Eastern FS DVR Adventure!!! September Outing!

[Mad Manny]

I would remove the canopy and then throw it away if it weighs as much as you say....

[Woolf]

As a passenger on last year's trip I found the side slopes quite unnerving and would go with the advice above to keep one's weight as low as possible.
By low I mean light weight and also keeping the COG as low as possible

[AndreasR]

None of my business so please forgive me for interfering but this trip is a scenic drive that can be done in a Syncro of a Tuareg. Surely Chas will be ok with his canopy or am I missing something.

[KurtG]

Andreas, the secret to this is the “DVR” in the thread title

[BushWacker]

None of my business so please forgive me for interfering but this trip is a scenic drive that can be done in a Syncro of a Tuareg. Surely Chas will be ok with his canopy or am I missing something.

... yes ...

[LesseW]

There have been 100s if not 200+ messages on the DVR Whatsapp group with many questions on this. Dirk made it clear that he is aware of the types of vehicles that will do the trip however it is in the mountains and there are some steep side slopes (could be slippery) where a high centre of Gravity could make it more difficult.

In my opinion the summary is: this is a scenic trip but it is still a 4x4 trail and nature will give us some natural obstacles. Kit your vehicle as best you can but there will be experienced drivers who will guide us to the best of their abilities so we reach the end safely and without damage.

I cannot take my Prado’s canopy off and will have a roof rack with 60kg on it. I am happy to take it like this on the trip.


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[BushWacker]

I would remove the canopy and then throw it away if it weighs as much as you say....

... maybe some background would be useful.

My Canopy was given to me mahala by a guy
in PineTown and some years ago ... I drove there
on a Sat and back with it mounted on a Sunday.
He said the previous guy to look at it was
Springbok Capt. John Smit who found it too heavy.
I however took it because its not that easy to find
a custom 130 canopy and my canvas canopy was
a membrane that facilitated a lot of Osmotic transfer,
meaning locals were stealing my treasured camping kit.
It has been a secure canopy for many years now
but the weight and CoG (?) problems are probly relevant
and as Defenders have high clearance and fairly high
CoG normally which it can be disadvantageous wrt
Side-Tilt limits ... which I have v. closely approached at
3-Provs etc...
Several admirers, all with Al Canopies, have wanted
to buy it over the years but that has tended to just make it a more coveted possession!
Next month I may indeed sell/give it away or paint
and rejuvenate it while I go on the Dirk'enberg Cruise.

_____________________The End __________________

[Mad Manny]

My Canopy was given to me mahala by a guy in PineTown...

You overpaid...

[Bugger]

Chas
Go with it if you want to
Or remove it

As mentioned it is a trip in the mountains
And a few natural obstacles

Last year Woolf and I had a heavy loaded Tiny and stuff on the roof rack
So some side slopes were done with alot of caution and slow driving

The mountain can change in a heartbeat
And then you don't want to be un prepared

All though this is a overlanding type trip just be prepared for the inevitable

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[KurtG]

Chas
Go with it if you want to
Or remove it

As mentioned it is a trip in the mountains
And a few natural obstacles

Last year Woolf and I had a heavy loaded Tiny and stuff on the roof rack
So some side slopes were done with alot of caution and slow driving

The mountain can change in a heartbeat
And then you don't want to be un prepared

All though this is a overlanding type trip just be prepared for the inevitable

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This post has given Chas absolutely nothing to work with, niks, fokkol, nadda

[LesseW]

Kurt, it is open-ended advice because when did Chas ever follow someone’s advice?

[BushWacker]

Chas
Go with it if you want to
Or remove it

As mentioned it is a trip in the mountains
And a few natural obstacles

Last year Woolf and I had a heavy loaded Tiny and stuff on the roof rack
So some side slopes were done with alot of caution and slow driving

The mountain can change in a heartbeat
And then you don't want to be un prepared

All though this is a overlanding type trip just be prepared for the inevitable

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Honestly no problem Bugger !

… all is fine with me … each guy makes his own
commitment and follow through esp me …
and I’m personally looking forward to the trip
and challenges planned by guys I have great
respect for and trust in etc !

Really !

We recently tripped around the hills above Barberton etc
and each & everyone coped and we one & all
dealt with all the challenges faced by us of 44AG.
… so too with Moegatle, 3 Provs, etc etc
Have taken the soft by-pass on very few of them yet !

My privilege, as so often , is to travel with you guys.

My questions are, just for me, to prepare and adjust
appropriately to routes & challenges planned by experienced experts.

Many guys on this trip , I’m sure , don’t want too tame
a trail … and I’m the last to want that compromised.

Moenie Panic Nie !
… and many thanks for the Privilege & Opportunity.

“ Each man Captain of his own Ship,
and Master of his own Destiny. “

[LesseW]

Well said and I fully agree...

[Shane]

Surely sidesteps with a few "beefy blokes" on the high side will help?

A couple of motivational beers (when life and limb are at stake) can be used if needed. (tic)

Of course no drivers allowed to touch the stuff while driving.

[Mad Manny]

Great advice Shane.

Chas, just get a few "Beefy Blokes" to drive with you - no need to remove the canopy.

If you don't know any, Shane can find some on his Grindr account.