socaljeeper
Adventurer
bigdog said:
My M416 Build Thread
- Thread starter bigdog
- Start date
bigdog
Adventurer
Parts are starting to arrive this week and the floor and axle welding should be done too. Here is what I have to install once I get the trailer back from welder:
2 AT Can holders with 1 Fuel Can (red), and 1 Water Can (blue) from http://www.adventuretrailers.com/
1 Bed tarp, w/Mil Spec Poly ropes, Vinyl (Black) from http://www.odcloth.com
1 Pioneer Tool Rack
I've decided that my approach will be to keep it simple. After several versions of various design concepts, I settled on the notion that less is more. So the fenders will get extended to about 15" which will leave a little bit of tire overhang. But the boxes will only be as big as they need to be. The 2 front side boxes will hold the AT can and will be about 10" wide. In the rear side locations I'm going with a battery box. I need to carry a spare battery and this seemed like the obvious thing to carry it in. Then it occured to me that one would work well on the other side to carry chain oil and any other consumables. My goal is to keep anything corrosive out of the tub, and at $9 this seems like the perfect breathable storage container.
The top of the rear bumber will extend from fender to fender, then flare to about the width of the rear side box. I hope to have all the fab work done by next week and then pictures to show.
Also considering options for a locking tonque box. And while I'm not 100% comitted on this yet, I'm considering this one.
I don't plan on extending the tonque, so whatever box I use needs to be less then 17" deep. This one is 16" Its back width is 34" and the front is 21". So it should sit snuggly on the a frame. What I don't like is that it is 22 1/2" tall and really would like it to be less then 20" But in reality it is about 20" then steps with the lid putting it up to 22.5". They've got this in stock at Northern Tool, so I may drag the trailer up there one day and convince them to let me do a dry fit. Otherwise the next option is a rectangular box about 30" wide and 13" deep.
2 AT Can holders with 1 Fuel Can (red), and 1 Water Can (blue) from http://www.adventuretrailers.com/
1 Bed tarp, w/Mil Spec Poly ropes, Vinyl (Black) from http://www.odcloth.com
1 Pioneer Tool Rack
I've decided that my approach will be to keep it simple. After several versions of various design concepts, I settled on the notion that less is more. So the fenders will get extended to about 15" which will leave a little bit of tire overhang. But the boxes will only be as big as they need to be. The 2 front side boxes will hold the AT can and will be about 10" wide. In the rear side locations I'm going with a battery box. I need to carry a spare battery and this seemed like the obvious thing to carry it in. Then it occured to me that one would work well on the other side to carry chain oil and any other consumables. My goal is to keep anything corrosive out of the tub, and at $9 this seems like the perfect breathable storage container.
The top of the rear bumber will extend from fender to fender, then flare to about the width of the rear side box. I hope to have all the fab work done by next week and then pictures to show.
Also considering options for a locking tonque box. And while I'm not 100% comitted on this yet, I'm considering this one.
I don't plan on extending the tonque, so whatever box I use needs to be less then 17" deep. This one is 16" Its back width is 34" and the front is 21". So it should sit snuggly on the a frame. What I don't like is that it is 22 1/2" tall and really would like it to be less then 20" But in reality it is about 20" then steps with the lid putting it up to 22.5". They've got this in stock at Northern Tool, so I may drag the trailer up there one day and convince them to let me do a dry fit. Otherwise the next option is a rectangular box about 30" wide and 13" deep.
Last edited:
bigdog
Adventurer
Fabwork Complete (for now)
So I've finally got all the welding done (for now). I have rethought the tongue and will at some point extend it and make a frame for a cooler. For now I want to finish what I've started and begin using it. Here are some updated photos:
From this angle you can see a lot of the new features. Check out the bumper, repositioned lights, pioneering tools, battery box, wider fender, new black canvas tarp, and 1 of the mounted jerry cans.
Here's a view from the front, you can see the extension to the leg here.
Side View
Here's a shot of the wood I cut to pitch the canvas.
So now I've got to grind and paint.
So I've finally got all the welding done (for now). I have rethought the tongue and will at some point extend it and make a frame for a cooler. For now I want to finish what I've started and begin using it. Here are some updated photos:
From this angle you can see a lot of the new features. Check out the bumper, repositioned lights, pioneering tools, battery box, wider fender, new black canvas tarp, and 1 of the mounted jerry cans.
Here's a view from the front, you can see the extension to the leg here.
Side View
Here's a shot of the wood I cut to pitch the canvas.
So now I've got to grind and paint.
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bigdog
Adventurer
Almost Done
So I've got some top coat on all the parts now, bedliner in the tub, and everything is installed that was part of this stage of the build. Once the tub drys we will be ready for a camping trip. Hopefully next weekend. Here are some updated photos.
I am still debating the color scheme. I really like the black bed and may do the fenders and frame in bed liner. Also debating black handles and possilbe white line-x for the outer tub. But for now I think we will enjoy it.
So I've got some top coat on all the parts now, bedliner in the tub, and everything is installed that was part of this stage of the build. Once the tub drys we will be ready for a camping trip. Hopefully next weekend. Here are some updated photos.
I am still debating the color scheme. I really like the black bed and may do the fenders and frame in bed liner. Also debating black handles and possilbe white line-x for the outer tub. But for now I think we will enjoy it.
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HanzoSteel
Explorer
Looks awesome, great work on it. I actually like the tri-color it is in that top pic, (white/green/gray) with the black tarp.
snakeii
Observer
Lookin' good!
My plans of getting a frame built fell through the cracks, buying one from AT will probably cost a few grand so I'm thinking I'll be going the M416 route as well.
Honestly, how much weight do you think that trailer can handle? Is it enough for a rooftop tent, water, fuel, tools and other camping gear?
My plans of getting a frame built fell through the cracks, buying one from AT will probably cost a few grand so I'm thinking I'll be going the M416 route as well.
Honestly, how much weight do you think that trailer can handle? Is it enough for a rooftop tent, water, fuel, tools and other camping gear?
bigdog
Adventurer
snakeii said:
thx, Lot's of folks seem to going that route with them. They are rated for a 500 pound payload (hence the 1/4 ton designation), but if you change the springs and shocks you should be able to carry more. I used a 3500 pound axle and the stock trailer only weighs about 670 lbs add 500 lbs of payload and your close to 1200. So it seems like you've got some wiggle room if you upgrade the suspension.
snakeii
Observer
Cruiser said:
Well, since I dont think my Tacoma floats very well the 500 # wouldnt be something Id have to worry about.
Here is what my ultimate payload would consist of:
- 20+ gallons of water
- 5 gallons of fuel (possibly more if I move back out west)
- roof top tent
- 2 kayaks
- 2 mountain bikes
- sleeping bags
- camp stove
- refrig
- food, misc
- shower tent, toilet
- hi-jack lift, spare, shovel, axe, come along, saw, etc
- other misc camping gear
and the usual sort that I normally dont carry in the bed every day. (I've gotten some strange looks from people, especially at work, with what I normally carry in the truck all the time. Min is a Fox Golok, come along, hitch stuff, saw, Glock .40, straps, and the usual assortment of hand tools.)
So it sounds like the M416 should fit the bill. It'll have to wait, first is new suspension, then a new RRA rifle :ar15: . I'll squeeze the trailer into # 3...