Metalian Maxi super thread

[William62]

Thanks Henk and Jenny http://4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php?t=133497

[l3ok]

Do you mind giving us an idea of how much this was?

Very well done, one of the nicest trailers I have seen so far!

[Expat]

One awesome looking Metalian and one very happy client.
Wel done Henk and JennyB
Congrats William62.

[Kooskop]

Flippen hel.......hulle mag maar.......baie nice!

[BBK]

Moet se dit is baie mooi, hoop julle kamp lekker met hom.

[pretorjn]

William62, stuur bietjie fotos as jou setup opgeslaan is.
Lyk blerrie nice!

[peethorn]

I have a question on the offside skirt fitted to the bottom of the tailer:
How do you fit the rear stabiliser legs with the skirt attached?

[Fluffy]

After a local 4x4 fitment center made an abortion of my trailer I took it to Jenny and Henk at Ultimate Overland who performed their magic!

Is the power system standard or did you do your own.

[peethorn]

Is the power system standard or did you do your own.

Keith, it is Henk's power system.
Have a look here:
http://4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php?t=126880
His trailer has a similar one fitted.
Mine will also get the same treatment when it arrives from the factory early in the new year.

[hbannink]

Is the power system standard or did you do your own.

The board is my own Keith, the previous set up had 2 105Ah batteries in th back with everything going from a set of 6mm wires that snaked through the trailer and tapped off to various points. Everything connected to mixed circuits and not one fuse or safety in the whole electrical installation. The solder technique was also not what I would recommend but on the bright side this trailer provided valuable insights to my team on how not to do it

It now has a main fuse protecting the cable from the batteries to the board as well as separate circuits for led, fridge pump and hella plugs each with its own fuse to protect the cables

[hbannink]

I have a question on the offside skirt fitted to the bottom of the tailer:
How do you fit the rear stabiliser legs with the skirt attached?

Peet the stabiliser legs do not stick up any more they have been streamlined and fit beneath the skirt so not only does it work more efficient but it also looks more snazzy

[superhansie]

Ja mense het vandag vir Heinz en Thys ontmoet en bietjie deur sy werkswinkels gestap en is eenvoudig weggeblaas deur Heinz se aandag aan detail. Verseker in die nuwe jaar sien ek n metallion kappie op my triton, met al die mods wat nog moet bekendgestel word

[JennyB]

The skirt also fits the trailers with stick up sort of stabilizers. It does not matter what the configuration of the back if the trailer is, I make the skirt to fit. Like in William's case, the trailer has a towbar which not all have.

You only need to level and stabilize your trailer before attaching the skirt.


As you'll see, the skirt was upgraded since the pic above. The part over the wheel is now a separate section which attaches to the skirt with velcro. The flat bag evolved into a volume bag into which an ordinary shopping bag fits. The handles of the bag goes through two slits on the side and is fastened with velcro loops on the outside to keep the bag from collapsing. This will serve as a dustbin and this portion can be used with or without the full skirt.

William, you were the perfect client with very few requirements allowing my imagination to go wild and your trailer soon became a hobby.
I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it!

I still owe you two things and this will come on the house. You still need a spice caddy and a nice sparewheel cover. I wanted to make and fit the spice rack before you came to collect but Henk said that a padded traveling bag for the geyser and another padded bag for your microwave's plate and rollers were more important so that is what you got.

I'll be in contact for your postal address shortly in the new year.

I sincerely hope she'll give you many comfortable camping trips!

[JennyB]

Since the pics in the first post, I changed from canvas to ripstop. Ripstop just has more "attitude" and generally gives a nicer finish.

Most clients wants to have their crockery in the door but this client wanted something else.


The caddies in the opposite side fridge door can be done with two detachable bags at the bottom. This is the first try-out but from here on these two bags will become proper vanity bags complete with plastic liner, smaller bags around the outside and a little window in the lid for evaporation.

[Heinz Modricky]

Henk and Jenny, thank you for adding so much value to the Metalian brand with your innovative ideas. So professionally finished. Very well done.

We've also moved the pump from between the tanks, but fit these now on the front panel where you (Henk) have fitted your electrical panel.

Any Metalian owners that have the old style stabilisers (and it's not working for you), that want to change these for the new design may do so gratis. The working principle is the same (peg through drilled holes), but they now concertina into each other and don't extend above the fixing point height on the trailer. I guess a pic will provide a better idea.

[pretorjn]

Maybe a stupid question, but why do you add the skirt? It does look nice, but what does it functionally add to the camp setup?

(Not trying to criticise..... only learning)

[JennyB]

The Afrikaans name for the skirt is leeuseil (lion canvas) which is very descriptive.

It offers you a fair amount of weather protection in cold and windy conditions because no tent closes off the bottom of the trailer on the offside.

It is also high in demand between the folk who camp in real rough places where dangerous animals frequent the campsite hence the Afrikaans name.

The thought of making the skirt came to me while we were camping at Kosi bay. Hand sized spiders were hanging out under the trailer and came darting out in the dark to catch toktokkies attracted by the light. The only assistance I got from Henk was him comfortably reclining in the deckchair telling me to jump! Doing dishes after dark was interesting to say the least.

[pretorjn]

Leeuseil makes a lot of sense. Thanx Jenny

I guess if you have a proper awning and a side or two, the extra wind protection will be great for the smaller kids in poor weather. What would something like this cost for a Conqueror Comfort?

Also do you possibly have a price for a spare wheel cover that can take a "toeknyp rooster"?

[JennyB]

Jacques, I'm not familiar with the dimensions of the Conqueror Comfort but if you would not mind letting me have your trailer for a few days, I'll make anything you want.
The skirt for the Metalians go for R1300 and includes the separate wheel section. I would guess that the one for the Conqueror would be pretty much the same.

Just as a matter of interest, I'm busy with a skirt for a client who wants to keep the kids in! It works well that way round too.

I certainly can make you a wheel cover with a bag for your rooster. I will be doing wheel covers early next year so I cannot give you a definite price but I think they'll be in the region of around R 500.00 or such.

[Poen]

At one of the caravan parks we recently camped at I had the opportunity to scrutinise a Metalian trailer. I was impressed with the attention to detail and the quality of material used.

My question is - in foul weather - raining from breaking up camp, moving to the next camp site and setting up camp - how do these trailer accommodation features stand up to staying dry inside the just erected in pouring rain set-up having been packed up in pouring rain.

My experience over a few years of camping has taught me that if you are prepared for foul weather you wil have a relaxing excursion, and in a 4 week yourney you will meet up with foul weather - believe me!

We have a heavy duty canvass dome tent that can stand up to any weather - we even woke up floating in it one night - but breaking down camp in the rain and setting up camp with a wet set-up is not one of the joys of doing the outdoors thing!

That is the main reason why Swambo prefers the caravan, resulting in us being restricted in terms of camping venues.