MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
The Trader => Showroom Floor => Topic started by: Metalian Australia on March 10, 2016, 11:50:58 PM
-
We've been in the camper trailer business since 2009 when we imported the first Conqueror Commander (predecessor for the UEV-490) into Australia, and subsequently became the agent for Conqueror. During the next few years we learn't a lot about what works and what needs improvement - and the fact that mild steel tends to pick up rust in our mainly coastal environment.
After more research we decided that 3CR12 stainless steel would meet our requirements as it has been developed for construction of South African mining machinery and vehicles. This lead us to Metalian off road campers from South Africa. We met Heinz - the owner and designer of Metalian - in 2012 and reached agreement to become the sole agent for Australia due to our experience in the market and as we are dedicated off-road campers ourselves.
The Metalian campers are of true monocoque design, combined with the strength of the 3CR12 steel results in a very light trailer with huge storage capacity for its external dimensions - more than 2800 litres in fact at a weight of under 500kg for the base fully off-road trailer.
Three years of developement followed to enhance and test it for Australian conditions, using Australian components such as AlKo 12' electric brakes, axle and eye-to-eye off road rebound springs. Combined with the Vehicle Components DO35 coupler, we believe this is amongst the most capable off-road trailers available. We are applying ongoing enhancements and I will be posting a number of questions in the future and will appreciate your feedback.
-
Welcome to MySwag, a great looking trailer
GG
-
Wow, same size as a Disco! It ain't small, that's for sure.
Good looking beast, though.
-
Nice.
Any pics of it open showing all the goodies?
Cheers Glen
-
Very nice, lotsa goodies, very interested
-
Hi Glen,
Thanks for the enquiry - here are two photos of the Howling Moon XT Deluxe trailer top tent open, showing the additional room and one of the side awnings. The fully optioned price include the same size side awning on the opposite (nose cone)side plus all side walls to fully enclose the whole area.
Please have a look at our Facebook site Metalian Australia for more photos https://www.facebook.com/Metalian-Australia-1035437366480277/ (https://www.facebook.com/Metalian-Australia-1035437366480277/)
-
I keep clicking your link to your website and keep going in circles to stalkerbook.. I think its broken
http://www.metalian.com.au/ (http://www.metalian.com.au/)
???
-
I imagine that is their website for now.
-
Yes thanks Wolften and Bird - unfortunately our website is still under development - it is taking a bit longer as we are using a young startup company instead of outsourcing it to an offshore IT shop. So our Facebook site and the fantastic MySwag :D is being used to share some information in the interim.
-
That's a nice trailer you got there metalian
-
Thanks Fergy - and we must admit it looks even nicer 'in the flesh' - not a single pop rivet used in the construction apart from attaching some anodized stone protection plates to the front. Another distinguishing feature - it can be supplied in any external colour of your choice. The Australian version of the smaller models (Midi and Midi Low Profile) will be released soon, with an even smaller version - the Mini - to follow.
-
Went a saw one of these in person today. Very nice trailer and it comes with everything. If you don't need something it becomes cheaper as you take stuff away which is cool.
Only issue is drawbar length, with my ute having a tray there isn't going to be enough clearance between the tray and the front of the trailer. Waiting to see if they can extend the drawbar to accommodate my vehicle. If they can then I think I found the trailer i'm going to get.
-
Hi Snafu - thanks for the complement and glad that you share our views on the Metalian. Did you measure how much of an extension you require to clear your tray when you were at Steven's place? The drawbar is a crucial component of the whole design and extending it will be subject to fairly significant redesign and testing. As your tray isn't a standard length available in South Africa, we would require some measurements to determine what the options are. One of the quick and easy fixes used in the past with another brand was to use a 300mm extended towing hitch, still rated at 2250kg. Could you please let me know how much of an extension is required with the longer towing hitch it place so that I can discuss it with Heinz (designer and owner of Metalian South Africa). I've received the photos from Steven but it's hard to estimate the measurements from the photos.
