The Josh's M416 Trailer Build

[Flashole]

They were a big pain in *** to work with so I wanted to write them off completely.

On my round of errands this morning I had to go To my local welding supply and I was looking at the barrel hinges again and I decided to go with the bigger 6" ones. I think they will be easier to work with and to get right. So I will cut off the smaller one grind it down and do them over.

For the latches I decided to go with the destaco latches that was suggested earlier and instead of doing a lock I think I just decided to do a latch on the interior on the tailgate so I can just lock it from the inside for storage and what not.

I like the idea of the lock being on the inside. Makes sense. I have considered welding a tab on the lid that overhangs the tailgate that would keep the tailgate from opening when the lid was closed. Of course, the flip side to that is that the lid has to be open to open the tailgate. I don't think I'd like that very much.

I'm in one step forward/one step backward mode, so I haven't got far enough to worry about a lock for the tailgate yet.

 

[TheJosh]

I like the idea of the lock being on the inside. Makes sense. I have considered welding a tab on the lid that overhangs the tailgate that would keep the tailgate from opening when the lid was closed. Of course, the flip side to that is that the lid has to be open to open the tailgate. I don't think I'd like that very much.

I'm in one step forward/one step backward mode, so I haven't got far enough to worry about a lock for the tailgate yet.

Hahah I was thinking the same thing about a tab but then decided against it too!

Yeah I'm in that same mode. I think I'm just gonna take the day off from working on the trailer to let ideas settle in but I think I have it figured out now... We will see


With a lock on the outside I just could wrap my head around how to make it look clean. I reconsidered going with a flush mount stainless lock but those are 2 5/8 thick and my door is only 1" and they seem to be a bit complicated for what I wanted to do

 

[Flashole]

Hahah I was thinking the same thing about a tab but then decided against it too!

Yeah I'm in that same mode. I think I'm just gonna take the day off from working on the trailer to let ideas settle in but I think I have it figured out now... We will see


With a lock on the outside I just could wrap my head around how to make it look clean. I reconsidered going with a flush mount stainless lock but those are 2 5/8 thick and my door is only 1" and they seem to be a bit complicated for what I wanted to do

I don't know about you, but sometimes I need to remind myself that I'm not building a show trailer. I'm building an off road trailer that will most likely just get beat up anyway.

 

[TheJosh]

I don't know about you, but sometimes I need to remind myself that I'm not building a show trailer. I'm building an off road trailer that will most likely just get beat up anyway.

Yeah I agree with you. I do like to wheel hard but I also like to keep my truck pretty u guess that in trying to do with the trailer. I just hope I can do a decent job with the bodywork once all the metalwork is done.


Today I installed my Tron taillights and cut out all the holes for the marking lights that are going on the Nerf bars which I forgot to snap pictures of

 

[TheJosh]

Spent some time In the garage this afternoon since the weather cooled down a bit.

I grinded off the smaller bullet hinges and welded on the larger 6" bullet hinges. These were a lot easier to work with and look so much better.

Then I plated the top corners and installed the powertec latches that's I picked up from amazon. Came out really cleans very heavy duty. Right now I'm just about done with all the welding I have to do to the trailer just some clean up work. I have been thinking about adding a rear hitch to the trailer that will pass thru the rear crossmenber and I'll build I string crossmenber under the tub for it to mount into. Not sure what I will use it for at the moment but I think it'll be a good idea.

Any who here is a few pics

 

[Septu]

Looks good!! But how do you lock this? Maybe I'm missing something?

 

[TheJosh]

Looks good!! But how do you lock this? Maybe I'm missing something?

For the lock I decided to do a latch on the inside of the tailgate. I kept going back and forth how to find a good looking latch and it was driving me crazy. Then I just came to the conclusion that if I just do I weld on latch inside the tailgate I won't have to worry about a lock and it will be cleaner. So if I am on the trail all day or camping I can leave it open and if we are on the road or its parked on public streets I can just close the latch on the inside and it will be all secure

 

[Septu]

For the lock I decided to do a latch on the inside of the tailgate. I kept going back and forth how to find a good looking latch and it was driving me crazy. Then I just came to the conclusion that if I just do I weld on latch inside the tailgate I won't have to worry about a lock and it will be cleaner. So if I am on the trail all day or camping I can leave it open and if we are on the road or its parked on public streets I can just close the latch on the inside and it will be all secure

Makes sense. Only downside is not being able to visually confirm from the outside that it's locked (vs having a padlock on the latch). However that's fairly minor in the grand scheme of things.

 

[TheJosh]

Makes sense. Only downside is not being able to visually confirm from the outside that it's locked (vs having a padlock on the latch). However that's fairly minor in the grand scheme of things.

True about not being able to visually confirm but I think the clean look with no padlocks with outweigh that. I finished up just now installed the interior latch and I really like how it came out

 

[Flashole]

Tail lights look great! And, I think I am going to follow your lead on the latches on the inside of the tub. What latch system are you going to use?

How do you like the draw tight latches for the tailgate?

ETA....How wide are those fenders and where did you get them?

 

[Datajockeys]

I noticed that you did not reinstall the Handbrake Assy. Is it available for sale? Mine got hacked by the Forest Service.

 

[Flashole]

Updates?

 

[TheJosh]

Been busy with a few other things lately but I had some time today to finally do the hinges. I cut off a few 3"x1" pieces of 3/8" stock to do a spacer under the hinges so they line up and open properly.

Worked as planned and the lid opens and closes smoothly. Tomorrow I hope to have some time to put the struts on.

Here is a couple pics

 

[Flashole]

Rock on!

Have you figured out where you are going to mount your shocks yet?

 

[TheJosh]

Not yet I haven't, any suggestions? Like is the any type of formula needed and how tall should I make the lid open?