Ya.. I'd like to but I use the truck for more than camping.. here's really what I'm thinking.. I've always wanted a teardrop camper but what they want for them is way more than I could ever spend on one..( horse logging don't pay that much!!) so I'm thinking a 4x8 enclosed trailer with a sleeping platform .. put in a window on both sides .. don't know? what do you think?? I know I'd have to part way with my m416 to fund it or I guess I could try to "build" one using my trailer...all a dream right now but would like to have one by spring.
AA1PR's M416 Trailer Build Thread..
- Thread starter AA1PR
- Start date
AA1PR
Disabled Explorer
or try to do something similar as I have done to convert the M416 into a improvised camper
other than not having a way to carry the kids bikes I think I'm liking my trailer a bit more
one of those camper skycaps with all the windows would be awesome, thats what I wanted but couldnt find used locally
AA1PR
Disabled Explorer
been thinking....
Ok decided to find a tablet mount & add that so a tablet can be used to listen to music, watch videos etc in conjunction with some stereo speakers all wall mounted as a plan
& now possibly exterior LED lights as I just mentioned, however not high on the list
a rear receiver like this ~ http://www.harborfreight.com/5000-lb-step-bumper-receiver-69670.html bolted onto the back of the frame
the trailer has brakes so I can lock it in place but a hand winch mounted on the tongue frame in case I need to move the rig & bring it back to the rig ie ~ http://www.harborfreight.com/2000-lb-capacity-geared-winch-5798.html
& its not dependent upon the vehicles power either
Ok decided to find a tablet mount & add that so a tablet can be used to listen to music, watch videos etc in conjunction with some stereo speakers all wall mounted as a plan
& now possibly exterior LED lights as I just mentioned, however not high on the list
a rear receiver like this ~ http://www.harborfreight.com/5000-lb-step-bumper-receiver-69670.html bolted onto the back of the frame
the trailer has brakes so I can lock it in place but a hand winch mounted on the tongue frame in case I need to move the rig & bring it back to the rig ie ~ http://www.harborfreight.com/2000-lb-capacity-geared-winch-5798.html
& its not dependent upon the vehicles power either
Ha Ha .. funny you should mention that cap .. I have one setting at the bottom of my driveway with a big free sign on it!! not sure what size yours is but this one came off a full size dodge 6 foot bed. its kinda of a high top maybe 4-6" high. with the window across it.. I needs a rear window and I think one of the slider windows is broke?? so if you know of anyone needing one the price is right!!
AA1PR
Disabled Explorer
my cap was off a chevy S10 I think the kid from bristol told me
however I have 3" flat stock welded around the trailer perimeter which allows the cap to be bolted onto
fullsize is too wide for M416's
craigslist would be your best bet
AA1PR
Disabled Explorer
OK got the tablet mount in from ebay today
its really better than expected, the gooseneck is encased in rubber & stiff to move
the mounting bracket really adjusts, however I question the 2 small tabs that are supposed to suppport the bottom
thinking I will either mount it on a piece of the birch cabinet grade plywood (done just like the rear window, cherry stain & clear) or directly to one of the caps cross members
here's some pics of the unit
its really better than expected, the gooseneck is encased in rubber & stiff to move
the mounting bracket really adjusts, however I question the 2 small tabs that are supposed to suppport the bottom
thinking I will either mount it on a piece of the birch cabinet grade plywood (done just like the rear window, cherry stain & clear) or directly to one of the caps cross members
here's some pics of the unit
AA1PR
Disabled Explorer
did some more work on the trailer
picked these up a homedepot
gave the wooden window 2 more coats
wiped down the whole trailer & gave it a nice thick coat as well (cap that is)
front & other side too
look at that gloss
finally got a pic of the spring pack, this is why she rides stiff for a little one
picked these up a homedepot
gave the wooden window 2 more coats
wiped down the whole trailer & gave it a nice thick coat as well (cap that is)
front & other side too
look at that gloss
finally got a pic of the spring pack, this is why she rides stiff for a little one
AA1PR
Disabled Explorer
wanted to try out my flux core welder & had an idea for this
so I got 3/16" X 2" flat stock, 3 pieces:
32"
36"
& 12"
so off the tongue I made a triangle, 32" vertical, 36" on an angle & the 1ft section tied in on another angle
my plan is to have one of my spare yukon tires mounted on it
my electronic welding helmet keep fogging up so I couldnt see what I was welding, so I tacked everything with new big tacks for now
got a good weld line with it set to high & wire feed to 4 on a piece of scrap
I can shake the whole assembly & it moves the little trailer, so I'll finish it up once warmer weather gets here
excuse my crude drawing the green lines is what I did today
blue is a future brace & silver is the tire of course LOl
so I got 3/16" X 2" flat stock, 3 pieces:
32"
36"
& 12"
so off the tongue I made a triangle, 32" vertical, 36" on an angle & the 1ft section tied in on another angle
my plan is to have one of my spare yukon tires mounted on it
my electronic welding helmet keep fogging up so I couldnt see what I was welding, so I tacked everything with new big tacks for now
got a good weld line with it set to high & wire feed to 4 on a piece of scrap
I can shake the whole assembly & it moves the little trailer, so I'll finish it up once warmer weather gets here
excuse my crude drawing the green lines is what I did today
blue is a future brace & silver is the tire of course LOl
AA1PR
Disabled Explorer
nothing really much, finally got the rear handle installed, its only been staring at me for 2 months
had to trim off the pin that went through it so it would fit in the center hole first
& not sure that poly I used is actually sealing the rear window, looks like its lifting
had to trim off the pin that went through it so it would fit in the center hole first
& not sure that poly I used is actually sealing the rear window, looks like its lifting
AA1PR
Disabled Explorer
OK I didnt like the previous design I had tacked in place
so this morning I got (1) 20"X2'X1/8" square tubing and another by 1'
when I arrived at my parents my dad informed me that we had been robbed, my 7" grinder & 4" grinder plus a bunch of his tools were missing
so I had to go buy another...
