Solo 4x4ing
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Old Man Jimny
- Location: Tshwane
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- Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2023 3:05 pm
Solo 4x4ing
I have just join the forum. My age qualifies me to be a pensioner and have hence lost some of my co-4x4ers... but I am still up and running and driving fairly well. I would never venture on my own into the wilderness. Are there any old timers who would like to travel with me e.g. Namaqua Eco, Richtersveld, Groen/Spoeg area or anywhere else. I am good at making arrangements if pensioners with their own vehicles would like to join me. I manage my own time and is hence flexible. I promise to behave!!!
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HenriSteyn
- Location: Johannesburg
- Has thanked: 196 times
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- Joined: Thu May 31, 2018 2:52 pm
We still do. But we are way down in the civilized South Cape 
We still want to do Tankwa and the Cedarberg areas.
We missed out on the Ben10 passes, having joined the club shortly after. Want to add it to the list.
We still want to do Tankwa and the Cedarberg areas.
We missed out on the Ben10 passes, having joined the club shortly after. Want to add it to the list.
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AndreasR
- Location: Ekurhuleni
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- Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2018 6:04 pm
It’s always a difficult one planning trips, especially with others.
One always has to consider the pure logistics. Do they want to go where you want to go, when you want to go and how long they have available for the trip? Then there are other things to consider like what is one’s comfortable cruising speed, is one an early riser, is one a late night party animal.
Finances of the entire party also play a role. Are fellow travellers prepared to eat out at some stops or for lunches along the way? Are they prepared to pay extra for better camp sites? Are they prepared to take the long way around or are they hell bent on using the minimum of fuel?
Then my favourite one. Are they as prepared for the trip as you are? Do they have enough supplies, water, tools and equipment for the trip or will they be counting on you to pull them through. Is their vehicle able to do the trip in terms of capability and is it properly maintained? If they have a trailer, is it maintained properly or will you spend your trip nursing it through? Do they have proper insurance for recovery?
Unfortunately most of the above will only be answered once you have been on a trip or two with the prospective travel partner.
Venturing on your own is not in itself dangerous. It’s all in the planning and letting people know where you are going what route you are taking and letting them know when you will be in touch again. There are some reasonably priced communication tools available as well. Be prepared for mechanical or other trouble along the way by ensuring you have the required tools and spares to do basic repairs and/or recoveries. Always make sure you have enough food and water with you for a few days until help arrives if needed.
Travelling alone can be boring if you are not happy with your own company but it would not stop me from travelling alone. It hands down beats travelling with a bunch of muppets counting every penny, getting pissed every night, driving a car that last saw a mechanic 30000Km ago with worn road tyres hoping to make it home.
Just my 2cw.
One always has to consider the pure logistics. Do they want to go where you want to go, when you want to go and how long they have available for the trip? Then there are other things to consider like what is one’s comfortable cruising speed, is one an early riser, is one a late night party animal.
Finances of the entire party also play a role. Are fellow travellers prepared to eat out at some stops or for lunches along the way? Are they prepared to pay extra for better camp sites? Are they prepared to take the long way around or are they hell bent on using the minimum of fuel?
Then my favourite one. Are they as prepared for the trip as you are? Do they have enough supplies, water, tools and equipment for the trip or will they be counting on you to pull them through. Is their vehicle able to do the trip in terms of capability and is it properly maintained? If they have a trailer, is it maintained properly or will you spend your trip nursing it through? Do they have proper insurance for recovery?
Unfortunately most of the above will only be answered once you have been on a trip or two with the prospective travel partner.
Venturing on your own is not in itself dangerous. It’s all in the planning and letting people know where you are going what route you are taking and letting them know when you will be in touch again. There are some reasonably priced communication tools available as well. Be prepared for mechanical or other trouble along the way by ensuring you have the required tools and spares to do basic repairs and/or recoveries. Always make sure you have enough food and water with you for a few days until help arrives if needed.
Travelling alone can be boring if you are not happy with your own company but it would not stop me from travelling alone. It hands down beats travelling with a bunch of muppets counting every penny, getting pissed every night, driving a car that last saw a mechanic 30000Km ago with worn road tyres hoping to make it home.
Just my 2cw.
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HenriSteyn
- Location: Johannesburg
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- Joined: Thu May 31, 2018 2:52 pm
Difficult old Experienced codger!
