It is interesting how we grow, change and refine as we learn through life experience and through the lessons of others.
Most who have followed this thread know I have been through some trucks! (understatement) This has been an endeavor to "land" on the right mix of trucks to meet the desires (at least in my mind).
In the last 5 years, I have gone from a Range Rover Classic, to a Defender 90, to a Defender NAS110, back to a Range Rover Classic, and have finally landed on what I think are the two holy grail rovers- a 1995 Land Rover Discovery I 5 speed and a 2008 LR3 G4 competition built truck. It is just the right pair for my families needs and our desires (note- I say desires as a caveat to that fact that jobs and life preclude us from getting out and going like we would like to- but that could be subject to change at any time!)
Well, I have also been trying to analyze our trailer needs as well. Brad's Kimberly Karavan thread got me to talking with my wife at great depth about our Conqueror Conquest (which out of the initial offering of Conqueror Trailers in the States- I felt like was the best model - and only 4 or 5 in the States) The challenges- I like the ruggedness and simplicity, but she misses the hard-sided (even if perceived) protection. She missed a proper kitchen, we missed a heater- as we like cold weather camping. she didn't enjoy having to climb a ladder to get up in the bed.
As we awaited the arrival of Brad's Karavan, I got to looking on the internet at Conquerors website and researching the Conqueror Commander.But upon realizing Brads investment (not only in trailer, but shipping and duties) it seemed a very unlikely scenario for me.
http://www.conqueror.co.za/showcase/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44&Itemid=60
and these images even made the jones worse!!
http://www.conqueror.co.za/showcase/index2.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=62
I even enjoyed the Australian version (the UEV490 same trailer - different name) but found the Australian with the flat screen, sound system, etc to be somewhat overkill, but this video was quite the carrot:
http://youtu.be/QpauUSmtJmA
Well, low and behold, my constant digging on the internet (every day!) culled a Conqueror Commander for sale right here in the States! She now resides in my driveway!
Many thanks to Overland Expedition Vehicles for working with me through this purchase. Rene and Mike are tremendous folks. Seems a South African couple traveling across the world had this 2010 model Conqueror Commander and traded it for one of GxV's unbelievable U500 Unimog (5 star hotel room on go anywhere truck!)
Here is the trailer loaded and headed for me:
Here it is just opened in the driveway (It was very late and very hot in the driveway- YES these are driveway shots as it just arrived today, and we are trying to suss the thing out!) - I'll take more photos tomorrow when we finally get all the ins and outs determined:
You guys know I am a stickler for white, but love the dark land rover green on the bottom and trim. I am considering a new vehicle wrap material that has just come out that is made with carbon fiber and resists UV and tears. The folks at GxV recommended doing something like this: (pardon the quickie photoshop hack job)
but I can't decide if I want to go that route, or just plain white:
And in a sad note, the Conqueror Conquest will be leaving with its new owner in a few days. That trailer has served us quite well and is still like new! (I keep a clean trailer!)
Love some thoughts and feed back on everything above. I'll get more pics posted tomorrow.
Best I can tell- this is the only Conqueror Commander in the States- Anyone else know of another?
Thanks
Dendy
