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Re: Camping in Kgalagadi - Advice needed

Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 10:57 am
by RoelfleRoux
"Roelf, if you happen to read this thread, please can you tell me who to speak to at Union Motors? It seems that I will have to get those dash rattles sorted out. Luckily I live in White River so I can also go to Union Motors in Nelspruit. They should be familiar with the problem."

Yip, I've been following ;)

I believe in treating the dealers as we would like them to treat us. In other words, phone the service manager and discuss your needs with him. See what he can do to help you. If you feel that you are not getting there, send me a PM and I'll give you a name further up the food chain :twisted:

But better still
If you were to search for the thread by MrG on the 4x4 forum, then you will see a much better solution. As a matter of fact, if you want to go with MrG's brackets, order two sets and I'll take one off your hands.

The Mitsu brackets made a big difference to my car, but I'm sure there is still plenty room for improvement.

To get back to your original post. I agree with everything said so far. The corrugations are really bad, but we were so lucky last time round; when we travelled from Mata Mata to TW, we were following the tractor that pulls the "road grading device". Man, that made a huge difference.

As a matter of fact, it was after that trip that I started to ruffle Mitsu's feathers to get my dash sorted out. That holiday included the stretch from Luderitz to Swakop (past Rostoc Ritz). Man, there were some seriously corrugated sections on that road. Good thing we pulled in at Rostoc for some cold refreshments, Walter gave us valuable info on a better route to follow towards Swakop.

Re: Camping in Kgalagadi - Advice needed

Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 11:19 am
by Bennvdm
Hi

Here is Mr G's post with video links on page4. Mr G - Gen4 dash quality problems

Re: Camping in Kgalagadi - Advice needed

Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 4:07 pm
by hroos
Hi guys,

Thanks this is really helpful.

I looked at Mr G's thread on the 4x4 forum and discovered his fix to a squeaky rear door as well.

Will contact him and order the brackets!

Thanks again.

Re: Camping in Kgalagadi - Advice needed

Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 9:23 pm
by KurtG
If you are camping then try avoid moving too many times. Rather stay at least 4 nights in one spot. We went in September 2013 and we enjoyed mata mata the most, there is better game viewing at the camp site. The road between the two river beds (mata mata to nossob) was the worst stretch of road I have ever driven in my life so lower those pressures and tighten the bra straps :D. We stayed in a chalet at TR when we entered and then stayed at Nossob and Mata mata 2 nights each, it's too rushed because you don't get a chance to enjoy it. Like I said, try stay 4 nights at Nossob or MM, they are both good

Re: Camping in Kgalagadi - Advice needed

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:59 am
by Davidvan
Hi,

Here are some tips on dealing with the cold.

Insulate your bed, if blow up mattress, place a thick blanket on top of bed before sheet or sleeping bag, same if a foam mattress
Take R99 small air blower heater to run for 5 mins to heat the tent up in the morning, with a lil boy, this helps a lot a he sometimes wakes up early, especially when it is cold.
Sleep with a nice K-way beanie
Hot water bottle or 2, for you and the missus
When sitting outside, take a small tin can per chair then take 1 medium size coal and place in the can and place under your camping chair, nice and toasty, don't overdo the coals, also works just placing coal on sand under seat, but is messy and can get burnt..
Use your sun visor for insulation as well, can place below mattress.
Use winter sheet if you prefer the duvet thing, we use our down duvet when the mercury drops quite low and works a treat.
We take a small thin mat with in the Trailer tent so when your feet hit the floor it is not ice cold, especially at 4am if the little 1 wakes up early
Good coffee flask, nothing beats a good cup of cofee and rusks on a game drive - now I am "somer lus" for coffee and rusks and the bush and all it's sounds.....
Some of the guys have made awesome fire pits with old stainless steel washing machine drums, that looks awesome, haven't done that mtself yet due to space it takes up.
Enjoy the Paj and the Kgalagadi, both great!

Cheers

David

Re: Camping in Kgalagadi - Advice needed

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 2:11 pm
by hroos
Hi all,

Thanks a million!

I am monitoring SANParks website. Desperately trying to book an additional two or three days. Ideally I will get 2 days in TR and 4 at MM and N each.

Do you guys have any suggestions regarding the dust situation? How would one go about in keeping as much of it outside the vehicle when travelling on gravel? Is it one of those things that one just accepts?

Thanks again.

Re: Camping in Kgalagadi - Advice needed

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 2:31 pm
by RoelfleRoux
If you run with the windows closed and the fan on "2" speed, then the car should be perfectly dustproof. My Gen3's weren't good with an open window at slow speed, but the Gen4 seems much better. Still, by the end of your trip you should have dust everywhere - comes with the territory :twisted:

BUT, why go to the desert if you don't want to taste it in your sandwich and in your beer and on your meat :D ?

PS: Better keep the rear fan also running - copious amounts of dust can accumulate in those roof ducts. And then gets blown over your unsuspecting mother in law on the way to a grand wedding :mrgreen:

Re: Camping in Kgalagadi - Advice needed

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 2:35 pm
by andrew.ashton
hroos wrote:Hi all,

Do you guys have any suggestions regarding the dust situation? How would one go about in keeping as much of it outside the vehicle when travelling on gravel?
Do not put the AC on recirculate - leave it on fresh air. It seems counter-intuitive, but that's what I found worked for me.

Edit: And anyway the corrugations are so bad that you won't go fast enough to generate much dust!