Member Since: 30 May 2010
Location: Rivonia
Posts: 26
First time trip to Botswana Swamps: Need excessorry advise
Hi please help!
Tyres: Are AT tyres advised for Bots? What are best options at 19" size? Is fitting a smaller steel rim with AT tyres a better option?
Fuel Tank: I am trying to avoid this expensive modification due to requirement to move spare wheel. Do I need extra fue tank if driving around Bots swamps?
Rooftop Tent: I am planning to fit Frontrunner power bars to allow my rooftop tent to to be fitted. Any comments?
Any other advise would be welcomed...
Many thanks,
carlregards, Carl-Hein
4th Jul 2010 8:40 am
gevin
Member Since: 25 Jun 2010
Location: Sussex
Posts: 7
Only trust this to the Professionals (Its your Life)
There is only One man to speak to
That is Paul at footloose 4x4 he does all of this for a living
He help me set up my car for Africa
he also sell stock on behaif of customers
Good Luck I wish I could go again
Gevin
4th Jul 2010 10:05 pm
Discoeast
Member Since: 19 Feb 2008
Location: Boksburg
Posts: 800
Welcome Charl, Yes, the STD road tires will not be suitable.
The only off road tires I can find on the web, are Gooyear MTR
and Pirelli ATR in 19". The question is , are they available in SA yet ? To date
I have not heard of an 18" ( or smaller ) rim that can clear the brake caliper on
the D4, so you are stuck for choice. For this reason I still have a D3.
Extra fuel in the bush is nice to have, but you will be restricted to what distance
to your next refill. So route planning is very important, you could get away with
a few gerry cans on the roof with the tent. Just check in your manual what the
permissible load is you can carry on top, if I remember correctly, the D3 is
between 50 & 60kg total, but I have had a lot more on.
I would suggest that you go for a roof rack to mount the tent as apposed to
the bars, it is a lot stronger and more versatile, but that is just my view.
Sugestions:
1) Take a loose spare tire, you are not likely to purchase one in Bots if you
damage one.
2) Make sure you can get to the spare wheel winder with the minimum fuss
when you are packed to go.
3) Have fun D3 bullbar-spots-roof rack with spots-ladder-long range tank-swing out spare wheel carrier- upgraded tow bar-dash console-internal water tank-duel awnings-drawer system & T T.
5th Jul 2010 9:17 am
Frans@yamorna
Member Since: 20 Jan 2010
Location: Tzaneen
Posts: 109
Hi Carl,
Just returned from a trip to N/Cape-Nam and agree with Discoeast.I took a spare tyre with,and was very glad after a cut on the sidewall.The second puncture could be repaired,but I had the extra tyre fitted to the rim and was much happier.Not nice in the bundu without a spare.Take a good tyre repair kit and make sure somebody in your group can use it.
In heavy offroad a managed 6+ km/l,so if you work on that consumption you should be safe.
Enjoy your trip in a great car!!!!!
Frans
Just returned from a 19 day (4000km) trip to Botswana, Zambia and Caprivi strip.
D3 was fitted with 17" rims and BFG ATs. I also invested in a FR aux tank, FR rear wheel carrier and FR roofrack with FR featherlight RT tent and FR drawer system.
We were 2 vehicles and did not have any tyre problems on the trip. I carried only one spare wheel. I agree with Discoeast re the standard tyres. Invest in ATs. Kingley Holgate has 19" Goodyear Wrangler MT/R fitted to his D4.
Played around in the Okavango delta and obtained around 5.6km/l. Drove through some deep sand at Nxai pans and also at Nambwa with similar fuel consumption. I have to admit that the aux tank was not really required on the trip as diesel was readily available but you need to plan as Discoeast advised. I was accompanied by a Colt carrying 2 jerry cans (40l diesel). The diesel was only used last night in Francistown (and just to empty them before the trip back home.)
I opted for the FR featherlight RT tent because of its weight (only 36kg) and closed height (200mm). The roof weight carrying capacity of the D3 (and I presume the D4 as well) is 75kg. I would recommend that you fit a roofrack for the RT tent. It just makes life a lot easier when you have to "pitch" and close the RT tent.
Spotted 15 D3s and 2 D4s during the trip.
Last edited by hls on 20th Dec 2010 4:12 pm. Edited 2 times in total
7th Jul 2010 6:14 pm
Brucehun
Member Since: 09 Oct 2006
Location: Johannesburg
Posts: 106
Bots Trip
Hi Hls
Do you remember seeing a black defender 110 DC with an NX reg? I was also in the same area as you, from 22 June until 11 July, Bots,Caprivi,Zam,Bots. I am sure I saw you guys driving around....in fact saw a lot of D3's. Was really impressed with the number driving around. We were part of the Leisure wheels trip.Awesome stuff.
Do you remember seeing a black defender 110 DC with an NX reg?
Brucehun, chances are good that we passed one another. I made a point of greeting other D3 owners in the Defender way (waving or flashing head lights) when passing. I am allways on the lookout for other Landies while travelling and make a point of chatting to Landie owners at camp sites. Must admit that I cannot recall spotting a black defender? How about posting pics to refresh my memory.
This is what we (group of 2 cars) looked like while travelling.
Member Since: 30 May 2010
Location: Rivonia
Posts: 26
Safety First
Thanks for all the advice guys. Sorry only getting back now.
I ended up buying power bars only due to limited funds.
Goodyear MT/R's which if nothing else makes the D4 look awesome.
I also bought some second hand 19" alloys which came of an older Range Rover. These actually did not fit with the caliper touching the inside of the rim, if only slightly. So if anyone is keen for these let me know.
