TURAS Camping and 4WD Magazine - Issue Twenty Four

GEAR - CAMPING - TRAVEL - CAMP COOKING - NEWS - FISHING

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E-MAGAZINE

AUTUMN 2022- ISSUE 24

INSIDE

ZI RANGE CAR CAMPING WITH THE KO

STRZELECKI DESERT CAMP COOKING

ECO-TECH VEHICLES

. G IN ALBANIA TOURIN

STORAGE SYSTEMS & Much More

INSIDE FREE LAND ROVER BUILD MAGAZINE - OVER 250 PAGES OF CONTENT

Editorial from DARCHE is lightweight and is suitable for use when car camping as well as camping with 4WD vehicles. We goCamp Cooking with Petromax , install some vehicle storage Electric Vehicles are making systems with Trek Overland, inroads into every area of life, and take a look at a reliable recreation, transport, agriculture and more, in this issue we remote power solution from CTEK. take a look at some innovative new EVs, Including one ambitious project to drive a custom We look at some great options EV to the top of Chile’s highest for kitting out your vehicle for active volcano using only sun- your next adventure with a range of premium , top quallight as a power source (Peak ity products available from Evolution).

My Overland Shop by Black Label trade and from expediWe explore the Strzelecki detion-equipment.com by APB sert in Australia. As usual we trading Ltd. and much more. take a look at the latest gear, with a new range of products ‘KOZI’ available from Australian We hope you enjoy this issue. brand DARCHE. This new range Welcome to Issue 24. In this issue we tour friendly Albania with Tomek and the team at Land4Travel.

The TURAS team

Photo:Nicolas Genoud - Geko Expeditions

EDITORIAL TEAM

Russ Ryan Mark O’Toole

CONTRIBUTORS

Paul Frith Trish Melody Alison Scanlon Marie Frith Frank Cassidy

Russ Mark

DESIGN TEAM

Paul

Russ Ryan Mark O’Toole Marie Frith PUBLISHED BY

TURAS Camping & 4WD Adventures Ltd.

Trish

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Copyright © 2022 TURAS Camping and 4WD Adventures Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, please contact: info@turas.ie

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TOURING ALBANIA

The new Darche KOZI Range

08

DACIA Manifesto EV

40 CAMPFIRE Cooking

50

26 Exploring in the Desert

56

contents.

My Overland Shop Black Label Trade

74 JEEP Eco-Models

100

Offroad Monkeys Accessories

82

92

PEAK EVOLUTION A Solar Journey - with Nokian Tyres

Latest Gear The latest camping gear

170+

pages Full of

outdoor lifestyle

Remote Power Off-Grid from CTEK

Defender Storage Solutions

116

124

Expedition Outfitting with APB Trading

138

contents.

Euro4x4parts The Ultimate 4x4 Parts Catalogue

150

Shock Loc Self Locking Strap

Leave no Trace If you take it in, take it out..

160

16

TOURING ALBANIA

Tomek & the team at Land4Travel bring us on another overland adventure , in Albania, a country in Southeastern Europe. It is located on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas within the Mediterranean Sea and shares land borders with Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, North Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south.

I

Words and Images : Land4Travel

n 2022 we went to Albania - in 7 cars – mostly Land Rovers and one Toyota. We all live in different Polish cities, so we chose Cieszyn for the meeting up location.

We drove through Slovakia, Hungary and Serbia in two days - the group was so disciplined that each morning it was ready to leave a few minutes earlier than the previous day. We arrived at the crossing with Albania in Hania and Hotit – and very friendly service,the border check looks exactly the same as in any civilized country - we give passports, car documents, the border guard checks if we have a green card and ... we are already in Albania.

Our first night in Albania falls on the charming and warm Skadar Lake – and on one of the best campsites we have ever been to - beautifully situated, with a good restaurant, clean toilets and tidy camping spots.

We enjoy these conditions, because very soon, - our accommodation will look completely different.

The next item on the agenda is the National Park near the town of Teth. We are going along on a beautiful mountain road, and stop at the pass, 1650m above sea level. In Teth we were welcomed by local kids, very cool kids, fluent in English. They invite us to use an agritourism facility run by their parents - they will be great business-

“

We also got to meet up with Bambi

people one day. We take up an invitation to dinner - broth with a piece of mutton, french fries, sheep cheese, yoghurt, cucumber and tomato salad everything tastes great!

We organize the night next to visit the ruins of a farm, right next to a small hydroelectric power plant. An unannounced Albanian person visits us for

“

dinner, and we learn pretty quickly that he is a conservator of the power plant. It looks like he will stay with us until the morning ;-) We had heard that there is such a custom here. The girls are a bit surprised, but we felt that this should be considered a local attraction. You don’t know any of the language, so we sit and exchange a few known words: Enver Hoxha, Le-

wandowski, AC Milan, etc.

The next day starts with a swim in an icy mountain river, a visit to the Grunas waterfall and the amazingly charming Blue Eye. We stop for the night in a large clearing overlooking a narrow road leading along a mountain ledge.

In the evening, sitting by the fire, we see the lights of cars moving along this road - the drivers here are very efficient.

The next day we head towards Shkodra. The locals laugh at us terribly when we say that we prefer to wild camp and drive to more remote locations. The road is relatively safe, although we pass many crosses and even chapels with the names of

many accident victims. The lower down we get , the more we see that the neighborhoods are better developed for agriculture and clearly also richer.

We enter Shkodra - the first association for me is the similarity with Kyrgyz cities, similar style of streets, buildings, shops, similar driving style of drivers. We drive around the city, refuel our cars and go to Koman. There we spend the night in the wild in an old, abandoned apiary.

In the morning we queue up for the ferry to Fierz. Get oour ferry tickets and then retire to a long tale for an evening by the fire. We set up cars next

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“

The Albanian people were incredibly welcoming and accommodating to our group

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to tourists from France - they are travelling in a huge offroad MAN, which can barely fit on the ferry. The views from the ferry are unforgettable - the route runs along a dammed river with a hydroelectric power plant at the end.

We land near Fira and head to the Valbone valley to look for accommodation. We choose a meadow near the buildings – and go to ask the hosts if we can stay there overnight.

We meet very hospitable peo-

ple – and they insist that we sleep instead at their house.

They invite us to the garden for great coffee and rakija, they just don’t want to let us go, but eventually we somehow get back to the rest of the crew. We are making dinner and now we invite the Albanians over for some food - we spend a very nice evening in their company. Tonight we sleep in the open air.

Taking a break after a day exploring the lake Nightlife in Albania is as energetic as you can imagine

Albania has a wide variety of road types including many winding dirt tracks across mountain passes.

The next morning, it turns out that in the evening their women invited our women over for their morning coffee. The Albanians welcomed us in a modest but very tidy house. His daughters treat us to traditional Turkish coffee (they call it ‘turka coffee’ *). After the coffee, the youngest of the family takes us for a swim in a beautiful mountain river. We say goodbye and move on.

The next stop is Berat - a beautiful historic city with a fortress towering over it. We stop at a local campsite, right by the river. It is late, but we still go out for a night walk around the city - the streets are full of people, we feel very safe. In the morning we visit the city and the fortress , though the heat is terrible. We move through the Osum canyon, we plan to spend the night in the canyon, and the next day - a trip through the mountains to the hot springs in Permet.

The next city on the route is Gijokaster - we visit a monumental fortress built by the Turks and walk around the beautiful city.

