Chaos Edition's new military trailer [Archive]

Good Times

02-27-2009, 07:11 PM

Not sure if this is the WORST decision especially in this rough time but the deal was too sweet to pass up.

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/misc/Military%20Trailer/image008.jpg

Not sure which one it is but I suspect it's a m416 trailer. The tail gate has been added by the previous owner along with a new axle (5 lug to pimp the Jeep wheels). The tongue has also been cut off and extended and the factory hand brake and stand has been removed.

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/misc/Military%20Trailer/image001.jpg
The rust doesn't look that bad (mostly surface rust). One hole along the bend about a good inch size which can be fixed in a jiffy.

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/misc/Military%20Trailer/image002.jpg
Not sure what the deal with the exo frame sitting on top but that'll come off in a hurry.

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/misc/Military%20Trailer/image003.jpg
Cool shovel included in the purchase price and this black box (which doesn't close/lock).

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/misc/Military%20Trailer/image004.jpg
Fenders are in pretty good shape.

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/misc/Military%20Trailer/image005.jpg
The PO did the cut and weld for the tail gate and did a poor job on aligning them so it's all jacked up. Another thing to fix.

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/misc/Military%20Trailer/image006.jpg

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/misc/Military%20Trailer/image007.jpg
Significant surface rush on the inner fender wall area (as expected).

The frame looks good but has lots of surface rust so I'll be removing the tub when I get a chance and get her all cleaned up.

Overall I'm very happy with the condition of the trailer. Time to :wrenchin: this too!

troyboy162

02-27-2009, 07:15 PM

heck yeah! that will have a million and one uses for you. nice find!

reggie 00

02-27-2009, 07:19 PM

Nice,

Makes me want to go start my trailer project.
I got a free mini trailer from Pop's neighbor. Want to convert it to Military style.

4x4mike

02-27-2009, 08:35 PM

Cool. My little trailer has been super helpful for me. It's no off roader but hauls great.

I'm curious, what does that thing weigh? Inside floor dimensions? It looks like it would be a tad lighter than stock as it has a different, lighter duty, axle and rims. No to mention the lack of brake and handles along with the pintle hitch.

That rust doesn't look bad at all and after a little work and sealing it look like new.

Not sure if this is the WORST decision especially in this rough time but the deal was too sweet to pass up.

A bad decision would be to buy that van/rv in the background of your first picture and poor money into it. If the trailer was a good deal you did fine.

Good Times

02-27-2009, 11:54 PM

Here's the data for the stock m416.

Length: 108.5"
Width: 60.5"
Height: 42"
Dry Weight: 670#

Cargo Body:
Length: 72"
Width: 41"
Height: 18"

Since my trailer does not have the stock axle, wheels and pintle I'm sure I'm saving a ton of weight. Everything else appears to be in good working condition. They added a new rear cross member but that'll come off with something a bit better. I was able to pull/push without any effort so I'd say it's probably a good 100# lighter? No clue.

My business neighbor is a powder coating shop so I'll disassemble the tub and frame and have em sand blast the sucker. After that I'll reassemble everything and redo the tail gate, add a lid and do a few other things to clean it up.

I don't have room to take the trailer apart until I can move the 4runner so it'll be a few weeks before I can get to it. I'm just happy I was able to snag it as it's definitely the cheapest I've ever seen within the last year or so in the condition it's in.

That rv/van in the first pic was apparently sold and in the process of being picked up today. Apparently someone put a deposit on it and was coming back today to pay the remaining balance so go figure. He has another trailer but it's just one of those uhaul style trailer for hauling large items.

I tell ya you find the best deals in the worst economic state. Really sucks to take advantage of the situation but hell, I'll take it before someone else does! :flipoff:

corax

02-28-2009, 04:58 AM

Good find :thumbup: I've been on the lookout for an M416 or Canadian M101 for a while, but I think I'll be SOL finding one that's not rotted in the North East. I like the shelf on the front of yours . . . . so is a LT in the future for this?

Instead I'm thinking of picking up one of these eventually
http://ravenwoodindustries.com/images/XMIL_Basic_Series.JPG
a bit bigger & heavier (though I found a hookup for $500), and it can serve double duty hauling/house chores

DHC6twinotter

02-28-2009, 07:33 AM

This guy has a scratch built trailer he's been working on for a bit. It's a pretty awesome trailer, and he has a lot of cool ideas with it.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/trailer-tech/158552-my-scratch-built-expedition-style-trailer-build-up-thread.html

slosurfer

02-28-2009, 11:46 AM

Nice Lance!

I'm sure you are really close if not more than the original dry weight. You probably saved some weight on the axle, but the extended tongue and platform with the added trailer leg will weigh way more than the original lunette ring and simple leg. Not to mention the rear added cross bar and spare tire.

They are balanced really well and I can move mine by hand in my driveway with it fully loaded and I don't have a flat driveway.

I can't wait to see what you do to it. :thumbup:

Keith, you might want to check the dimensions on that trailer you posted. It's probably a good foot or more wider than your 4runner and is really tall and they do weigh quite a bit more than the m416. I saw one towed behind a 80 series and it looked rediculous. If you lowered it (a lot) it could work good for chores, motorcycles, etc... but it is too wide for most trails. The reason they are so cheap is that they don't work well with many civilian vehicles, as they are just too big and tall.

