Vehicle Awnings...

Awning mounted on a LR90

Overland travel is all about living out of your vehicle and being outside... This works very well in a warm climate but not really recommended for an Asia Overland adventure where the cold weather penetrates tents.  Keeping out of the elements is also critical, hence the need for a side awning mounted on your vehicle.

My 1991 Defender was fitted with a free standing Hannibal awning (as per the photo on the right). This awning was fantastic as it allowed me to open and close it in a matter of minutes. It kept us sheltered in the heat of the Mali summer although it did have a major tendency to fill with water in tropical rain conditions as experienced in Nigeria.

Collecting water from the awning

Living in Australia has similar conditions to Africa - hot summer weather with the East coast suffering from huge tropical rainfalls.  The need for a side awning on a vehicle is important - protection from the elements.

In my previous post, I mentioned the dilemma I was in... good quality, made locally, was being outsold by 'Made in China' expedition equipment.  I liked the equipment Hannibal and  Polaris Innovations made, however, my need for a side awning did not justify the price tag.  I don't have a year long expedition planned - I have the need for an awning for a few days a year.  This fact pushed me to the very disposable $120 awning.  The quality mimics the price, as you will see below, but the price means that I can buy four awnings for a single locally made one.  However, if I was equipping for an extended overland expedition, I would not hesitate in buying an awning that would stand up to daily use in extreme weather conditions.

Six Overland Trips - One Land Rover Defender (Called Maggie)

Once a vehicle has been prepared for an Overland expedition, it is often resold and reused for a similiar trip.  Scrolling through previous trips on The Africa Overland Network reveals a number of websites which have used the same vehicle.

Here is one such vehicle - a 1991 Land Rover Defender 200tdi

Here's a quick history of the Land Rover Defender 200tdi called Maggie. She was called Maggie based on her colour blue and the famous statement about Maggie Thatcher that as Prime Minister of Britain, she was 'Not for Turning'.  Hence, Maggie the Land Rover, was not for doing U-Turns and returning home with unfinished business.

Her specifications are:

• Year: 1991
• Engine: 200Tdi Diesel (2.5L Turbo Diesel)
• Current Mileage: 225 000 (roughly)
• Fuel capacity: 80Ltrs + 40Ltrs extended tank + 2 x 20L Jerry Cans
• Tyre Compressor mounted inside the engine
• 40L Engel Fridge with AC/DC cables
• 2 x gas bottles + 2 ring stove
• High lift jack + piston jack
• Eezi Awn Roof tent
• Portable rear mounted vice on back ladder
• Garmin GPS with external mounted antennae
• Brownchurch water filter
• 3 x 20L water bottles
• Sand Ladders & Spade
• Dual Battery system - Optima
• Internal side mounted cupboards for easy out of the way storage.

The First Trip:

Richard & Jo Hepper - 1998

The Second Trip:

Colin & Wendy Clements - 2000 to 2004

In South Africa, Colin was introduced to a store full of overland and 4x4 equipment.  He quickly made a few changes which included a new Eezi Awn rooftop tent, Hannibal side awning, Engel Fridge and tyre compressor.

The Third Trip:

The biggest change Colin did to the vehicle was a total chassis strip-down and rebuild.  This rebuilt, undertaken in Kenya, modified the 90 into a 110 model.  The only new parts added were the rear tub.  The doors, engine and roofrack remained the same.

The Fourth Trip:

Martin & Debbie Solms - 2004 to 2005

I purchased this vehicle after chatting to Colin about the merits of the Defender 110 compared to my LR Discovery.  Buying a fully kitted vehicle for our trip meant that we only had a few mods to do.  I added sidelockers, and rear cupboards to the interior.  I opted to remain with the tried and tested Michelin XZL tyres.

Trip Four B

Sam Watson - Kenya & Tanzania

Sam borrowed the Land Rover called Maggie for a month of overland travel in August 2005.  His destination was Kenya and Tanzania.

The Firth Trip:

Jamie & Charlene Davies - Dec 2005 to July 2009

As you begin approaching Kubu Island you are unable to see very much as you travel through very tall grass and some trees, but all of a sudden the grass and trees disappear and all you see is another dried up pan with this small (from a distance) cluster of rocks and baobabs in the middle of the pan.

The Sixth Trip

Noel Peries - November 2009 to current

Departed the UK heading South on 5th November 2009.

Meeting the Owners:
The four generations of owners meet up:

From Left to Right: Martin, Jo, Wendy, Charlene, Colin, Jamie and Richard (photo excludes Debbie)