Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Okay, when I got photographs of the trailer I saw that it had the Multi-Trail logo on it together with their Ranger model name. So I gave them a call and yes, they did make it with the independent suspension many years ago. They imported the suspension which they say is very strong but the problem they experienced with them is that people did not maintain the suspension properly, particularly the stub axles and the result was that sometimes things would fail when they otherwise would/should not have. No problem with that, except that they also tell me that parts are now very hard to find. So....

Hi Clem,

I'm not sure what price-bracket you're looking for, but I've visited their factory here in the Cape and would strongly recommend you have a look at the metalian mini. http://metalian.co.za/product/metalian- ... 4-trailer/

Stefan,

I can see that that is really a quality product. It is something that I definitely will take into consideration.

Kind regards,
Clem

Here is a thread on the 4x4community forum re the mini. link

Clem , I have bought an Overlander from Buzzard Industries and sofar very satisfied, talk to Alan Wellbeloved at Buzzard he makes the trailer as you want it. One of my friends who goes to Kalahari at least twice a year have a trailer from Alan and there is no rust, no problems at all. He bought it secondhand from another person and this trailer is about 10+ years old and stilll going strong.

Shalom

Jules wrote:Clem , I have bought an Overlander from Buzzard Industries and sofar very satisfied, talk to Alan Wellbeloved at Buzzard he makes the trailer as you want it. One of my friends who goes to Kalahari at least twice a year have a trailer from Alan and there is no rust, no problems at all. He bought it secondhand from another person and this trailer is about 10+ years old and stilll going strong.

Shalom

Thank you Jules (Shalom?). I spoke to Alan yesterday. The big issue seems to with finding wheels / rims that will be compatible with the 17" ones on my Patrol. He reckons I need to try to find some wheels and then we go from there. I'm assuming that whether Buzzard, Metalian or anyone else, I'm going to have the same problem, hence my other thread / post enquiring about what options there might be out there on compatible rims. I don't really care too much if the width is different but the diameter and rolling radius must match / be very close.

Incidentally, Peter C kindly sent me some CAD's of his trailer design - really quite something and a pity indeed that it is not commercially available. Very innovative and different to anything else available out there and IMHO with some distinct advantages.

Stefan wrote:Here is a thread on the 4x4community forum re the mini. link

Hi Stefan. Some very useful ideas indeed on that thread. Thank you. Just one question - with an open RTT, is the trailer stable without rear drop- down legs?

Hi Clem,

I don't own a Metalian (yet), so the best would be either post the question on the 4x4community website or give Heinz (owner) a call?

Stefan wrote:Hi Clem,

I don't own a Metalian (yet), so the best would be either post the question on the 4x4community website or give Heinz (owner) a call?

Thank you Stefan.

I've looked at quite a few trailers the last while and today I finally got to look at a Metalian; it's way ahead of the rest of the pack; there's just no comparison at all. It's a Mini I think I'll be wanting.