Spares to take on Botswana trip

[Mid]

What spares should I take on my upcoming Botswana trip end of January 2025. I have a 2016 W463 G350. Add Blue has been removed.
I expected a number of water crossings with the recent rains.
I will be travelling to CHOBE, via Savuti, mostly gravel and sand roads, together with a few Toyotas, and do not want to have breakdown with that audience. Will appreciate good advice.

 

[Ernst]

I did a Botswana Trip 2 Years ago in my 2012 G350. From Chobe to Planet Boabeb we took a Tweespoor shortcut. I found out that the G350 is not at its happiest in Sandy, bouncy Conditions. I could not keep up with a 2,8 Hilux which did not bother me as I prefer to drive at a comfortable Speed. In spite of this I arrived at Planet Boabeb with both Front shocks leaking Oil.
Spares? I took 1 Liter of Antifreeze, a Compressor with a few "Snotstrips", a Leatherman, Cableties, Pratley Steel and a compact, foldable Socket Set with the normal Pliers etc. I had one Puncture which was fixed without taking the Wheel off. To take an 18" Rim off in Sand can be a difficult Task. Good luck with the Fanboys (Howzit @Andrew ) just let them drool.
Tyre Pressure is of utmost importance. A Nylon or Kinetic Sling could come in handy to help your Audience. Enjoy!

 

[Riaan Harman]

Camp and trip checklist

	Vehicle & route roadworthy		Tools/ Equipment
	Check tyres		Wheelspanner for vehicle and trailer
	Two spares		Locknut key
	All oils levels, Engine, gearbox, Brake fluid and clucth hydrolics		Vehicle lifting jack
	Recovery points front and back		Triangle
	Vehicle two way radio 29mhz and VHF		Hammer and mallet 1.8kg
	Check all driving lights and spotlights		Pliers long nose, short meduim size, water pipe, two vice grips and side cutter
	Check batteries		Full screwdriver set
	Emergency triangles		Full spanner and socket set and shifter + spark plug spanner
	Differentials in good working condition		Grease gun
	Car handbook + repair manual		Metal saw
	Perform normal roadworthy check at AA (optional)		Soldering equipment
			Allen keys
	Accessories & Consumables		Metal shear
	Spare keys for vehicle + batteries for remote		Monkey wrench
	Clamps for water pipes and radiator hoses		Gas/blow torch + refill
	Spare fan belts		G clamps
	Q 20		Torgue wrench
	Air/Oil /fuel filter		Screw extractor
	All Fuses and light bulbs for vehicle		Hand dril (manual)
	Cable ties all lengths		Machete
	Stockings plus funnel for Jerry can + Jerry can nozzle		Fire extinguisher
	Tyre repair kit		Spade 4x4
	Oils for engine 5L, gearbox 2L & brake fluid 500ml & transmission fluid		Tow strap
	Radiator fluid and radiator leak fluid		Normal ropes 20 m per vehicle
	Spare spark plugs		High lift jack per vehicle + adaptors + jacking plate for sand
	Spare inner tyre tube		Rope joiner log
	Extra wheel nuts & Studs		Tree trunk protector
	Screws to undo rear wheel hub		Kinetic Snatch rope per vehicle
	Duct tape		D- Schakles x 4 ( make sure they fit vehicle recovey points
	Sunlight soap bar for small fuel tank holes		Hand winch 4 ton capacity + 2 snatch blocks
	Glue, metal glue and super glue		Bog mat
	Binding wire		Drag chain
	Silicone		Radiator cover for grassland and water
	Exhaust sealant + tin sheet for rap around		12v Tyre Compressor that can pump to lock bead
	Anti-freeze		Tyre pressure gauge
	Nuts and bolts		Saw for wood (hand type)
	Electric cabling		Sunguards
	Double sided tape + Insulation tape		Leather working gloves
	Clean green soap		Steel file
	Form-a-gasket		Jumper cable
	Gaters		Voltage meter
	Headlight/cab/camplight globes		Tyre spanner and lever
	Masking tape		Jerry cans
	Mutton cloth		Siphoning hose
	Pratleys Putty		Goggles
	Pratleys Quickset, Wondergom		Welding gloves and rubber gloves
	Rol 'flex"		Pop rivets and Rivetor
	Silicone		Bench clamp
	U- bolts		Metal files rough to fine
	Block & Head sealer		Sand paper rough to fine for metal
	Water pipes		Axe sharpening tool
	Soldering iron lead
	Clutch plate
	shockabsorder x 2
	Engine bracket
	Fuel line
	Wiper blades
	Latex tape
	2 Pre drilled steel bars
	Roll of flat metal tape
	Welding rods