Many Greeks live here, there is even a Greek consulate. We continue our journey through Saranda (a modern seaside resort) from where, after eating delicious seafood, we set off for a camping on the beach, which we call “Dominican Republic” Our next destination is the wild Gijpe Beach, which is reached by a narrow, steep road leading along the mountain side, accessible only to 4x4 vehicles. We spend two days there, and we sleep in tents or in the open air.

In addition to us, in the bay there are also some French people in a motorhome built on the Toyota LJ80 and three other SUVs - Land Rover Defender, Toyota Land Cruiser J5 and Nissan Patrol.

They are quite a team, with them

Kasia, a Pole, a robotics student from Berlin, and Jan, whose grandfather fought in the Battle of Britain.

After two days of lazing andsunbathing, we leave the paradise beach. We go to “Albanici” - a vineyard in central Albania

Another camp setup on the road

- where we spend the night among the grape bushes and eat dinner, during which the host serves us a dish of Albanian cuisine.

In the morning we break the camp and take the SH21 road to the border with Montenegro, their border guard apologizes to us for having to wait 5 minutes. We pass through Montenegro, Serbia (with accommodation), Hungary and Slovakia.

We have the last night in a charming hill in Slovakia, the next day we wake up, joke, breakfast, say goodbye to the other participants, and at 8pm we are already in Piła.

ABOUT LAND4TRAVEL Land4Travel is a group of friends fascinated by travel.

With its trips, the group wants to spark the desire to see new places and curiosity about the world. They drive away from the usual tourist routes. Their passion is adventure-like travel and they want to share this passion with people who travel with them. They will not take you to the beaches of Hurghada, but with them you will see the Caucasus Mountains, shipwrecks in the Aral Sea or penguins on the shores of Patagonia. Land4travel is not a tourist office. It is a project for those who want to get in contact with nature, lo-

cal culture, and want to feel the atmosphere of the Camel Trophy while traveling in legendary Land Rover Discovery SUVs. Go with them and experience the charm of Asian hotels and what the end of the world looks like at Cape Horn.

Learn more and find out about the latest range of adventures on offer at : https://www.land4travel.com/

Our expedition kitchen table

Cathetral of St.Mary Berat

Gjirocastra Albania

For more information: land4travel.com sp. z o.o.

80-452 Gdańsk ul. Kilińskiego 5c/24 NIP 731-20-67-006 Tomek - tel. +48 603 499 338 email: info@land4travel.com

7 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ALBANIA Only 3 million people live in the country. Currently, Albanians live mainly outside the country, not on its territory Albanian buses (called vans) do not have a timetable, they depart when they are operational and ready - or full.

Albania is a very mountainous country.

Mountains occupy 70% of its territory Some people in the country hang stuffed animals and items in built houses to scare away evil spirits.

Albania’s heroine is Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu. Better known all over the world as Mother Teresa. She was born in Skopje, now part of Macedonia The village of Lazarat is the “herbal capital of Albania”. The countryside makes the country the largest exporter of cannabis in Europe.

Four glaciers were discovered in the country in 2009 by a group of explorers at the University of Colorado. The unique glaciers found in the Cursed Mountains of Northern Albania lie at a low altitude of 2,000 meters and are the southernmost glaciers in Europe.

CAR CAMPING

In issue 22 we had a look at the COP 26 conference and what governments were signing up to when it comes to addressing Climate Action.And as highlighted in the article most of us do recognise that the time for sticking our heads in the sand is over as the writing is truly on the wall. And with the recent massive increases in energy, this has made it a hell of a lot more expensive to take our 4WD’s out on longer camping trips. Current international events including the war in Ukraine have without doubt accelerated an already fast-moving transition to hybrid and eco-friendly vehicles.

We have to accept that we do all need to move away from Diesel and Petrol engines and in many courtesy we won’t have a choice in the near future. We are now seeing countries particularly in Europe getting very tough on the use of diesel cars.For example, the Brussels regional government will be introducing a ban on diesel cars in the region by 2030 and petrol cars by 2035 in an effort to

G N I C U D O E R G T N N I A R I Z O K W E N E H T

meet the European Union’s carbon neutrality goal by 2050. The ban will also apply to vehicles running on compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, and hybrids from 2035.

Like many of us, the TURAS team all of whom own and love 4WD vehicles are very much aware about what is coming down the line, with the cost of electrical conversions pretty much out of reach for most of us, well certainly for the moment, we do realise that we will have to look at more affordable ways to fuel, excuse the pun our love for getting outdoors and camping with our friends and families.

So recently we did something that we never did before and honestly never thought we would do it, and

1. Ultimate Family Camping Gear 2. Includes some new products 3. Ligher and more affordable

LIGHTER TO CARRY,LESS EXPENSIVE & DESIGNED FOR A MORE GENERIC FAMILY MARKET E H T G N I C U D O T INTR N E T P O T F O O KOZI R

that was putting a Roof Top Tent on one of our cars, packing up, and heading off with the family for a weekend camping and fishing trip.

So the first thing prior to this trip was to attach a rooftop tent that is light enough to put on a Honda Civic, enter the DARCHE Kozi Range. The team at DARCHE has combined their innovation and expertise to bring to the customer a new range of gear that is a bit lighter to carry, less expensive, and designated for a more generic family suv and car camping market.

DARCHE has nothing to prove when it comes to producing high-quality products and we have all seen how popular this Australian brand has become in Europe and all over the world in recent years. The introduction of the Kozi range is timely, inspired by the Australian landscape, in particular Mount Kosciuszko Australia’s highest mountain that just happens to be named after a Polish

explorer, the Darche KOZI Series is designed to make family camping more accessible, affordable and functional.

We added the slick and lightweight Kozi Series Roof Top Tent to the Honda. It basically is the same process as attaching other tents to a 4WD only difference here is that the tent is just so much lighter.

This lightweight RTT is made with an aluminium baseboard, weighing just 45.3kg, this model is easy to set up and will suit a wide range of vehicles.

With plenty of space for two, the sleeping quarters include a high-density foam mattress with a removable polycotton cover for a comfortable night’s sleep and easy care. It also incorporates the very

popular zippered sky window with multiple windows and air vents for great ventilation.

Made from premium 300D Polyester Oxford material, This tent has an impressive PU 1500mm water rating, seam sealing, and a removable polyester fly that will keep you dry in extended rainy conditions, giving you great protection from the elements all year round. The pre-mounted channel rails suit most commercially available flat roof rack or roof rail systems. Make sure to check the weight rating and suitability of your roof rack and vehicle.

Look straight up in our view this is the future of family camping, as we all make the transfer from heavy 4WDs to lighter electrical vehicles we do need to look at changing our views on the need to have a heavy 4WD particularly if we don’t really use it for what it was built for. We have to know doubt that there still will be options for those of us who do like to get off the beaten track and we all know that in order to do that we will need a capable 4WD vehicle to allow us to enjoy this lifestyle.

The only difference here is that we will have to look at more environmentally friendly options as the reality is that Diesel and Petrol powered vehicles are becoming a thing of the past.

EUROPEAN & UK DISTRIBUTORS

0VER 250 PAGES

& 20 VIDEOS

SHOWCASING

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A I C A D introducing the

O T S E F I N MA

INTRODUCING THE DACIA MANIFESTO

Get a hold of this, according to the Dacia it’s a cool, robust, affordable and environmentally efficient car, well it’s certainly looks cool and robust and that’s for sure .

Dacia say that the MANIFESTO concept is a lab for ideas and a vehicle that is connected to nature, environmentally friendly and brimming with breakthroughs some of which will be available on future vehicles in Dacia’s range.As highlighted by Dacia the concept is not a future model: it is a statement about the brand’s aim to stand by customers as they become ever keener on outdoor pursuits, while expanding the values and qualities that have built Dacia vehicles’ success.

