Mikem Supsension

Nayela Okapi

Offroad Trailers and Caravans, Equipment, Tips & Tricks
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RynoB
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Nayela Okapi

#1

Post by RynoB »

Due to personal taste and features we did not like on the Mobi-Lodge and their owners, so we decided to cancel the deal after already waiting 9 months for delivery.
We lost some money due to "cancellation fees" :twisted:

Di started looking around for something else that will suit our needs and came across the Okapi in Caravan and Outdoor Life.
She forced me to go look at this funny boat shaped caravan on a Wednesday afternoon all the way to Bethlehem.
My first impression was not good until Benny opened this small ugly upside down boat with the push of a button.
Wow! wow! wow!, we immediately fell in love and bought the van there and then.

The Okapi is an innovative design from top to bottom, front to back. The first aspects you’ll notice on this new caravan is the aerodynamic shape, the double axle, the lift-up roof, and the high departure angle at the back.
These interesting designs are continued on the luxurious interior, where the front area consists of a half-circle of seating, an island bed on a slide-out in the middle, and a bathroom at the back.
The Okapi is constructed from a fiberglass mono-hull body (meaning it’s one piece that comes from a mould), and fibreglass underside on an Al-Ko chassis. Most of the interior is also moulded shapes.
If I am correct Bennie said the four shocks on the suspension are Koni shocks.

“Speaking of the ride… when the Okapi’s roof is closed, the caravan is about as high as a Prado, so you know it fits into a standard garage. It’s also much more aerodynamic than some other caravans, because it’s the same height as your tow vehicle.
So it will be lower than the Amarok ;)

The pop-up roof lifts with the push of a button – 22 seconds later, the roof sits 60 cm higher, giving a ceiling height of 2,4 m.
The outside kitchen cupboards are multipurpose, because everything in the cupboard that you can access from the outside can also be gotten from the inside.

Half of the bed pulls out of the hull like a drawer and creates instant space in the caravan. The bathroom, with its practical layout, is at the tail end. Comes with full flush electronic toilet, shower, and wash basin. Warm water is supplied electrically or with gas - you have a choice.
The door is also wonderfully wide and at 646 mm it is just narrower than a normal door in a house. The fridge (Dometico Upright fridge freezer) is next to the door (12V 220 V or gas) – Bennie has changed the fridge door to the “wrong” side, which means you can stand outside the caravan and open the fridge door.

Half of the bed pulls out of the hull like a drawer and creates instant space in the caravan.
The van is built with a double insulated sidewall and roof.
There is so many features in this van that I will have to update everyone as I go along

Our delivery is August and almost 1 year less waiting time we had on the Mobi :oops: :roll:
Click on the below link to walk through this van in 3D
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=TKwDUQ9p3SN&help=1
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Wave
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#2

Post by Wave »

I saw this caravan in the Caravan mag and it peaked my interest.

Congrats on your buy, I hope you have many happy camps with her.

What's the ground clearance like?
As it seems to be designed for off road use

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RynoB
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#3

Post by RynoB »

Let me add a few features.
1. Spiral cord for connection between van and vehicle
2. Double axle with Koni shocks
3. Brad Harrison plug for charging from vehicle, only needs about 3V
4. Electrical lift roof
5. Bedroom moves out by push of a button
6 12V, 220 V Dometic Fridge Freezer with door that open to the van's outside. Optional
7. Bigger door than normal
8. Full flush electronic Toilet
9. A full dresser with mirror and draws for mom's restoration in the mornings
10. 12V Aircon - optional
11. Good departure angle
12. Stainless steel kitchen basin with stainless steel stove permanently coupled
13. 120 L water tank
14. Spare wheel - underbody
15. Laptop desk with connections are fold away
16. More 220V USB plugs than in a normal house
17. Packing space under bed
18. Queen size bed walk around
19. Manny build bulk head ceilings and lights
20. Strong water pump for Shower (hot and cold mixer)
21. 205/55/16 tires and mags (I don't like the black wheels)
22. Access to kitchen from inside and outside the van
23. Rally tent (big tent is optional)
24. Packing space under nose for wet sails and ground sheets
25. Fold away clip nose wheel
26. Clip and fold jacks
27. I will add more as I remember
28. TV with bracket
29. And specially for Hedgehog as he moaned the kitchen and Microwave is accessible from inside and from the outside kitchen
Last edited by RynoB on Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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RynoB
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#4

Post by RynoB »

Craig I am not sure of the ground clearance, I will have to find out. But on the eye it looks like about 250+ mm.
It is a designed off road caravan thanks Craig
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NEW
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#5

Post by NEW »

RynoB wrote:
Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:27 pm

3. Brat Harrison plug for charging from vehicle, only needs about 3V
:shock:

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#6

Post by BushWacker »

when is the ‘house’-party and will there be free booze?

... and will we have to take vellies off ?...
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#7

Post by AndreasR »

Many happy miles with your new rig Ryno.

It is a big rig. But i think the dual axle will get it through most places easier.

departure angle 25 degrees.

5,6 m long. 2m wide and 2,1m high

Mobi lodge is basically the same except for height which is 2,5m.

Weight 1150kg Max Loaded weight 1750Kg

Mobi Lodge 1370 kg Max Loaded weight 1750kg.

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Crips
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#8

Post by Crips »

I agree with bushwanker, we defnetief need to be all invited for the maiden voyage camp.

It's just a amazing Caravan!

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Mad Manny
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#9

Post by Mad Manny »

My Fortuner, Fearless, at best, is worth R280 000, my Trailer, Gearless, is worth, at best R90 000.
That's R370 000.
R100 000 less than a Nayela Okapi will cost me...
:shock: :o :roll:
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#10

Post by Crips »

Mad Manny wrote:My Fortuner, Fearless, at best, is worth R280 000, my Trailer, Gearless, is worth, at best R90 000.
That's R370 000.
R100 000 less than a Nayela Okapi will cost me...
:shock: :o :roll:
If I had the money, I would have bought a Nayela Okapi without thinking twice

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RynoB
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#11

Post by RynoB »

Thanks guy's we hope we did the right thing eventually, we can not wait to take this van on its maiden trip.
As promised on the AGM we will definitely invite everyone to tag along.
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RynoB
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#12

Post by RynoB »

BushWacker wrote:
Thu Jun 06, 2019 3:36 pm
... and will we have to take vellies off ?...
That is Dianne's department :D
But seeing that it is a "off-road" trailer I will suggest you keep your "vellies' on :)
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RynoB
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#13

Post by RynoB »

AndreasR wrote:
Thu Jun 06, 2019 3:54 pm

Weight 1150kg Max Loaded weight 1750Kg
Mobi Lodge 1370 kg Max Loaded weight 1750kg.
This was a big factor when we decided on the Okapi.
Additional loading weight:
Mobi = 380 Kg
Okapi = 600 Kg

Taking the water tanks into consideration you can actually legally not load much in the Mobi if it's 150L tank is full.
The axels on the Okapi is each 2 ton rated
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#14

Post by Hedgehog »

This is an impressive caravan Ryno.

I have been eyeing it ever since I saw it at the show.
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RynoB
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#15

Post by RynoB »

Hedgehog wrote:
Fri Jun 07, 2019 8:32 am
I have been eyeing it ever since I saw it at the show.
I agree you can't even mention here all it's positive features, I mean it is even fitted with a permanent laundry basket :o
When are you expecting yours to be delivered ;)
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