 

[Riaan Harman]

I use this one and change it depending on where I go and with who I go with.

 

[Andrew]

Mid, why not just take Riaan along?

 

[Mid]

Hi Ernst and Riaan, thanks for the feedback.
The shocks have been coming up as an issue again and again it seems ?. I have a W463 2016 model, not sure if it’s still a problem on that model ?
I am also a bit worried about the sand in Savuti, my tires are 255/65R19 so what would you say is the suggested tyre pressure in thick sand for me?

 

[Andrew]

I drove Maun - Chobe via Savuti in a 461 twice - once with a trailer where I stopped to let the standard Sachs front shocks cool down, and once without a trailer where I did not have the issue. The trailer caused the car to porpoise in combination with the corrugations. I would suggest to stop and feel and if you cant keep your hand on them - open the picnic table.

I use tall skinny tyres and don't need to go below 1.6 bar. I would suggest to do this by feel for your tyre size once you are there. Although it is not the Canning stock route, I would be cautious with deep water. The G air intake is IMO an issue as wheel splash and bow waves like to get in there.

 

[Ernst]

Hi Ernst and Riaan, thanks for the feedback.
The shocks have been coming up as an issue again and again it seems ?. I have a W463 2016 model, not sure if it’s still a problem on that model ?
I am also a bit worried about the sand in Savuti, my tires are 255/65R19 so what would you say is the suggested tyre pressure in thick sand for me?

I would assume that the Shocks are still Billstein but there is only one way to find out. Just do it. It is not as if this would end your Trip. Even with the leaking Shocks handling was not compromised till I got Home. Take @Andrew 's advice wrt to the Picnic Table. I would also not go below 1.5 bar with Tyre Pressure.
Don't worry about the Sand, with the correct Tyre Pressure you'll be ok.
Please share Pics on your return.

 

[Mid]

I would assume that the Shocks are still Billstein but there is only one way to find out. Just do it. It is not as if this would end your Trip. Even with the leaking Shocks handling was not compromised till I got Home. Take @Andrew 's advice wrt to the Picnic Table. I would also not go below 1.5 bar with Tyre Pressure.
Don't worry about the Sand, with the correct Tyre Pressure you'll be ok.
Please share Pics on your return.

Thanks Ernst- I will definitely share my pics.

 

[Rolf Redecker]

