[4ePikanini]

Brian and Debbie Taylor - Fortuner 3.0 D4D Manual M/T
Mom and Dad - Touareg 5.0 V10 TDi - Auto BFG A/T
Myself and Shalene - Pajero 3.2 Di-D Auto BFG A/T

Notes

S32 35.039 E28 28.277 : Not suitable for standard 4x4's - extremely large boulders - I would recommend you have underbody and diff protectors and a large lift to consider this crossing.

S32 34.930 E28 27.858 : Alternative crossing to above mentioned crossing - none of us touched or bumped here.

See breadcrumb trail below how we search for alternative crossing.

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S32 33.149 E28 30.739 : Rock packing required with rock steps in crossing creates large breakover angles and large steps to get up - serious danger for vehicle damage here - we actually called it quits for the day here as we were far beyond our planned time schedule and we were not in the mood for rock packing.

See end of breadcrumb trail where we called it quits for the day.

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[/i]

Brian and Debbie Taylor joined Dad and I on the Eco Trail.

It was actually a very pleasant mix of vehicles as they are probably the most debated/contested vehicles on the forum.

The company was great and there was no quibbling amongst us. Truth be told, Dad and I sang the praises of the 'Tuna after a while (then again Brian showed great skill with his lifted 'Tuna on mud tekkies)

There wasn't any dodgy moments and none of us got stuck but I can report that in rocky dry conditions, the pajero and the tuna with rear diff lock had the advantage over the tregg's traction control that spun some places we just crawled through. I thought different as I experienced traction control to be superior in slippery wet muddy conditions.

So there are pros and cons with both systems.

In future I would also pack a larger store of snacks and drinks to take with (I stupidly forgot the coolerbox at home - but it wouldn't have been enough anyway). The route is slow and when we were there it was hot. Bush chopping and rock packing is a crucial part of the trail and that is thirsty work.

We left East London at 06:30 and even though we only went about halfway I only managed to get back to East London at 16:00. So plan for a long day if you are more vehicles and doing the whole route.

Pictures to follow

[jotto]

Nice one Marius, but you know the rules: no pics - it did not happen

J

[4ePikanini]

[jotto]

Very nice indeed Marius, will keep this one in mind when I am in that area of the woods.

[4ePajero]

Well, we are back!

What a day!

The vehicles:

• Toyota Fortuner with Cooper STT muds, lifted suspension, custom front bumper.
• Marius's Gen3 Di-D with BFG ATs
• My VW Touareg with 265-65-18 BFG AT

Where did we go?
The first leg to the Jakaranda wreck was real easy.
The second leg between the Jakaranda and Cebe was more difficult.
The river crossing shown across the Khoboqaba River at 32° 34.951'S 28° 27.870'E was surveyed, waded and re-surveyed. There was a large possibility that we would not be able to cross here due to large boulders in the river bed and more important there was a massive boulder (± 500mm high) in the middle of the only exit out of the river.

We found an alternative (easy) crossing at 32° 33.153'S 28° 30.741'E. This will be reported to T4A.

At this stage I started doubting a statement made on 4x4community, that "you can do it with a standard Hilux with standard tyres". To the Jaranda yes, but definitely not some of the stuff we had to negotiate.

We then proceeded to the river crossing at 32° 33.153'S 28° 30.741'E across the Inxaxo River. The crossing was difficult with angular steps to be climbed. With the packing of some rocks, we might have made it.
The climb out of the river did however look very difficult, with steps and ledges ±1m high.
The idea was not to test our rock climbing ability, but to have a pleasurable drive through the Transkei.
It was now 14h30 and since Marius had commitments in East London on Saturday evening, we decided to call it a day for the moment.
We will be back to complete the rest.

Annette and I carried on (on normal gravel roads) to Mazeppa Bay Hotel, where we spent the night. Brilliant! We can really recommend this little hotel (Google it!)

How did the vehicles perform?

Fortuner:
Brilliant, with ample clearance and traction.
Made most obstacles look easy.
It made very funny 'clacking' noises in the front suspension, though.
It did not have a handbrake either (as reported on many forums!)

Gen3 Di-D:
As much traction as the 'Tuner, but lacks clearance.
It caught in a few places.

Touareg:
Ample clearance, only place I touched the ground was when I dropped into a clay donga and the tow bar caught at the back.
Traction control is different!
Whereas the other two vehicle walked the obstacles, the Touareg's progress was accompanied with the normal wheel spin you find with traction control.
Fact is the Touareg went everywhere the others went, without scratching it's belly.
I am now convinced that lockers are better, but only for the potential tyre damage due to the spinning of the wheels associated with TC.

There is a lot of buffing waiting for us, to get rid of the scratches, due to tree branches.

Pictures to follow!

[4ePajero]

The convoy:

The Fortuner:

The Gen3 Di-D:

Typical Transkei river scene. Note old terraces for crops (on left hill side):

The Fortuner, again

The Touareg (note ground clearance)

.... more to follow

[Davidvan]

That looks really awesome, thanks for sharing will need to add to the list of trips to do!

[4ePajero]

Shalene taking a restive moment .... (that's before the ticks got to her )


Crossing another small river


Unspoiled Transkei beauty (this is what I actually went for)


Marius negotiating a donga (one wheel into that and you need recovery !)


Marius and Shalene at the Jakaranda wreck (how much is it worth as scrap metal?)


The proposed crossing of the Khoboqaba River. Note the large boulders at the exit point, half way between Marius and Brian on the opposite bank


Another tranquil stream (next time we should have a picnic somewhere!)

... and another

Here we called it a day. The climb out of the river will be 'interesting'

[4ePajero]

I realized this morning that I don't have a photograph of Marius and his panga, chopping down branches to try and minimize the scratches to our SUVs.

He did this with so much gusto that Annette and I changed his name from Marius Fourie to Marius van der Bijl

[Transkeicowboy]

I am now officially even more jealous!