Chris Drew posted:

Dags, thanks for the name, the web site looks interesting and Toolbox Centre has a rep in NSW.
Chris.

Chris Drew posted:

Thanks for the tips bob,
Chris

Chris Drew posted:

The Trayon looks well made, thanks for the tip Bob.
Chris

Chris Drew posted:

Thanks for the thoughts Phil, food for mulling.
Chris

Chris Drew posted:

Thanks for the thoughts Reiner, your comments about enough room to sit up is also one of the problems to sort out. Your camper looks cute.
Chris

Chris Drew posted:

John,
Your rig comes the closest to my dream.

There was a similar unit featured in one of the 4WD mags during 2005, one with a pop-top and bed up there. I think it was also made by Metalfrom Industries

Do you have a photo of your module from the side with the door open?

I was hoping to divide the module into storage space below and bed up high. If the storage space below was say only 250-300mm high would there be enough room for a bed above that storage in your module?

Can you tell me what was included in the basic Metalfrom Industries module and how much it cost to have made? Did they custom make your module. Is it well made. Is it aluminum or colorbond? Is it dust resistant?

I am still hoping to get away from the tent thing.

Sorry for all the questions, your unit just looks so good and I believe my dream may just come true.
Chris

Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses posted:

Chris this was made nearly three years ago and wsa the beginning of their run of camper boxes I think. When ours was on the stands the week we picked it up they told us it would have been sold four times if we had wanted. I hope I can show you some of the pics here that I have on the laptop. I warn you it is heavier than you may like though and the more storage you put in the more weight you carry.

Your questions - it was about 10k at the time I think but we added things like the Oztent which we store strapped up under the roof on the drivers side. It is well made and I don't know how many of their brochures I have handed out. there are several pics of our box in their current brochure. I have been stopped in the street locally, up in Queensland in the Glasshouse Mountains, in a supermarket car park in Yass to have questions asked, that is aside from locals that come to the farm to look to model something on it.

It was custom made but is a tool box and IS used for farm service. Dents and scratches to prove it. I have aluminium checker plate along the side to cover deep gouges from fence wire at night. It is painted colourbond and has been quite dust resistent. Stuff all comes past the seals.

We have used it without sides or ends on the tents in warm conditions like the Gawler Ranges in March.

We can get up, have a cooked brekkie, wash up and get on the road in an hour even with a tent to pack. The tent comes out first - or after the shadecloth underfloor erected and then we unload. Seldom peg it or poles.
<img src="http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d76/JohnRnMoses0/61730040.jpg"
<img src="http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d76/JohnRnMoses0/61730039.jpg"
<img src="http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d76/JohnRnMoses0/61730004.jpg"
<img src="http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d76/JohnRnMoses0/61730003.jpg"
My email is with the rig pic Chris

Chris Drew posted:

John,

Thanks for the extra photos and explanations, your unit looks just like our dream.

At the present time we have a 1998 Discovery TDI which we have fitted out for us to sleep in the back, having removed the rear seat, so we refined the idea of a sleeping platform and storage space under like yours. We have been three weeks on the Simpson and the Alice area and at another time five weeks along the Canning with the Disco, but it is just too cramped and we are getting too old to have our style cramped.

We have used an Indel-B drawer fridge that is only 250mm high. This will go under the bed, as with all of the other gear. We think your steel _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx look a good idea also.

Thanks again, we'll be looking out for you along the track.

Chris and Ann

Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses posted:

Steel _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx are heavy Chris, but we have aluminium checker plate under the mattress whish isn't apparent in the photos.

Chris Drew posted:

Phil, Thanks for the tip about Yahoo, I have sent in an application to join. Hope to learn some more from the Traytop Camping group.

Do GSV make custom units or do they come off the rack? I believe that I need to make the module just a little taller than yours. Was your module expensive and what was included in the price?

I am thinking of improving the seats in my 79 series, do you recommend the Recaro seats? Do they have a suspension system and are they what is needed for the rump on long and corrugated trips?

regards Chris

Member - Phil G (SA) posted:

Hi Chris,

GSV are a smallish company in Wingfield Adelaide. If you go to Albert (the boss) with a drawing of what you want, they will make it. Its all custom work, but the quality of their stuff is superb.

My canopy cost $5720 about a year ago, and then I fitted out the inside myself. So for that price, I got the "box" with flip up doors each side on struts, and nice quality locks all round, finished in 2 pack to match the vehicle.

The variaous _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx I've added have been made frrom ply, and I use Hettich runners. Other framework and roofrack is steel mesh or ply.

I bought 2nd hand Recaros ($600 pair) and had them fitted by a seat shop ($290 each). They are very comfortable on a long trip. The only downside is that the side of the seat is a little high, so you have to step up over it instaed of just sliding into the seat - but its just something you get used to. They don't have a suspension system.

I'm using Old Man Emu suspension and I went for stronger springs than what they wanted to sell me. I've very happy with the ride which is now better than I'ver had on other 4wds. I think the longer wheelbase of the 79series helps on the rough roads.

Cheers
Phil