Camp and trip checklist

	Vehicle & route roadworthy		Tools/ Equipment
	Check tyres		Wheelspanner for vehicle and trailer
	Two spares		Locknut key
	All oils levels, Engine, gearbox, Brake fluid and clucth hydrolics		Vehicle lifting jack
	Recovery points front and back		Triangle
	Vehicle two way radio 29mhz and VHF		Hammer and mallet 1.8kg
	Check all driving lights and spotlights		Pliers long nose, short meduim size, water pipe, two vice grips and side cutter
	Check batteries		Full screwdriver set
	Emergency triangles		Full spanner and socket set and shifter + spark plug spanner
	Differentials in good working condition		Grease gun
	Car handbook + repair manual		Metal saw
	Perform normal roadworthy check at AA (optional)		Soldering equipment
			Allen keys
	Accessories & Consumables		Metal shear
	Spare keys for vehicle + batteries for remote		Monkey wrench
	Clamps for water pipes and radiator hoses		Gas/blow torch + refill
	Spare fan belts		G clamps
	Q 20		Torgue wrench
	Air/Oil /fuel filter		Screw extractor
	All Fuses and light bulbs for vehicle		Hand dril (manual)
	Cable ties all lengths		Machete
	Stockings plus funnel for Jerry can + Jerry can nozzle		Fire extinguisher
	Tyre repair kit		Spade 4x4
	Oils for engine 5L, gearbox 2L & brake fluid 500ml & transmission fluid		Tow strap
	Radiator fluid and radiator leak fluid		Normal ropes 20 m per vehicle
	Spare spark plugs		High lift jack per vehicle + adaptors + jacking plate for sand
	Spare inner tyre tube		Rope joiner log
	Extra wheel nuts & Studs		Tree trunk protector
	Screws to undo rear wheel hub		Kinetic Snatch rope per vehicle
	Duct tape		D- Schakles x 4 ( make sure they fit vehicle recovey points
	Sunlight soap bar for small fuel tank holes		Hand winch 4 ton capacity + 2 snatch blocks
	Glue, metal glue and super glue		Bog mat
	Binding wire		Drag chain
	Silicone		Radiator cover for grassland and water
	Exhaust sealant + tin sheet for rap around		12v Tyre Compressor that can pump to lock bead
	Anti-freeze		Tyre pressure gauge
	Nuts and bolts		Saw for wood (hand type)
	Electric cabling		Sunguards
	Double sided tape + Insulation tape		Leather working gloves
	Clean green soap		Steel file
	Form-a-gasket		Jumper cable
	Gaters		Voltage meter
	Headlight/cab/camplight globes		Tyre spanner and lever
	Masking tape		Jerry cans
	Mutton cloth		Siphoning hose
	Pratleys Putty		Goggles
	Pratleys Quickset, Wondergom		Welding gloves and rubber gloves
	Rol 'flex"		Pop rivets and Rivetor
	Silicone		Bench clamp
	U- bolts		Metal files rough to fine
	Block & Head sealer		Sand paper rough to fine for metal
	Water pipes		Axe sharpening tool
	Soldering iron lead
	Clutch plate
	shockabsorder x 2
	Engine bracket
	Fuel line
	Wiper blades
	Latex tape
	2 Pre drilled steel bars
	Roll of flat metal tape
	Welding rods

Jeslaik Riaan, do you still find space for the rest of the luggage?

 

[Alan]

I think that might be his list but don't think he ever took it along as we were there aswell with all our tools.

 

[Rolf Redecker]

Riaans list mentions the filters. On the Professionals / 300CDI an air cleaner element is essential. That filter element is seriously undersized and does not last through a longish trip on dusty roads especially when traveling in a group.

 

[Riaan Harman]

It depends on the trip where one is going and if alone or with a G group or with other vehicles.

Savuti's sand is not that thick Mid the rode to get there a little bit but Andrews advice is spot on.

 

[Mid]

It depends on the trip where one is going and if alone or with a G group or with other vehicles.

Savuti's sand is not that thick Mid the rode to get there a little bit but Andrews advice is spot on.

Thanks for the advice. Getting my G ready. Will take a pic when it’s ready to go. Quite a list that Riaan suggested.

 

[Mid]

Where can I find 16inch rims for my G? Mine came out with 19inch rims. I want to perhaps have a set for Africa travels and a set for normal SA driving.

 

[Riaan Harman]

Thanks for the advice. Getting my G ready. Will take a pic when it’s ready to go. Quite a list that Riaan suggested.

Lots on the list you will not use on this trip just strike it out. The list was long ago from 4x4 Magazine and it works to not forget stuff.

I don't think 16's will fit on your G the brake disks are to big.

 

[Mid]

Are the diff breather positions sufficient for water crossings? Does anyone know how high they are?

 

[Ernst]

Don't overthink things.....

 

[Andrew]

On 460 / 461 everything is piped / breathes together on the lh shock post or the firewall - ie high up.

 

[Mid]

On 460 / 461 everything is piped / breathes together on the lh shock post or the firewall - ie high up.

On the 463?