My *slow going* M416 camping trailer build.

[jeepfreak81]

Hello, Im new to the forum, but figured I would post what I have so far. It is currently Just holding Kayaks, but eventually will be getting a RTT and some exterior mods to hold the camping stove and some water tanks etc...

Once I finish my Jeep YJ and get it back together I plan to work on this a bit more. The flatty is good enough for now, but I can't highway cruise with it.

The first thing after the top bows and tarp it received is a kayak rack, but I plan on making a cross bar system capable of holding a trailer top tent of some sort.

Here are the initial pictures...





















I forgot to take pics of the top bows, but they are PVC and I got the Idea from Boyink.

Here are the pics of the canvas top though.

















The little guy at a trail cleanup

[jeepfreak81]

What the bows look like... The Bantam is Boyinks'



In this pic it shows the rack setting in place, as well as the PVC bow supports.




Going to see if I can squeeze 2 bikes in between the Kayaks front to back. then get a canvas tarp fit over all of it for now.











Got the J bars, hopefully if I get a spring bonus next year I will buy the tent top unit to turn it into a camper.... I need to get some trays for the bikes, I think I could squeeze them in. Need to finish the YJ so I could maybe use the danged thing. I should just sell it for a stocker/mild lift YJ.

Yes I know the load bars are 'supposed' to be 24" apart. I think this will be fine though.

[Errant]

Looks good Can you tow with the PVC bows and tarp in place, or is that just for when stored? I was thinking about doing the same thing with my M100.

[jeepfreak81]

Looks good Can you tow with the PVC bows and tarp in place, or is that just for when stored? I was thinking about doing the same thing with my M100.

I have towed it a couple times like that, so far it has held up, but I do not have a lot of miles on it like that. Because it is at my house I keep stripping everything back off to use it as a utility trailer.

I fixed my actual utility trailer about a month ago, so now I can actually WORK on this one.

This is the other 'jeep trailer' I built. It was going to be the original one I was going to use for this base, until I found the more suitable M416. This one was way too useful as a utility trailer. I badly bent the axle not long after this picture. I just installed a much heavier duty one.

[Hedge]

What are the cut or uncut dimensions of the canvas tarp?

[jeepfreak81]

What are the cut or uncut dimensions of the canvas tarp?

I believe it was 6' x 8' I got it at TSC for around $20-30

[jeepfreak81]

I have not forgotten about this, a guy can dream can't he... 6' awning on the one side that is also an add a room, or just cook under. And awned windows. I like the exit off the rear, nothing to hinder ingress and egress and nowhere near the cook area so someone can go in and out and not be in the way. With the expense of the current tents, I can only imagine what this would set me back.

[jeepfreak81]

And the build is now started. I got in on a group buy of CVT (Cascadia Vehicle Tents) and the quality seems to be really nice. Mine was damaged in shipment, but I had already planned a trip with the family for my sons first camping trip and Cascadia Tents told me to use it and we can work it out later.

I am on the road a lot for work, so currently my buddy Jeepaholic is working on plans for the lid/lift that will allow the tent to be raised to the minimum 6.5' height needed to use the annex room. We have some ideas, and I will post some of them below.

Here it is mounted on the H3. We definitely want to get it mounted on the trailer so we can set up camp and still have use of the truck/rig that is towing it.







After that was sketched out, I found this on the web.

Expo Trailer RTT Lift - YouTube

Rack lift with pop pins by expeditionops.com - YouTube



Tent-n-Trailer Camp System - Setup Video - YouTube

[njjeepthing]

What Model Thule Feet are they? Do they really attach to the rails on the trailer enough to carry the Yak's?

[jeepfreak81]

What Model Thule Feet are they? Do they really attach to the rails on the trailer enough to carry the Yak's?

It is the Thule 'Rapid Railing System.' The towers are made onto the cross bars the best that I can tell. The paper work says it is for racks 751, 754, and 756... I am not sure which one this is though. I would guess the widest one.

They clamp on really tight, I wouldn't hesitate to mount a RTT on them. I have hauled the kayaks all over with them on there.