And, believe it or not, this isn’t an isolated example. A number of well-known brands in SA have either merged, or been acquired by larger global companies. I also recently heard of a South African off-road brand that is potentially expanding into the US with a dedicated manufacturing plant in that country.

So what’s happened that’s different? Well, I think the answer is simple… lockdowns happened.

Once international borders were closed to air travel, people from all over the world suddenly found themselves sitting with a $10k to $15k overseas holiday budget that needed spending.

I recently spoke to a chap who – after his European trip was cancelled – he went out and blew R150k on kitting his vehicle out for camping. By his own admission, he had never gone camping in his life before.

Of course, the other reaction to lockdowns is that many people preferred the idea of camping outdoors, rather than staying in a lodge or hotel.  

But the plot thickens…

Back in 2020, a number of developed nations had helicopter-dropped stimulus cheques into people’s bank accounts, while offering a rent moratorium that excused citizens from having to pay their rent.

I read of one particular bloke who bought himself two new power boats because he was still collecting a salary, a stimulus cheque, and he had decided not to pay his rent.

And so, the demand for roof racks, fridges, draw systems, canopies and roof-top tents went berserk in 2020 and 2021. All the while, the supply side of the chain got squeezed.

More demand = less supply = rising prices. As inflation reared its ugly head in mid 2021, manufactures started raising their prices in order to compensate for their own input costs.

Now, if you’ve ever studied inflation you’ll know that, although inflation is often kick started by a supply-chain issue, the driving force thereafter is generally due the public’s perception that prices are rising, therefore: “I can’t afford to wait and save for my new bull-bar, I need to buy it now on credit, before the price goes up even further”.

And that’s how the snowball gets bigger. Because, as people pull the purchase decision froward by buying on credit, it creates even more demand, less supply, more price increases, and even more credit-driven demand. Historically, the only way to break this cycle is for interest rates to climb to a level that discourages credit buying. But that in itself creates its own set of problems.

So what’s the good news and bad news in all this?

The good news is that as the industry continues to grow, more players will enter this space in order to capitalise on the opportunities. That means more R&D, more innovation, more content creators, more 4×4 owners, and more accommodation offerings that cater specifically for a booming 4×4 market. Everybody wins.

The bad news is that more people will get themselves into debt, and, prices are probably going to keep climbing from here until interest rates noticeably rise. Of course, if that does actually happen, you’re likely to find a number of irresistible bargains if you’re liquid enough to move on them.

So the question is: Do you buy into the panic now before things get too expensive, or do you take the risk of waiting? Decision, decisions, decisions. Comment below to share your thoughts.

Either way, I’m happy to see new life come into the 4×4 scene, which, had arguably peaked the last time in 2007… just before interest rates spiked.

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Most 4×4 owners can be grouped into six categories. If you’re anything like me, there’s a good chance you occupy more than one group. But in the interests of simplicity and mainstream-thinking, the following categories (which should not be taken too seriously) define many 4×4 users, and what tyres they should purchase.

THE COMMUTER

Arguably the largest group of 4×4 owners – those who own a 4×4, but almost never use it for its intended purpose. In many cases the vehicle was bought with the intention of camping, but when holiday time comes, they play it safe by booking a mainstream holiday at the end of a tarred road. 

Suitable tyre type: Guess what? You don’t need an off-road tyre! Save yourself the money and stick to a highway-terrain tyre.

THE WORKMEN

Farmers, builders, landscapers and everything in between. They own a 4×4 for practical reasons. The vehicle is a tool and a means to an end. 

Suitable tyre type: The last thing you need is to waste time fixing punctures, so buy an LT (Light Truck) tyre that offers excellent mileage potential, a high load index, and preferably comes with a comprehensive warranty plan. 

THE WEEKEND WARRIORS

Also known as trailblazers – thrill-seeking socialites who own a 4×4 so that they can hook up with mates, rip through a graded trail, light a fire, drink a few beers, and head home on Sunday in time for the 8pm movie. 

Suitable tyre type: Be sure to pick a tyre that offers plenty of off-road traction and flexibility. You also want a tyre that provides reasonable strength, so an LT tyre should be high on your shopping list. 

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THE GRAVEL TRAVELLERS

Forming another large demographic within the 4×4 sector, these are very often family folk, or active singles. They plan multiple trips a year, and almost every holiday includes a portion of gravel travel to a lesser-known holiday destination. Quite often, this 4×4 owner will have a host of other interests, too, including mountain biking, diving, fishing, boating, quad biking, kayaking and more. 

Suitable tyre type: Fit a quality all-terrain with great all-round traction, as well as key features that protect it against gravel. You want something that ejects stones (to prevent stone drilling) and you want a rubber compound that’s tough, but flexible. 

THE MALL CRAWLERS

These are retail junkies. They didn’t buy a 4×4 to take it off-road, the vehicle is an expression of their “individuality”. You’ll often find them driving around shopping malls with colour-coded jerry cans and every conceivable off-road thinga-majig stuck, glued, screwed and bolted to the bonnet of their vehicle. 

