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Post by Charles on Feb 28, 2011 22:59:32 GMT 2
In my mind a winch is the most overradted accesorie. Nice to have when traveling alone, but that isnt adviced.
Charles
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Post by marius on Mar 1, 2011 8:53:39 GMT 2
Hi Pieter
I agree with Charles - it is a tool that you would hardly use and it will probably cause overheating. It can be very usefull if you travel alone - provided there are some trees within distance (normally there won't be ;D)
The most usefull thing would be a snorkel.
Regards Marius
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Post by ronnie on Mar 1, 2011 9:25:16 GMT 2
Hi Pieter
I have had a winch fitted to the Landy for many many years and in all my travels It has never been used. However as we always traveled alone I consider it an insurance policy. Again as mentioned you need a tree as well, and I think in all the surrounding countries the trees grow in sand. It will be a toss up as to what moves, the tree or the Niva ;D
Ronnie
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Post by ronnie on Mar 1, 2011 9:28:08 GMT 2
Hi Marius
If the winch causes overheating then it again points to a radiator which is not suitable for this country and the heat.
Ronnie
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pieter6009
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Post by pieter6009 on Mar 1, 2011 22:28:04 GMT 2
Thanks all for the swift feedback! Good to have your inputs - If seldom used not worth the cost if not traveling alone.
Thanx & best regards all Pieter
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Post by marius on Mar 2, 2011 8:17:02 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie
I just think one should be careful not to clutter the front of the radiator too much. In my opinion many people that would fit a winch will also fit a lot of other extras - like a bull bar/nudge bar and spots. This could restrict airflow onto the radiator.
The "new" radiator is not all bad - it is quite big which is a plus - but yes the plastic bits are less than ideal.
Regards Marius
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Post by hotstuff on Mar 2, 2011 20:58:35 GMT 2
winches waist of time on nivas,,,you can always take a manual winch along if needed. and never I REPEAT NEVER GO 4X4 ALONE TRUST ME i know i've been down that road and it aint fun. good tyre pump spade and rope 2ton to 6 ton. and high lift jack
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Post by ronnie on Mar 3, 2011 9:36:00 GMT 2
Hi Mike This is where I will differ with you. Going on Safari alone is no problem at all. Freda and I have done it for years, and as long as you don`t take risks it is no problem. It goes without saying that you must carry every thing you may need to live. That is why I changed to a Landy from the Niva so I could carry 300l of diesel 120 l of water, deep freeze and solar panels to charge the 7 batteries etc. In my travels I met plenty couples who traveled from the UK overland to South Africa and they had never done it previously. They had their problems but were equipped to deal with them. Go and enjoy Ronnie
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Post by ronnie on Apr 6, 2011 19:02:36 GMT 2
Hi All I have been playing arround for some time now looking at routes that are suitable for a duration of 2 weeks. This is not really a suitable period for travel to the north of Botswana and beyond. I am also worried about the cost of fuel which is escalating on a monthly basis. Looking at the current barrel cost, it will increase next month again. I for one will not be able to afford it. I have been looking at Mozambique as destination, perhaps being able to go via Kruger and into Moz and exit in the South to suit JHB and Durban. Vincent suggested Sani pass and Lesotho but in May / june it will be too cold there for me. I was there once in winter and nearly died of the cold. Is there anyone who knows the route through the border post in the north of Kruger into the moz transfontier park and then perhaps after that on to the coast for Prawns . There must be someone in the club who can help us. Ronnie
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Post by Charles on Apr 6, 2011 19:08:49 GMT 2
Maybe we can look at as trip next year october to sani pass/lesoto?
Charles
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Post by spikes on Apr 6, 2011 19:29:33 GMT 2
Hi all, Ronnie has touched on something that has been in the back of my mind for quite a while now: The affordability of an extended across border trip. Fuel will go up to R12/l before next year this time. Passports has just gone up Afraid I will have to pull out of the trip as a whole, but if it comes to KNP we will join in on that leg Regards all Spikes
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Post by Charles on Apr 6, 2011 19:48:10 GMT 2
Knp?
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spikes
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Post by spikes on Apr 6, 2011 19:52:47 GMT 2
Sorry!! Kruger National Park
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Post by marius on Apr 6, 2011 19:56:31 GMT 2
Come on Ronnie - take some of that Mampoer you have been feeding your Niva. That will surely keep you nice and warm for the duration of the trip. Freda caqn do the driving. What would Sani pass be without some snow I don't want to dictate but I seriously think Sani pass would be a great alternative. Alternatively ;D we should look at local options as a way of keeping it affordable. Regards Marius
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Post by Charles on Apr 6, 2011 20:14:49 GMT 2
At least next year there is 3 Nivas in my area. Ari, Hein and myself. We are lucky and hasve baviaans pass 50km awaymmm
Charles
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on Apr 6, 2011 20:41:58 GMT 2
Hi All I have been playing arround for some time now looking at routes that are suitable for a duration of 2 weeks. This is not really a suitable period for travel to the north of Botswana and beyond. I am also worried about the cost of fuel which is escalating on a monthly basis. Looking at the current barrel cost, it will increase next month again. I for one will not be able to afford it. I have been looking at Mozambique as destination, perhaps being able to go via Kruger and into Moz and exit in the South to suit JHB and Durban. Vincent suggested Sani pass and Lesotho but in May / june it will be too cold there for me. I was there once in winter and nearly died of the cold. Is there anyone who knows the route through the border post in the north of Kruger into the moz transfontier park and then perhaps after that on to the coast for Prawns . There must be someone in the club who can help us. Ronnie I agree Ronnie, 2 weeks is too short for a Botswana etc trip. We have some of the best places in our own country lets go explore them first. @ Charles ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D aRI
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Hercules
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Post by Hercules on Apr 6, 2011 20:48:59 GMT 2
The rising prizes is also one of my concerns. The cost of fuel to the coast with toll fees was touching R3000.00 at a consumption of 12.5l/100km.