-
Hi Snafu - just an update that I've received from Heinz -
"I’ve read a few comments that our trailer drawbar is too short, so making a retractable/extendable drawbar is a good idea. The drawbar is uber strong for sure. As for cost. I will not charge for this or any similar improvement. We simply need to have the best solution and negate all negative comments as best possible.
In some ways, this simplifies some issues, while adding marginal cost. I have an idea of what I would do (I’ve been looking at what the Aussies do, and will no doubt take a similar route), but have yet to do the drawing. Should not take me long to do this. I’ll check on timing and advise"
So good news - I've also updated Steven and will keep him informed.
Regards,
Anton
-
Thanks Anton,
Steve has been great and he got back to me saying the extended draw bar wouldn't be an issue so my order should be placed very shortly (hopefully in time to get in on the June shipment)
Cheers
Andy
-
Ah, so this is a trailer made by the famous Heinz :cup: I have read lot's of positive comments about him on a SA forum I am a member of. Explains why the trailer looks so good ;D
KB
-
Thanks KB - Yes I'm fortunate that I've been to Heinz's factory a couple of times during the past three years while we were working on the changes required for our Australian environment. So I'm happy that we have a quality product that can match the best in the market and significantly cheaper that the main competition. He's a remarkable person and I'm looking forward to providing another product choice with the backing from Heinz to further enhance the Metalians as required for the local market.
Thanks for your positive comments!
-
very much like...and welcome
-
Thank Kev - had a look at your nice website - I think the only think that can improve would be some nice Metalian photos!
-
Thank Kev - had a look at your nice website - I think the only think that can improve would be some nice Metalian photos!
lol...thanks......
let me know what you might have in mind....am always happy to sell and move on.....
-
He's a remarkable person and I'm looking forward to providing another product choice with the backing from Heinz to further enhance the Metalians as required for the local market
If it is his rumoured hybrid, I will be very interested :cup:
KB
-
Yes KB the hybrid looks very interesting! Unfortunately it's just a prototype at this stage (photo attached). What is more likely to see the light is a much more compact version of the trailer, but still offering as much storage space as the Patriot X2. The existing 'Mini' - or Low Profile Midi as it's called in Australia - has about the same storage space as the larger Patriot X1, but is much more compact and lighter. And about $20,000 cheaper for the fully optioned model!
-
Yep, that's the one. Bring it on :cup:
KB
-
Hi Anton - would it be possible to get a video showing the complete setup process of the tent and the awnings? I'm wondering how the awnings attach to the tent and long the complete setup might take - so a video would be great.
Also, do you know if it would be possible to incorporate a bagged awning (180 or 270 degree) over the kitchen area like the Patriot or Drifta DOT?
Cheers
Matt
-
Hi Anton - would it be possible to get a video showing the complete setup process of the tent and the awnings? I'm wondering how the awnings attach to the tent and long the complete setup might take - so a video would be great.
Also, do you know if it would be possible to incorporate a bagged awning (180 or 270 degree) over the kitchen area like the Patriot or Drifta DOT?
Cheers
Matt
I Checked one of these out the other day and the main tent fly/tropical roof comes back out over the kitchen so it always has a small cover. The awnings zip and velcro on but you can leave one attached if you like . I actually prefer this design to the wing style awning as it provides complete no gap coverage which will be much nicer in bad weather.
The main tent and kids room is identical to the patriot and setups up very quickly. If the tailgate awning is attached it's only a few poles. I would think setting up the main tent and kids room plus both awnings would take maybe 20-25 mins, maybe a little longer if you were putting up all the walls on all the awnings.
I have a bunch of camera gear, once I get mine I will do a video setting it up etc I think
-
Thanks for the write-up SNAFU! Agree with everything you've said. As you said - the tailgate awning can be left attached to the main tent, which means that within 20 minutes you can admire the contents of the National Luna 90 liter fridge. I will get a video made of the whole set-up as soon as I have stock available - don't even have an Maxi for myself at this stage! Going camping with my Oz Tent this weekend... will miss the MAxi even more as there is rain predicted all long weekend.
