14-10-2008

TACKLE TALK

Field Editor, DICK EUSSEN explores new products from Black Widow and gives a low-down on what may suit your fishing wagon.

BLACK WIDOW STORAGE SYSTEM

The transport and carriage of a tool box, spare parts, and other things that you may or may not need for your 4WD can be a headache. I have been carting it about in boxes for years until recently when I had Cairns 4x4 Megastore fit a Black Widow rear storage system in my 100 S Toyota Landcruiser wagon. Black Widow storage makes a number of different systems for popular makes of 4WD wagons, traybacks and commercial vans.

Basically it is based on a metal frame fitted with some 80 roller bearing sliders that is bolted into the vehicle using existing boltholes. The system weight is about 80 kg - about normal person weight. The floor frame is covered with carpets, with two sliding drawers below it, plus side spaces or pockets that fit the natural curve of the vehicle bay. These are covered by lift-out lids which hide a surprisingly large space for extra gear. In operation the drawers move in and out of their sliders with ease and are very smooth. They have flush fitting keyed-alike stainless steel locks set in the pull handles. The drawers are lockable for securing valuables and providing you don’t leave you tool box out, a would-be thief would have lots of hassles breaking one open.

The drawers are rated at 250 kg load and are cross-pressed to take extra weight. The strong frame structure prevents the drawers sagging. The system also has a dual one-piece folded galvanised steel fridge slider. It is fitted with flush fitting lift-up tie down rings secured through the floor and steel slides, making it arguable the strongest fridge holder of all.

My own fitting consisted of two drawers and fridge slide system for a 5-seat configuration. Black Widow also makes a full-length drawer system where only the front seats are retained. The Landcruiser was already fitted with a cargo barrier which was retained, though Black Widow do supply them. Cargo barriers in wagons prevent heavy loads from moving forward, and in an accident stop items from becoming airborne missiles.

The fridge slide is unlocked by a retainer pin. It retains my 60 litre Engel fridge securely by straps on either end of the handles and is fixed to the recessed lift up – tie down rings of the slider. When the slider is pulled back it makes the fridge easy to access for taking things out or packing food and drinks in. Fridge slideres came in left or right hand side arrangement. Stand alone fridge stands are also available from Black Widow for mounting directly onto the floor.

The drawer system has the best security storage you can possible have in a vehicle. Laptop, cameras, firearms, fishing reels, and other expensive items can be locked away and out of sight.

My Black Widows storage system is basic and it can be expanded with optional separate cargo holders, inbuilt water tanks, and more. If you are planning to hit the road check out the Tourer Series.

Black Widow has commercial systems for dual cabs, tray backs, utilities and vans for everyday storage, travel, or tools and parts for the tradesman. The systems are fitted in selected workshops around Australia and carry a warranty.

BLACK WIDOW ACCESSORIES.
The Black Widow has a good range of 4WD personal storage products that are designed to hold stuff that generally rolls about the floor of the car or clutters up the glove box.

Seat Tidy
The seat tidy can be attached to the rear of the front seats or to a cargo barrier with adjustable straps. A rubbers back prevents rub damage. It has a number of pockets for holding drinks, insect and sunscreen cans, personal sprays, note pads, pens, and maps.

Dash Pod.
Fitted with glue straps that are fixed to the dash for easy access to it contents, though avoid putting it where airbags are located. The bag is attached with Velcro fasteners to the fixed straps and is easily removed. It is a handy storage pod for a cabin boat also.

Dash Stash.
This is a great little stash for a small 4WD or car that with its four pockets and a map/note pad insert makes it ideal for tidying up the cabin and getting clutter off the seats and floor. The pockets will hold drinks, sunscreen and insect repellent containers. In line with the Dash Pod it is fixed with glue straps to a selected spot, and can be removed.

Toilet Bag.
A bag to keep toilet rolls dry and accessible is something new, but you wonder why no one thought of it before. The bag holds three rolls and can be used in either a boat or car for extended trips. Made from canvas it is UV proof and will last for years.

