand, there are limited RoRo connections here, on the other hand, some countries can have some complicated bureaucracy. So Hamburg is always worth a visit, is a good port to set out from and Ricardo always likes to welcome and meet his customers. RoRo to Halifax/Canada or the USA East Coast is relatively safe. For shipments to countries such as Uruguay or Panama (including South American ports) or shipments via the African West Coast, the frequency of burglaries is somewhat more frequent. Overlander Shipping, therefore, recommends that overlanders

have enough lockable elements in the vehicle, should not carry valuables in the vehicle and, if necessary, should additionally reinforce and secure roof windows. Occasional thefts are more common on these routes, especially if the vehicle does not have a separately lockable cabin. In the last 4 years, Ricardo has also observed again and again that vehicle cabin doors were rarely broken open, but vehicles were broken into via the skylight. In most cases, the vandalism damage is higher than damage to stolen items. However, if you take enough security measures, then the chance for thieves decreases and you can start your journey carefree.

“

Containers are the safest and most secure way to transport your vehicle, with nearly 0% theft

“

Containers

then driven back to the port by the freight forwarder. This procedure is again necessary at the In the case of a shipment in a port of arrival in reverse order. container, the vehicle is driven In the case of sealed sea containdirectly by the customer into ers, options are bound to specifthe container. The container ic dimensions. Here there is the is then closed in front of your eyes. Containers are always a bit possibility of shipping in a 20 more costly. The reason for this foot Standard Container or in the is that containers are mostly not 40 Foot High cube Container. For most vehicles, the entrance loaded in the port terminal and height plays a role. must first be picked up by the 20 foot standard = 2.28 meters forwarding company from the high / 5.89m long container depot, then brought 40 foot HighCube = 2,58m high to the forwarder, loaded and

Vehicles of all types and sizes can be accomodated in the shipping containers.

Making some last minute adjustments before entering the container

Securely stowing a 4WD vehicle for its trip across the ocean / 12,03m long. The 40 foot container is ideal for sharing with a container buddy, for example, a Landrover Defender 110 and a Toyota Land Cruiser both fit in, or vehicles with similar dimensions. But we also pack vehicles with a removable pick-up cab in the container, where the cab is secured and fastened separately next to the vehicle. Container shipments from Europe are only made from Hamburg. The company can offer container shipments outside Europe from almost any destination. Container shipping is the

safest type of shipping, as the doors are secured with a numbered seal. The burglary rate of containers is zero.

Lo-Lo A lesser-known method is LoLo shipping (Lift-On / Lift-Off), where the vehicle is lifted into the ship via a ship’s own crane. Not on the ship! Don’t worry the vehicle will not be exposed to the salt air and weather. Below deck, the vehicle is securely moored. Upon arrival at the

destination port, the vehicle is then safely set ashore by the crew using its own ship crane. LoLo shipping is only possible with expedition vehicles with a high wheelbase and safety options.

Some Tips If you start planning such a trip, inform yourself 1 to 2 years in advance about the possibility. Of course, you can make a booking at short notice. However, Ricardo recommends shipping about 6-8 months in advance. You recognize a reputable provider by the fact that you do not have to pay a deposit and can cancel or rebook free of charge.

With Overlander Shipping it works like this, you tell them when you want to be there and they book the right ship, in case of shipment delays or cancellations they book accordingly free of charge.

Monitoring Operations in the port

Overlander Shipping also offers transport insurance for every vehicle shipment, which includes the creation of a vehicle condition report. The transport insurance includes the following protection - Vehicle value (current value) including permanently installed parts and superstructures and contents / luggage cover up to EUR 10,000 Overlander Shipping Hamburg is always open for inquiries (especially for travel planning) and the team there are always happy if they can help you.

You can contact the team via the company website https://www.overlander-shipping.com/ where you can discuss your travel plans or can fill in an online form to get a quotation.

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ABENTEUER & ALLRAD

2021

he TURAS Team got to meet up with the team at Offroad Monkeys at the autumn Abenteuer & Allrad expo this year. What a weekend it was, on Thursday the fair had to be closed for safety reasons due to high winds in the region, but things finally got going on Friday. We caught up with the team at Offroad Monkeys and they gave us their account of their experience of the 2021 expo.

It was a special moment. After such a long time planning to exhibit at a trade fair again and then actually going there, setting it up and again seeing the many people who you had for a long time, only been able to speak to on the phone. Then everyone’s patience was put to the test again when the fair was cancelled on Thursday because of the wind. It finally started on Friday. The visitors came to the expo site in large numbers and the atmosphere quickly became as if it were the most normal thing in the world to be out and about at a 4WD expo. Which it kind of is. In any case, we were very happy to meet every single visitor to our stand and our new “Monkey Balls Liqueur” was just as popular as the new parts that we had in our luggage for the Defender and G-Class. G-Class - some people may be surprised. Yes, because this is the completely new division of the off-road monkeys. We have been working on products for these vehicles for some time now and have now been able to present them to you for the first time. Starting with door hinges, rear door hinges and bonnet brackets, there are also windshield wiper shafts in the range. All products solve the wellknown problem of rust and corrosion or binding moisture. They are made of durable, high-quality materials and are