Suitable tyre type: Fit the biggest, baddest-looking tyres money can buy, and import special (read: expensive) valve caps. However, it’s important to remember that the more aggressive the tyre, the more noise and vibration they’re going to make; so be sure to order an expensive sound system too. 

THE OVERLANDERS

To them, a 4×4 is more than just a vehicle; it’s a transport device to an unknown destination. It’s freedom! Overlanders love to explore remote regions and far-off destinations. Many 4×4 owners aspire to this category; however, it’s unfortunately often restricted to foreigners and retirees, as – ironically − they’re the only ones who can afford the fuel bill, or the time off work. 

Suitable tyre type: Your off-road exploits often involve remote areas and isolation. As a result, your vehicle is almost always heavily loaded, and often used over unpredictable terrain – potholes, ruts, rocks, roots, thorns, sticks, and broken tree stumps. The heavier your vehicle, the greater the force acting on the tyres. Couple this fact with increased road hazards, and you now have a high likelihood of tyre damage – very often sidewall related. As a result, your #1 requirement is tyre strength! Look for a LT tyre with a high load rating, excellent off-road traction, and the promise of a long tread life. 

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I think it was back in 2008 that I had my first rooftop tent experience. It was not a good one. Prior to that I’d heard many reports about the benefits of sleeping off the ground, mainly, that it was safer in terms of predators. Admittedly, I felt a sense of rooftop relief when we rolled into Botswana’s Savuti camp – a place well known for its big lion prides and brazen hyena packs.

Later that evening, we were sitting around a campfire, and as per usual, someone thought it a great idea to tell wildlife horror stories about people being ripped out of their tents, or mauled in their camping chair… you know, delightful bedtime stories before you hit the sack.

I was pretty well “oiled” at this point and felt myself drifting off. Luckily, a few thoughtful campers insisted that I go to bed and not risk falling asleep in my camping chair. It should also be noted that I was on anti-malaria tablets on this trip, which, according to the warning label, read: May cause nightmares and hallucinations.

It was a ridiculously hot evening, so I kept the tent door open but left the mosquito gauze attached. Sadly, however, instead of zipping the gauze closed, I relied only on the velcro strip to hold the screen shut.

At some point in the deepest, darkest, wee hours of the night, I started having a night terror. But I’m not talking about your usual bad dream about missing socks, I’m talking about an eyes-wide-open hallucinogenic undie shitter. The sort of “dream” where you’re awake, but not awake, but screaming for your life.

Anyway, in this particular sleeping-walking freak show, I sat bolt upright in my tent and vividly watched the biggest, ugliest, Black Mamba slither through an opening in my tent. It then reared its head, opened its hideously dark mouth, and repeatedly struck me in my chest, again, and again, and again. Well, needless to say, I didn’t stick around for this to continue happening, and so, I ran…

I ran as fast as I could through the mosquito gauze (bypassing the ladder) and then tumbled through the air until I eventually broke my fall with the back of my neck. I then shot to my feet and kept running barefoot into the pitch dark Savuti bush in my tighty-whities.

Thankfully, an instinctive compass told me that I was running in the wrong direction, so I quickly hit a U-turn and made my way back to the last remaining embers of the fire. My heart was racing, my lungs were burning, my feet were full of thorns, and I had no idea where the hell I was.

Fortunately, thanks to the sounds of me yelling for my life, then running for my life, then ripping through velcro and thumping to the ground, the guy sleeping in the Land Rover’s cabin below me, woke up. The poor dude must’ve had a heart attack of his own as the Defender was no doubt rocking and swaying when I fought the imaginary serpent and then bailed out the door.

So here I am, completely dazed and confused while this poor chap in the Land Rover Defender is scrambling for his flashlight to see what on earth is going on.

“Grant! What the f__k are you doing out here, there are hyenas everywhere, get back in your tent!”

His voice sounded like it came from another dimension, but I slowly turned around and saw a flashlight glaring in my face along with a bunch of reflective eyes glinting at me from under the trees. I mindlessly nodded my head in agreement and made my way back to the Defender, only, I was now on the wrong side of the vehicle and couldn’t find the ladder. After patting the Defender down like I was conducting a drug bust, I eventually crawled back to the “safety” of the rooftop tent.

The next morning, I exited the tent (with the ladder this time) and somehow strolled into what felt like a safari press conference as our entire convoy eagerly awaited an explanation for the night.

Thinking back, I should’ve played it cool and made up some story that portrayed me as a badass camper that thinks nothing of wandering into lion country for no good reason in his underpants. But instead, I told the truth about a black mamba, an invisible ladder, and a terrified run in the bush. The guys were in stitches, and for many years after, that story preceded me. Still to this day, after meeting “new” people in a campsite, I’ll often retire to bed and hear, “Hey Grant, don’t forget to zip up”.

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