The Josh's M416 Trailer Build

[Flashole]

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

No formula. Just prop it open as far as you like it. For me, it was as high as I could comfortably reach.

The people I bought my shocks from said to be sure to attach it as close to the middle of the lid as possible. So, just prop it open and from there, you can figure out where to attach it to the trailer.

If you have visited my thread lately, you probably saw how I mounted mine. I ended up mounting the front one on the outside and the rear one on the crossbar, which you don't have. I'll be interested to see where you mount your rear shock.

 

[TheJosh]

Thanks for the input.


I added a vertical support towards the front of the trailer so I can have the struts equal measurements between the front and back. I just need to add a 1/2" spacer on the top to clear the tailgate when its closed. Other than that it turned out great


Now for the tailgate... The tub seemed to have shifted when I tried to remove it a few weeks ago and now its a once again a very tight fit so I must ground down the sides again to clearance for the tailgate.... No fun!

 

[Flashole]

Now for the tailgate... The tub seemed to have shifted when I tried to remove it a few weeks ago and now its a once again a very tight fit so I must ground down the sides again to clearance for the tailgate.... No fun!

I feel your pain there.

 

[daninghram]

Thats looking GREAT! What are the specs for the gas shocks?
It looks like the way I want to mount mine, from the hinge side. I would have to get them closer to the corner as my tailgate opening is bigger.

Thanks for the input.


I added a vertical support towards the front of the trailer so I can have the struts equal measurements between the front and back. I just need to add a 1/2" spacer on the top to clear the tailgate when its closed. Other than that it turned out great


Now for the tailgate... The tub seemed to have shifted when I tried to remove it a few weeks ago and now its a once again a very tight fit so I must ground down the sides again to clearance for the tailgate.... No fun!

 

[TheJosh]

Thats looking GREAT! What are the specs for the gas shocks?
It looks like the way I want to mount mine, from the hinge side. I would have to get them closer to the corner as my tailgate opening is bigger.

Thank you! The shocks are 125lbs each. Hopefully they will be enough with the tent on but I have a feeling they will, very strong

 

[Flashole]

Thank you! The shocks are 125lbs each. Hopefully they will be enough with the tent on but I have a feeling they will, very strong

Josh, you have any clue what your lid weighs? Wish I had a way to weigh mine.

 

[TheJosh]

I was told it weighed 125lbs from sierra 4x4 but it really feels more that than when we've tried moving it, maybe its the vast size that makes it seem larger I don't know.


So today I made the tailgate snug once again and capped the open ends on the tub side. Also for the rear strut interfered with the tailgate when closed to I welded a little box on the inside of the trailer lid and welded to ball end for the strut not it clears just fine.

Before all that I tackeled the front drop jack mount. Which should have been easy but the quick disconnect pieces didn't fully fit over eachother once the stationary piece was welded on the trailer. So I had to use the chop saw to cut off a 1/4' in the jack mount which took some time because it was 1/4" steel.


Any who here is a few more pics.

The trailer is primered and spray painted temporarily just to protect against rust once I start testing it. Plan on taking it to pismo for 4 days to do a shakedown and when I come back fix anything that needs attention before final paint

 

[TheJosh]

I worked on my wiring a bit today and drill out holes in the tongue box for wire routing. All I have left to do tomorrow if pick up a fuse block at west marine and run wire for all my lights and wires up the 12v outlets

 

[rockwood]

Has anyone tried a lid that hinges from the front? Thinking there is that you'd get access on two long sides of the trailer plus the tail end.

 

[mep1811]

Great build up . I have a couple of questions. Did you widen the fenders or were they purchased? I just put on different tires and now need wider fenders. Thanks

 

[TheJosh]

Great build up . I have a couple of questions. Did you widen the fenders or were they purchased? I just put on different tires and now need wider fenders. Thanks

Thanks! I purchased wider fenders from the infamously horrible customer service Fab shop sierra 4x4 trailers. They are 12" wide

 

[Septu]

Has anyone tried a lid that hinges from the front? Thinking there is that you'd get access on two long sides of the trailer plus the tail end.

The trailer I bough has that. However I haven't seen it or used it yet (ask me in 2 weeks). BUT, my thought is that with the RTT, there could be minor issues with the ladder/tent when it's deployed. Additionally, depending on what you have on the tongue (battery, gas, water, etc) the lid or whatever is on top (tent, kayaks, bikes, etc) might interfere. Plus there's still the struts that would be along the sides (roughly in the middle). So while you'd still have more access, its not like you're easily going to be pulling big things out the side.

 

[mep1811]

Are they still open ? I tried to buy a lid from then a while back and they never got back to me. How long did the fenders take to get after ordering? Do they bolt on the exsisting holes?

Thanks

 

[TheJosh]

Almost done!

 

[TheJosh]

Thank you! The shocks are 125lbs each. Hopefully they will be enough with the tent on but I have a feeling they will, very strong

Well the shocks are not enough to support the lid and the RTT. Now I need to find some before next weekends trip. Anyone have any suggestions?