Mid life crisis Cali Swamper!

Currently on a road trip in Portugal - sadly not in a campervan, just a little Yaris Cross. However, time in Geres National Park and the beaches from Nazaré down to Ereiceira has given me the flavour for camping road trip.

There look to be loads of amazing off road tracks as I drive down the A roads. No idea what the access is. And the campers parked at Praia Norte made me feel nostalgic.

Anyone know what the rules are around wild camping and how strictly they are enforced? A lady I met who camps a lot said the police do checks (not sure if she was just referring to Geres/mountain area), fir vans parked up outside of official campsites.

Portugal is such a fab country, I would move here tomorrow.
 
JuanVecino2023 said:
Currently on a road trip in Portugal - sadly not in a campervan, just a little Yaris Cross. However, time in Geres National Park and the beaches from Nazaré down to Ereiceira has given me the flavour for camping road trip.

There look to be loads of amazing off road tracks as I drive down the A roads. No idea what the access is. And the campers parked at Praia Norte made me feel nostalgic.

Anyone know what the rules are around wild camping and how strictly they are enforced? A lady I met who camps a lot said the police do checks (not sure if she was just referring to Geres/mountain area), fir vans parked up outside of official campsites.

Portugal is such a fab country, I would move here tomorrow.
Click to expand...

I too love Portugal. I’ve never camped there, by all accounts there is some good off road driving but wild camping is challenging and heavily restricted.


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wildslammer22 said:
I too love Portugal. I’ve never camped there, by all accounts there is some good off road driving but wild camping is challenging and heavily restricted.


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Click to expand...
I lived in the Algarve for 3 years, a little fishing village called Alvor, Was heavenly in the 90s. The property prices have gone bananas since. I regret not buying in Almancil / Villamoura / Albufeira / Vale de Lobo back then. Not returned for ages, but might make a trip as I used to, getting the ferry to Santander in N Spain and driving down... Muinto Beim!
 
Wannabecamperman said:
I lived in the Algarve for 3 years, a little fishing village called Alvor, Was heavenly in the 90s. The property prices have gone bananas since. I regret not buying in Almancil / Villamoura / Albufeira / Vale de Lobo back then. Not returned for ages, but might make a trip as I used to, getting the ferry to Santander in N Spain and driving down... Muinto Beim!
Click to expand...

Sounds wonderful and a great time to have been there


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Just curious, has anyone installed or considered swapping out their OEM awning for a 180 degree or 270 degree awning? From, for example, Vickywood, Bushwakka, or Horntools?

I'm looking at this one in particular as I've seen it in person and the quality is amazing. Integrated LED's, closed it is 2 meters, and fully opened (and freestanding up to 40Kmh wind) it expands to 5 meters which fully covers the side of the van. It's also very lightweight at 18-19Kg versus the current Thule which is 26kg.

 
Webbah_in_Switzerland said:
Just curious, has anyone installed or considered swapping out their OEM awning for a 180 degree or 270 degree awning? From, for example, Vickywood, Bushwakka, or Horntools?

I'm looking at this one in particular as I've seen it in person and the quality is amazing. Integrated LED's, closed it is 2 meters, and fully opened (and freestanding up to 40Kmh wind) it expands to 5 meters which fully covers the side of the van. It's also very lightweight at 18-19Kg versus the current Thule which is 26kg.

Click to expand...
Wouldn’t work for me with a pop top and tailgate but I’ve had one in the past and loved it. I had the ARB one on my Landy - not seen the Vickywood one but my only advice is go for best quality - they tend to be built for rigs that tour Australia and Africa and the cheap ones don’t do well in damp temperate climates! One feature worth having for use in the rain is the pop up struts that create a run off on the canvas or that 18kg can quickly become 30kg in the rain!

I suspect it’s work wonderfully well on your rig.
 
wildslammer22 said:
Wouldn’t work for me with a pop top and tailgate but I’ve had one in the past and loved it. I had the ARB one on my Landy - not seen the Vickywood one but my only advice is go for best quality - they tend to be built for rigs that tour Australia and Africa and the cheap ones don’t do well in damp temperate climates! One feature worth having for use in the rain is the pop up struts that create a run off on the canvas or that 18kg can quickly become 30kg in the rain!

I suspect it’s work wonderfully well on your rig.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the only way for me to install the universal brackets is to mount 2 airline rails parallel for the mount points. Would likely mount these the full length of the roof similar to what I've done on the other side as I then have additional mountpoints for other items if desired (as long as they don't interfere with the awning opened). The Vickywood is very premium quality and built in Germany so many suppliers in the region.

