Big Dave's M416 Build

[gasman]

try one of these hitch mounts.. this is what i have been using.. when the trailer was stock it was mounted at the bottom .. now i am at the top .

http://www.princessauto.com/truck-trailer/towing/pintle-hooks/4200124-pintle-mount

 

[gasman]

the trailer looks good by the way.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

try one of these hitch mounts.. this is what i have been using.. when the trailer was stock it was mounted at the bottom .. now i am at the top .

http://www.princessauto.com/truck-trailer/towing/pintle-hooks/4200124-pintle-mount

Been eyeing the same one from NorthernTool!

 

[Hill Bill E.]

I have a 416 I am just starting on. A Few questions. I like you will do the spring over.

Any other advise from someone who has done would be appreciated

PM sent with some info:coffeedrink:

 

[BigDaveZJ]

Grabbed some steel for the lid today and started cutting. Got the outer framework all cut before I decided it was time to come in and have a beer. 1.5"x1.5" angle iron will act as a skirt around the lid to keep rain water out, and then 1"x2"x14ga" rectangular tube sits on top of that, with the 2" being the vertical measurement. All miter cut at a 45* to meet at the corners. There will be 2 more sections of the 1"x2" spanning the width of the lid to support the RTT. The latches and hinges (both still TBD) will be attached on the outside of where those crossbars mate up to the outer frame for strength. The skin of the lid itself will be 18 ga. It will have to be in 2 pieces as the total skin area is 50x73 (the lip will be in the middle of the 1"x2") and I couldn't get anything wider than 48". The seam will be on top of one of the cross bars for strength and to make it easier to weld and look good.

Once I get the frame all tacked together I'll post up some pics. For now it's just a pile of metal in the corner of the garage.

 

[Ford Prefect]

Nice Dave, can you tell me how it does off road? What sorts of trails are you taking that on? Like Saints Johns Trail, or Spring Creek? How hard will it do well on?

Thanks
Brian

 

[BigDaveZJ]

I don't really notice it all on the trail. Hauled it through the majority of all this: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31254

We also took it on a trip through Georgia Pass, Swan Creek something or other, and Webster Pass. I'd like to take it on some harder trails just to see what it'll do. Obviously a lot of it depends on the vehicle towing it, because if the towing vehicle has issues, they will just be compounded by the trailer. But I'd feel comfortable taking it something as difficult as OCG or similar. Spring Creek should certainly be doable, just may not be able to go nuts in the rock garden.

 

[Ford Prefect]

Thanks. My wife and I are building a Trailer, but I am still not sure if I want to pull it off road, just no idea how it would really do.

It is nice to get perspective on trails that I know. (I used to live about ten miles down the hill from webster's pass. Went on that thing daily some weeks...)

Cheers
Brian

 

[BigDaveZJ]

I remember your SN from your days on CO4x4, so I figured you'd know what I was talking about.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

Had to unfold the new RTT in the driveway to check it out

Grinding the welds down on the rim of the lid

Tacking the 1x2 on top of the angle iron rim

Pam stitch welding it all together

After grinding the corners smooth

Over the weekend of the 4th we hope to get the crossmembers and skin finished, as well as get the latches and hinges all mounted and functional. Ideally we will get it painted and have the tented mounted too, but that might be a little ambitious.

 

[RJ40]

Nice idea on the lid...got a sense of the weight it will end up? Will you use struts to assist for lifting? Following with great interest....

Cheers!

 

[BigDaveZJ]

It lifts easily for me now as is, but by the time more supports, the skin, and the tent are added that might be a bit much. Definitely looking to get some struts for it before it's "finished" so my wife can get in there too. I don't think it will be beyond what I can lift by myself when it's all done, but the struts will be nice to help hold it open, and so my wife can get in it too on her own.

 

[Hill Bill E.]

Looking great Dave! That's the same RTT I have on my M416. I love it!

For struts, I used the heaviest ones I could find at the auto parts store.

They help when the RTT is closed up, and will actually lift the lid with the tent open.

I can get the part # if you're interested. I have a wooden lid though, probably a bit heavier than yours will end up.

HB

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Tacking the 1x2 on top of the angle iron rim

Pam stitch welding it all together

Nice work. I will say that it makes me cringe seeing you weld in t-shirts & shorts, though! :Wow1:

Craig

 

[jeeper92]

Rtt

Will the rtt fit ontop of the trailer? will there be an overhang?
What are the dimensions of the trailer