supplied with all the parts and screws required for the conversion. But of course, we always remain loyal to the Landy and have new parts on board for it too. Then there are the new “Monkey Flips” mirror arms, which can simply fold out the side mirror by 90 °. A further development of our existing mirror arms, which we designed at the suggestion and request of our customers. There are also license plate lights with and without an integrated reversing camera. You will soon find all new products in our webshop. If you want to order something in advance, just give us a call or send us an email. We always look forward to hearing from you! You can learn more about the parts for the Mercedes G-Class and also for the Landrover Defender on the Offroad Monkeys website.

ack in the early 2000s APB became the sole UK importers for a number of South African companies: a country where adventure travel was born. Consequently, APB stocks s many products which have been imported from South Africa, including Eezi- Awn K9 (the pioneers of the roof tent), National Luna (the inventors of a fridge for the transportation of vaccines for world health organisations). As well as Escape Gear (high quality canvas seat covers), Bushtech (superior heavy

load canopy tops). Additionally, Campmor offer high quality canvas ground tents and many more products. Amongst these South African products is the range of vehicle drawer systems from Big Country 4x4. The robust Savute Drawer system is available for a wide range of vehicles (LandCruiser 76 SW,Fortuner pre 2016,Fortuner 2016+,LandCruiser 80,LandCruiser 100,LandCruiser 200, Prado120,Prado150, FJ Cruiser, Disco 3 or ,Defender 90/110, Pajero CK LWB, Merc GWagon, Nissan Patrol Y61, Jeep Wrangler).

The drawers are Carpeted Inside and on top and slide out their full length.Most models are supplied with dividers & trays for optimum packing efficiency. This drawer lining is heavy dutiy and is perfect for heavy duty commercial usage. The drawer system comes with mounting kits and are designed to use existing holes. The system uses double runners and can carry up to 200+ kg in weight. The floor levels up with the rear of the vehicle to enable full utilisation of the load area. It is very easy to add a fridge slider to the drawer and to remove it between trips. The entire range of Big Country Drawer systems can be ordered via APB

Trading and you can also search for products on its expedition outfitting website: https://www.expedition-equipment.com/ APB can also install the system for you. In addition to this drawer system you will find a wide range of expedition equipment and vehicle accessories and APB Trading Ltd. also provides a very wide range of vehicle servicing and expedition preparation services and Phill and the team at ABP are always ready and happy to advise you on the best configuration and equipment for your planned adventures.

WE GOT A SPIN

IN THE GRENADIER

s you’ll be well aware, back in October several members of the TURAS team were lucky enough to visit the amazing Abenteuer and Allrad Show in Germany. Amongst the plethora of things to see and do this year one of my most anticipated was to finally get to see the new Ineos Grenadier vehicle ‘in the flesh’ and most exciting of all actually get to take a test drive ride in one. The test drives were taking place over the pretty testing 4x4 track that forms part of the A&A set up, where many vehicles large and small are put through their paces over a testing mix of steep drops and inclines, through deep mud, rutted ground and large deep pools of water.

the version Land Rover had conjured up themselves. As a Defender owner myself I’d followed closely the ongoing development of this new vehicle over the last couple of years and was really excited to finally see the finished product up close for myself – had they managed to pull it off and did it live up to my expectations?

On first seeing the Ineos stand with the couple of vehicles they had there I was initially struck by the fact that looking at it front on it wasn’t the exact Defender replica it had looked on paper and in the press shots and in fact had if anything a more Mercedes G Wagon feel to it. However, once you wander around to more of a side on profile the unmistakable likeness to the Defender is clear as You may recall that we pre- day. It is there however that viously ran an article over the similarities end because a year ago about this awethis complete nut and bolt some sounding true 4x4 up original build is clearly vehicle that was in devela far more refined and enopment at that stage and gineered vehicle than the looked every bit the true re- LR Defender. The inside placement for the old Land with it’s beautifully finished Rover Defender rather than half leather upholstery

and panels of controls both in the centre console and up on a central ceiling panel between the split sunroof panels have the perfect mix of both an industrial and refined feel to them. Indeed, the general finishing all around the vehicle has a real premium look whilst also having an underlying toughness that you know is built to be properly used in the great outdoors and not just to look pretty alongside the other 4x4 Mums at the school pick up. Sadly, we were weren’t allowed to drive the vehicles ourselves but instead were taken around the lap of the track by an Ineos driver who knew what they were doing and were able to really show off the vehicles poise and performance in a testing off-road environment. I have to say, the Grenadier performs as well as it looks and with the large info screen in the middle of the dashboard giving you all the real time information any techy geek could dream of wanting to know we headed off across the mud strewn and steep banked test track. One of the most striking things for me was that as well as the performance of the Grenadier more than matching the abilities of my trusty Defender it did it with such consummate ease and comfort, gripping through deep wet mud up steep slopes and cruising through deep water as smoothly and quietly as if it was taking a drive down a country lane.As you can see from these pictures the vehicle was properly put through its paces, it was silver when we set out honestly, and I for one would love

