Frame-Off Restored M416 Trailer (Independent Airbag Suspension, Kitchen, RTT, etc)

[dieselcruiserhead]

Hi guys,

Well it is unfortunate... I built this because "I always wanted one" and not really because I need it (though I really enjoyed this trailer and I really enjoyed building it). I can possibly deliver to most cities in the west (as I'm only 1 day's drive away) and/or possibly arrange a ride to Reno NV as well around Sept 1. Otherwise I can probably truck ship it freight at buyer's cost... No expense was spared in the build and I probably have about 200 hours I figure (6 months with regular work) in its construction.

1966 M416 1/4 Ton military trailer.

• Frame off sandblast and restoration
• Tongue extended 18"
• Lid with ladder rack in frame design to secure 6 military cans (plastic or metal, fuel or water)
• Heavy duty 3500 lb axles. No trailer brakes (but they can be added very easily - bolt on)
• Slide out kitchen drawer, food storage, cooking surface
• Paint is "ZeroRust" which is similar to POR-15 but better cosmetics and a rust bonding paint that is what the USMC uses for their tan drab. Very durable and good looking. Tan body, black frame and fenders, suspension, and underbody/tub.
• ARB Simpson II Roof Top Tent mounted on Thule cross bars
• Aluminum Rims, BFG 33 x 10.5 All Terrains
• Built extremely tough and heavy duty. It has also been trail tested and performed flawlessly. The cross member where the arms mount is a little tweaked due to its thin metal after heavy off-roading so I am about to cut it out and put in a new crossmember with thicker steel and I will re-align with a laser.
• Fenders widened by 2"
• Re-use and design using the factory military turn signals, which were restored.
• Complete frame off restoration including new wiring
• 20 Cal Ammo Can used as electrical center box and storage. "Smart" wiring that uses a plug extension that adapts to any 7 pole plug.
• Trailer is completely locking using its own matching key (several copies of original factory lock keys included)
• Trailer tows perfectly and at all speeds, on or off road. The technique to towing this trailer is "pretend its not there" and it will literally "follow" you anywhere. I found it matched the track of my Toyota perfectly which made it excellent for off road.

Let me know if you have any questions. Located in Park City, Utah (20 minutes east of Salt Lake City). Asking $6500 with the ARB tent or $5200 without. Pretty firm on price. Here is the complete build thread here on the Expedition Portal.

Photos: (Edit: sorry for all the photos, I wanted to document all the modifications):

Before..


Sand blasted:


Front cross member added and tongue extended:

[dieselcruiserhead]

Independent Suspension, laser aligned... Again I have to replace the cross member the independent arms are attached to and will re-laser align. I figure it should take about 1 day and I'll do it later this week.



3500 axles, very heavy duty (no trailer brakes). You can add trailer brakes easily...


Mountain brackets (made by Adventure Trailers) for the Firestone airbags:

[dieselcruiserhead]

Independent A-arms and the frame: photo also shows close up of the Zero Rust paint and it's quality. It is sort of like a plastic-filled rust killing paint. It is very very solid and very durable. Both the black and tan are the same paint.

[dieselcruiserhead]

Here is the tailgate, note the sliding latches into the original box:


Tie-downs on the tongue:


Receiver added to rear hitch for recovery or transport of mountain bikes, etc:


Here is the lid frame that secures 6 water/fuel cans (plastic or metal):


Ladder rack. You basically position the cans in the correct location in the trailer and it locks them in place:


Removable lid using large, heavy duty greaseable barrel hinges. Fake raingutters for Thule or Yakima cross bars:


Tie downs on the lid:


Before paint (and fender widening):

[dieselcruiserhead]

The hole cut for the kitchen:


Accuride 500lb ball bearing slides - heavy duty:


Kitchen drawer, all 14 gauge steel (heavy duty):

[dieselcruiserhead]

Widened fenders:




Tires perfectly fit in the fenders at full compression:


Inside picture of the receiver at the rear:


Lock mechanism for tailgate -- trailer completely locks:

[dieselcruiserhead]

Paint, black and tan. This is the inside (underside) of the lid:


Rewiring with the original lights:


Tub. Note inside of wheel wells are black:


Body, tub, and fenders. Underside of the tub is ZeroRust black:


Several coats of black on floor of tub:




Kitchen and cooking surface - note the weatherstripping when closed:


Trailer has its own matching keys for the kitchen and lid locking paddle latches:


Hydraulic lifters assist in keeping the lid open even with the heavy Roof Top Tent. Strap assists people of all heights when closing (Scott here is about 5'6" tall). You can open the lid with the tent open as the tent hinge and lid hinge are on the same side.


Photo with tent deployed:

[dieselcruiserhead]

Heavy duty wiring (6 wires in plastic coated harness):



Final pics / in action:

Breakfast in Valley of the Gods. A stainless cooler fits perfectly infront of the water/fuel cans:


Trailer in tow overlooking Lake Powell:

[dieselcruiserhead]

From my harddrive (pics I haven't posted yet):



This is in the wash to the west of Comb Ridge, where Everett Reuss' body was found, which is Ute country.


Traditional military lunette which I never had any real problems or complaints with. I may not know what I'm missing though... Trailer tows great on or off road and at all speeds. The way to drive it is as if its not there. It follows you exactly where you are going.



With the tent deployed and the ladder down:


And that's it.... Thanks and sorry for all the pics/slow load...

['05TJLWBRUBY]

Sorry to see this up for sale. I enjoy trailer projects and your build was one that I watched in detail. You did an excellent job, I thoroughly enjoyed watching it's progress to completion. A lot of work and detail put into this. Glad you at least got to enjoy a few trips with it. Good luck on the sale.

Best of Luck,

Mike