Black Window has many accessories for 4WD vehicles and travellers such as storage solutions, fridge sliders, cargo barriers, drop tables, rubbish bags, shade shelters, water tanks, and more.

Write: Black Widow, P.O.Box 176, Gisborne, Vic. 3437.
Visit: www.blackwidow.com.au or call 1800 634 614. Fax: (03) 5428 8077.
Email: sales@bwidow.com.au

22-09-08

Bruce

Late yesterday I received by courier a replacement sand flag.
Thank you very much for the new flag. I am now looking forward to doing more safe traveling with it attached.
It is rare these days to find such excellent service and I will certainly look at other Black Widow products in the future.
Kind regards

Bob Hartley

17th July 2008

Jason,

Just thought we should let you and Hayden and staff know that we have arrived at Tarrayoukyan and the only rattle we heard from the drawers & slide was removing a crownie not to far from home.

The first thing our son Pete said was "did it rattle" I happily replied NO PROBLEMS. He promply replied you can't beat quality can you! So there you go the next generation is coming along so you better be ready, they may be fussier than us.

Once again thanks and hope to see you soon.

Cheers Gerard & Judi.

16th January 2008

Black Widow drawer system clocks up 450,000km

When you have a product that you are proud of, it is always nice to get feedback from a very satisfied customer, we had such a customer Barry Johnson call up last week.
Barry had just purchased a new Toyota 200 series GXL and wanted to retrofit his drawer system from his 100 series GXL. Needing to do some final sizing and templates we arranged for the vehicle to be re-fitted at our factory in Gisborne.
On arrival in his new 200 series with the old drawers in tow, Barry proceeded to tell us how happy he had been with the system over the past 8 years!! We proceeded with a conversation and frankly, we were all quite amazed!
Barry is a very keen 4WD enthusiast and both business and pleasure took him to all corners of Australia. Barry had purchased the drawers from Mark and Karen Oliver 8 years ago at the original Black Widow factory in New Gisborne for his 80 series Toyota. The system was subsequently retro fitted a few years later to a 100 series standard, then to a 100 series GXL and now into the new 200 series GXL. The drawer system has been around Australia several times including Cape York, The Great Australian Bight, Mt Newman, Margaret River, Flinders Rangers, The Canning Stock Route and almost all of the WA mining tracks, surprisingly, about the only trip Barry had not attacked was the Simpson, this was his next planned trip in the new 200. Barry had worked out that the Black Widow system all up had travelled approximately 450,000 - 500,000 km over the past 8 years and included some of Australia's harshest terrain.
Curiosity got the better of Hayden, our Technical executive and chief drawer builder. How did our system fair after so many years and miles around Australia? The system was placed into the jig for a service and the retrofit and found to be only 1.5mm out of square and apart from a general clean, worked perfectly.
As a business we rigorously test all our products in some of the harshest off road and climatic conditions. (Sometimes it is just a good excuse to head outback for a few weeks). Stories like this only verify what we constantly strive for. The best off road storage systems available.
We would like to thank Barry for his feedback and wish him luck on future trips. We will also be monitoring the drawer system.

July 31, 2007

Hi Mandy,

I would like to thank the team at Black Widow for producing a product of the highest quality. Having a non standard installation required a degree of flexibility that most installers would avoid. The guys at Black Widow not only accommodated my unique specifications but produced a finished product that was in keeping with the original interior. Most of my friends thought the drawer system was a factory option.

Take the lids off the floor and all the sections that aren't visible from the outside reveal the attention to detail and the highest standards of workmanship. It shows the absolute pride being taken by all those involved during construction process, no short cuts taken.

It's fantastic that a quality product is still made locally by skilled tradesman.

Cheers,

Andrew Talati.

24th April, 2007

Dear Bruce,

Letting you know that the draw system installed by Action 4WD in Kelmscott was picked up last Saturday is terrific.

Vera is very impressed with the pull out recess for the draws that you supplied. They are very practical.

I must commend you and your team as well as your installers at Action on making this purchase a very enjoyable experience.

We leave in about three weeks to travel up North and would not hesitate to show off your wonderful system and would recommend your product and installers whenever we can.

