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The Azalai Concept
First we must answer two of the most frequently asked questions: The Azalai is NOT a demountable box nor is it a DIY kit. It is a custom built solution that permanently transforms an every-day 4x4 into a home from home that will comfortably take you around the world.
 Development of the Azalai . . .
The designers of the Azalai set out to create a vehicle that could tackle any terrain but still offer comfort and without compromising on facilities. It needed to be fast enough to keep up with traffic on the motorways, agile enough to drive around town but large enough to be able to live inside when weather conditions or safety concerns make sleeping under canvas unsuitable.
All these boxes could only be ticked by utilitsing the very latest vacuum moulded composite materials to create a 'living pod' that could be grafted to the back of an existing all terrain vehicle.
The result is what you see here, the Azalai (which is Toureg for 'caravan' or 'camel train')
 Lightweight and Streamlined
You no longer need to put up with a 7ft square box bolted to your chassis with all the aerodynamic qualities, and comfort, of a garden shed. The outer body of the Azalai is moulded as a one-piece shell that is 21mm thick and includes 15mm of very high density insulation. This gives it superb stability, is very lightweight, very tough and very hard wearing.
The entire conversion with all fittings comes in at a smidge over 600kg in standard form. Your bump stops will thank you for this! So will your wallet as fuel economy is hardly affected.
On a Defender 130 with a 3.5ton GVW this leaves you with almost a ton of spare load carrying capacity. A very different approach to those 'specialist' companies that create vehicles weighing 4 tons before they even leave the workshop.
 Agile and very usable
We have all seen standard station wagons weighed down with huge roof-racks loaded with all manner of equipment and supplies. Hopefully you have not seen what happens to a vehicle like that which has rounded a bend too fast or chosen a route with a slightly-too-steep side angle.
On the Azalai all the weight is kept down as low as possible. Extra fuel, Fresh Water and Waste Water are all under the floor, storage lockers and cupboards are all below window height. This preserves a vehicle's stability and agility.
Unlike some conversions the departure angles are hardly affected either. With a limited overhang and only slight increase in overall length the vehicle is very suitable for severe terrain and tackling the dunes.
 Compact and Bijou
Considering that the Azalai is only 25cm longer and 18cm wider than its standard base vehicle* it truly is amazing that it can accommodate up to 5 people. What other overlander offers you a king size bed for mum and dad, room for 3 kids AND still be able to use the kitchen and toilet? Without even opening the roof!! (*figures based on Defender 130 Crew Cab)
That's right, although the raising roof obviously gives you extra headroom and makes it more spacious it IS possible to sleep or sit at the table with the roof lowered, very handy for quick stop-offs or in severe weather conditions.
The other big selling point is that the Azalai is still able to fit into a standard hi-cube container for secure shipping to any destination.
 Indoor or outdoor living
We all enjoy the outdoors and many seasoned overlanders might argue that you're missing out on 'the experience' by living inside your vehicle. But that is the real beauty of the Azalai, you don't have to stay indoors. Its perfectly reasonable to take a tent along with you (we even offer one as an option) or a camping stove to cook outside, we do this ourselves. But where the Azalai really scores is that it gives you the option to eat, sleep and wash inside. Safe and secure, out of the elements and away from hidden dangers.
So if you arrive at your destination late at night, after dark, just pop the roof, lower the bed and go to sleep. 2 minutes after switching off the engine your head can be on the pillow.
Similarly if you have a long way to go to the next rendezvous and you just need a quick cuppa and toilet break, just pull up, pop the roof and away you go. No unloading or unpacking equipment and utensils, no wandering off into the bush with a shovel and yesterday's newspaper.
Escape from it all and be totally self-sufficient
There is nothing worse than constantly worrying about running out of fuel, water or supplies. Because the Azalai offers so much extra storage and load capacity than other overland vehicles it is possible to fit auxiliary fuel tanks and huge fresh water tanks that will enable you to venture much further off the beaten track and for longer.
Add a water purifier and a solar panel and you don't even have to worry about power and you can top up your water supplies wherever you find it.
The Azalai really is the best of both worlds
Important considerations
Before you sign that deposit cheque on any overland vehicle build there are a few things to consider:
Experience: Ask the people building it where they've been and what experience they have driving THAT vehicle in the countries you plan to visit. Every man and his dog have been to Morocco but that's not much use if you plan to cross the Andes in winter.
Type of vehicle: Are you just getting a basic vehicle with a load of bolt on goodies or are you getting an overland vehicle, there is a big difference that you may not appreciate until it's too late
Vehicle Registration: What is the classification of the vehicle, Station Wagon, Light Utility, Goods Vehicle or Motorhome? What is the Gross Vehicle Weight? Then find out what restrictions you will encounter for that classification at your destination. Having your vehicle impounded due to incorrect paperwork is no fun at all.
Tax and Insurance: The Azalai can be registered, taxed and insured as a Motorhome. A demountable or DIY conversion probably will not qualify. Specialist Motorhome Insurance, bought from the correct broker, could give you REPLACEMENT VALUE for the first 3 years, so if your Azalai is stolen or written off you will get a new one. Motorhome Insurance also gives extra cover for equipment, canvas and other possessions that standard vehicle cover will not.
Don't find out the hard way that you are not covered.
Resale Value: Possibly the most important consideration of all. What is your vehicle worth once you've driven it home? You might have spent £40,000 getting a custom built vehicle that ticks every box on your wish list but what are the chances of selling it again? We've all seen adverts for vehicles that say "£££££££ spent" which means nothing to the resale value.
An Azalai is a well known vehicle with a proven heritage, it has standard features that appeal to everyone and is just as useful in the Sahara as it is in the Arctic. Subsequently resale values remain strong.
Ask these questions NOW before you sign the cheque, don't ask them when it's too late.
Contact us to arrange a viewing or see the NEWS section for details of forthcoming shows we will be attending.
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