Volkswagen Caddy
ME AND MY CAR
With a load capacity of 815 kg, the Caddy has plenty of packing space. Whether I’m heading out to go scuba-diving, to play golf or camp, all my gear can fit in the back. It’s also easy to access my stuff, thanks to the Caddy’s double back door and sliding door on the side.
It took me about three years to perfect my camping set-up. First, I added quality off-road tyres (General Grabbers AT3) and tyre pressure monitors. These are very important because you don’t want to lose a tyre if you don’t have to. I mounted a Frontrunner roof rack, a Tentco rooftop tent and a Tentco side awning. I also have a Frontrunner awning to create an extra room if the weather is foul. I sometimes use it as my kitchen when it’s rainy or windy. And I have a Campmor Overlander 4-man tent that I sometimes use instead of the rooftop tent. If there are no ablution facilities in the campsite, I use my Bundu portable gas shower, which connects to my water tank and pump. I have a mobile National Luna battery system that recharges while the vehicle is on the move. There is also a solar panel to recharge the battery while we’re camping.
I usually travel with my fiancée, Marise Rothman. We got engaged in the Tankwa Karoo in June. I installed extra lights inside the vehicle for when we’re camping, and I built in a variety of 12-volt power points so we can recharge our camera batteries and cellphones, and run the shower pump if necessary.
When we get home after a camping trip, I remove all the extras (rooftop tent, fridge, etc.) so I can use the Caddy around town
(it’s my only vehicle) without lugging around unnecessary weight. For this reason, I didn’t buy a built-in drawer system.
I’ve got my process waxed – I can unpack my camping gear in 15 minutes. The
Caddy is super versatile; I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
Home town: Paarl Occupation: Pilates instructor Car: VW Caddy, 2016 model Mileage: 75 000 km Instagram: @grondspore
• Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway, Rawsonville trouthaven.co.za • Mount Ceder, Cederberg mountceder.co.za
• Gecko Rock, Touws River (pictured above) geckorock.co.za • Môreson, Slanghoek Valley moresoncottagesandcampsites.co.za • Gatsrivier, Ceres-Karoo gatsrivier.co.za
Home town: Bellville
Occupation: UX designer and visual content specialist
Car: Mahindra Thar, 2017 model Mileage: 44 570 km
Instagram: @anton.linstrom #178