The Kemp family – Sheldon, Adri, Nicole and Rickus – are avid campers who enjoy heading into the bundu. And they have recently fallen in love with the Conqueror Companion – an off-road caravan that suits their lifestyle perfectly
The Conqueror Companion caravan is a true gem. With its many different configurations, you’d think you were camping inside something that had escaped for the Transformers movie set. It is one of the most innovative and user-friendly off-road caravans ever dreamt up.
When we plan on spending just one or two nights at a particular campsite, we usually simply park the caravan, pop open the folding beds, and relax. When we know that we will be spending quite a few days in one spot, though, we open up the large awning around the cooking area to provide some shade.
Finally, when we plan on staying at one campsite for a week or more, we open up the massive awning that surrounds the entire Companion, creating a wonderful family home in the bundu.
The Companion works perfectly at both conventional and unconventional campsites. It’s very well equipped and can protect you from anything that Mother Nature may throw at you.
If you are heading far off the beaten track, the independent suspension (coil springs and heavy-duty shocks) are fantastic, and immediately sets the Companion apart from its rivals. The suspension setup is tough, and cushions the caravan wonderfully on ugly dirt roads. Our unbroken porcelain crockery is proof of that!
The blower that pressurises the interior of the caravan is another ingenious piece of technology. We have driven on some of the dustiest roads imaginable, and not a single speck of dust has ever made its way into the cabin.
The Companion is also very user-friendly and convenient when it comes to sleeping, cooking and living in the bush.
Firstly, the beds are extremely comfortable, and they are as big as the beds we have at home. They are certainly a step above the usual, slightly uncomfy camping beds one often finds in caravans.
The gas stove works wonderfully well. We even installed permanent fixtures for its connecting pipes, as well as for the taps, to maximise convenience. (Thanks to the guys at Conqueror Connection, by the way, for helping us with this!)
The geyser works like a charm and it often saves us a long walk to a campsite’s ablution blocks. Thanks to the 160-litre water tank we can shower right at our caravan, and wash our dishes there as well.
Towing the caravan is a breeze, both on and off road. In fact, we hardly ever notice its presence behind our SUV. We previously towed with a Toyota Fortuner D-4D, but recently switched to a Land Cruiser 76. Both vehicles tow the caravan exceptionally well.
The thing that struck us most about the Companion while we were shopping for an off-road trailer was its ruggedness – no flimsy wooden doors on flimsy hinges to be found here! It was the only caravan that gave a true feeling of solidity. Some other trailers we looked at were built entirely of fibreglass, and you could feel their floors sag as you walked around the inside.
The interior of the Companion is spacious and you can stand upright in it. It is light and airy inside. It can sleep four easily – something that was important to us. The spacious grocery cupboard is a big plus.
We not only needed a trailer that was suitable for off-road travel but one that would be comfortable enough for a two-week seaside holiday. The Companion fitted the bill, and can best be described as an all-rounder than can do just about anything.
We should also mention that, during the process of buying our caravan, we received the most professional and efficient service. The people at Conqueror Connection answered all our written questions, and friendly smiles greeted us on the day we went to pick up our caravan.
We had a little mishap in the Namib dunes during a recent adventure, but thankfully Conqueror Connection did some panel beating for us, and the Companion is now ready for our next trip.
We highly recommend the Companion. You won’t regret having this wonderful piece of luxury accommodation in the heart of the bushveld. It’s quick and easy to set up, and provides spacious shelter for a family of four. We have camped in the most inhospitable places you can imagine, and we can truly say that there is nowhere you cannot take the Companion.
Our next trip is to Angola, and we will be travelling there in style!
For more information, visit: http://www.conqueror.co.za