The 270 would be even more amazing but my rear storage box wouldn't allow this. Hence the reason I'm looking at the 180.

Sorry this is in German but you can see the quality and this is on a T6.1 without poptop:

 
Agree amazing for a landy rear entrance vehicle.
Not sure if you will gain much as tailgate can’t open when out and if you are having all that stuff box/bikes etc behind then not much room to sit under, unless it’s to shade that stuff.

Next meridian have a cool set up on there landy travelling the world and rate there 180 not sure what make it was, gifted to them by company in Oz I think.
 
The Merle said:
Agree amazing for a landy rear entrance vehicle.
Not sure if you will gain much as tailgate can’t open when out and if you are having all that stuff box/bikes etc behind then not much room to sit under, unless it’s to shade that stuff.

Next meridian have a cool set up on there landy travelling the world and rate there 180 not sure what make it was, gifted to them by company in Oz I think.
Click to expand...

This is exactly the reason for the 180 version. Side only and expands to 5 meters which covers the entire side of the van and extends out 2 meters.


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After a lengthy thread, do we have a definitive answer for the best tyre ?
My only two choices for my Adria Twin Max 600 4.180 TGE are
Rhino or Oz wheels
And BFG or Michelin Agilis.
Unless anybody knows of any other 1200kg rated wheels and more than 1200kg rated tyres.
BFG: 1360
Agilis: 1285kg.
5x120 ET 35 to 60
8Jx17
 
Californication69 said:
After a lengthy thread, do we have a definitive answer for the best tyre ?
My only two choices for my Adria Twin Max 600 4.180 TGE are
Rhino or Oz wheels
And BFG or Michelin Agilis.
Unless anybody knows of any other 1200kg rated wheels and more than 1200kg rated tyres.
BFG: 1360
Agilis: 1285kg.
5x120 ET 35 to 60
8Jx17
Click to expand...
I’m loving my Falken Wildpeak at3w's but I think 1200kg might be the maximum load rating you will find in your wheel size. The at4's are triple ply like the KO2's so might be a bit beefier. Quite hard to find in the UK though
 
Californication69 said:
After a lengthy thread, do we have a definitive answer for the best tyre ?
My only two choices for my Adria Twin Max 600 4.180 TGE are
Rhino or Oz wheels
And BFG or Michelin Agilis.
Unless anybody knows of any other 1200kg rated wheels and more than 1200kg rated tyres.
BFG: 1360
Agilis: 1285kg.
5x120 ET 35 to 60
8Jx17
Click to expand...

Loder AT #1 tyres from Delta 4x4. I’m running them now. 118 load rating.


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Californication69 said:
After a lengthy thread, do we have a definitive answer for the best tyre ?
My only two choices for my Adria Twin Max 600 4.180 TGE are
Rhino or Oz wheels
And BFG or Michelin Agilis.
Unless anybody knows of any other 1200kg rated wheels and more than 1200kg rated tyres.
BFG: 1360
Agilis: 1285kg.
5x120 ET 35 to 60
8Jx17
Click to expand...
BFG will give you the best looking swamper look if that’s what you’re after.
But only get them if you don’t mind noise.
So I would say if you only do 20/30% motorway worth a look.
 
The Merle said:
BFG will give you the best looking swamper look if that’s what you’re after.
But only get them if you don’t mind noise.
So I would say if you only do 20/30% motorway worth a look.
Click to expand...
90% tarmac motorway.
So the Agilis and load rated to 121/119 I think is the way to go.
Can get x4 of these from Rogue for £1660.

And they’re BRONZE !
I remember the bronze v’s black thread ;)
IMG_6906.jpeg
 
About to get a set of AT tyres myself, and the dealer suggested General Grabber AT3. Any experience with them?

Btw, just starting my own journey into swamper build for my 4motion. I’m currently looking into Seikel suspension lift, underbody aluminium protection, rock sliders and perhaps a bullbar. I drive forest tracks often and frequent the Alps both in summer and winter.
 
Californication69 said:
90% tarmac motorway.
So the Agilis and load rated to 121/119 I think is the way to go.
Can get x4 of these from Rogue for £1660.

And they’re BRONZE !
I remember the bronze v’s black thread ;)
View attachment 139546
Click to expand...
Yes stay clear of BFG then, I have them on my van but no motorways in Cairngorms.