-
I'm heading away Friday for the weekend too, Just me and some buddies heading to a property though so a backpack with my hammock setup is all i'll be taking....
-
I had a look at one of these on Saturday (thanks Steve from Offtrax!) - and I was quite impressed overall. The trailer looks to be very good quality, and very well thought out. The wife especially loved the storage - there seems like there's a place for everything
Anton - the Metalian Facebook has pictures of 2 different tent setups; the Howling Moon (which I saw at Offtrax) and the Ultimate Overland (apparently made by the company who makes all the canvas storage caddies?) Are both of these tent options available for the Australian Metalian?
Cheers
Matt
-
Hi Matt,
Glad that Steven could assist you. The Overland tent was specifically designed for the shorter Midi model. And yes - by the same Metalian Agent in South Africa that designed and manufactured the caddie storage bags. Unfortunately the caddies are keeping them so busy that they've had to drop the tent manufacturing side.
So our recommended option for a Trailer Top Tent at this stage is the Howling Moon Deluxe tent. We can also deliver it without a tent or source another South African tent of your choice - but then cant guarantee the customised fitting as we have with the HM tent.
The other alternative is the James Baroud tents which we also offer as an option.
We are looking at options for the local manufacture of tents at the moment, but this will still take some time to finalise and test before we offer it as an option.
Regards,
Anton
-
The new Australian made tent has been launched! It is a big improvement on the previous Howling Moon tent and we are very happy with it. Some of the features: quick set-up time for overnight stops as the tropical fly remains attached to the tent. Midge mesh windows all round now - and a great plus is that the tent fully seals against the sides of the trailer. The bed is a king size with a thick quilted matres and a proper ladder with wide rungs.
For overnight setup only 3 poles are required - and all the poles are set at 2 metres but are also adjustable for uneven terrain. Another big plus is the fact that the top of the tropical fly as well as the awnings have an aluminized coating, making it up to 8 degrees cooler underneath than traditional canvas.
Both the tailgate and nosecone awnings (each 2 metres wide) can be added / removed at normal height without the need for a ladder. Our fully inclusive price includes both awnings plus a 2m wide door with mesh screen and two 3.3m long walls than can be placed anywhere with a velcro strip. Standard inclusions are also a 2m by 2m kids room that can take 2 bunk beds and a zip on shower screen.
-
Thank Kev - had a look at your nice website - I think the only think that can improve would be some nice Metalian photos!
thanks !!!....
lets talk and see what we can do.....have quite a bit happening with CT Australia atm and the near future
-
The new Australian made tent has been launched! It is a big improvement on the previous Howling Moon tent and we are very happy with it. Some of the features: quick set-up time for overnight stops as the tropical fly remains attached to the tent. Midge mesh windows all round now - and a great plus is that the tent fully seals against the sides of the trailer. The bed is a king size with a thick quilted matres and a proper ladder with wide rungs.
For overnight setup only 3 poles are required - and all the poles are set at 2 metres but are also adjustable for uneven terrain. Another big plus is the fact that the top of the tropical fly as well as the awnings have an aluminized coating, making it up to 8 degrees cooler underneath than traditional canvas.
Both the tailgate and nosecone awnings (each 2 metres wide) can be added / removed at normal height without the need for a ladder. Our fully inclusive price includes both awnings plus a 2m wide door with mesh screen and two 3.3m long walls than can be placed anywhere with a velcro strip. Standard inclusions are also a 2m by 2m kids room that can take 2 bunk beds and a zip on shower screen.
Pictures or it didnt happen 😜😜
-
Thanks for comment Fergy - still on the 'to do' list. Busy preparing to take the Metalian Maxi with the new tent to the Canberra Show tomorrow, so please have a look at the Facebook site for photos of the new tent - https://www.facebook.com/metalianaus/posts/1402725226418154 (https://www.facebook.com/metalianaus/posts/1402725226418154)
Photos have also been added to our website - www.metalian.com.au (http://www.metalian.com.au)