to get my hands on one when they are finally released. Currently you’re able to put in an order for one for delivery from July 2022 onwards if you have 59,500 Euros, $85,000 Australian dollars or £48,000 in UK for the entry price 2 seater commercial version. The prices for the 5 seat crew cab or full size passenger carrying SUV are still to be released. The vehicles are going to be sold predominantly on a built-to-order basis so there won’t be a build up of stock and will be available initially with simple petrol and diesel engine offerings, however the company are working with Hyundai on development of a hydrogen power cell which sounds like a great idea and way to future proof this great looking adventure seeker of the future. Now I just need to find a way of getting.£50k together in a hurry!

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IF YOU TAKE IT IN

TAKE IT OUT Every country throughout Europe and beyond have different laws when it comes to wild camping and driving in remote areas and all of these laws should be respected.

As pressure on our landscapes from recreational use continues to increase it is now as important as ever for us all to abide by the Leave No Place principles. It goes without saying that the vast majority of tourers and campers do respect their environment but unfortunately we will also have a minority who do not and give us all a bad name. So if you take it take it out.

SECURE STORAGE

he theft of vehicles and theft from vehicles is at an all-time high. If you need to leave your vehicle unattended for any

period of time, it might be wise to consider adding some secure storage options to your vehicle. As we learned in the article on shipping your vehicle overland elsewhere in this issue, the Ro-Ro or Lo-Lo shipping your vehicle to or from

Secure Storage- Better to be safe then sorry

certain ports can bring an elevated risk of burglary and theft of your vehicle contents and it is advised if shipping your vehicle in this manner to add as many secure storage options to your vehicle as you can, and also to secure windows and

skylights on the vehicle where possible. And in any case, a secure storage option is a Fantastic addition to any 4WD Touring vehicle. Mobile Storage Systems has you covered in this regard. The company provides a wide range of secure storage options which can be installed in a variety of locations in your vehicle. Offering a wide range of secure and lockable storage units the company provides lockable storage chests in a variety of sizes, lockable secure cubby boxes and also window guards. For example, The ‘Standard Store Chest’ is the largest of its ‘Off the shelf’ load area chests. With almost half a metre depth, this storage chest has the ability to hold an array of large items and keep them securely locked away from prying eyes. Its width allows it to fit perfectly between

Mobile Storage Systems Provide a wide range of secure storage options

Secure Interior Window Guards can help to keep your gear safe

the wheel arches of a Land Rover Defender or Series and can create a flat load area in the rear of your vehicle when used in conjunction with other Mobile Storage Systems’ products. As with all of the secure chests provided by the company, the Standard Store Chest is fitted with

a highly secure SouthCo Lock. (2 Locks can be fitted on request). A high-quality rubber seal around the edge of the chest helps protect the chest from everyday usage. The seal also helps stop unwanted dust and water from entering the chest. Hexserts are pre-installed in the base of the chest. This is to stop the bolts

spinning whilst installing to your vehicle allowing for a quicker and easier installation. Securely mounted with stainless steel bolts and captive nuts (supplied). The chest also includes interior rubber matting to help protect your items. The chest comes as standard with a black powder-coated body and a natural chequer plate

finish. Learn more and see the wide range of options on the Mobile Storage Systems website.

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BrandPartners Partners

Thanks to our Brand partners, with whose support we are able to produce the magazine, and thank you to you, our readers for joining us on our adventures. The TURAS team.

The TURAS Charter

URAS is the ancient Celtic word for Journey and we think it fits perfectly to describe our overall editorial philosophy. Originally, the Celts spread out across Europe from Central Europe ending up represented in many countries across Europe, and now over two thousand years later, we are looking to travel and traverse Europe again, though with more modern equipment. As keen campers we love nothing more than packing up our 4WD’s and hitting the tracks, in search of those perfect camping locations. We constantly strive to improve the magazine and to seek out the best and most useful Camping and 4WD products and accessories. In our free e-magazine we focus on high quality content that includes articles on all things camping, touring, fishing and 4WD adventures. From finding the best 4WD tracks, setting up camp in some of Europe’s most picturesque locations to cooking up some cracking camp cook feasts. This is all about discovering places off the beaten track and enjoying the great outdoors. We tour to the very corners of Europe and beyond, while reviewing and testing the latest top quality camping and 4WD gear. Our magazine is free to readers, and is supported by our advertising and brand partners, but this does not mean that the magazine is a glorified product catalogue, far from it. We focus on identifying top quality products and produce informative, interactive articles that explain the features and benefits of these products to our readers, and demonstrate how the products can be used to increase the comfort and quality of their camping and touring experiences. We also regularly produce short videos to demonstrate and showcase these products in use by our team. The magazine invites our readers to become a part of the story and join us on our own adventures as we, use, test and demonstrate these quality products from top brands.