Best place to look at a selection of kit?

I have a newly acquired 110 which I am driving to Sierra Leon in August

I want to look at kit for it to get a feel for what is available especially in terms of tents, storage and recovery. Can anyone suggest where I could go to have a look at a whole lot of kit before I buy?

Would a meet be best or are there any shops or shows?

I am in in london if that makes any difference...
Thanks

theres loads of adverts in the magazines also i have a boot storage system for sale if ya interested its like big draw and a box at each side and they lock

Becky B said:

and they lock

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Handy in sierra leone

Griffdowg has got a good website about his trip to morroco in his 90 and think rusty rhino goes far afield too.Have a look through the expedition section-should be some useful threads in there

There aaren't any 4x4 shows where lots of suppliers show of ftheir products?

Alex

wingnutLP said:

There aaren't any 4x4 shows where lots of suppliers show of ftheir products?

Alex

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Loads .. but as suggested earlier, look in the magazines, there's been a lot of changes to 4x4 shows lately and the reasonably up to date info is in the mags. They're also pretty infrequent.

your best bet is to go to the shows. There is a big debate over who is going to Newark and billing this year so they are probably going to be crap shows with few suppliers at each. I can recommend the show at Eastnor though. plenty of trade stands and its earlier than the other shows too. Ok its a fair trek for you, but make a weekend of it and camp. I will be there for the weekend as im not bothering with the Newark/Billing fiasco. Welcome to chat over some stuff and have a beer if you want.

As a start, google these companies for a look at their sites:

4x4 touring gear
mantec
OEC international
Venture Overland
Footloose 4x4
devon 4x4
mobile storage systems

This should give you a general idea of what is about. If you want info on anything specific, let me know. Have a look at my site, there are a lot of links to people i have used and places to look for info. If you want anything else, just email me.

If you want specific travel advice, the HUBB is a great resource for overlanders

hope this helps.

G

Sorry to butt in - is that Eastnor as in Ledbury way?

Ai, Eastnor castle in the Malverns

Land Rover World Show 2009

great show and almost always sunny! exc. venue.

G

You put the kiss of death on that now - "almost always sunny"!!
Do you know how long the camping ticket covers - does it include Friday & Sunday nights? Yeah I will make some phone calls but easier to ask you - I am excited now!!!

its deff Fri night but i would have thought you would have to pay a suppliment to get sunday night. There are a few campsites in the area if you didnt want to stay at the show. I have only ever travelled it from Bristol as its not far. But going to camp this year as we wont be going to Newark/Billing.

G

Can I join the party at some stage over the weekend cus definately going and camping over. Are you planning to do any driving or just going to see the stands etc?

Party? what party!? I suppose we could have an LZ meet. Was planning on just camping as the offroad is fairly expensive and we will have the roof tent on etc.

G

Hmmm.

I wanted to climb in and out of roof tents and things I guess.

Although the Land Rover world show looks great it is going to be a bit late as I am off in early August.

Griffdowg have you any thoughts on your rooftent and the relative merits and disadvantages of having it over the bonnet or out back?

As far as I see it

Over the front has the advantage of leaving easy access up the ladder at the back.

Over the back gives you some cover over the back door where I plan to set up a cooker on a flip down table on the door.

I wish I had time to try both... I guess maybe I do.

Thanks

PS Thanks for the offer of a chat and a beer Griffdowg. Nice website I like the equipment list, it will be very useful.

Driffield show is in May.

IIRC Eastnor only allows camping on fri & sat night, the site needs to be cleared by sunday evening.
Regarding rooftent mounting; over the back, as you say, allows for the back of the landy to be used as cooking & seating area, using the side-skirts (which are a bit of a pain to thread in when you're a shortarse!!) Also, security-wise, I would say that if anyone climbs up the ladder, uninvited, they have further to fall when you kick 'em off with the bonnet not in the way!
I've got an eezi-awn, it's a superb tent, I'd recommend 'em