Hi all.

I am back into caravanning. Just bought an Exclusive. It needs a good cleanup, but it's in good shape.

I would appreciate if anyone has any manuals, tent pole layouts etc or any info that would be useful.

There doesn't seem to be much on the web.

Can anyone recommend a good a good dealer in Pta East for services.

I'm on szarrick@gmail.com.

Kind regards.

Happy caravanning. 

There is Silverlakes Caravans - off Lynwood Road  https://silverlakescaravans.co.za/

I have never used them tho maybe someone else can give you more info on them. 

Welcome to the forum. :)

Bought my Exclusive in May this year.  Did all the fixing up and servicing myself specially the  bearings and brakes.  Reason why I do it myself is to ensure its done correctly. Just as an example.  None of the 4 drums on the exclusive did any braking in the time it was used until we bought it.  The brake surface on the drums were  basically rusted and the brake shoes still in perfect condition.  When I checked the wheel bearings I could remove the wheel drums without adjusting the brake setter, normally if the brakes are adjusted correctly you must first pull the brake shoes inward by adjusting the setter for the rim of the  drum to pass over the brake shoes.

If you get someone to do it stand there to ensure its done correctly. Thats my advice

Leon wrote:

Bought my Exclusive in May this year.  Did all the fixing up and servicing myself specially the  bearings and brakes.  Reason why I do it myself is to ensure its done correctly. Just as an example.  None of the 4 drums on the exclusive did any braking in the time it was used until we bought it.  The brake surface on the drums were  basically rusted and the brake shoes still in perfect condition.  When I checked the wheel bearings I could remove the wheel drums without adjusting the brake setter, normally if the brakes are adjusted correctly you must first pull the brake shoes inward by adjusting the setter for the rim of the  drum to pass over the brake shoes.

If you get someone to do it stand there to ensure its done correctly. Thats my advice

Thanks Leon & Brian.

Leon, do you tow your Exclusive with a 2.2 Mahindra auto?

Just a question. How do you find the power to tow and have you attempted

van Reenen's pass with it? I will be going to the coast, but am concerned about the pass

coming back. I have a Freelander 2.2 diesel and a Colt 2.8 diesel. The Freelander can tow

max 2 tons. The van is 1.8 tons. I don't think the Freelander will survive the pass, but

locally in Gauteng it should be ok. 

Any suggestions on affordable pleasant breakaways within say 1 or 2 hours from Pta?

We have been to Weesgerus so far. Very neat and pleasant.

Hi Rick

Welcome to the Forum.

I tow my Exclusive everywhere all over the country's potholed tarr roads, any passes without struggle with my 2.2 Ranger Auto and did not experience any problems towing the van. 

Colts 2.8 tend to run a little  hot when pulling 1.8 tons up long steep hills, I used to pull my exclusive with a 2.8 colt and always had to manage the temperature on the long steep hills.

now pull the exclusive with a triton 3.2 with no issues, however both vehicles are not legal to tow 1.8 tons in standard form, I fitted a vacume brake system to the colt which I transferred to the triton when I traded. now legal to tow up to 3,5 tons. 

Ricko wrote:

Thanks Leon & Brian.

Leon, do you tow your Exclusive with a 2.2 Mahindra auto?

Just a question. How do you find the power to tow and have you attempted

van Reenen's pass with it? I will be going to the coast, but am concerned about the pass

coming back. I have a Freelander 2.2 diesel and a Colt 2.8 diesel. The Freelander can tow

max 2 tons. The van is 1.8 tons. I don't think the Freelander will survive the pass, but

locally in Gauteng it should be ok. 

Any suggestions on affordable pleasant breakaways within say 1 or 2 hours from Pta?

We have been to Weesgerus so far. Very neat and pleasant.

 

Only had a chance to camp and tow the caravan further than 10km once since we bought it.  The Mahindra tows the caravan well overall but I did find that the Dusk works hard to tow it on a steep uphill.

We arrived at our destination and I sat and thought about the towing capability of the Mahindra.  It actually boils down too..................... I must slow down! ! ! ! !  I have been towing with a Navara 2,5L (402Nm) and 2x Rangers 3,2L (450Nm) since 2007.  The Mahindra is capable but does not have that matched power.

Had a mind set change and everything went well with the trip back home.  Our second trip with the combination is coming up this month.  Think it will go well!

Ricko wrote:

Thanks Leon & Brian.

Leon, do you tow your Exclusive with a 2.2 Mahindra auto?

Just a question. How do you find the power to tow and have you attempted

van Reenen's pass with it? I will be going to the coast, but am concerned about the pass

coming back. I have a Freelander 2.2 diesel and a Colt 2.8 diesel. The Freelander can tow

max 2 tons. The van is 1.8 tons. I don't think the Freelander will survive the pass, but

locally in Gauteng it should be ok. 

Any suggestions on affordable pleasant breakaways within say 1 or 2 hours from Pta?

We have been to Weesgerus so far. Very neat and pleasant.

 

We love Dinokeng for a few day's bush break. Very close to Pta with plenty of camps to choose from.