Enclosing the warranty papers for your record.

Nick and Vera Blowers.

5th April 2007

Dear Mandy and Desmond,

Son of Trials

Let me start by saying thank you for your support of the Nissan Patrol Club. In particular thank you for you generous sponsorship of the Son of Trials event held last month.

Michael Black and myself will be in contact with you over the next couple of months to update you on the progress of preparations for the 2008 Son of Trials. In the meantime please keep in mind that Nov 3 and 4 are the date for the very well respected Nissan Trials. Now in its 18th year, the Nissan Trials is the premier interclub event on the 4wd calendar. This is where the big trucks tackle the big tracks.

Again thank you for your generous support, it has been greatly appreciated and warmly received by the winners at the Son of Trials.

Bradley Boatwright
Vice President

Nissan Patrol Four Wheel Drive Club Of NSW & ACT Inc

4th April 2007

Dear Bruce,

Re: Draw kit 2005 Nissan Patrol

After looking at a number of draw kits, I was most impressed with your product and I am pleased to say I made the correct choice.

I have now completed two four-day trips in readiness for that big trip later in the year. I have been very pleased with the options I selected, as the whole system just worked perfectly.

I was also very pleased with the way in which your company serviced my enquiry, dealt with my questions and finally installed your product. I would therefore like you to pass on my thanks to Mandy, Tash and Hayden who I believed installed my unit.

Many thanks for a great product; I am now looking forward to many years of enjoyable touring.

Best wishes,

Jim Cody
Kilmore, Vic.

PS. Please thank Karen for attending to my only issue

27th April, 2006

ARB Tamworth has recently placed one of your drawer systems into my NP Pajero; I must say that the product has exceeded my expectations. The fit, finish and totally integrated look have impressed me no end. Thanks for a wonderful product.

Don Clausen

1st September 2005

Mark,

Just like to pass on my thanks for having Dave and Greg venture all the way up to the far north but it is good to know that we still have people in the industry willing to go the extra distance to back up and promote the products they sell.

I know we all got a lot out of the product training provided.

Keep up the good work and im sure we will see many more orders flowing from this neck of the woods.

Regards,

Dean & Crew

TJM 4x4 Megastore
Darwin

24th March 2004

Drawers are simply terrific - should have got them years ago.

Definitely the best on the market.

Regards

Richard Valde

19th July 2000

Dear Mark,

We got back from travelling through outback South Australia last Sunday and both Sue (my wife) and I both agreed that the drawers would have to be one of the best additions to the car we have put in. They made life a lot easier and were a convenient size. Best of all they actually decreased the noise level in the car particularly on unsealed roads as they didn't allow things to bounce around. And they didn't rattle.

Feel free to use me as a reference to any potential customers.

Sincerely,

Clayton Simmons

4th October 1999

Dear Mark,

I would like to thank you for your cooperation in installing the drawer system in our station wagons. We had been looking for something of this nature to carry our test equipment for some time. Your system has given us the two components we were looking for in:

1. Security
2. Ease of manual handling

Security for our test equipment is required as we have some expensive items, which include laptops. Some of the equipment is also heavy and placing the equipment and removing it from the station wagons has been a concern for a long time with risk to back injuries from leaning over and twisting.

The security for our equipment is excellent as it is out of sight out of mind. Even if access is gained the drawers are locked for additional security.

The manual handling aspect has greatly reduced the risk of injury as it simplifies loading and unloading. The drawer is opened and the equipment placed in, without the need for bending or leaning, and the drawer shut with a simple push. The removing of the equipment is just as easy.

The sliding shelf is used for carrying some heavy test equipment we have. These items are 2 man lefts and can be loaded onto the withdrawn shelf readily and then the shelf pushed back into its normal position quite easily. The equipment is tied in with tie down straps using the anchor points provided and does not move during transit.

The adaptation of your original drawer system to meet our needs is greatly appreciated and you can be assured that the system works extremely well. The fitting of the system to our vehicles and the care taken in the final product has ensured a professional finish.

Kind Regards,

Merv Cribbes
Supervisor, Tests and Communications

Citipower Pty