& as such I cut off all the old pieces & began on this
the cheap flux core wasnt too bad, my biggest problem again was the welding helmet, I couldnt get it to stay in place
sorry for the chainlink fence in the background, but I thought it was going to downpour so I waited till i was done for pics
decided to leave about 2" of this piece on to tack to and hopefully hold the upright leg, you can see my bubblegum welds from this winter, where I couldnt see through the helmet
also had the same problem this time, so I tore off all the protective plastic that was lining the inside lens & WOW I could now see, except its moving...
wasnt a bad bead, but could be better
by trial & error I learned #4 on the speed dial was perfect
looked like rain approaching so I finished it off quick like, still need to go over some welds once more & my dad brought out some black paint to cover it up to prevent rust (hopefully)
on this plate the tire will attach, I need to measure the lug hole center, drill & so forth at a later date
on the back of the upright & the horizontal piece I added some 2" flat stock to cover that open hole & to tie things together a bit
& it completed (almost) from a distance
I had my dad give it the kick & tug test, it shook the whole trailer, so I think it'll hold the tire safely, not pretty but functional
so this morning I got (1) 20"X2'X1/8" square tubing and another by 1'
when I arrived at my parents my dad informed me that we had been robbed, my 7" grinder & 4" grinder plus a bunch of his tools were missing
so I had to go buy another...
& as such I cut off all the old pieces & began on this
the cheap flux core wasnt too bad, my biggest problem again was the welding helmet, I couldnt get it to stay in place
sorry for the chainlink fence in the background, but I thought it was going to downpour so I waited till i was done for pics
decided to leave about 2" of this piece on to tack to and hopefully hold the upright leg, you can see my bubblegum welds from this winter, where I couldnt see through the helmet
also had the same problem this time, so I tore off all the protective plastic that was lining the inside lens & WOW I could now see, except its moving...
wasnt a bad bead, but could be better
by trial & error I learned #4 on the speed dial was perfect
looked like rain approaching so I finished it off quick like, still need to go over some welds once more & my dad brought out some black paint to cover it up to prevent rust (hopefully)
on this plate the tire will attach, I need to measure the lug hole center, drill & so forth at a later date
on the back of the upright & the horizontal piece I added some 2" flat stock to cover that open hole & to tie things together a bit
& it completed (almost) from a distance
I had my dad give it the kick & tug test, it shook the whole trailer, so I think it'll hold the tire safely, not pretty but functional
AA1PR
Disabled Explorer
got the holes centered on 5 1/2", went from 1/8" to 3/8" so far & need to go to about 5/8" to get the studs through & then weld those in place
got the studs off my old wheel bearing I replaced 2 years or so ago, good to save old parts
& that was my progress today after therapy
got the studs off my old wheel bearing I replaced 2 years or so ago, good to save old parts
& that was my progress today after therapy
Last edited:
AA1PR
Disabled Explorer
July 11 2015 M416
discovered that the tire carrier I built is nothing but problems, I did my math wrong...back to the drawing board on that one
had to remove the tire from there before we left
any way we got to finally use it this summer, looks good back there !
odd looks & questions from other campers, mostly from RV'ers, tried to explain its really for off road use...
one scenic shot with it
& we need to fab up some mesh netting to keep the flying critters out, thinking we'll use no see um mesh
everything will attach by velcro so it can be added & removed as needed
discovered that the tire carrier I built is nothing but problems, I did my math wrong...back to the drawing board on that one
had to remove the tire from there before we left
any way we got to finally use it this summer, looks good back there !
odd looks & questions from other campers, mostly from RV'ers, tried to explain its really for off road use...
one scenic shot with it
& we need to fab up some mesh netting to keep the flying critters out, thinking we'll use no see um mesh
everything will attach by velcro so it can be added & removed as needed
