My M416 Trailer Build

[fjcruzn]

I purchased my M416 a couple of years ago and begin my build. One of the first items I wanted to add was an aluminum top.

This is a picture of the trailer when I bought it on ebay.


After checking with several welding shops I was told by a friend to contact a local welding shop that specialized in aluminum welding and fabrication. I met with the welder and I was immediately impressed with his skill and expertise. He agreed to take on the project of building a top for my M416.

Here is a picture of the top having the internal ribs fabricated.


This is the top being fitted to my M416.


Next step is hinging the top to the trailer. I chose to use half hinges so I could easily remove the top if needed.


Here the hinges are installed.


Next step was to fit the latches. I chose a latch that I could use a padlock with.


We added struts to make opening easier.


Next I mounted my ARB Simpson II tent to the aluminum top.


Shirley showing the tent is mounted and ready to use.


Here we are on our expedition to do nine Colorado mountain passes in 2009


Climbing up the gnarly trail to Taylor Lake.


In camp at Taylor Lake.


Posing at the top of one of the many mountain passes.


Kloeppel Welding did an outstanding job in fabricating my trailer top. His price was very reasonable charging about $500 for the top.

I've changed axles to 3500 pound axles with electric brakes and the Toyota bolt pattern. I'll post that mod soon.


My next project is to add struts to raise the tent to FJ rooftop height. I want to use my annex with the tent on our forthcoming Alaska expedition.

[lilgription]

Nice little rig

[Borrego60]

Clean little trailer wish I still had mine.

[mtbcoach]

Looks great Dale. You'll love being off the ground and having plenty of room to bring all the essentials. Regina loves the convenience of our set up and I'll bet Shirley loves your's as well...

[RJ40]

Very sweet and tidy unit! That al. topper is really nice...I bet very light as well! Would you tell us how you mounted the spare under the bed on the trailer? I gotta do the same thing soon, and have been scratching my head looking for an effective mount.

Cheers!

[fjcruzn]

Jerry, thanks for the kind words! We really love it. I went this way when Shirley told me that she wasn't camping any more unless I got a RTT. We watched folks with their camps set up and having a cold one and we were still struggling with our tent...

Hugs to your ladies

dale

[fjcruzn]

Very sweet and tidy unit! That al. topper is really nice...I bet very light as well! Would you tell us how you mounted the spare under the bed on the trailer? I gotta do the same thing soon, and have been scratching my head looking for an effective mount.

Cheers!

Yep, I went all aluminum because I wanted the top to be as light as possible. It has worked out very well for us.

The spare tire mount is the original mount the military used. It is very similar to the spare tire mount on Chevy trucks in that the tire is on a cable/chain that is raised and lowered using a crank in the rear. Very efficient setup!

cheers,

dale

[RJ40]

[QUOTE=fjcruzn;903155The spare tire mount is the original mount the military used. It is very similar to the spare tire mount on Chevy trucks in that the tire is on a cable/chain that is raised and lowered using a crank in the rear. Very efficient setup!

cheers,

dale[/QUOTE]

Would you be so kind as to snap a pic of that? I was not aware that the military mounted the spares under the bed...my trailer, a 1967 model does not have any provisions for an underside spare that I can see, but I really like the idea of putting it there.

Cheers

[fjcruzn]

I'll take a couple in the morning and post them.

cheers,

dale

[RJ40]

I'll take a couple in the morning and post them.

cheers,

dale

Many thanks, I look forward to seeing how it is done!

Cheers!