DrMoab
Explorer
Ever since I bought my trailer people have asked me "Do you have a write up on that?" Since I didn't built the trailer I never really felt like I could do an actual built thread but I figured maybe it was time to show it off a little.
We bought it from a guy on IH8Mud who had just built it but never used it. He sold it to me for what he had into materials and labor. The price was steep but I had another M416 sitting at home that I was about to dump the same amount of time and materials into so I figured "why not?"
When I purchaced it, the origianl owner had installed the Thule racks and a few pelican cases around the inside of the tub but nothing else. I already had the ARB Simpson III tent that was on my Jeep so it was a good match.
This was what it looked like when I picked it up.
DSC_5391 by drmoab, on Flickr
Over the years I have added a few things here and there. Batteries, lights, struts to make it easier to raise the tent...probably a bunch I can't remember. I also took the 315-70-17 tires off and installed some 285-70-17 tires to match the jeep.
This is what it looks like today.
DSC_2105 by drmoab, on Flickr
My wife has to use a C-pap machine so we needed enough juice to power an inverter for the night. Since I part old jeeps out occasionally I just installed a couple of old XJ batteries in an action packer box bolted to the tongue. This is a temp solution. Eventually I plan to install a box on top of the bed for loose items (kitchen stuff, clothing and bedding) and I plan to install the heavy stuff like water tank and batteries in the main floor of the trailer. Oddly enough the box seems to be fairly stout and is holding up well to the abuse.
M416 battery box by drmoab, on Flickr
When I am flying solo or it's just my and the wife (or my son as we go together quite often) I can leave the struts down and just deploy the tent with no annex. This keeps it low and steady and not quite such a wind sail.
DSC_2107 by drmoab, on Flickr
With the Thule racks up I can install the annex below and this gives the kids a place to sleep.
DSC_2115 by drmoab, on Flickr
Although I keep dreaming of buying a Hannibal awning, I went to Kirkhams (they build Springbar tents) and bought one of their tail gate awnings. Less than $100 and it works pretty well.
DSC_2119 by drmoab, on Flickr
We bought it from a guy on IH8Mud who had just built it but never used it. He sold it to me for what he had into materials and labor. The price was steep but I had another M416 sitting at home that I was about to dump the same amount of time and materials into so I figured "why not?"
When I purchaced it, the origianl owner had installed the Thule racks and a few pelican cases around the inside of the tub but nothing else. I already had the ARB Simpson III tent that was on my Jeep so it was a good match.
This was what it looked like when I picked it up.
DSC_5391 by drmoab, on Flickr
Over the years I have added a few things here and there. Batteries, lights, struts to make it easier to raise the tent...probably a bunch I can't remember. I also took the 315-70-17 tires off and installed some 285-70-17 tires to match the jeep.
This is what it looks like today.
DSC_2105 by drmoab, on Flickr
My wife has to use a C-pap machine so we needed enough juice to power an inverter for the night. Since I part old jeeps out occasionally I just installed a couple of old XJ batteries in an action packer box bolted to the tongue. This is a temp solution. Eventually I plan to install a box on top of the bed for loose items (kitchen stuff, clothing and bedding) and I plan to install the heavy stuff like water tank and batteries in the main floor of the trailer. Oddly enough the box seems to be fairly stout and is holding up well to the abuse.
M416 battery box by drmoab, on Flickr
When I am flying solo or it's just my and the wife (or my son as we go together quite often) I can leave the struts down and just deploy the tent with no annex. This keeps it low and steady and not quite such a wind sail.
DSC_2107 by drmoab, on Flickr
With the Thule racks up I can install the annex below and this gives the kids a place to sleep.
DSC_2115 by drmoab, on Flickr
Although I keep dreaming of buying a Hannibal awning, I went to Kirkhams (they build Springbar tents) and bought one of their tail gate awnings. Less than $100 and it works pretty well.
DSC_2119 by drmoab, on Flickr