Metalian Maxi super thread

[DallasBall]

Hey everyone. Wanted to see if anyone was selling their Maxi? On the lookout for an older model.
Thanks,
Dale

[Heinz Modricky]

Hey everyone. Wanted to see if anyone was selling their Maxi? On the lookout for an older model.
Thanks,
Dale

Keep and eye out on FB marketplace and Gumtree, but be aware of scams. You're always welcome to contact us with the VIN number on offer, and I will check what we have on file about this build.

[SinWolf]

So, some feedback...

We just returned from a 9 day camping trip with the Maxi, and all went well... I only had the trailer for about a week before our first camping trip, so did not have much time to complete the small things I wanted to change immediately, but managed to get some stuff done...

I initially bought the trailer to be used for my quick getaway hunting trips, but we decided to use it for our Easter weekend trip which we had booked for a long time now. Now, just some background... We've been Roof Top Tenting/Overlanding probably for the last 15 years, and in this time, we have looked at camping trailers multiple times, but always end up giving it a skip because of the "setup" time/effort with the tents... After this trip, we just realized what we've missed out on for so many years, BUT, we still dislike the tent setup time/effort required (especially if I go on hunting trips alone)... My wife just loves the convenience, and actually wants me to rip off the tent and just fit our old trusty Howlingmoon RTT and be done with it, but I like the additional room when you get out of bed and the ensuite shower attachment... When hunting, I will most probably encounter snowfall on most of my trips, which makes the additional room perfect for changing into hunting clothing while it's -5 degrees outside... So I'm now investigating options to try and make the setup easier for one person... Yes, it's only 5 poles and 16 pegs and 7 guy ropes, but I want to try and reduce this as much as possible...

Back to the trailer, the week I spent on it dismantling and working inside, I realised that the design and build quality of this trailer is just amazing. The amount of thought that went into the trailer is mind-blowing, and I really take my hat off to Heinz for delivering such a well build product. Yes, there are a couple of small things that are not as refined as the rest of the main structure, but I guess that is part of the R&D and I'm sure these issues have been sorted on the newer units, but overall, an amazing trailer!!

My outstanding to-do list:
- New electrical system (the HCDP unit have a faulty DC-DC section, so it currently does not charge from the vehicle. There seems to be a dead short somewhere on the circuit board as it just pops the onboard DC-DC fuse when you replace it). Also, the 12A limit on the charging system is a bit of an issue for me, so will likely just build a completely new system.
- I need to sort out the tent system to try and make it quicker and easier... Less poles, less pegs, less ropes (if possible)... I don't really want to go to something like the Bundutop, as you do lose all "integration" with the trailer if you go to such a solution. But maybe I can modify the rain-fly sheet to at least add a 270 deg. awning up front.
- Ultimately, change over to Lithium batteries
- Install fixed rear stabilizer legs (already ordered)
- Maybe permanently have the cooker top connected to a gas line instead of the external extension that needs to be plugged in (I guess this was done because of an AUS standard)
- Maybe match the tyres to that of the Triton, but I think that 33" tyres might just get too big for the trailer axle.
- Replace the shocks (they are properly rusted as I suspect the trailer was stored at the coast for a prolonged time).

For now, we will just use the trailer as is and work on the to do list as time goes by... We do have a 3 week overlanding trip booked for Tasmania, but because we need to move to a new camp site every (or at some places every 2nd) day, we will do this trip without the trailer, cause packing up the trailer tent every day for 3 weeks will drive us insane (or maybe I should fit the Howlingmoon RTT just for this trip).

I will start a new post with some of the mods I have done thus far

[SinWolf]

Tank drains...

I did not like the fact that you can only get water out of the tanks via the electrical pump (in case of pump failure), AND, you can't drain tanks while driving out of the camp site, as the pump will keep running when the tanks are empty, so you need to empty and wait for the pump to finish before you can drive off...

I installed 2 drain points (one for each tank), but these also work GREAT for filling the tanks, as you just fill from the bottom with the original "fill caps" open to let air out, so it takes me 3-4mins to fill each tank this way.

I had to make a small cut to be able to remove the tanks without removing the stainless-steel filler pipe from the tank (with this cut, you can just "tilt" the tank as you pull it out, and it comes out easily). I will now just 3D print a cover plate to close the ugly cut-out.

