4 | The Great Outdoors Guide 2018

SA’S CARAVAN of the YEAR 2017

Let’s talk caravans! At a recent caravan show, I met many of the caravan manufacturers in SA. Standing proudly beside their creations as we exchanged introductions, they made one thing clear: they all have a burning passion for our caravan industry. Looking at the units on the showroom floor, I found myself muttering about how fantastic some of the models are. In the same way that no two snowflakes are alike, no two caravans are the same, and you have a plethora of choices when considering a new purchase or an upgrade. As I wandered through the show, I found it a real treat to listen to caravanners and campers comparing the products amongst themselves. Whether to have an island or fixed bed, an inside or outside kitchen, a pop-top or solid roof, and what toilet and bathroom - these all became intense discussion points, and the deciding factor in men keeping their wives happy… or simply keeping their wives. With over hundreds of caravan models available today, how would one know which is best? I believe that the two most important factors in deciding on a new caravan are the price, and practicality. But my price range is not the same as the next man’s, and what’s practical for me might be a nightmare for you. So, that’s when I thought: Let’s ask our readers what they have to say about the new caravans available in South Africa.

During the course of the year, The Great Outdoors Guide ran a poll on which is the most-loved caravan of 2017.

First, we had to define the term “caravan”. And then decide what the difference is between a caravan and a trailer. According to my definition, a caravan has four walls, a door (not canvas), at least one inside bed, and a kitchen that is either inside or outside.

A criterion we also included was that the caravan still has to be in production.We weren’t too fussy about the need for an EB licence, as lightweight caravans are

apparently becoming more and more popular.The nominations and votes received for the competition were done in a

public-voting format. This meant that everyone could vote for any manufacturer and model they wished.

THE COMPETITION

THE GREAT OUTDOORS GUIDE

The Great Outdoors Guide 2018 | 5

Position Manufacturer Caravan Model Off-road capable Cost per unit excl extras

1st Conqueror Companion Yes R 259 092

2nd Mobi Lodge Custom Yes R 388 000

3rd Conqueror Commander Yes R 295 782

4th Jurgens Penta No R 380 500

5th Bush Lapa Boabab Yes R 345 000

6th Mobi Lodge Deluxe Yes R 388 000

7th Sensation Anee No R 465 000

8th Echo 4x4 Kavango Yes R 291 000

9th Sprite Swing (rally only) No R 226 000

10th Bush Lapa Miskruier Yes R 295 000

*prices are subject to change without notification (incl. VAT)

SA’S TOP CARAVAN MANUFACTURERS OF 2017

SA’S TOP 10 CARAVAN MODELS & PRICES OF 2017

JurgensConquerorMobi LodgeBush Lapa

Echo 4x4SensationOther Manufacturers

The Great Outdoors Guide 2018 | 7

Conqueror are not only the second-biggest manufacturer of caravans in South Africa, but are also the winners of Caravan of the Year 2017. In fact, they received the most votes for one single model: the Conqueror Companion.

Conqueror was founded in 1991 by Philip and Thinus de Vries. Back then, the brothers designed and manufactured premium military trailers for the SADF.

Five years later, they unveiled their latest “top secret” development, the Conqueror Safari, at the very prestigious Nampo exhibition show in Bothaville, Free State.

Although it may seem like a simple design now, this little off-road trailer came complete with a dome tent and a double roof-rack. The Safari was a hit, and Thinus says that within months, it became one of the best sellers in the outdoor industry.

Of course, their success didn’t stop there. The brothers grew from strength to strength, and today they have 10 certified dealers across SA. They also export their products to Australia, America, Canada, Dubai, South Korea, Mongolia and Europe!

Despite the tough economic times in South Africa, I believe that the key to their sterling performance and flawless track record is the 25 years of experience in caravan manufacturing that both brothers, and other men in the family, share.

After hearing that the Conqueror Companion won our Caravan of the Year competition, Thinus said, “Travelling cross-country is an adventurer’s dream, but it often means you have to adjust to fewer comforts. Conqueror South Africa has broken that myth with a camper trailer that features almost everything a regular home has. The Companion is compact, extremely versatile, and packs everything from wine glasses to a flat-screen TV.

“The Conqueror is the only companion you will ever need to take you to the most remote areas of the planet.

“It has an outside kitchen with a two-burner stove and a double sink, and compartments for storing everything a camp kitchen needs. With luxuries such as a gas hot water system, shower, fridge, aircon, and a DVD player, the Companion is a dream come true for off-road ‘glampers’. With rock-solid construction and CNC-manufactured powder-coated body parts, the Companion combines flexibility and strength and can easily be transformed from a rugged vehicle negotiating African back roads, to one settling into a top-class resort.

“For those dusty tracks, the interior of the Companion is pressurised with clean air from a blower fan, ensuring that your vehicle is dust-free on arrival. With its hard roof, sides and floor, and the ability to sleep up to 4 people off the ground, the flexible interior layout makes it ideal for both couples and families.”

“With the manoeuvrability and capability of both a camper trailer as well as caravan, it is not surprising that the Companion YouTube video has been seen by more than 25 million viewers, and earned it the nickname Jack of all Trades.”

And that’s not all… in addition to winning the Caravan of the Year competition, I’m certain that fans around the world will also be delighted to hear that there is another Conqueror model with its eye on the number-one spot: The Conqueror Commander took the number 3 spot! The Commander won Camper of the Year in Australia.

Since its inception in early 2006, this hardened off-road “Hulk of a caravan” is the apple of its creator’s eye and a personal favourite for Thinus.

“Built for durability and reliability, and with an independent suspension system, we have yet to receive any negative comments regarding its off or on-road performance,” says Thinus. If you don’t believe him, you can read the comments for yourself on page 10 and 14.

CONQUEROR

10 | The Great Outdoors Guide 2018

CONQUEROR COMPANIONTHE GREAT OUTDOORS GUIDE

1STPLACE

Corrie van Rooyen The Conqueror Companion can follow wherever my Prado goes with ease, and accommodates three of us in ultimate luxury with its two queen-size double beds.

The kitchen area is well laid out, with enough space for all the food you may need for the trip. The fridge, crockery, glasses, cups and utensils are right there for easy use. We can cook gourmet meals on the gas stove, and all the amenities are within easy reach. There is even hot and cold water available from the 160L water tank. The 15L geyser can work from gas or electricity.

It takes us about 20min to set up camp and have all this luxury at our fingertips. After a day’s drive and feeling tired, we can enjoy a hot shower in comfort. There is no sign of any dust when travelling on dirt roads, due to a pressurizing fan that is a standard feature. This caravan is very strong and durable and has even withstood Van Zyl’s Pass.

It tows like a dream and is very stable with its independent suspension.

I have only great things to say about my Conqueror Companion – this is one of our best investments ever. Thank you Conqueror!

Barnie de Lange The Conqueror Companion is one of the smallest four-sleeper caravans on the market, and is so easy to set up I can do everything myself.

I’ve replaced my tent with an awning, and the awning was fitted with the greatest ease as the steel structure of the

caravan allowed the extra fitment without additional support.

I always look for three features on a caravan before I decide to purchase it: The caravan must be self-sufficient (water, batteries, etc), the kitchen should be outside, and the caravan must be able to be towed on gravel roads without worrying about doors falling off, cracks appearing in the body or suspension, and the ground clearance should be high enough to conquer standard obstacles in the road. The Companion has all these features.

The kitchen is one of the best laid out and equipped on the market today. It has enough working space even for a professional chef!

The 160 litres of water on board, the dual battery system, as well as the geyser which uses either gas or electricity to heat the water and the 12V/220V fridge/freezer combination enables me to camp wherever I want.

The suspension of the Companion ensures a safe drive, even on the most rugged off-road routes.

The workmanship on this brand is also something to be proud of. This is surely a well-designed product with a lot of great qualities at an affordable price. Congratulations Conqueror, you are a winner!

Marle Botha We are proud Conqueror owners, when we are on the road and another Companion passes us, we just want to hoot and flick our lights to show our approval.

This compact caravan has so much to offer. On a recent trip to Botswana, it impressed our friends so much that when they came back from the trip, they sold their caravan and bought a new Companion. I had been searching for years for a caravan that will fulfil my needs (especially since I am not very tall at 1.42m) and the Companion was the perfect match. We really do enjoy our Companion and if I ever can trade in, my first, second and third choice will be another Companion.

Philip EngelbrechtIts beautifully tough and practical design allows you to go anywhere without having to make do with any sub-standard creature comforts!

The Companion has proven itself in the toughest conditions and has an incredible track record, topped with top-class durability. Its innovative design, towing ability and easy setup makes it the total package…

It’s definitely the pick of the litter with an unmatched pedigree and credentials that speak for themselves!

Mervin WhitfieldConqueror Companion is the best off-road caravan by far. I have owned some of the other brands, and no comparison can be made when it comes to practicality, ingenuity and style.

After all, being rough and tough does not mean you can’t be stylish, and the envy of all those that love the outdoors.

Corrie van Rooyen Barnie de Lange Marle Botha

The Great Outdoors Guide 2018 | 11

ALL ROADS

LEAD TOALL ROADS ALL ROADS

LEAD TOLEAD TO

CONQUEROR DEALERS Heidelberg

082 925 4218083 654 0116

Limpopo015 293 0431071 771 0347

East Rand084 491 5898082 350 8166

Pretoria012 567 1378082 442 5713

Northgate011 026 6350083 229 4276

Western Cape072 434 9062

Bloemfontein Motor Inn051 430 5951

Cape Town Safari Centre021 595 3910

KwaZulu-Natal LA Sport Zulu

035 789 5918

Namibia Off-Road Centre0026 46 123 7532

Nelspruit Opposite Lock Nelspruit

013 752 2016

Vryburg 4x4 Mega World053 927 0395

CONQUEROR MANUFACTURERS

PTY LTDTel: 016 349 6533

Cnr Chris & Reitz Street Heidelberg

info@conqueror.co.za

www.conqueror.co.za

FINANCE AVAILABLE

ROADSTERA WORLD FIRST in road caravans: the Roadster 450.

Setting the benchmark in the industry.

PLATINUM COMMANDER WITH INSTA AWNDon’t miss out on a holiday adventure.

Get your Commander Platinum while stocks last.

PLATINUM COMPANIONSA’s Caravan of the Year! Conqueror Companion

– now also in Platinum edition.

14 | The Great Outdoors Guide 2018

CONQUEROR COMANDERTHE GREAT OUTDOORS GUIDE

3RDPLACE

Roland Straub What prompted our decision to purchase the Conqueror Commander was when we were camping at Kam’bati over the Easter weekend in 2016 with our luggage trailer, canvas tent and gazebo. That’s when we saw our first Commander.

About 30 minutes after we arrived, a Commander pulled up behind us and began setting up. About 45 minutes later, we had finished setting up and I took one final walk around the camp to check all the guide ropes, only to see my neighbour in his camp chair fully setup with a glass of white wine already half empty. It had literally taken him 20 minutes to set up his entire camp.

While I was sweaty and irritated, he seemed cool, calm and relaxed. It was there and then that we decided to upgrade.

So, off we went and spent an afternoon at the Getaway Show, testing different vans, going as far as to stretch ourselves out onto the beds. I am 135kg and 6-foot-2 so I need my space! Ultimately I decided on the Conqueror brand as the build quality for me was the best, and the brand seemed to have good sales and service support at Conqueror Cape Town. I left the choice of which model to get to my wife, and she ultimately chose the Commander.

In the year and a half since we bought the Commander in May 2016, we have gone camping a total of 18 times.

But, why do I think the Commander is the best? Well, because it suits my needs completely. As a family of five, we need the space. The kitchen is well laid out and the large grocery cupboard more than handles our food rations when we camp. The

bathroom is simply amazing, the shower section is probably double the size of mine at home and allows us to hose down all three boys after a day of playing outside and getting dirty. We also keep our Porta Potti in the bathroom.

Setup is also so easy that my eight- year-old can set up the front awning and fold-out bed, while the 9- and 13-year-old sets up the bathroom. Mom sorts out the inside.

The Commander tows really well, and while being a heavy girl, she never feels like she is dragging behind me.

All the little luxuries on the Commander make camping that little bit easier for my wife, and I can honestly say that without the geyser, water tank and batteries, we might not have camped as often as we have this year.

I love my Commander and I love her even more because of the service and support we get from Conqueror Wellington.

Penny KeetAs an explorer and keen off-roader, I am excited to live on this continent and I want to conquer as many of the parks, roads and out-of-the-way places that I can.

The Conqueror caravans are my first choice because the name embodies the excitement, the adventure, the thrill and the wildness that is Africa. Plus, you get to do it all it style!

As a Maori New Zealander married to a South African of Khoi-San descent, our ancestors were explorers who conquered and tamed the land, and we hope to carry on that tradition… but with a Conqueror,

so that we get to do it in a lot more comfort than they did!

We would choose the Commander to suit our family of four. We know that the two young explorers-in-the-making we drag along with us on our adventures will be safe and secure inside their Conqueror Commander.

Antoinette MoutonConqueror is one of the strongest caravans I know. We travelled through the Khaudum National Park with our Commander. This is one of the parks you should not take lightly – there is a sign at the entrance that says “No trailers, only 4x4”.

Yearly, we take trips through Botswana, Namibia and other out-of-the-way places and our caravan never lets us down.

I will not buy any make other than Conqueror. You can use them on all terrains, and with the kitchen and geyser that works so well, it’s a pleasure for every family to camp, even in the most remote areas. I do not think there’s a stronger and better 4x4 caravan on the market.

Johan KlopperThis caravan is built as solidly as an army tank – strong and reliable, able to tackle any off-road conditions with confidence. I have been to many places, including the rough roads of the Kgalagadi. Towing this caravan is an absolute pleasure as it sits solidly behind my vehicle, especially after I had it upgraded with the latest Hound Dog suspension.

Camping with this caravan is an absolute pleasure and my wife also loves it. Happy wife, happy life!

Roland Straub

Roland Straub Johan Klopper

CONQUERORCONQUERORCamper

sOFF-ROAD

New Commander

PlatinuM

New ROAD CARAVAN

Financing Available

CONQUEROR DEALERS Bloemfontein

Moto Inn 051 430 5951 Cape Town

Safari Centre 021 595 3910 Heidelberg

(Head office) 082 925 4218 / 083 654 0116

016 349 6532 Limpopo

015 293 0431 / 071 771 0347 Midrand

082 651 9471 010 010 7969

Namibia Off-Road Centre

0026 46 123 7532 Nelspruit

Opposite Lock Nelspruit 013 752 2016

Northgate 011 026 6350 083 229 4276

East Rand 084 491 5898 / 082 350 8166

Pretoria 012 567 1378 082 442 5713

Western Cape 072 434 9062

CONQUEROR

MANUFACTURERS (PTY)

LTD Tel: 016 349 6533

h.v. Chris- & Reitzstraat Heidelberginfo@conqueror.co.za