Our Vehicles

The input from many helped us select the Toyota Landcruiser 4.2 diesel pickup in December 2004 as our 4X4 vehicles (GR1 and GR3). It had limited electronics and was a reliable tough workhorse with a reputation to go nearly anywhere. Converting the vehicle to our specifications with a liveable space to sleep 4 and educate our kids, was a challenge. The initial design of a metal tank-like motor home was done by Meano & Sons near Johannesburg in mid 2005, but proved too top heavy on off-road testing as GR3 overturned in December 2005. An expensive lesson was learned and we were back to the drawing board. We decided on a fibreglass shell and extended the vehicle by ½m to incorporate a shower and toilet inside. Schroeder Motorhomes in Jeffreysbay did a great job, which took the better half of 2006!

The vehicles have a reverse osmosis water filtration system, a large Waeco fridge for GR1 and Electrolux for GR3, 2 gas burners with sink and a geyser for hot water with a 200 amp auxiliary battery powered by the alternator and two 75 watt solar panels fitted on the roof. We also fitted a 12 to 240 volt inverter to charge electronic equipment and a DVD player to occupy the kids (and ourselves!). 4X4 Megaworld improved the suspension with Old Man Emu coils, springs and gas shocks. A bulbar, winch with fog lights, recovery points and a long range fuel tank completed the 4X4 requirements. The motor home has abundant packing space inside, with accessible hatches from the outside as well. We carry 150L of water and 160L diesel giving us a range of about 1000km (consumption of 6.5km/l). Continental tyres sponsored the 235/85 R16 Conti-track AT tyres for the full journey. We eventually had the vehicle ready in November 2006 with a fully packed weight of 4.5 tons. Eddie and Deidre's vehicle (GR2) was a pre-manufactured land cruiser motor home bought in New Zealand with a pop-up roof and cooking facilities inside – a perfect vehicle for 2 people.