Experience The Dream
Caravan & Outdoor Life|June 2019

[ CARAVAN REVIEW ] GRAY BY CUSTOM CAMPERS

Richard Van Ryneveld
Experience The Dream

I rarely go to the caravan and camping shows, and now and again I get a bit miffed that I miss out on seeing all the exciting new

But as I drove up to the Custom Camper factory in Meyerton, I realized it didn’t really matter, since I get a much better deal: I don’t just have to look at the caravans parked at a show, I get to experience them!

I get down to the nuts and bolts, I see them being built, and actually trundle away and spend some time camping in these dream machines.

Could it get any better? I doubt it.

One of the latest caravans I got up close and personal with is the Gray, manufactured by Fred Oosthuizen and his team from

You’ve seen quite a bit about this superluxury home-away-from-home, but allow me to step away from the stats and facts, and let me tell you what it’s like to live this dream!

One of the reasons I love visiting the Custom Camper factory – which is bigger than ever – is the fact that there are always fascinating vehicles being built. As the name suggests, Fred mostly builds exclusive one-off campers.

But this visit was about the Gray, a super luxury double-axle caravan that had just rolled out of his premises.

It’s hard to believe but all the designs of Customer Campers come straight from Fred’s fertile brain. No CAD or fancy computers for this lad.

Fred’s passion for the Gray is palpable as he tells me more about the caravan: “Last year I specially traveled to Düsseldorf in Germany for the Caravan Salon, the largest outdoor show on earth.

“I’ve incorporated some of the latest technology from the overseas market.”

This includes importing the whole Al-ko chassis and tow bar assembly. This chassis allows for the Gray to even tackle dirt roads, and Fred purposely designed the caravan to make use of this ability.

Esta historia es de la edición June 2019 de Caravan & Outdoor Life.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición June 2019 de Caravan & Outdoor Life.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE CARAVAN & OUTDOOR LIFEVer todo
Resorts Of The Month: Kruisrivier Guest Farm
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Resorts Of The Month: Kruisrivier Guest Farm

Off the beaten track and ideal for the off-roading camper

time-read
4 minutos  |
June - July 2020
Lagoon And Beachfront Bliss
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Lagoon And Beachfront Bliss

Morgan Bay Campsite, EC

time-read
2 minutos  |
June - July 2020
Conservation: The Endangered Vultures
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Conservation: The Endangered Vultures

Rating: The conservation of vultures in Africa is generally regarded as high priority, although limited resources are made available to assist with this important work.

time-read
5 minutos  |
June - July 2020
Crisp, Clean Air & Gurgling Streams It Seems
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Crisp, Clean Air & Gurgling Streams It Seems

Old Mac Daddy, WC

time-read
2 minutos  |
June - July 2020
Destination Of The Month: Transkei On The Fly
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Destination Of The Month: Transkei On The Fly

When the call came in from a fellow journalist, that his doctor had suggested he not travel due to a recent op, I had about a day to get everything prepared for an adventure to the Transkei Wild Coast.

time-read
10+ minutos  |
June - July 2020
13 Top Tips For Outdoor Accessory Maintenance
Caravan & Outdoor Life

13 Top Tips For Outdoor Accessory Maintenance

You certainly don’t want to arrive at your holiday destination only to find your gas bottles are empty, the tent has been chewed to heavenly holiness by marauding mice, and you left grandma napping in the caravan when you put it out to pasture at your local Storage Land for the winter season.

time-read
2 minutos  |
June - July 2020
our take on SNAKES
Caravan & Outdoor Life

our take on SNAKES

Caravan & Outdoor Life joins some of South Africa’s leading herpetologists in the Maputaland region to find rare species and teach the local rural residents how to react to snakes. With Opposite Lock on board, we’re all set to strike at a moment’s notice…

time-read
10 minutos  |
June - July 2020
Caravan clinic
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Caravan clinic

Our expert answers your technical questions & gives camping advice

time-read
7 minutos  |
June - July 2020
Around The Campfire
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Around The Campfire

Readers share their outdoor adventures and air their values

time-read
4 minutos  |
April - May 2020
In The Shade Of A Dappled Glade
Caravan & Outdoor Life

In The Shade Of A Dappled Glade

Slanghoek Mountain Resort, WC

time-read
1 min  |
April - May 2020