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After varied experiences with SUVs, Craig Pentz from Roodepoort went on vacation in a Volkswagen Kombi and hasn’t looked back since.
2014 Volkswagen Kombi 2.0 TDI 74 kW SWB
"I used to drive and tow with a Toyota Fortuner 3.0 D-4D, which was actually a brilliant towing vehicle, but then I came up with the idea that downsizing slightly to a Kia Sportage would be more economically feasible.
Essentially it was, and everything else about the Sportage was quite good. Unfortunately, the Kia just couldn’t hold its own as a towing vehicle, and in 2017 my wife Zelda and I were invited to explore the Kruger National Park with a friend’s brand-new T6 Volkswagen Kombi. I remember thinking that it was the ideal vehicle in which to tour with friends and family, and still lug along everyone’s extras.
So, in 2018 we picked up a 2014 Kombi T5, which is the predecessor to my friend’s model. Immediately afterward, I almost had buyer’s remorse as I thought the VW might not be up to the task of towing my caravan. I used to tow a 1995 Sprite Scoutbut replaced it in 2015 with a 1999 Gypsey Rapier.
But the Kombi turned out to bean effortless towing vehicle with its 250 Nm of torque from just 1 500 rpm, and overall stability even at 110 km/h. When the Rapier is hitched, the Kombi consumes an excellent 10 l/100 km and is capable of a return at the pumps of just 8 l/100 km when not towing.
The Kombi had notched up 160 000 km by the time I purchased it, which is quite a bit higher that most people’s yearly average. The high mileage means that I don’t have a factory warranty anymore, but so far, I’ve had no major issues. The Kombi’s currently sitting on 224 000 km, and I make sure to service it every 15 000 km.
My Fortuner was a 2010 model and was on 200 000 km when I bought it, but I believe that as long as the vehicle was maintained properly and you can see service records, then I’m not so fussed about buying a used high-mileage vehicle.
Zelda and I are hoping to do a little camper-style conversion, but nothing too hectic or permanent. Something more along the lines of quickly removing the rear benches, loading the camping gear, and hitting the road as soon as possible.
Our favourite places to camp so far have been ATKV Buffelspoort and the Dube Private Game reserve. And when we want to camp seaside, we head for the ATKV Hartenbos resort, where we always manage to book the same stand on Block E because we want to be near the beach.
Post lockdown, we’ve managed to get to Klein Paradys in Brits, which is a well- run resort that’s clean, tidy and family- oriented. The latter point is important because we always camp with friends who have kids.
Send an email to drivecamp@gomag.co.za and tell us about what’s in your garage.
