RAW 4x4 NAMAKWA ECO TRAIL

Wherever you’re going, whatever you’re towing, a RAW 4x4 suspension kit clears the road.

This past December, father and son Shaun and Calvin Hutton took on The Namakwa Eco Trail with friends… and RAW 4x4 power. South Africa’s longest continuous 4x4 route is 600km of tough-going Northern Cape track along the Orange River from Pella to Alexander Bay. But with RAW 4x4 suspension solutions installed, their Toyota “Troopy” Land Cruiser 78 Series, Toyota Hilux Vigo and Nissan Navara D23 (towing a camper trailer) ate up the trip, through gravel, rock, sand, dongas and river crossings, steep slopes and crazy bends.

“All the vehicles did marvellously, not one puncture or mechanical failure. The Navara, Hilux and Troopy were all sporting new RAW 4x4 suspension kits, and what a way to really test them out and see for ourselves how they handle. The Navara towing the camper trailer for the first time did superbly, especially considering it was surrounded by Toyotas. It wasn’t all plain sailing; lots of bush cutting, some technical driving and soft sand made it quite exciting. The riverbed drive down to Kamgab was definitely a highlight. The real advantage was on gravel corrugations, where the RAW 4x4 suspension is so forgiving and comfortable. There is no ‘wallowing’ or bottoming out over big washouts or bumps. The added ground clearance ‘even with the vehicles loaded also instils real confidence when the going gets tough,” says Calvin.

With car worries banished, the Huttons explored Charlie’s Pass, The Growcery Camp in Vioolsdrift, and Bakkrans Cave in the Richtersveld. They camped and swam along the Orange River, and drove over soft sand at the coast to reach the beautiful beach spot at Waterval and the Highlanders campsite in Klawer. Evenings were for stargazing and swapping stories as they kicked back with a potjie and a cold one. The 4x4 vehicles would be waiting, ready to go in the morning.