My new M416A1 Trailer

[veetee]

Collected my "new" trailer:

It is a military M416A1 trailer (with surge brake), converted to off-road camping trailer, with lid made from from a Land Rover Defender or Series roof.
Fits very nice with my Land Rover 110 Station Wagon!
It has already many miles "experience" - it has been (from the Netherlands) to China along the Silk Road!

To do: I plan to replace the gas springs, the old ones are not strong enough to lift the lid with roof rack and sand plates in place. Also a good clean, sanding down and some fresh coats of paint (white roof, epsom green body).

 

[chasespeed]

Cool... wish I had a lid for mine....

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[TexasTJ]

congratulations on the find! I

 

[Hill Bill E.]

Now that is an awesome lid idea!

Great find!

HB

 

[AA1PR]

If that trailer could only talk, it must have some tales to tell

 

[4runnerteq]

That is too cool

 

[mgeiger]

Very cool trailer. Please post up pics as you work on it.

 

[veetee]

Fitted new - stronger - gas springs. Also fitted new better hinges for the lid, cause the old ones were not good enough for the new gas springs. With the new gas springs the lid opens up very easily, even with roofrack and sand ladders on the lid.

Also changed the drawbar, made it longer and lower so the trailer is now perfect horizontal when towing it with my Land Rover 110.



Next job is to paint it. Does somebody have advice how to remove the paint? I don't want to sandblast it (already spent to much money), can I use chemical paint stripper? The lid is from aluminum, the tub is steel.

 

[chasespeed]

I used chemical stripper on mine. Worked pretty good. Blasting is still your best bet. A lot if spots that were difficult to deal with. I will deal with those spots with a small spot blaster when I have time.

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[Mark Harley]

Awesome work on the draw bar. The design is top rate.
As for paint stripping I have used a sand paper flap wheel with good results.
Also wire wheels are good.

This trailer is a nice start I think you got a good one.

 

[rat patrol]

Outstanding!

I like the lid ideas....would go rather well being pulled behind my Series III Landy.

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

Sweet trailer... I very much like what you have there. I used chemical stripper (gelled) on my trailer, and it worked well. If you are careful, and take your time, you can do a very good job with a gelled paint stripper. Blasting is likely the best, and in the long run the fastest, but it does cost $$.

Cant wait to see where this goes!

 

[veetee]

For various reasons it has been a while since the last post, but finally I now have started working on the trailer again.
Te roof and tub were sanded. The roof has got a coat of primer and 2 coats of paint, the tub has now one coat of Brantho Korrux paint, this is 3-in-one rust stabilizer, primer and top coat paint. I had the colour made to match the Land Rover - Epsom Green.
Next coming days is painting the tub with a second layer, and painting the chassis, this will become black.
Also the inside of the tub will be painted, I already made a ply floor liner.
I am still deciding about wether I want a watertank and 12v electrics in it.

 

[veetee]

The painting is ready, of course the same colours as the tow vehicle. I ordered new matching wheels and tyres for the trailer.
Also ordered a Columbus RTT to go on the trailer.
Next step is to build a water system, 2 x 42 l tanks under the floor, electric pump and water tap. I am not sure yet if I will install a separate battery for the water system or just use the domestic (2nd) battery in the towing vehicle. I have a dual battery system in the car, the domestic battery in the towing vehicle is used for the installed fridge and is charged by solar panels on the car roof rack when not driving.

 

[vasily]

Welcome back!