Personally I would wanted a branded known wheel like Oz not sure about rogues own branded wheels, look good but that’s just me.
 
Last edited:
Californication69 said:
90% tarmac motorway.
So the Agilis and load rated to 121/119 I think is the way to go.
Can get x4 of these from Rogue for £1660.

And they’re BRONZE !
I remember the bronze v’s black thread ;)
View attachment 139546
Click to expand...
I've got these for sale, but you'd need to come to Switzerland if interested! ;-)F0507100-D1BF-49F0-AC82-CAD976FB9321_1_105_c.jpeg
 
Badabu said:
About to get a set of AT tyres myself, and the dealer suggested General Grabber AT3. Any experience with them?

Btw, just starting my own journey into swamper build for my 4motion. I’m currently looking into Seikel suspension lift, underbody aluminium protection, rock sliders and perhaps a bullbar. I drive forest tracks often and frequent the Alps both in summer and winter.
Click to expand...
Had general grabber on my 2nd Cali (was fitted when I bought it 2nd hand).
Had 3yrs with them and was happy, but couldn’t tell you mpg/noise etc as was a long time ago on my indium Cali t5.1
 
Badabu said:
About to get a set of AT tyres myself, and the dealer suggested General Grabber AT3. Any experience with them?

Btw, just starting my own journey into swamper build for my 4motion. I’m currently looking into Seikel suspension lift, underbody aluminium protection, rock sliders and perhaps a bullbar. I drive forest tracks often and frequent the Alps both in summer and winter.
Click to expand...
I’m running these tyres
Positives are:
  • Available in a standard size in 17 inch.
  • Perform OK in light off-road. I’ve tested in dry conditions on rough tracks in Mallorca.
  • Not noticeably louder on tarmac.
Negatives:
  • Fuel consumption impacted maybe by about 5%
  • On tarmac they cannot compare with the Michelin CrossClimate 2 tyres I had previously in ANY conditions.
  • Slightly harsher ride than the Michelins.
If buying because you genuinely will be doing light off-roading often, I would recommend. If you are mostly doing motorway miles I would go for the Michelins. If you are buying just for the look and have no intention of going off-road, I wouldn’t bother.

Anecdotally, I find myself leaving much larger distances between my Cali and the vehicle in front on A-roads/motorways as I just don’t trust the AT3s as much as the Michelins.

Edit: just re-read your post. Given you will be using extensively, maybe explore the Wildpeaks as an option. Others with experience using them can comment.
 
wildslammer22 said:
I’m loving my Falken Wildpeak at3w's but I think 1200kg might be the maximum load rating you will find in your wheel size. The at4's are triple ply like the KO2's so might be a bit beefier. Quite hard to find in the UK though
Click to expand...
I hadn't realised you replaced the BFGs. The Falkens are great aren't they?
 
Kayleigh said:
I’m running these tyres
Positives are:
  • Available in a standard size in 17 inch.
  • Perform OK in light off-road. I’ve tested in dry conditions on rough tracks in Mallorca.
  • Not noticeably louder on tarmac.
Negatives:
  • Fuel consumption impacted maybe by about 5%
  • On tarmac they cannot compare with the Michelin CrossClimate 2 tyres I had previously in ANY conditions.
  • Slightly harsher ride than the Michelins.
If buying because you genuinely will be doing light off-roading often, I would recommend. If you are mostly doing motorway miles I would go for the Michelins. If you are buying just for the look and have no intention of going off-road, I wouldn’t bother.

Anecdotally, I find myself leaving much larger distances between my Cali and the vehicle in front on A-roads/motorways as I just don’t trust the AT3s as much as the Michelins.

Edit: just re-read your post. Given you will be using extensively, maybe explore the Wildpeaks as an option. Others with experience using them can comment.
Click to expand...
Wildpeaks - ]

Aesthetic - chunky look (albeit not as defacto as BFG)
On-road - quiet, they do reduce MPG. I would check with others about optimal PSI for efficiency/grip
Off-road - great on greasy grass surfaces and for mopping up the attrocious potholes out here. Not used fully off road, so @Webbah_in_Switzerland or @wildslammer22 are your reference points

I did a lot of research, here and elsewhere and decided they were the ideal compromise of all season and off road.

I have a set on steelies up for sale if you want to try at a lower entry price (not my intention of this post, just mentioning as they are listed)
 
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