Basic Design Aspects of Trailer

[85K54WC]

Very Nice

Awesome trailer The Swiss

Elysian ranch, sounds like my camping is similar to your country. The height is important to get through the acres of sage brush and yucca glaccas.

Whatever is exposed in front and sides of the trailer will be mud covered or pounded by gravel.

I am using an 416 trailer, with a tarp made by a tarp company who build tarps for big rigs. It is excellent for sealing and ease of access to any point of the trailer. My camping is done on private ground that is very isolated. You don't see anyone else other than the land owner so security isn't a worry. I did not go to town for resupply as the landowner was kind enough to bring me water. Going to town to resupply will be a problem if your in a high crime area.

This spring was the first time I used this trailer and I like it a lot. One thing I did was put a spare tire carrier (20.00 at salvage yard) under the trailer, changed the axle to run the same wheel as my Blazer so the spare tire works for trailer and truck.

 

[SAR Jeepster]

I really like this. Do you have a link to more pics of your trailer?

Here is a link http://tkwhitephotography.com/photogallerytrailer01.html I am still working on the web page so the pictures are only thumbs for now.

 

[nwoods]

Here is a link http://tkwhitephotography.com/photogallerytrailer01.html I am still working on the web page so the pictures are only thumbs for now.

Whoa, couple of those images are a bit sad. what happened?

 

[AlexJet]

Look at my trailer build as it may give you a few ideas as well. I'll be updating it as I'm making a few modifications to it now, so keep tuned.

Expedition Trailer - Custom Build

P.S. Rob, could you post a link to your trailer build as I can't locate it?

 

[SAR Jeepster]

Whoa, couple of those images are a bit sad. what happened?

I rolled it on the way to Death Valley last November. The trailer is rebuilt and I am about ½ done with the AutoHome.

 

[Elysian Ranch]

OK, Now I have a little bit of a new question. I've seen quite a few threads in here of M416 trailers that have been modified and made great. Most of them include a new metal lid that mirrors the lateral profile of the trailer tub. But, since the tub was designed to be water proof and therefore, with no original tailgate, then one must load and unload the trailer by reaching over the top and then, must first raise the new lid. The sidewall of the trailer is not all that tall in the first place, measured from the trailer tub floor.

My thought is this, is there any practical way to take an M416 trailer, build a lid, like so many others have, but then insert a riser portion, of say, 24" between the tub and the lid? This portion could include a few doors in various locations; the back, perhaps each side near the front, and then it could even have some sort of either shelving or drawer system inside. The point being, that the doors of this new area could provide the necessary access to the trailer tub space and also basically double the total volume of enclosed space.

If a person were to include a RTT, the total height of the top of of the tent should still be at or slightly below the top of the towing vehicle. It's just an idea, but I was wondering if there is any potential benefit to this concept? Please feel free to point out any considerations of this idea.

 

[Hill Bill E.]

I had some of the same thoughts. But with my M416, it would be getting the top up to high, cuasing the RTT to really catch wind.

Of course, this is due to the fact I did a spring over on the axle, raising the trailer about 3 1/2", and added slightly larger tires, bring it up another 1/2".

If the 'top' were to be made of lightweight material, and the trailer packed correctly, it should have a decent COG (Center Of Gravity)

As mine sits, the RTT is about the same heighth as my Jeeps. Any taller, and it would really catch wind.

I think this would be a great idea, working from a 'stock' M416.

If while building, you kept the COG in mind, as to not end up top heavy, it would certainly give you more room.:coffeedrink:

HB

 

[Elysian Ranch]

For my own use, I don't intend to get an RTT. I really like my Dave Ellis Range Tent in canvas. It only takes 4 stakes and 1 center pole and I'm set up and ready to use, maybe only a few minutes.

http://www.cowboycamp.net/range_tents.html

The one I got is 12' x 12' and about 9.5' tall in the center. Plenty of room for my cot and bedroll, night stand and lamp, desk and chair, luggage stand and other items. I have a book here called "British Campaign Furniture, Elegance under Canvas, 1740 - 1914" by Nicholas Brawer. In the book, the author quotes a line from an English book, published in 1890, "The Complete Indian Housekeeper and Cook". It says, ". . . the first axiom for camp is not to do without comfort . . . do not make yourself uncomfortable for want of things to which you are accustomed. That is the great secret of camp life." As such, that is the main reason I kind of need a little more space to carry my stuff along.

I've seen lots of times in here that one of the reasons many people stay away from canvas tents is because a canvas tent takes up more room when rolled up than a more modern synthetic tent does. My big tent, when rolled up and stowed in it's storage bag, is much less than 1 foot in diameter and less than 3' in length. That works very well for me and is profoundly smaller than an RTT that opens to only a fraction of the space. I'm not trying to convince anybody of what they should do. I'm only saying what I like and what works for me.

So, for my purposes, I kind of think that I could handle an extension (topper) on an M416, even when I do the same spring over the axle modification. Also, I will have all the heavy stuff down low in the tub of the trailer anyway. Just an idea.

 

[Hill Bill E.]

I love those Range Tents! Been keeping my eye out for one.

With no RTT, I think your idea would be great!

One thing when camping, especially for an extended time, is "What to bring?"

Or more exactly, "What can we bring?"

So anything that gains more room is a good thing!:coffeedrink:

Being a Disabled Vet, I like my comfort:ylsmoke: So when I go, I have my trailer packed.

I go to Moab every spring, for a week of wheeling and camping. Every one in my club packs what they can into thier Jeeps, I hook up my trailer.

Long past are the days when I could 'Make Due' and 'Get by', I like to be comfortable myself:costumed-smiley-007


So are you thinking of having the top lift, for access, or just through the side doors?

I think having both would be good. While you should be able to access the entire box through side doors, it would be easier to fit larger/bulkier stuff in the box, if the whole top lifted.

Can't wait for your build to start, sounds like you'll have a great plan in place!

 

[R_Lefebvre]

OK, Now I have a little bit of a new question. I've seen quite a few threads in here of M416 trailers that have been modified and made great. Most of them include a new metal lid that mirrors the lateral profile of the trailer tub. But, since the tub was designed to be water proof and therefore, with no original tailgate, then one must load and unload the trailer by reaching over the top and then, must first raise the new lid. The sidewall of the trailer is not all that tall in the first place, measured from the trailer tub floor.

My thought is this, is there any practical way to take an M416 trailer, build a lid, like so many others have, but then insert a riser portion, of say, 24" between the tub and the lid? This portion could include a few doors in various locations; the back, perhaps each side near the front, and then it could even have some sort of either shelving or drawer system inside. The point being, that the doors of this new area could provide the necessary access to the trailer tub space and also basically double the total volume of enclosed space.

If a person were to include a RTT, the total height of the top of of the tent should still be at or slightly below the top of the towing vehicle. It's just an idea, but I was wondering if there is any potential benefit to this concept? Please feel free to point out any considerations of this idea.

Makes a certain amount of sense, but then, why even bother starting with an M416? Must make a cube cargo trailer with the doors only on the upper half.