Frequently Asked Questions

What does the trailer rental cost include?

The rental fee includes the rental of the trailer with trailer top tent, the bedding for 2, all necessary equipment listed in the inventory, gas, a fridge, and the comprehensive insurance. Optional: we have a list of optional extras available at a small extra fee. You can find this list in our what's inside section.

How do you look after your off road trailers?

Every offroad trailer undergoes a strict testing and checking procedure, regardless if it was rented out 4 days, 4 weeks or 4 months. This procedure includes the check of all bolts and nuts at the coupler, at the axle / suspension, the check of the brakes, the gas connection and functionality of the gas cooker, the various plugs, inside lights, wheel play, tyre pressure and trailer light. Wheel bearings are exchanged twice a year and in certain periods in between they are additionally opened and checked. After an overland trip, a wheel bearing check is also mandatory. We track the numbers of days the trailers are en route and we document the whole procedure.

What about the cleaning of the camping trailer?

After return of a trailer we take all equipment out, check and clean it, the bed linen is washed, the tent is cleaned. It takes 2 people between 1.5 and 6 hours to clean a trailer and to undertake the mechanical checks to get it ready for the next rental.

What requirements are mandatory in regards of the towing vehicle?

The South African law looks without exception at the tare weight of your car, not at your vehicles engine capacity. The minimum tare weight must be 1.5 tons at the Echo 3 and 1.5 /1.8 tons at the Echo 4 trailer. You will find the tare weight on your licence disk on the windscreen. Your vehicle must also be rated for the towing of the respective weight by the cars manufacturer.

What drivers licence do I need?

You need an EB, EC or EC1 licence to tow our trailers legally as our trailers are braked. The GVM (Gross vehicle mass) of our trailers is 1.5 / 1.8 tons.

What speed do you recommend?

We recommend maximum 90 kmh on tar and maximum 60 to 70 kmh on gravel road.

How many people does the tent sleep?

Two sleep on top of the load box, two to three more people, usually children, sleep on an extra mattress / stretchers on the ground of the tent. The main bed mattress is included in the rental fee. We provide extra stretchers and blow up mattresses at additional cost.

Where can I go with the off-road trailer?

You can visit all countries up to the equator and also Kenya. We will issue a cross border permission letter and you will receive a territorial letter from the insurance. You need to submit your itinerary during the booking process.

And where not?

You are not allowed Van Zyls Pass, Cunene 4x4 track, Die Hell and similar roads, tracks or trails, also not the track from Nossob to Mabuasehube (KTNP) and vice versa. You are also not allowed to drive any recreational 4x4 trail. Our insurance does not cover these tracks / trails / roads. You will not only loose insurance cover, if something brakes, you will pay the parts and the costs for the repair in full. Please note, that you are allowed to drive most off road/gravel roads up country, as long as they are public roads, during your journey. There are exceptions like the road to Die Hell, which is not allowed, although a public road. Please ask upfront, if you are unsure.

What can I load into the off-road trailer?

You rent a fully equipped camping trailer, a “little house on wheels” and not a luggage trailer. You have 6 drawers available for your clothing and food + some space at the back of the load box. Please remember that you can buy almost all food and drinks along the road you travel. Driving overloaded will cause heavy damages, increase the chance of an accident and you will also loose insurance cover.

Must I fill/refill the gas bottle?

The gas bottle/s come full and you don’t need to refill it.

Charging the trailer batteries and keeping the fridge cold

Most campsites in SA have 220V electricity and the trailer is connected to this to charge the batteries. For bush camps batteries can be recharged via Solar Panel (Check our Optional Extras in the what's inside section) or from the vehicle through a battery cable with Brad Harrison Plug (To be installed by client).