There are no filters between the passengers and the environment – no doors, no windows, no windshield. You are immersed in nature. And, when you are enjoying your open-air activities, there’s nothing quite as convenient as a work surface that serves a variety of purposes instead of the tailgate.

Passengers can also be close to nature and at the same time remain connected with the services available on their smartphone: Dacia’s Bring-Your-Own-Device approach makes it possible to fully integrate a smartphone into the dashboard and on-board computer.

This system is already available on several of the brand’s models and will evolve further in the future.According to the company the MANIFESTO concept is also ushering in another breakthrough that will be built into

future models: YouClip, a very simple system to secure a variety of handy and modular accessories.Lastly, as cool often overlaps with useful at Dacia, the single headlamp – why use two if one provides all the light you need? – can be detached to be used as a powerful torchlight!

The MANIFESTO concept comes with all the off-road hallmarks, including 4-wheel drive, very generous ride height, large wheels and a body built to withstand the toughest terrain. The vehicle is also waterproof where you can clean the inside with a water jet.Its also interesting to note that the removable seat coverings become sleeping bags in seconds.

With MANIFESTO concept, the brand is tendering its vision for a vehicle with a minimal environmental footprint. As it is compact and lightweight, it consumes less energy. This quest for efficiency goes back a long way in the Dacia range - Jogger, for instance, is 300 kg lighter than its 7-seat rivals.

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The MANIFESTO concept was featured at the Paris Motor Show on October 18th 2022.

MANIFESTO concept’s main plastic body parts contains a significant portion of recycled material. Called Starkle®, it is made from already processed polypropylene, with a flecked effect.The interior is also fitted with natural materials such as the cork covering the dashboard.

And, as in the latest Dacia models, the decorative chrome plating is gone.

The concept airless tyres are another innovative feature as they aim for environmental friendliness as well as savings.

The underlying principle is durability: these tyres are puncture-proof and last as long as the vehicle.

“At Dacia, we like to keep it real. As we were developing and exploring new ideas, we felt we needed to push them past 3D simulations and see what they look like in real life! As well as being a designer object, MANIFESTO concept encapsulates our vision and combines a wide range of innovation – some involve extreme implementation, but they are still affordable for customers. We will be using a few of them on future Dacia models.” says David Durand, Dacia Design Director “We want to build a range of products that strengthens our brand promise, focusing on the essentials and adapting our vehicles for outdoor activities.

Beyond our models, we are also working on innovative features that match our customers’ need and lifestyles even more closely. MANIFESTO concept is a

“lab” to try out and mock up new ideas. The version you can see today will keep on evolving as we keep on exploring! So don’t miss the next models: they will be ever smarter, ever more tailored to outdoor activities and ever more Dacia!”

Lionel Jaillet, Dacia Product Performance Director

The MANIFESTO concept was featured at the Paris Motor Show.

COOKING

T

here is nothing quite like campfire cooking, and as anyone who has experienced it knows, that food always tastes better when cooked and eaten outside. Petromax is a company known for its wide range of high quality products and accessories for outdoor cooking and food preparation.

From grills and cooking plates, to Dutch ovens and skillets, Petromax provides everything that you might need for cooking outside. A great aspect of the product range is that it has all been designed to work together so that different products can be combined with each other to provide a wide range of cooking options.

The Petromax Dutch Ovens are ideal companions for outdoor activities such as travel, camping etc. Perfect for cooking over an open fire and in the home kitchen, they allow cooking food such as vegetables and meat very gently in its own juice. They feature a specially designed lid that can be used as a skillet or a platter.

The Petromax Dutch Ovens are made of durable cast-iron and have a pre-seasoned finish ready for immediate use. With the Petromax Dutch Ovens one can prepare delicious and healthy food for family friends.

Keeping your food fresh. The new Petromax Cool Box is available in two sizes. The 25 litres version kx25 holds up to twelve 1-litre bottles which can be transported upright in the spacious interior. The larger version kx50 has a capacity of 50 litres. These boxes certainly have an edge over other models on the market, not only do they look great and well able to take a beating they will also keep your beer and food cool for up to 12 days , yes twelve days ,now that’s impressive. Available in an Alpine white,Sand & Olive the kx25 and kx50 models are ultra-passive cooling systems offering a completely autonomous supply. The insulating layer of at least 1.7 inch enables the robust PE corpus of the cool boxes to keep ice cool for up to 12 days. The double walled construction with void insulation is made from optimally chosen, durable materials.

The Cool Box is made from durable polyethylene and extremely sturdy.

You can check out the full range of top quality Camp Cooking , bushcraft and lifestyle products on Petromax’s excellent webstore at : https://www.petromax.de/en/

e h t n i g explorin

DESERT

A

ustralia is the driest inhabited continent on the planet; this is dusty country with seventy percent of the Australian mainland classified as semi-arid, arid or desert. It doesn’t rain very often out there with the annual average rainfall clocking in at only 200mm or less. It can also get scorching hot with the maximum summer temperature reaching an explosive 50 degrees and with these soaring temperatures you won’t find many people living in this harsh environment with only 3% of the country’s population calling it home.

so many deserts to explore in this vast land, kicking up the red dirt and the desert sands was a top priority for me. But not only that, the appeal of being so remote in my 4X4 and the likelihood of having to be self-sufficient while being away from the city was a real attraction.

I was based in Sydney so the plan was to select a desert that was both reachable and safe, as I would be travelling with just one other, my mate Brucey from Brisbane and my trustee 2002 Land Rover Defender. Upon looking at the Australian map I was instantly familiar with the bigger deserts like the Simpson, the Gibson and the Great Victorian deserts, but one that wasn’t so well known and was conveWhen I lived in Australia a few niently close to Sydney was the years ago, one of the things I had to experience was taking my Strzelecki Desert, I had never heard of it. As it was only about Land Rover Defender to one of the ten Australian Deserts. With two-three days driving from

COVERING A TOTAL 80,000 KM2 OR 50,000 SQUARE MILES THE STRZELECKI DESERT IS THE SEVENTH LARGEST DESERT IN AUSTRALIA So how did the Strzelecki desert get its name? The area was discovered and named by Charles Sturt in 1845 after a famous Polish explorer called Edmund Strzelecki.

Sturt was a British explorer who led numerous expeditions into the center of Australia in search Before any extensive camping or of the infamous inland sea. Edtouring trip in the Land Rover I mund Strzelecki came from Poland always enjoy planning for trips and to Australia and is credited with completing extensive research on climbing and naming Australia’s places that I plan to visit. For me highest peak Mount Kosciusko in it’s not just about visiting a lo1839 (named after a famous Polish cation but also more importantly national hero). Prior to moving to understanding its geography, how Australia Edmund Strzelecki also it got its name and of course its explored remote parts of the world history. What I learned about the including North and South AmerStrzelecki desert and more impor- ica, the West Indies, China, India tantly the man who it was named and Egypt and incredibly he did all after, completely took me by surof this before his thirty fifth birthprise. day. ther Sydney the decision was made, we would be heading for the relatively accessible far north region of South Australia. Covering a total 80,000 km2 or 50,000 square miles the Strzelecki desert is the seventh largest desert in Australia.

Throughout his travels Waccumulated extensive knowledge in geological and mineralogical surveying and it was these skills that led the then governor of NSW in Australia to invite him to explore what lay beneath the Australian surface. During his time analysing and exploring the Australian topography he discovered gold and minerals in the Snowy Mountains and along the Gippsland region of Victoria.

