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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
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