The tanks moved around a bit and started to create some corrosion spots... I cleaned everything, applied some rust converter and a coat of paint. I then glued the rubber mats down (they were not glued in, and the one rubber matt managed to move out from under the tank). I also added some additional rubber mat to the "slanted" section of the trailer, this also gave the tanks a tighter fit with the angle iron that keeps them in place, so I don't think they will move around anymore.

[SinWolf]

Water Tank Valves

The valves in my trailer did not work, and I assume the "wrong" valves were used. (The ones used were some or other "venting" valve instead of an OPEN/CLOSE valve).

I replaced the valves and changed the piping configuration by installing a 3D printed bracket. This bracket was just a quick 20min design to get the job done, with a bit more time and effort, this bracket can most definitely be refined... But it works, and I will probably not even change it.

[DallasBall]

Keep and eye out on FB marketplace and Gumtree, but be aware of scams. You're always welcome to contact us with the VIN number on offer, and I will check what we have on file about this build.

Thanks Heinz will do 👌🏼

[pwgg]

I also fill from my drainage point. Air comes out of the filler spout much easier than filling from the top.

Drainage point works well, just open and drive empty in no time.

just love my metalian Parthian, have fitted a geyser and washing basin mounts. Rigged all my lights. My Charger ac to dc cuts out but that is in Nossob at 42C with the trailer closed.

[Jay4]

Hi Chaps

Looks like i am pulling the trigger on a new Maxi.

You guys with full RTT, how do you get power up there for phone charging etc....presumably run a cable from below?

Thanks guys
J

[Amolkarnik]

Hi Chaps

Looks like i am pulling the trigger on a new Maxi.

You guys with full RTT, how do you get power up there for phone charging etc....presumably run a cable from below?

Thanks guys
J

I bought a Maxi, fully built up by Metalian a couple of months ago.

I have a Bundutop which comes with its internal wiring for lights, fans and charging plus its own operation. The Bundutop comes with an Anderson connector on the outside. The Metalian has a couple of Hella Plugs on the rear of the trailer. Metalian made up a Hella - Anderson cable for me to power up the roof when parked up.

In hindsight, maybe an Anderson plug on the rear may have been a better idea. I am not sure, as the trailer is a very well thought through product, so there may be a reason why it is how it is. On the other hand, Heinz and Sky are very receptive to new ideas as I am sure they will take on board alternative ideas if offered.

If you have any questions, DM me.

[Jay_B]

Took our new Maxi out for the first time this past weekend.
What an awesome trailer, towed so nice and stable.

We have been custom fitting out the interior a bit differently to the standard setups.
Fridge slide with stove and work surface being the obvious, need to just fine tune the connection to the stove but this worked better than expected.
We wanted to keep as much work surface available on the drop-down kitchen door so that is why we opted to not have the stove their.

Next up is the rear storage area.

[Jay4]

I visited 4Matt today in Cape Town who are the agent for Metalian down here. What an incredible group of guys and company, such a pleasure to deal with. I discussed my needs of power with Milan who is confident that they can make a plan to run a 220v cable into the tent, potentially through the kitchen area, they will need to drill through the trailer and RTT. I need power for a sleep apnea machine up there so my options are somewhat limited.

Will keep you updated, hope to have my new Maxi before the end of the month.

Thanks for all the great advice!
Jayson

[Heinz Modricky]

Milan and Jannis are two seriously dynamic young brothers and they have a huge future ahead of them. They both have a maturity way beyond their years. Their growth in this market is testimony to this.

[Jay4]

Hi Guys, is the lighting in this picture standard on the SA metalian tent?

[Mike Strong]

Hey everyone

Had our maxi for 3 years and loving it.

The bottom drain is a great idea as filling via the neck gets airlocks and filling takes a lot longer.

It would also be great to have some sort of meter to check how full the water tanks are.

Anyone got suggestions on how to fit a meter ?

Regards

Mike

[SinWolf]

Hey everyone

Had our maxi for 3 years and loving it.

The bottom drain is a great idea as filling via the neck gets airlocks and filling takes a lot longer.

It would also be great to have some sort of meter to check how full the water tanks are.

Anyone got suggestions on how to fit a meter ?

Regards

Mike

Not sure about availability in SA, but here in AUS they seem to use the "Topargee" water usage meter that gives you remaining water to the litre.