As I further researched Strzelecki’s achievements I learnt that he was not just an explorer but also a humanitarian and philanthropist who had a keen interest in world affairs. During the mid 1840’s after spending a couple of years in Australia and achieving so much he then travelled to Ireland after

hearing about the Great Hunger and assisted in administering relief funds and supplies to the starving during the disastrous potato famine.

Strzelecki selflessly spent over two years in the west of Ireland working with the impoverished where he is credited with being responsible for saving thousands of lives through the administration of famine relief resources that he managed. Following his humanitarian work during the Irish famine he continued to assist Irish families seek new lives in Australia and he also played a significant role in other international cause’s, one example included assisting injured soldiers during the Crimean War. In 1849 Strzelecki moved to London where he was awarded a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society for his exploration and discoveries in Australia. He died in 1873 in London at the age of seventy seven, he was initially buried in London’s Kensal Green Cemetery before being re buried in his home city of Poznan in Poland.

Strzelecki is most notably remembered for his exploration particularly in Australia but his humanitarian work particularly during the Irish famine should be remembered as one of his major achievements, credited with saving the lives of thousands of starving children through his signature methods of distributing food and aid to those who needed it the most.

With this new found knowledge we packed up the Land Rover with essential supplies and headed off for the Strzelecki Desert remembering to bring plenty of water. Our journey began in Sydney where we headed for the Flinders Ranges and then on towards Arkaroola in the

THE STRZELECKI DESERT IS DOMINATED BY EXTENSIVE DUNE FIELDS WITH MUCH OF THE AREA PROTECTED AS A REGIONAL RESERVE Strzelecki was not just an explorer but also a humanitarian and philanthropist.

Vulkathunha national park. This was a couple of days driving and an overnight stop from the east coast and we covered a total distance of twelve hundred miles before reaching the dusty little mineral rich town of Arkaroola. Here we set up camp north of the Arkaroola region and it was from this point on that you really start to feel remote as you enter the fringes of the desert. We took the track up to Moolawatana Station and on past Mount Hopeless; from Balcanoona the first fifteen miles are very rough and dusty with lots of washouts so care is required when driving. From Moolawatana to Mt Hopeless it’s about forty miles approximately and the track is also pretty rough in parts. The track becomes increasingly rockier as you approach Moolawatana Homestead. In total one hundred and forty miles north of Arkaroola you will eventually meet the Strzelecki track. At the large T crossing we turned right onto the Strzelecki track before driving for another eighteen miles through the desert before stopping for lunch at the Montecollina Bore.

The Strzelecki desert is dominated by extensive dune fields with much of the area protected as a regional reserve with the endangered Dusky Hopping Mouse calling this arid land home. The actual Strzelecki “track” was originally blazed by the son of an Irishman Harry Redford, a cattle thief who drove 1,000 stolen cattle over untracked country from central Queensland to

Adelaide. Harry was eventually captured but because of his brave efforts in establishing a new stock route he was let off the hook and became one of the greatest cattle drovers in Australian history, who says crime does not pay? But it was the tragic death of Australia’s most famous explorers Burke and Wills the first white explorers to reach the top end of the continent in 1860 that really put the Strzelecki desert on the map.

The topography of this land is pretty spectacular and with the knowledge that you are driving over what is known as the Great Artesian you will experience something very unique.

The Great Artesian Basin is an ancient water source found under the desert floor and facilitates this arid environment to explode with wildlife in times of flood. The Great Artesian Basin is also one of the world’s largest underground water reservoirs having been formed between 100 and 160 million years ago. We also hit the outskirts of the Lake Eyre Basin, which covers approximately one sixth of Australia.

This basin contains one of the world’s last unregulated great river systems.

Every now and again these rivers are filled with water from monsoonal rains that make their way across the country towards Lake Eyre.

As we continued north into the desert for another thirty miles, we kept our

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IF YOU HAVE TIME YOU CAN ALSO DISCOVER SOME WELL HIDDEN DEEP FOREST CAMPS.

track was a shortcut to the Corner Country where three Australian States meet, i.e. New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland. We eventually found the turn off and first impressions were how narrow and remote this track looked. After discussing whether we should continue up the wider Strzelecki track towards the turnoff to Merty Merty or follow this new track we decided to take a punt and take the shortcut.

As it turned out this was the right decision, despite the track being more challenging, it was very scenic and had amazing vegetation as a result of the recent heavy rains. It eventually took us onto the Merty Merty track and from there the track widens and will takes you up and down over large sand dunes.

Despite the harsh dry conditions in the Strzelecki desert this arid zone contains an amazing amount of flora and fauna. The

r l o d o

A d C t a f t i t

recent weather conditions highlighted that the slightest amount of rain can transform this dusty dry desert into a beautiful garden of rare and beautiful flowers.

As we progressed along these dusty tracks en route to Corner Country, we were consumed by the surrounding environment and started to imagine what the first explorers experienced all those years ago. Here we were in the comfort of a 4WD (despite the fact that some would say that

Defenders ain’t that comfortable) with all our camping gadgets providing us with creature comforts, compare that to what the first pioneers had with their horses, camels and swags. As we continued on towards Cameron Corner we were greeting with a very strange sight in the distance, no need to clean your sunglasses, you are not seeing things, yip that’s right, it is a big yellow double decker bus.

eyes peeled as we searched for a track that turned off to the right; it was on the HEMA topographical map but had no name and was not signposted. We knew by looking at the map that this It’s pretty surreal driving towards this bright British built Leyland rusting bus relic from the 1950’s standing out in the middle of the desert. Apparently the double decker bus was bought cheaply back in the seventies by a couple of young people as a party bus and driven until it could drive no more, prior to this it worked the streets of Sydney many years ago.In recent years the bus was better known as the living space and home base of Australian artist Joshua Yeldham. Born in 1970, the artist was driving through the outback searching for inspiration along the infinite Dingo Fence and happened to stumble across the bus. The story goes that he ended up staying there for six years. Over the years hundreds of visitors have written their names on the walls of the bus leaving there mark should they ever return.

After taking a few compulsory snaps of the yellow bus it was then back in the Land Rover and off to our final destination, Cameron’s Corner also known as Corner Country.

Corner Country is exactly what the name suggests; it is the area where the outback of New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia meet. Named after the New South Wales Lands Department surveyor, John Brewer Cameron, here you will find a pub, store some (not cheap) fuel and a shower & toilet.

Apparently the store is a Queensland business with a NSW postcode & South Australian

phone number, confused? Beside the pub you will also find a permanent marker identifying exact intersection of the three states and is located beside the world famous Dingo fence.

On arriving at this famous outback pub in the middle of nowhere we found ourselves very quickly sitting on two bar stools in our dusty stained clothes, ordering two cold beers. I really can’t remember a bottle of beer ever tasting that good. In just under a week this mini adventure helped me to fulfill a life time ambition that was to drive through and camp in a desert in my 4WD. But the real thrill here was learning about a man who I had never heard off prior to this journey.

Edmund Strzelecki achieved so much through his exploration and humanitarian work and as the saying goes education is a lifelong journey whose destination expands as you travel.

T

he team of professionals at My Overland Shop

by Black Label trade is passionate about offroad touring, camping and overlanding with all team members having extensive experience of their own adventures and explorations. The company will soon be 25 years old. Throughout this time the experts at my overland shop have identified and built an extensive catalog of first-rate products, material that stands out for its quality and the prestige of manufacturers from all over the world, and all products are distributed from Spin to customers across Europe.

In recent months the team has worked hard to fine-tune the company’s webstore. Here you will find the best products for that long-dreamed overland trip.

