Jeepinaaron
Adventurer
I'm selling my M416 based overland trailer with a Tepui RTT and ARB Awning. The entire setup is in great shape and has been garage kept for most of its life. Price is $7,200.
Why I built this trailer and why I'm selling it:
In 2017 I set out to build an affordable alternative to a Turtleback trailer that was more rugged than the Smittybilt. My goals were a RTT for my family of 4, and awning which could serve a variety of functions, a fridge, easily accessible water, solar, and plenty of storage. The trailer has served my family well and we've built plenty of memories from our trips. I'm selling it because my wife and I had been talking about getting a Taxa Cricket for a long time to support longer trips now that our kids are a little older. We came across a killer deal and couldn't pass it up, so now I've got two trailer in my garage and one has to go.
The build:
- 1979 M416, when I bought the trailer it had been sand blasted but the tub had some rust spots and the previous owner had cut a ghetto rigged rear tailgate in the tub. The frame was in great condition.
- With the help of a friend I fabricated a box which is the length and width of the trailer and approximately 30" tall. The box is constructed from 1x1 and 1x2" boxed tubing with sheet welded over for walls, floor and roof. I do not remember the gauge, but I went thinner for the walls and roof for weight savings. The box is constructed in a way that it bolts to the frame for removal.
- Original leaf springs, with a shackle lift for increased tire clearance for 32" tires.
- New 3500 lbs axle with a 5x5 hub pattern. Currently has Jeep WJ wheels to match my WJ. Does not have brakes but the axle includes the flange to mount brakes
- LED stop/turn lights and it is wired into a 7 pin plug
- The tongue was modified with a long 2" receiver. Tongue is removable and swapping between a 2" ball or max coupler would be easy. I have never needed anything beyond a 2" ball. Tongue bar can be removed to shorten the trailer for storage.
- The trailer has three doors, one on each passenger side and a large one on the back.
- Driver side door has a slider, I used it to mount a Frontrunner 5gal water can and my fridge. The Frontrunner can has a tap on the bottom for easy water access. There is an internal 12v plug for the fridge so the fridge isn't hardwired into the trailer and can be moved to another vehicle if needed. I used an Indel B 40L fridge which is not included.
- For electrical it has an Optima Yellow Top battery with a Renogy solar controller and a 50W mounted rear solar panel. The solar panel is on a hinge and folds flat to the trailer during travel but can be opened up with the help of a piston when you're at the campsite.
- LED lighting on both sides and under the trailer
- Tongue storage box
- 12v and USB plug on driver side of the tongue storage box
- Rear stabilizer jacks and the tongue jack has a foot instead of a wheel
- I will include a wheel leveler jack and the little yellow stackable blocks
- Trailer has front runner tracks mounted to the top, 80/20 tubbing is then attached to the tracks, awning and tent are attached to the 80/20 tubing
The tent:
- Tepui Kukenam 4 (4 person)
- Tent walls and rain fly are standard nylon material, not heavy canvas
- I bought this tent because at the time it was one of the lightest 4 person tents
- Tent is in great shape, always kept clean and covered.
- Has an anti-condensation mat
- Only defects, the cover has some fading and a scratches from trails, one of the little tabs that keeps the rain fly secured in the stowed position is missing from the driver side of the tent, doesn't affect function.
- I had Tepui fitted sheets and pillow cases
- I have different front runner mounts for the tent that I can include incase you want to mount it higher.
The awning:
- ARB 2000x2500, fabric is in great shape, has one slightly bent horizontal pole that still functions. The cover has age appropriate fading/dirt.
- Fully enclosed room with floor
- Fully enclosed mosquito netting without floor
- One of the two rooms, which I can't remember which one, has a small tear in the netting from my dogs toe nail which has been sewn together, does not effect function.
I think its important to include what I would change if I were to keep it, I'm not trying any tricks here and I want the would be buyer to be informed.
- I would replace the springs, they are fine but they are also old and I would have more off-road peace of mind if they were new replacements. They are readily available,
- I would add a portable 50w solar panel to the mix and piggy back it off the mounted solar panel. I sometimes find that with the panel mounted on the back its blocked by trees, or the tent blocks the sun for half of the day.
