ON THE MOVE FEAT. BENYAMIN SENKAL
Benyamin Senkal's G-Wagon isn't just a vehicle; it's a family adventure command center! Packed with his pup, kids, and wife, he transforms ordinary weekends into epic wild camping getaways. Front Runner Dometic snagged a moment with this intrepid family man as they geared up to head off on their European wilderness summer break.
Why is the G-Wagon your overland vehicle of choice?
The G Wagon is an exceptionally durable off-road vehicle. Yet, it drives as comfortably as any typical Mercedes, making it unparalleled for long distances, whether off-road or on the highway.
Tell us about the time you rolled your G-Wagon in Turkey.
That was a disaster as we rolled twice, fortunately without the passengers suffering a scratch. The G-Wagon is perfect when it comes to safety. We managed to get it back on its wheels and drove 30 km to the nearest village. Then, it was transported to us in Stuttgart.
Later, I found another G-Wagon in excellent condition but had a transmission issue and electrical problems. I bought it cheaply, and after about 600 hours of winter work in a cold workshop, I merged two broken G-Wagons into one functioning vehicle! I had no lift, just two original jacks, and some beams. It was a true automotive adventure.
What are the challenges when setting up a 4x4 for family trips?
The biggest challenge in such a small vehicle is finding space for everyone. After years of car camping, you tend to leave behind the things you don’t need or rarely use. Everyone is allowed one small bag on our trips—that’s all. We also carefully consider what we might need on our family trips, only bringing items everyone can use.
Where does everyone sleep?
My wife Kristin and I sleep in the roof top tent. I designed a bed inside the vehicle that can be lowered for the kids. Zeus, our dog, sleeps in the front seat or with the kids.
Share some of your favorite spots to camp in Europe.
We seldom visit campsites since we always prefer to go to wild camp. There isn’t a single best area or spot; there are so many incredible places in the world that it’s impossible to choose just a few. We love camping by the beach and enjoy the mountains and forests. Everything is excellent as long as we’re in nature.
How important is your rack for gear carrying?
The roof rack is fantastic—lightweight and modular, and everything has its place. There are three storage boxes at the front, and other items include solar panels in the middle for standing on and accessing items from the storage boxes. Additionally, there's a large axe, a shovel, some LEDs, the roof top tent, and a custom switch box on the rack.
Name your favorite bit of Front Runner Dometic gear.
The roof rack is modular, often making it much less complicated than most others. It’s lightweight, and everything fits perfectly without any issues.
What’s been your best-ever overland trip?
There’s no better or more beautiful journey; every culture and country enrich us. We’ve never visited a place we didn’t enjoy, and if we don’t like it, we move on. That’s the beauty of traveling this way—you can always keep going while searching for the things that make you happy.
Do you have any exciting trips planned for this summer?
In recent years, I’ve organized the G Wagon Festival in Montenegro, the largest G-Class festival in the world. This summer, I’m hosting my first guided tour in Montenegro, which is excellent for beginners, followed by Tunisia or Morocco in December or January, which is still in the planning stages.
What advice do you have for people starting their overland journey?
Allow yourself to relax; don’t put pressure on yourself. Once you find a nice spot, stay for a few days. Avoid setting goals such as, “I need to be here or there today.” That’s not what matters.