As you will see on the webstore, in addition to bringing together the best Overland products, another level of adventure with a Bushcraft touch is offered. Two themes that will make your trips unforgettable. And what is Bushcraft? It is not about surviving as many define it, but we would be talking about pure survival, and that is not the purpose. Bushcraft is like returning to the past, when explorers did not have the modern means of today. It is living with

and from nature, with or without special tools, working with what you find along the way, with what nature itself gives you to reach your well-being, wherever you are.

The team at My Overland Shop doesn’t want to, offer you every product for Overland and Bushcraft. But they do want to offer you select products of the highest quality for off road vehicles and vans, camping and Bushcraft.

They also have at your disposal accessories such as complete suspension kits, shock absorbers, wheels and much more. Products by premier brands such as DARCHE, Petromax, Dare2beDifferent, Big Country, ENGEL, Front Runer and more are available to order.

In a previous issue we took a look at The Nomad Fox stackable storage boxes which are designed and manufactured for extreme and intensive use.

These storage boxes are perfect for off-road travel, expeditions, military use, for campers, hunters, fishermen, rescue professionals, bikers, kayaking, and adventure sportspeople, …basically any activity that may require the proper storage of your gear for transport and outdoor use.

These boxes are lightweight yet extremely tough. The box and top are manufactured with polypropylene co-

include a built in battery monitor and digital thermostat control which allows for easy control of temperature. The fridge also maintains its internal temperature regardless of external/ ambient temperature changes.

The rugged, reinforced design is attractive and the boxes come This is now the primary fridge that we bring on our trips. in 3 colours, black, olive green and sand.

Learn more , browse the catWe also tested The Engel MTalog of first rate products and contact the team at MyOverland V35F 32L Portable Fridge/ Shop by clicking the button beFreezer features the latest world-renowned Sawafuji swing low. motor which provides almost unbelievable cooling and power efficiency with VERY low consumption. The single zone device can be used as either a fridge or a freezer and as a freezer can reach a temperature of -18C. The latest electronics polymer (PPC), which is highly, impact, and stress crack resistant. This material also retains its characteristics very well at low temperatures.

JEEP

ECO MODELS

The Jeep® brand recently announced a comprehensive plan for its next generation of fully electric 4xe vehicles as part of a sustainable transformation to become the leading electrified SUV brand in the world. The plan calls for the introduction of four all-electric SUVs in North America and Europe by the end 2025. As part of an ongoing comprehensive product plan, they claim that 50% of Jeep brand sales in the U.S. will be fully electric by 2030, while 100% of European sales will be all-electric by then, now that’s impressive. The plan is in full support of the net-zero carbon emissions targets set by Stellantis during the Dare Forward 2030 long-term strategic plan.

“Driven by the success of their electrified 4xe portfolio in North America and Europe, Jeep say that they are designing and developing the most capable and sustainable Jeep SUVs to date, and are on a path to becoming the leading zero-emission SUV brand in the world,” said Christian Meunier, Jeep brand CEO. “This is a forward-thinking strategy to

THE RECON

THE AVENGER

help ensure millions of Jeep fans around the world continue to have a planet to explore, embrace and protect. Electrification is great for our brand, making it even more capable, exciting, sustainable and fun.”

The Jeep brand recently showed the first images of two fully electric SUVs – the all-new Jeep Recon and an all-new Wagoneer, code name Wagoneer S – that will arrive in

North America and other regions around the world, while confirming that the all-new, all-electric Jeep Avenger will launch in Europe early next year.

All-new Jeep Avenger, the First-ever Fully Electric Jeep SUV, Arrives in Europe in 2023.In Europe, the Jeep brand has already made a big shift by offering only electrified SUVs in countries such as Germany

and France. By the end of this year, 100% of the Jeep SUV portfolio will be electrified in almost all of the European markets.

This builds upon this 4xe momentum, developing a portfolio of capable, fully electric vehicles designed and rightsized for Europe. The brand will introduce four zero-emission vehicles in Europe by 2025, with offerings in the main volume segments. As a result of this product onslaught, all the Jeep vehicles on sale in the region will be 100% electric by 2030.

The first model of this product offensive is the all-new, all-electric Jeep Avenger, a compact SUV that was presented during the Stellantis Dare Forward long-term strategic plan earlier this year.

The all-new Jeep Avenger, to be introduced in Europe and other markets, such as Japan and South Korea, will be positioned under the Jeep Renegade and will be produced in the high-efficiency plant in Tychy, Poland.

With a targeted electric range of 400 kilometres, this new SUV will offer impressive ground clearance, breakover and approach angles for its segment, while delivering a modern and technologically advanced interior, with plenty of space for people

‘‘

‘‘

This is a forward-thinking strategy to help ensure

millions of Jeep fans around the world continue to have a planet to explore,embrace and protect.

THE RECON

and cargo.The all-new Avenger will offer Jeep brand capability that is rightsized for the European market,” said Antonella Bruno, head of Jeep Europe at Stellantis, “This modern, fun and emotional SUV will appeal to a growing set of customers who are looking for a capable, compact, modern and all-electric Jeep brand alternative to the current players.”

The Jeep Avenger will debut during the Paris Motor Show press day, on October 17, with reservations opening for customers that same day. The all-new Jeep Avenger will arrive in showrooms in early 2023.

A

Y T I L A U Q P O ROBUST - T

E L C I H VE S E I R O S S E C C A

T

he Team at Offroad Monkeys really stands behind the quality of its products for the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G Class, and are proud of the fact that these products are built 100% within Germany. You can see their passion shining through in the products. And the team there is always ready to help you to fit the parts or to make special orders for your vehicle. Business is booming for the company as more and more people become aware of the products , and the positive experience of customers is leading to a strong growth within the marketplace for Offroad Monkeys parts and accessories.

The G-Class products represent a completely new dvision for the Off-road Monkeys. The team has been working on products for these vehicles for some time now and have now launched door hinges, rear door hinges and bonnet brackets, there are also windshield wiper shafts in the range. All products solve the well-known problem of rust and corrosion or binding moisture. They are made of durable, high-quality materials and are supplied with all the parts and screws required for the conversion.

The brand is an imprint of Müller Motorcycles which has been making parts for the automotive and motorcycle industry since 1985.

The company credo is: Build things with passion and for eternity. This is because the

team at Offroad Monkeys believe that only satisfied customers are loyal customers. And For this reason they use only the best materials and work on and finish each individual part until it is absolutely perfect. The company also

prides itself on working with supplier from the local region and all Offroad Monkey’s parts are 100% made in Germany.

The quality hinge range is made from high strength aircraft grade

aluminium with high quality lubrication. Made with inner stainless steel bolts with helical grooves to distribute grease in an optimal manner, these hinges also feature stainless steel bearings which can be replaced if needed without

having to replace the entire hinge.

The product catalogue from Offroad Monkeys continues to grow, and it now produces a range which includes door and rear door hinges. Window blocks and window blocks with LED lights, bon-

net hinges, sliding window covers, and adjustable mirror arms. Things are going from strength to strength for Offroad Monkeys and they have just opened a UK website for their growing UK customer base.

Their powerful processing centres allow them to handle complex contract manufacturing orders. They have been manufacturing the most complex precision parts for the automotive industry, the motorcycle industry and for machinery construction for over 10 years now.

Their services are also extensive: they not only turn and mill parts according to the requirements of customers, but also advise and take care of tasks concerning them, as for instance cost- effective purchasing, possible potential for optimisation of the design, finishing, final assembly, packaging, shipping and much more.