Here is a link to photos:
Why I built this trailer and why I'm selling it:
In 2017 I set out to build an affordable alternative to a Turtleback trailer that was more rugged than the Smittybilt. My goals were a RTT for my family of 4, and awning which could serve a variety of functions, a fridge, easily accessible water, solar, and plenty of storage. The trailer has served my family well and we've built plenty of memories from our trips. I'm selling it because my wife and I had been talking about getting a Taxa Cricket for a long time to support longer trips now that our kids are a little older. We came across a killer deal and couldn't pass it up, so now I've got two trailer in my garage and one has to go.
The build:
- 1979 M416, when I bought the trailer it had been sand blasted but the tub had some rust spots and the previous owner had cut a ghetto rigged rear tailgate in the tub. The frame was in great condition.
- With the help of a friend I fabricated a box which is the length and width of the trailer and approximately 30" tall. The box is constructed from 1x1 and 1x2" boxed tubing with sheet welded over for walls, floor and roof. I do not remember the gauge, but I went thinner for the walls and roof for weight savings. The box is constructed in a way that it bolts to the frame for removal.
- Original leaf springs, with a shackle lift for increased tire clearance for 32" tires.
- New 3500 lbs axle with a 5x5 hub pattern. Currently has Jeep WJ wheels to match my WJ. Does not have brakes but the axle includes the flange to mount brakes
- LED stop/turn lights and it is wired into a 7 pin plug
- The tongue was modified with a long 2" receiver. Tongue is removable and swapping between a 2" ball or max coupler would be easy. I have never needed anything beyond a 2" ball. Tongue bar can be removed to shorten the trailer for storage.
- The trailer has three doors, one on each passenger side and a large one on the back.
- Driver side door has a slider, I used it to mount a Frontrunner 5gal water can and my fridge. The Frontrunner can has a tap on the bottom for easy water access. There is an internal 12v plug for the fridge so the fridge isn't hardwired into the trailer and can be moved to another vehicle if needed. I used an Indel B 40L fridge which is not included.
- For electrical it has an Optima Yellow Top battery with a Renogy solar controller and a 50W mounted rear solar panel. The solar panel is on a hinge and folds flat to the trailer during travel but can be opened up with the help of a piston when you're at the campsite.
- LED lighting on both sides and under the trailer
- Tongue storage box
- 12v and USB plug on driver side of the tongue storage box
- Rear stabilizer jacks and the tongue jack has a foot instead of a wheel
- I will include a wheel leveler jack and the little yellow stackable blocks
- Trailer has front runner tracks mounted to the top, 80/20 tubbing is then attached to the tracks, awning and tent are attached to the 80/20 tubing
The tent:
- Tepui Kukenam 4 (4 person)
- Tent walls and rain fly are standard nylon material, not heavy canvas
- I bought this tent because at the time it was one of the lightest 4 person tents
- Tent is in great shape, always kept clean and covered.
- Has an anti-condensation mat
- Only defects, the cover has some fading and a scratches from trails, one of the little tabs that keeps the rain fly secured in the stowed position is missing from the driver side of the tent, doesn't affect function.
- I had Tepui fitted sheets and pillow cases
- I have different front runner mounts for the tent that I can include incase you want to mount it higher.
The awning:
- ARB 2000x2500, fabric is in great shape, has one slightly bent horizontal pole that still functions. The cover has age appropriate fading/dirt.
- Fully enclosed room with floor
- Fully enclosed mosquito netting without floor
- One of the two rooms, which I can't remember which one, has a small tear in the netting from my dogs toe nail which has been sewn together, does not effect function.
I think its important to include what I would change if I were to keep it, I'm not trying any tricks here and I want the would be buyer to be informed.
- I would replace the springs, they are fine but they are also old and I would have more off-road peace of mind if they were new replacements. They are readily available,
- I would add a portable 50w solar panel to the mix and piggy back it off the mounted solar panel. I sometimes find that with the panel mounted on the back its blocked by trees, or the tent blocks the sun for half of the day.
Here is a link to photos:
