Trip "C" M416 build

[tripc]

Well guys. Its just another M416 build. Nothing special at all but a little bit of labor and cash. Here are some of the details and will post more pics as it goes.

It all started with a 92 Nissan Pick Up bed trailer I bought off Craigslist.

Started off like this

Finished like this.

It was never exactly what I wanted. So I sold it and bought a pretty good shape M416 local for $700 bucks
This is the M416 when I first got it.

For the most part it was in great shape. The guy before me sandblasted it. Put a new floor in and replaced all the bolts with grade 8 stuff.

THe first thing I did was cut and welded. Dont know what you would call them but lets just say side stands or something. To mount gas tanks and propane bottles on.

This is my buddy Bro helping with some of the grinding. WHich there is plenty of in this build.

Next was to remove the tub and inspect the frame. Everything looked good.

I wanted to build a lid that I could cover with sheet metal and build mounts for the RTT.
Here are a couple of the build pics

I mounted the lid on the tub with some mounts I got at the local steel yard.

Everything was working out just great with the lid idea..

Next order of business was to extend the tongue. Getting the old one off was a pain because it was welded to the frame. WIth a massive 1/4 plate welded all the way around.

 

[tripc]

Finally got it off and build the new tongue like a brick **** house.

Some steel for the new tongue

Quick mock up

There will be a tongue box that holds all the electronics. I will go to Harbor Freight for that. THey have a pretty decent one for about 100 bucks which you cant beat.
Stay tuned

 

[tripc]

I have rejected the plans for the lid I built. Wasted about 150 bucks on steel and sheet metal. I think it is just to heavy so I am going the same route as my first trailer.
I want to build a rack that is adjustable,. You have seen it plenty of times. Instead of a air tight seal around the tub with the lid. I will just use a cutom made tarp.

Here are some Harbor Freight stands. 1500 lbs a piece will do the job.
There are welded so I can swing them up and down as needed. THere are on all 4 corners.

Next up is the new axle with matching TRD wheels. I have a 2010 Trail Team FJ and wanted to keep the same on the trailer.
315/75/16 KM2 to match the tow vehicle. WIth a spring over. I got the new axle at Southwest wheels here in Dallas. Not bad for 115. I did have to weld on the spring sets but that was no big deal. I need practice welding anyways.

NOw for the new rack I am going to build for the RTT. It has to be adjustable.

 

[tripc]

I got my Mombasa 3 person RTT. Its bigger then I tought. I did not take any pics of the rack before I installed the tent. Here are some pics of the trailer last week. Still have to get all the fab done and painted, Then will move on to all the electrical.

Old VS Present day

Dont mind the paint. I have been expirimenting with alot of colors. I thinkI am going to go with the sandstorm color from my FJ. For just the tub. Black for everything else..

Will post more pics once some more stuff is complete.

 

[Mark Harley]

Good choice on colors, The trailers look great when they match the tow rig, Paint and wheels.
Very nice build, hows the weight? how hard is it to lift the RTT frame?

 

[tripc]

Good choice on colors, The trailers look great when they match the tow rig, Paint and wheels.
Very nice build, hows the weight? how hard is it to lift the RTT frame?

Have not had it weighed. It will be a little on the heavy side. As far as the RTT lift. You will need 2 people. Have not ried it yet..I am looking into gas struts on all 4 corners. 125-150 a piece. Hopefully that with a little bit of tweaking. It will raise once the pop pins are released. Now Im not real sure how I will get it back down. But I sure I will figure something out.

 

[DonBeasley]

Great looking build. Nice to see another Dallas M416 (I am in McKinney). Did I miss something or is the lid going to be on when the tent is? How high above lid will tent ride?

Keep the pictures coming.

 

[tripc]

I am not going with the lid. I am going with a RTT rack that is adjustable. Using a M416 cover to keep things dry. I wasted the time and money on all that steel for the lid. lol Im in Frisco

 

[tripc]

Well today I started the paint. I wanted to match the color of the FJ as close as I could. Doesn't match perfect. But looks good to me.
I started by getting some paint stripping discs from lowes. Went through abou 4 of them.

Then 1st coat of primer. I used filler primer to fill in little imperfections these trailers all have

Did a total of 2 coats of primer. 3 coats of paint(Rusteum Almond) and 4 coats of clear. I used truckbed coating for the bottom.

 

[JCMatthews]

looking great. Keep sending pics. This is giving me motivation to finish my own.

 

[EdwardBernal]

Super!

Awesome build trippy!

 

[tripc]

I also started to prime some of the tongue, frame and the side steps I fabbed up.
Here some more pics.

And some more upclose pics of the paint. I think I am going to wet sand it so I can get it a little smoother.

 

[jkce72]

Nice job. Thinking on painting my trailer the same color. Could you post some more pics when you get it all back together.

 

[tripc]

I got a visit today from the Fed-Ex guy. Got my fridge. Its a Edgestar 43Q. I went cheap to save some cash. About half the price of a ARB. Mixed reviews but worth the gamble in my eyes. I think this one will be for the FJ and will get another for the trailer.

What I have left to do to the trailer before Mid July

Install and Fab
-Awning
-Water Pump and lines
-Make the fenders wider
-Run all electrical wires
-Finish welding under side of frame
-Gas struts for the RTT rack
-Few more odds and ends.

I already have everything purchased. Just need to find time to install everything. Stay tuned. I will post more pics as I go..

 

[tripc]

Had a late night welding session. I needed to weld up the under side of the tongue and side steps. Here are some crappy cell phone pics. I dont think the tongue is going any place. Yes! THat is the only way I could get under the trailer is to rig it up to a bike rack hook. LOl

I layed the first bead a little thick.