Their highly trained staff, wideranging machinWing capabilities and the overall company structure can carry out commission orders quickly, cost-effectively and accurately

e

evolution Peak

record attempt with the Hakkapeliitta 44

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The extreme conditions of the Nordic winter require special knowledge. This is no news to Finnish Nokian Tyres, the world’s northernmost tyre manufacturer, and Arctic Trucks, an Icelandic company specializing in conversions of four-wheel drive vehicles.

The two companies have teamed up before in order to master the world’s harshest winter conditions. The latest result of the partnership between the two experts of ice and snow is the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 44 winter tyre.

NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA 44 IS AT HOME IN HARSH WINTER CONDITIONS In the arctic climate, it is important to be able to trust your tyres and know for sure that the trip will not be interrupted by a puncture or impassable terrain. Arctic Trucks’ special vehicles are used, for example, in polar expeditions, so their tyres must also meet high requirements. That is why the new Nokian Hakkapeliitta 44 takes winter seriously. The tyre is designed for hard use in harsh winter conditions, and that is where it feels most at home.

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ther

The novel tyre weighs approximately 70 kilos and its diameter is over a meter. Despite its robust size, the tyre moves through deep snow with ease.

The middle section of the tread pattern features very sharp V-shaped angles that are optimised for cleaning the grooves from snow and slush. The width of the tread as well as the tyre’s maximal airspace both guarantee that the tyre moves efficiently even on a soft surface. Snow poses no challenge for Nokian Hakkapeliitta 44, ensures Kalle Kaivonen, R&D Manager from Nokian Heavy Tyres.

GRIP AND PRECISE HANDLING IN EXTREME SITUATIONS

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 44 handles with ease on all road surfaces.

The enforced shoulder blocks balance handling in sudden situations, and the supported tyre’s centre rib ensures precise feel of the road. The special Nokian Tyres Polar Expedition tread compound combines first class winter grip with durability excelling in extreme cold weather. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 44 can be studded and there are 172 stud holes on the tyre. The main use of the tyre

OJOS DEL S AL A DO

THE VEHICLE 300KM RANGE 240KW POWER 30.5 KNM TORQUE ON THE WHEEL

is without studs, however. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 44 is the beginning of a completely new chapter in the cooperation between the two experts of the Arctic area. The tyre is available in the size LT475/70 R17, and is especially designed for Arctic Trucks’ heavy SUV-type 4x4 vehicles. The production of the tyre will begin within the next few months and it is available exclusively through Arctic Trucks.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 44 is the tyre we have been waiting for. Arctic Trucks offers a wide range of solutions and products for 4x4 vehicles and Nokian Hakkapeliitta 44 enables us to continue to make excellent expedition vehicles. Our vehicles are used in the harshest environments of the world.

MISSION: WORLD RECORD ON THE HIGHEST VOLCANO ON EARTH - THE ULTIMATE TEST OF OUR NEWLY DEVELOPED ELECTRIC 4×4 TRUCK FOR COMMERCIAL OFF-ROAD OPERATIONS. Three Swiss adventurers have converted a multi-purpose van into a solar e-mobile vehicle and are planning to use it to climb to the top of the highest active volcano in Chile.

The expedition will commence during the next few months. The team of brothers Patrik, and David Koller, and David Proeschel , has been working on the vehicle for over 3 years.

They worked to convert the Aebi Transporter into a solar powered vehicle. The team now plans to drive to the crater of the highest volcano in Chile the Ojos del Salado, which is 6893 meters above sea level. That would

be the new height world record for vehicles of all kinds.The project aims to prove that agriculture can increasingly rely on self-sufficient energy production. As a part of this process, the 3 guys have also founded a start up DPP innovation, with which they plan to design and produce agricultural electrical vehicles. “After the record attempt, our vehicle is ready for commercial use in our mountains with just a few modifications,” says David Proeschel, who is responsible for charging management and the vehicle’s software. “It will be a great adventure with a clear sustainable message, namely to bravely break new ground to save our environment.”

One key advantage of an electric motor over an ICE at altitude is that electric motors do not require oxygen (which is in shorter supply at high altitudes) in order to provide power. The vehicles 90kWH battery will be charged on the go with a number of solar systems. 1.4kWH will be constantly produced by panels on the roof of the vehicle and in addition the team will lay out 28 square meters of stationary solar panels on the ground, producing 7 kWH of solar power.

In addition to the electrification of the drive train, various adjustments have been

made to the chassis of the vehicle for more ground clearance and better traction. A special lightweight body was also developed and built. This serves to transport the entire equipment and as a place of retreat for the team in bad weather.

In order to secure the vehicle in the terrain, powerful cable winches are attached to the vehicle. The project is sponsored by Ecovolta, Bosch, 3A Composites, Sika , VDS, Studer, Brusa , Nokian, Megasol and Kyburz. The tyres in use on the vehicle will be the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 44

THE SOLAR SYSTEM 7.4KW PEAK POWER 32M2 SURFACE AREA 5 MPP TRACKERS

Since the Ojos del Salado is located 300 kilometres away from civilization, the vehicle is supplied with solar energy.

Therefore 8 m2 of PV modules are permanently installed on the roof for permanent supply and another 28 m2 are mobile during the sunny hours. The total output of the system with PV modules is 7.4 kWp. This means that a range of around 150 km can be generated in 5 hours.

THE ENGINEERING TEAM

The team has been close friends for more than 20 years and tackle many projects together. As enthusiastic mountaineers they are a stress-tested team and can rely on each other in every situation. Since childhood they have been interested in automotive engineering and renewable energies.

THE DOCUMENTARY TEAM

Our Peak Evolution record story will be captured from start to finish by a world-class documentary team led by the award-winning Swiss filmmaker Claudio von Planta. For over 30 years he worked all around the world and built an international reputation with famous adventure shows like the Apple TV+ motorcycle series Long Way Round, Down and Up where he filmed the movie stars Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman.

POWER UP OFF-THE-GRID

WITH CTEK CHARGERS

O

ver recent years as my enjoying off-roading and wild camping for increasingly longer periods of time has grown one thing has become clear, that for peace of mind and to maximise enjoyment on my trips, having a constant and reliable power source is a must. Being in the middle of nowhere and waking up to find that you forgot to flick off your fridge before you went to sleep the night before and that your aging battery in the vehicle has now totally given up the ghost overnight is not going to add to the enjoyment of your trip, (believe me - been there, done that!) This is one of the reasons people are increasingly looking to fit a dual battery system into their vehicles ie. combining your starter battery for your vehicle with a leisure battery to run all your kit from whilst travelling. This might be something you’re considering doing and if so then you need look no further than a couple of CTEK’s fantastic pieces of equipment, the D250SE, a 20A battery charger which can be combined with the SMARTPASS 120, a 120A power management system.

The D250SE is a 5 stage smart charger for batteries between 40 - 300Ah, meaning it not only charges your battery/ies, but its clever inbuilt technology constantly monitors and repairs them as well, extending battery life by up to 3 times whether they’re Lead Acid or Lithium Ion.Leisure batteries in particular are prone to damage by the very nature that they’re con-

stantly being charged up and down. In a lead acid battery this is what leads to a process called sulfation where lead sulphate, which is naturally produced in the chemical reaction within a battery, starts to build up and crystallizes onto the lead plates thereby reducing the battery’s capacity and if left unmaintained will eventually kill it completely.

The D250SE constantly monitors the batteries health and not only inputs charge at the optimum level but ensures desulfation of the battery cells and in a Lithium Ion battery goes through each cell in turn checking it’s health before inputting charge at just the right speed. Add to this the fact that the D250SE can be connected so that not only the vehicles alternator is used to put charge into the battery, can also be connected in you really are able to go off-grid for as long as you want.

