Metalian Maxi super thread

**hbannink** · 2012/10/03, 01:31 AM

It all started over a quick bite to eat with Heinz where he just happened to casually mention "..oh your trailer is outdated we need to upgrade it to stay current" and as quickly he moved on to another subject. getting home and telling the weef that her beloved Metalian was outdated, well lets just say had it been anyone other than Heinz he would have had some serious problems

To cut a long story short this was the result, I did not even have her a year.

On her way to Zambia with a brand spanking new Metalian canopy on the back of the bakkie.

Next was getting a new 40 series up here as before this baby had to be kitted with everything that was available and to top it all the getaway show was only a few weeks away. We managed to get a trailer up in a hurry and it turned out that it was the trailer that was featured in the caravan magazine. A quick change of tent from Howling moon to Campcover and the baby was delivered here in no time.

With all the running for the show I only managed to fit a basic electrical system and will expand on that as I go on.

Basic Db board

With the getaway and commercial members expo a thing of the past I made some time to start kitting the maxi out.
First was the drawer above the fridge, this is where Jen keeps her groceries and is about the handiest addition to the trailer so that went in first.
Next came carpeting the whole interior of the trailer, this stops rattles and scuffing of loose bits and of course the lighting had to be boosted as well.

Above fridge drawer with carpeting and additional lighting

Effect of lighting in the kitchen area

Well as you can see in the previous pic the carpeting was not the only additions to the kitchen, the stainless water housing was removed and replaced with a smaller one with space for a couple of bottles and Jen had also been busy making caddies for the kitchen goodies

New tap housing with space for two bottles as well as an additional work space that is hinged to provide access to storage below

caddies to keep messy bottles from falling around

Frying pans and pots &lids are kept in their own caddy in the lower rear compartment.

Door to the fridge slide with caddy to house plates and cups as well as coffee pot and kitchen towels.

The bedroom side also got its first bit of bling with its own custom caddy in the front door.

Having removed the stainless housing that would normally accommodate the pump another plan had to be made. Few people realise that the built in water tanks that reside in the under belly has a large cavity behind them for batteries and such. This was a perfect place to move the standard Shureflow pump to. There is still more than enough space to fit two 105 ah batteries without using a shoe horn

With the rear drawer removed the tanks are accessible

**Gentoo** · 2012/10/03, 07:26 AM

Looking good Henk. The carpeting and canvas storage pouches look like the bees-knees!

What would a fully kitted out unit like that sell for? (With the large Campcover family tent)

**Schulla** · 2012/10/03, 07:35 AM

That is really looking nice Henk.

How do you fix the canvas caddies to the inside door panel? As you mentioned with mine fitted to the mini, dust/water may be a problem on the door seals. I have not had the opportunity to test this on a trip, but would like to know the alternatives if this does turn out to be a problem - thank you.

**JennyB** · 2012/10/03, 07:47 AM

Gentoo, I'm alerting Henk to your post.

Well, I'm not quite done. Today I'll be sewing up a caddie for the coffee peculator, I need a bit of real estate for a spice caddie and she still has canvas flaps to the front of the shelves to come.

Just last week Heinz said "Kyk op jou eie bord". Well, we looked at our own plate and the standard shelves are quite functional so we decided to stay with what we have and add to it.

With our first Metalian I found myself staring down the kitchen hatch for hours not knowing what to do and opted for plastic containers. I found that I was spending most of my holiday finding stuff for people.

This time round I just want to be able to point from my deckchair hence the little windows to all the pouches.

More pics will follow as we progress.

**JennyB** · 2012/10/03, 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by Schulla

That is really looking nice Henk.

How do you fix the canvas caddies to the inside door panel? As you mentioned with mine fitted to the mini, dust/water may be a problem on the door seals. I have not had the opportunity to test this on a trip, but would like to know the alternatives if this does turn out to be a problem - thank you.

Schulla,
It's simple really. 8)

Carpet to the inside of the door, enough velcro (the hard bit) to the back of your caddie and voila! Sticks like nobody's business! As you can see it takes the loaded weight easily.

Having said that.... In our previous trailer we had canvas flaps to the volume doors similar to yours. I think yours might catch the seal but they just need to be trimmed around the edges to miss the seal. If my memory serves me correctly it's an edge of 2cm you can go bigger than the opening and the seal will not be disturbed.

**peethorn** · 2012/10/03, 09:12 AM

Henk and Jenny you just ensured that I have a very un productive day

Now I can't concentrate at all. I am just planning my own layout and trying to find the money for my own Metalian.

It looks great. We will have to come and have a look once you are done.
Does the coffee invitation still stand?

**JennyB** · 2012/10/03, 09:19 AM

Peet, you are welcome! The invitation definitely stands! 8)

**Expat** · 2012/10/03, 09:21 AM

Looks awesome!!!!!!
So much to do,so little time/money

**superhansie** · 2012/10/03, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Gentoo

Looking good Henk. The carpeting and canvas storage pouches look like the bees-knees!

What would a fully kitted out unit like that sell for? (With the large Campcover family tent)

Ek wil ook weet en is daar klerekaste in die trailer?

**JennyB** · 2012/10/03, 11:02 AM

Die slaapkamer kant het soortgelyke rakke soos die kombuis met ruim pakplek vir klere.

Ons sal bietjie vir jou 'n fototjie pos.

**William62** · 2012/10/03, 12:28 PM

...............................e-mail re my trailer?

**JennyB** · 2012/10/03, 12:41 PM

Yip....coming.

**William62** · 2012/10/03, 12:59 PM

Thanks :-)

**MThompson** · 2012/10/03, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by peethorn

trying to find the money for my own Metalian.

PLEEEEEEEASE let me know if you found a way to get the money??

I also want a metalian.

**peethorn** · 2012/10/03, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by MThompson

PLEEEEEEEASE let me know if you found a way to get the money??

I also want a metalian.

Sorry, still searching...

Maybe a balaclava and a 9mm can help

But then again I would have to wait a while before I can use my newly acquired Metalian.

I will just have to continue saving every month until I have the deposit.
The problem is that the deposit will have to be substantial since I want all the goodies from the start, and if I start paying the payment on the trailer there will not be much left for improvements.

**mcowell** · 2012/10/04, 06:28 AM

Hi Jenny,
The plastic windows look like a very good idea, I thought I was doing well with little plastic labels. The whole set-up looks very good.
Malcolm

**Heinz Modricky** · 2012/10/04, 04:13 PM

Wragtig pragtig

.

**derickb** · 2012/10/08, 06:34 PM

henk jy maak nie mooi nie nou vreet my hart meer ...... kan nie wag vir my skip om te dok ne nog net n paar mande in Tanzania dan is ek ook n trailer ryker

derick