Our trip was marred by a freak accident at the Noth camp in Moremi where one of our group was killed by an exploding Donkey boiler. The other was critically injured and flown back to Johannesburg.
The next day we all went back to Maun to deal with the consequences. We then decided to continue the trip.
We ended up having to drive from Maun to Chobe in one day. I neglected to check my tire preassures that morning because I felt sick and was too lazy to dig the compressor out from under all my stuff.
In the `Savuti my firiends' tow hook broke which then saw me pulling a huge off road trailor on the sandy cut line to Chobe. The road was very rough and coupled with my inexperience it took me some time to realise that my left rear tre was .. well destroyed.
No extra spare. We managed to have one couriered from Walvisbay to Rhundu in namib. Luckily we were going back that way anyway.
I write all this to now share my opinions on what kit is essential:-) This is in order of priority.
A satelite phone. We often forget how truly remote we are when doing these things and whilst our accident was a freak many other similarly dangerous and more likely things can happen. Rent one an share the costs. Luckliy we had fellow Johburgers from next site with sat phones who help us out. We called them our angels.
A medical kit. Not the cute and small little one you buy from Outdoor Warehouse. A proper one with decent emergency supplies. Knowledge on how to use it. Whilst `I have a comprehensive kit again our angles had to save us with regard to emergy care for a sever head fracture. I mean severe.
An engine mounted compressor. It is easy to access and will not mae you ratioanlise your tire ressures when to lazy, for whatever reason.
Tire Preassure Monitoring System: I think I might have saved the tire if I had an alarm go off inside the car. Who knows. Also it will remind you of the fact that 1.2 bar at at temp is not the same thing the next morning.
Sorry about being so glum but I do think our experience has to be used for some good ito of a reality check.
The first two items is more important than any gadgets etc. believe me I have spent a lot on all this and it has made me feel somewhat ashaded that I had not taken the first two more serious. It is understandable because these gadgets are not fun. The Sat phone is too expensive to just phone friends on and brag about how nice your holidy is and medi-kits are well... medikits.
Best regards,
Carl-Heinregards, Carl-Hein
30th Oct 2010 9:20 am
caverD3
Member Since: 02 Jul 2006
Location: Oberon, NSW
Posts: 6922
A good reminder for what can go wrong and what is needed if it does.
A good first aid kit and sat phone is good advice.
You can hire decent medi kits as well as well as sat phones.
If you din't have a sat phone at least get an emergency beacon.“There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely gamesâ€
Ernest Hemmingway
D4 3.0 Active Diff, Adaptive Lights, High Beam Assist, Surround Cameras, Privacy Glass.
D3 2.7:Adaptive Headlights,Electronic Rear Diff,ARB Bar,Blaupunkt Speakers,JVC Powered Subwoofer,Removable Snorkel,Mitch Hitch,Pioneer After Market Head Unit,Steering Wheel Control Adaptor,Remote Adjustable Supension Rod System, Taxside Dual Battery System.
30th Oct 2010 11:47 pm
Nico G4-2
Member Since: 11 Nov 2008
Location: Pretoria
Posts: 128
Tx feedback...
Sorry to hear about your trip ...
I read about the incident in the newspaper ... not a nice thing and sincere sympathy to those involved and left behind.
I bought a SATphone (2nd hand) before our trip in June/July for exactly this reason - 1 use when really needed makes up for the price. I was thinking to make it available to friends/forum members ( "in good standing" ) for a minimal fee and purchase of your own airtime. Airtime can be bought on pre-paid and thus my risk is really only a stolen handset which a refundable deposit can cover ... The costing structure from the rental people is really misleading etc...
Yip these are good leasons to learn and again ti hear that when overlanding fellow travelers are the best insurance policy out there and thsu remember our HELP will be needed oneday so if duty calls don't hesitate.
Tx
NicoNico
'91 BYB - Big Yellow Bus: Ex-CT Tdi Disco
'05 BOV - Big Orange Van: TDV6 D3 G4 - Hit a COW the animal kind
'11 BBB - Big Black Bus: D4 HSE 5.0 V8 - busy with MODS
'16 KIA SEDONA - 11 SEATS
SWAMBO ... Small black number - RCZ
1st Nov 2010 7:50 am
heine
Member Since: 07 Feb 2007
Location: Midrand
Posts: 4054
I have a sat phone which is also available if I like you
1st Nov 2010 8:14 am
O.B.
Member Since: 13 Dec 2010
Location: Pretoria
Posts: 3
One question on the engine mounted compressor. Is this then a good electric one under the bonnet, or a compressor physically driven by the engine?
Does the Discovery have a place to do a crank driven unit?
reason I ask is I am busy installing a crank driven one on my Defender Tdi. Even with no aircon compressor space is limited. I have never seen an engine bay of the Disco, but I assume there are too much other stuff for something like this?
Member Since: 02 Jul 2006
Location: Oberon, NSW
Posts: 6922
You could put put in a crank driven compressor attach it to the bracket on top of the engine. “There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely gamesâ€
Ernest Hemmingway
D4 3.0 Active Diff, Adaptive Lights, High Beam Assist, Surround Cameras, Privacy Glass.
D3 2.7:Adaptive Headlights,Electronic Rear Diff,ARB Bar,Blaupunkt Speakers,JVC Powered Subwoofer,Removable Snorkel,Mitch Hitch,Pioneer After Market Head Unit,Steering Wheel Control Adaptor,Remote Adjustable Supension Rod System, Taxside Dual Battery System.
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