The system even monitors which source is best to use and seamlessly flicks

between the two as needed.

Of course, many batteries claim to be ‘maintenance free’, and whilst this can be accurate to a point it also means that by definition they’re a sealed unit that prevents you from maintaining it if desiccation has taken place, ie. the battery has started to boil if the voltage input is too high and dries it out due to the temperature becoming too high.

The D250SE again has this covered and is able to monitor battery temperature and carefully adjusts the input charge to an optimised level. And once the service battery is charged it will automatically redirect maintenance charge power to the starter battery to keep them both charged and maintained. Even if your starter battery has run down then this bit of kit is able to draw power from the service battery across to seamlessly get your vehicle started again with no drama.

O E D I V NEW

E E R F CS

CS FREE

KIT

DEFENDER

STORAGE SOLUTIONS

STORAGE CHEST

H

ere is another high quality storage product from Mobile Storage Systems. The Standard Storage Chest is the largest of the Mobile Storage Systems ‘Off the shelf’ load area chests and is the perfect solution for safely storing expensive gear, electronics and other valuable products like tools etc. The chests width allows it to fit perfectly between the wheel arches of a Land Rover Defender or Series while also creating a flat load area in the rear of your vehicle

when used in conjunction with other Mobile Storage Systems’ products. The chest also fits neatly at the back of your vehicle for quick access to your tools, gear or in our case camera equipment.

As with the Mobile Storage Systems chests, the standard chest is fitted with a highly secure South Co Lock. and for those looking for extra security, two locks can be fitted on request.The locking system is obviously very important when storing expensive electronic equipment and having some peace

of mind when the vehicle is parked up. The product also comes with a high quality rubber seal around the edge which protects the chest contents from unwanted dust etc.

Similar to installing other MSS storage systems, hexserts are pre-installed in the base of the chest.

This is to stop the bolts spinning whilst installing to your vehicle allowing for a quicker and easier installation.The product also comes with stainless steel bolts, captive nuts and a useful interior rubber matting to help protect your gear.

The chest comes as standard with a black powder coated body and a natural chequer plate finish it’s also worth noting that other colours and finishes are available.

All up for us this is a very useful product given we carry a lot of expensive camera equipment when on the road doing shoots etc. It just gives you that extra piece of mind when away from the vehicle and most definitely a deterrent for thieves. For more information click here.

SUPERLINE DRAWER

STORAGE SOLUTIONS

The Mobile Storage Systems Superline Drawer is fitted with extremely heavy-duty, full extension runners that are rated at 160kg. This means that these drawers have a smooth sliding system that are built to stand the test of time. Support beams are placed across the drawer allowing for heavy gear to be stored on top of the drawer without affecting the drawer’s functionality. Weighing in a 42Kg the Superline has also been designed with a reinforced drawer floor and this gives the drawer more rigidity, increasing its strength and reliability.The drawer is also installed with a high quality and very secure, SouthCo locking paddle latch. Additionally, there are two holes where you can attach padlocks for added security and peace of mind. The offset includes a lockable ‘Space Saver Door’.

This creates a very useful space beside the drawer as well as the drawer being able to fit up to the rear door and not interfere with the door mechanism. For us carrying lots of camera equipment on trips this gives extra security and peace of mind.

STEMS

AGE SY R O T S E L I B O ;M VIDEO

e r e h k c i l c

S M E T S Y S E G A ;MOBILE STOR

VIDEO

e r e h k c i cl

CUBBY BOX

STORAGE SOLUTIONS

The first impression on this unit is the quality and the skilled workmanship that has gone into manufacturing the unit. You can also tell from its functionality that the designers were Land Rover tourers /enthusiasts and knew exactly what they were doing. Although designed for Puma Defender models, this Cubby Box will also fit in pre-2007 models including Series vehicles.The Cubby Box contains a main lockable storage compartment that is perfect for safely storing smaller cameras and chargers but also for getting access to other types of gear including navigational systems, your glasses, money and so on. The lock installed into this unit is drill resistant and incorporates an anti-burst lock, so if anyone manages to break into your vehicle they best come

prepared. Other features include a lockable radio compartment, a trinket tray, front and rear cup holders. One of the real treats on offer is the deeply padded armrest available in black vinyl, black cloth, and tapestry, for us this is a real luxury that just makes the ride in your land Rover defender that much more comfortable.

All of these features in addition to two 12v Lighter Sockets, and high-quality Map Pockets this is a premium storage system that will last the test of time and probably see you and your Land Rover out.

Manufactured in the UK the Cubby Box is a MIG welded with no spot welds hence giving you a stronger and pretty much indestructible cubby box. For more information on this awesome storage systems cubby box click here.

NEW PRODUCT COMING SOON

IN ISSUE 25

E I

f you are xploring planning Iceland’syou Culture are equipped and Traditions with the right Given the history of the Landy and the places we have explored in on an Iceland extended offers 4WDa combination vehicle accessories of intriguing and also landit, I think deep down we always knew that the vehicle would hopecamping , cooking and and storage Touring scapes or overlandfrom rugged coastlines, glaciers, hot fully keep going for as long as we were able to keep enjoying the ing trip, springs you should to geysers, gear volcanoes, to ensure and that lava your deserts. trip is great outdoors. Truth be known we were just a bit too attached to and safe. In definitely Eleven take percent some of comfortable the country is covered inesglait to let it go. In the future, we will no doubt embrace newer 4WD steps to cialensure ice and that is surrounded sence APB byTrading water. The Ltd.land is a one is technology, but with the knowledge that the 90 has had a makeeverything plateau is reliable with mountain stop shop peaks, that and addresses ice fields,all with of over and the very thought of being able to take it on future trips these for you. a coastline working marked order, by fjords, and which areconsiderations deep inlets carved by without having to worry about it too much is very comforting. glaciers. that It’s no your wonder vehicle that hasmuch With of specialist Iceland’s culture 4x4 vehicle and traserWe learned a huge amount completing this project and for those vicing, repair and theditions appropriate revolveprotection around enjoy and outdoor activities likemaintenance swimming in of you who followed our progress you will have noticed that it was preparations hot springs,inskiing, place to horseback deal riding, services,including and of course–looking minor or maup not all about adding new parts but equally enjoyed salvaging as jor repairs, MOT preparation, with to the enjoy environments the spectacular you aurora plan borealis—the Northern lights! much as we could on the vehicle. We were delighted to have had to Iceland bring italso through offers and a rich alsoliterature that and tradition arrangeof MOT poetry testing and by sa-apthe opportunity to have worked with some of the best in gas to enjoy cold winter nights. Much of the power and heat in this country is generated naturally—90% of Icelandic houses are

pointment. The APB body shop can rectify anything from a slight scratch to serious damage. Chassis change and re-builds are also available.

Established over 40 years ago, APB Trading are specialists in Land Rover and 4x4 servicing and also in vehicle accessory and expedition preparation and outfitting. APB also sells a wide range of expedition, camping and touring equipment via its dedicated equipment sales website. www.expedition-equipment.com As a genuine enthusiast,company founder and owner Phillip Bond, has amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience in Land Rovers and assembled a professional team whose combined years of experience puts APB ahead of the competition as Land Rover and 4×4 specialists with a top quality 4×4 sevice centre for all 4×4 repair, 4×4 servicing, 4×4 tyres, Land Rover servicing & Land Rover Parts.