Do not know what the prize of fuel will be next year, but at the rate it is going now, I will be forced to re-consider a trip.
A trip to sani will maybe more suitable.
Regards.
Hercules
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Post by vincentc on Apr 6, 2011 21:00:41 GMT 2
OK, its just taken me all of 40 minutes to read the WHOLE 2012 African trip. Ronnie and I had a trip down (up) to Himeville on Tuesday. They are busy with a project to Tar the Sani pass.
I am fortunate enough to travel (by car) extensively through out SA and Botswana.
How many of our Lada's would be up to a 2 or 3 week trip?
The suggestion of shorter trips in SA would be a great idea and would allow all the members to get to see another part of our FANTASTIC country. Why not travel to Mpumalanga and meet up with Spikes and let HIM show us his back yard. If you come down to KZN South Coast, why not meet up with us and let us show you OUR back yard etc. That gives us an opportunity to all meet, let the Lada's roam and not have to spend valuable bucks on items that may only get used once or twice a year.
By bulk booking a resort / self catering place / camp site we can probably negotiate very reasonable rates.
As the Lada's are Russion, perhaps we need to think Russian and work as a collective. (tyres ring a bell anyone???)
There is Sani / Lesotho - St Lucia - KNP - West Cost National park - The list is VERY long. Perhaps keep the 2012 trip on the go as it will be epic, but also plan shorter local SA trips where we can get together more regularly.
PS I would have to travel with wife and 2 children or go alone :-(
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Post by marius on Apr 6, 2011 21:07:53 GMT 2
Vincent I do like your thinking!
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Post by ronnie on Apr 6, 2011 21:27:01 GMT 2
Hi All There is some consensus re the fuel costs etc for the trip we would like to do. I would request all members who are considering going to please give us your thoughts. I like the idea of Spikes giving us some input into suitable venues in his part of the world. I will have a look at what is available near the Moz border with KZN with some help from Vincent. Marius> After living in Scotland for 30 of my 67 years I can think of far warmer and pleasant places to go for a holiday in winter time. Perhaps we can look at the Sani Pass for a long weekend sometime when the cold will only be for a short time. Ronnie
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Post by marius on Apr 6, 2011 21:38:13 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie Just pulling your leg Comrade ;D I am the exact opposite - I can't handle temp above 35 degrees and high humidity. The combination of both is my idea of hell I've always loved snow - maybe it's because I was practically born in snow! Well almost ... Marius
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Post by ronnie on Apr 6, 2011 21:48:10 GMT 2
Hi All
Another option for a 2 week trip is a place like the Khalari Gemsbok Transfontier Park. It is a long drive from Jhb or Durbs, (I have done it) but once you are there you can book for the Botswana side where there can be some quite deep sand driving. You do need your passport, but the cost per day is virtually the same as the SA side. The park has a lot of animals including Leopard with regular sightings. The camp sites on the SA side are fenced and are safe for children, but on the Botswana side Lions and Hyena are regular visitors. This is just for your thoughts for a longer holiday at lower cost even though it is a long run to get there.
Ronnie
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Post by Charles on Apr 6, 2011 21:58:12 GMT 2
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vincentc
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Post by vincentc on Apr 6, 2011 22:18:11 GMT 2
Charles - Enough Said.
The transfrontier national park is also a great idea.
Perhaps we need to start a seperate thread for shorter week end type trips?
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Post by Koos on Apr 7, 2011 12:37:00 GMT 2
Hi Charles
Will be willing to join in at least Gamkas, maybe even the rest too.
Koos
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Post by marius on Apr 7, 2011 14:56:57 GMT 2
Yes Charles that part of the world also brings back happy childhood memories
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Post by pieter6009 on Apr 23, 2011 22:34:46 GMT 2
Hi gents! In some of the magazines like "Weg / "Weg sleep / Getaway etc they sometimes discuss intersting places in SA if opting for SA due to rising fuel prices. We can think two ways - Trip to test vechile & skills and new experiences or a get together to meet other Lada owners. Whatever I am still in so far.! Rgds all Pieter Brummer
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Post by vincentc on Apr 24, 2011 19:40:07 GMT 2
Agreed Pieter.
Perhaps a number of shorter local trips first before we tackle the big one. This will give all the Lada's a chance to do reliabilty testing etc within our borders.
I am game any which way.
i am going up to Moz via car shortly and will give you a report on my return on how this has been.
Regards Vincent
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pieter6009
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Post by pieter6009 on Apr 25, 2011 22:05:41 GMT 2
Hi all Just an idea - Can we compile a list of which towns / cities where everyone is staying? This way we will know in which area is the main concentration.
We can also use this to look & plan for suitable routes / places to see in the different areas and sort of rotate vists to different areas over the long run.
What do you think? I live in Secunda. (I grew up in Tzaneen & Phalaborwa and still travel to there for a week every 2nd month)
Best regards to all
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pieter6009
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Post by pieter6009 on Apr 25, 2011 22:08:56 GMT 2
I am also a big fan of Ponta in Mozambique and my little Lada has visited Ponta a couple of times!
Rgds Pieter
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