In addition, back in the early 2000s APB became the sole UK importers for a number of South African companies: a country where adventure travel was born. Consequently, APB stocks s many products which have been imported from South Africa, including Eezi- Awn K9 (the pioneers of the roof tent), National Luna (the inventors of a fridge for

the transportation of vaccines for world health organisations). As well as Escape Gear (high quality canvas seat covers), Bushtech (superior heavy load canopy tops).

Additionally, Campmor offer high quality canvas ground tents and

many more products. Amongst these South African products is the range of vehicle drawer systems from Big Country 4x4. The robust Savute Drawer system is available for a wide range of vehicles (LandCruiser 76 SW,Fortuner

pre 2016,Fortuner 2016+,LandCruiser 80,LandCruiser 100,LandCruiser 200, Prado120,Prado150, FJ Cruiser, Disco 3 or ,Defender 90/110, Pajero CK LWB, Merc GWagon, Nissan Patrol Y61, Jeep Wrangler).

The established team at APB are always happy to offer their expertise on any query concerning most 4x4 vehicles and can be contacted either by telephone, 01299 250174, or e-mail enquiries@apbtrading.co.uk

8th-11th JUNE

2023

UK DARCHE DISTRIBUTORS

Trek Overland are the British Isles sole distributors of the premium and very popular Australian DARCHE range of camping and overlanding related products. Click here for more information.

4x4 PARTS & ACCESSORIES

M

any of us are eager to learn new skills when it comes to looking after our own vehicles and with companies like eu-

ro4x4parts who have a catalogue of over 70,000 parts covering 99% of all 4WD vehicles on the market, things have never been easier for sourcing quality parts at competitive prices and all in the one place.

Getting your vehicle mechanical-

ly sound does not mean that you need to pay a fortune once you know what you are looking for .

Unlike the modern trend of dealing with faceless corporations, with Euro4x4parts you will be dealing

with real people who can advise you on the huge catalogue of parts available and make sure that you get the products/ accessory that you need for your 4WD. For, In addition to its massive product catalogue, the team at Euro4x4parts is committed to doing its best to find the rare parts needed by its customer. Euro4x4parts does not simply just sell products, the team are happy to help customer diagnose problems, prepare for journeys and generally help to find solutions to problems.

This includes providing mechanical advice. In fact, the company regularly publishes news and articles about different products coming on the market, tips and information on mechanical topics and also published a dedicated 4x4

Magazine ‘Mecazine 4x4’ and also regularly provides information on upcoming 4x4 events, competitions and organised travel expeditions. Iif you are a little bit mechanically minded you can purchase high quality parts and kits via the website. This could potentially save you hundreds of euro over the cost of sourc-

ing parts through main dealers.

Euro4x4parts is a one stop shop where you can purchase all your 4WD mechanical parts,be it gearbox mounting kits, overhaul kits, filters, bearings or shafts the list is endless and the team there pride themselves on continually finding and adding new quality products to the product cata-

logue. The team at Euro4x4parts can speak the following languages: French, English, Spanish, Catalan, Portuguese, Arabic, German, Dutch, Italian, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Mandarin Chinese and Korean. So if you are looking for a one stop shop where you can purchase all your 4WD mechanical parts, camping and overland-

ing gear and much more at competitive prices and all topped off with an excellent customer service well Euro 4x4 parts provides all of the above. For more information on the range of euro4x4parts available check out the website at www.euro4x4parts.

REMOTE POWER

ANYWHERE SMARTPASS 120S

120A DC/DC POWER MANAGEMENT SOLUTION

T

he 100% Australian made Shockloc Strap is undoubtedly the quickest & easiest way to strap, tie, bundle, lash or hang just about any size or shape object without having to tie a single knot. These straps are extremely strong & punch well above their weight as can be

seen in the 60KG weight test picture overleaf. When it comes time to undo, they can be released in seconds with just one hand.

No more dangerous bungee strap hooks, environmentally unfriendly single use cable ties & complicated knots. Using The Original Shockloc Strap, you simply Shock it ‘n’ Lock it, then walk away.

No hooks, No knots, No hassle, No fuss!!! Made of durable UV stabilised ASA resin & top quality Australian made 5mm marine grade shock cord, The Origip nal Shockloc Strap is re-usable, y weather resistant & made to last.

And it has been built tto be to stand up to the harsh Australian conditions.

Premium 100% Aussie made 5mm marine grade multi strand elastic core.

HT polyester covers with a fine plait smooth construction.

Long life, wear resistance to abrasion & UV degradation. (Beware of cheap imports that break down in a few months).

Consistently allows over 100% Injection moulded in Australia us- elongation & recovery. (Will not lose its elasticity no matter how ing UV stabilised ASA resin.

much you stretch it).

Not affected by water.

The Original Shockloc Strap has thousands of uses around the Home, Garden, Garage, Campsite, Car, 4WD, Trailer, Boat, Kayak, Raft, Caravan, Camper............The list goes on & on. The possible uses are really only limited by your imagination. The straps come in packs of 4,6 and 8.

These staps can be used to secure loads, tie down awnings,connect items etc and are as easy to release as they are to secure.

We find these straps extremely convenient,versatile and reliable , and have found that we freqently reach for these instead of cable ties for a variety of purposes. The Shock Loc strap is easier to use, easier to remove and of course is environmentally more friendly than other solutions. These straps are safer as well, with no flying bungie cord hooks to beware of.

You can order the Shock Loc Online.

IF YOU TAKE IT IN

TAKE IT OUT Every country throughout Europe and beyond have different laws when it comes to wild camping and driving in remote areas and all of these laws should be respected.

As pressure on our landscapes from recreational use continues to increase it is now as important as ever for us all to abide by the Leave No Place principles. It goes without saying that the vast majority of tourers and campers do respect their environment but unfortunately we will also have a minority who do not and give us all a bad name. So if you take it take it out.

BrandPartners Partners

Thanks to our Brand partners, with whose support we are able to produce the magazine, and thank you to you, our readers for joining us on our adventures. The TURAS team.

The TURAS Charter

T

URAS is the ancient Celtic word for Journey and we think it fits perfectly to describe our overall editorial philosophy. Originally, the Celts spread out across Europe from Central Europe ending up represented in many countries across Europe, and now over two thousand years later, we are looking to travel and traverse Europe again, though with more modern equipment. As keen campers we love nothing more than packing up our 4WD’s and hitting the tracks, in search of those perfect camping locations.

We constantly strive to improve the magazine and to seek out the best and most useful Camping and 4WD products and accessories.

In our free e-magazine we focus on high quality content that includes articles on all things camping, touring, fishing and 4WD adventures. From finding the best 4WD tracks, setting up camp in some of Europe’s most picturesque locations to cooking up some cracking camp cook feasts. This is all about discovering places off the beaten track and enjoying the great outdoors. We tour to the very corners of Europe and beyond, while reviewing and testing the latest top quality camping and 4WD gear.

Our magazine is free to readers, and is supported by our advertising and brand partners, but this does not mean that the magazine is a glorified product catalogue, far from it. We focus on identifying top quality products and produce informative, interactive articles that explain the features and benefits of these products to our readers, and demon- strate how the products can be used to increase the comfort and quality of their camping and touring experiences. We also regularly produce short videos to demonstrate and showcase these products in use by our team.

The magazine invites our readers to become a part of the story and join us on our own adventures as we, use, test and demonstrate these quality products from top brands.

Premium Digital eMagazine get out on the tracks with TURAS

E E FR Includes over 200+ pages on everything camping & 4WD

Featuring: • Over 200 pages of quality content • Read on any device • Interactive videWo and audio • Gear news and review • Camp cooking tips and recipies • Touring routes and travel stories

To subscribe visit:

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