Erich_870

02-28-2009, 09:08 PM

Keith, you might want to check the dimensions on that trailer you posted. It's probably a good foot or more wider than your 4runner and is really tall and they do weigh quite a bit more than the m416. I saw one towed behind a 80 series and it looked ridiculous. If you lowered it (a lot) it could work good for chores, motorcycles, etc... but it is too wide for most trails. The reason they are so cheap is that they don't work well with many civilian vehicles, as they are just too big and tall.

Ditto what Slo said. I've been thinking it would be cool to take the larger deuce and a half trailer and cut it down to match the 4Runners width. Cut some out of the floor and bring the sides in so it isn't so wide. Then build a new chassis. Basically only keep the bed and sides to make an "XL" M416.

Erich

Bob98SR5

03-01-2009, 07:44 PM

lance sorry i couldnt make it today. wife bought some yarn related thing last night and said tomorrow (today) we need to pick it up or else it might be taken. anyways, lets fix your truck first and then work on the trailer. it goes w/o saying that those fender flares will need to be removed. looks like they bolt on, no? i betcha that's the place where you will have the most rust: the area where the fender flares hit the side of the tub. but yeah, have that shizzle sand blasted so we know where to cut and remove the rust. a good friend of yours is an expert in the field :D chris, bring your trusty rusty 4x4 van and i'll put on a clinic.

Bob98SR5

03-01-2009, 07:44 PM

oh and by the way, lance: your 4runner has sloppy seconds ;)

slosurfer

03-01-2009, 08:28 PM

I'm willing to bet by looking at those pics, that he won't have to cut anything out after it is sandblasted. :flipoff:

Do you remember what mine looks/looked like and it ended up being just surface rust. These aren't made of sheetmetal.

Now my van, is another story. :laugh: :(

:lol: Haha, you're talking about his 4runner having sloppy seconds, but you're the one who had to go pick up yarn today! :laugh: :flipoff:

Seanz0rz

03-01-2009, 08:31 PM

RobG

03-01-2009, 08:46 PM

Lance, Nice Trailer!

I'm Jealous.

4x4mike

03-02-2009, 08:37 AM

:lol: Haha, you're talking about his 4runner having sloppy seconds, but you're the one who had to go pick up yarn today! :laugh: :flipoff:

chris owes me a new keyboard and a mouthful's worth of diet dr. pepper...

you better be knitting seat covers with that yarn...

looks good lance, cant wait to see it in person.

bob, can i bring my rusty project (when i get it) over and have you work on it? haha

Yarn, yarn, yarn. You have to give Bob a break, I know where he is coming from. My wife was bummed Saturday when she woke up with a few contractions and I told her she couldn't go to Stiches West. I have the feeling it's like SEMA for knitters. And having to pick 'something' up. We drove 2 hours to the back back woods to pick up her spining wheel. I guess it was a one of a kind and she had to have it.

paddlenbike

03-02-2009, 12:00 PM

it's like SEMA for knitters.

SEMA for knitters, minus the cool stuff.

Bob98SR5

03-02-2009, 07:31 PM

Mike,

Haha, you know about Stiches too, huh? One year we drove from LA to Oakland so she could attend. Yup, its the SEMA for knitters. And yesterday, we drove 2 hrs each way to pick up a fancy drum carder. Looks like a mini-torture device for a hamster.

4x4mike

03-02-2009, 07:36 PM

Ah the 'ol drum carder, been down that road.

- Man we're really mucking up Lance's trailer build thread. At least a ball winder hasn't been mentioned. -

slosurfer

03-02-2009, 07:43 PM

At least a ball winder hasn't been mentioned. -

Is that some fancy gizmo they put in their purse to get a hold of yours? :laugh: :flipoff:

2ndGen

03-02-2009, 07:52 PM

will this thing fit on your V8? it has the 10th injector.

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/general-classifieds/157901-fs-4-7-supercharger/

Good Times

03-02-2009, 08:26 PM

technically no but yes it can. Something about the bottom end being a bit too weak was the "technical" reason why Toyota pulled it off the line. My guess is with some mods using URD stuff would make it work but I'm not lookin to go that fast. Last time I did that my kinda butt hugged the truck in front of me so I really need to keep off the skinny pedal.

btw ya'll punk***es hijackin my trailer thread! go talk about your other fantasies elsewhere :flipoff:

Rebuild on this trailer will commence after the Death Valley trip :) A thorough stripping of the trailer and sand blasting everything will be the first order of business. Once it's all clean I'll be able to figure out what items to patch up and also rebuild the tailgate cuz it's fugly. The 5 lug jeep hubs will need to go and I want to redo the rear bumper and set something abit more sturdy with either integrated tail lights or modify the outer sides of the trailer to add the cool LED lights.

Good news is that since this thing doesn't have any mechanical parts (i.e. engine/tranny/eletrical nonsense) the rebuild shouldn't take me that long :clap:

Good Times

04-25-2013, 09:30 PM

Thought I'd revive an old thread...

Getting ready to go camping again in the near future so I thought I'd do some minor modifications to the trailer.

Took the tub off so I can strip all of the crap off the bottom (looks like crappy truck bed liner or something wacky). Also got some cancer growing in the wheel well area and on the rim of the tube so it looks like I've got a lot of work ahead. Didn't get far obviously... sadly I only had a few hours to work on it midweek.

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/Misc/Military%20Trailer/image009.jpg

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/Misc/Military%20Trailer/image010.jpg

Next steps... scrub down the entire tub.... looks like Saturday is my next free day...

After that, a new frame, axle and a tailgate. If I'm really ambitious I might add a lid to boot!

Hopefully I'll have this all done before the summer rolls around. woot woot!

Seanz0rz

04-25-2013, 09:41 PM

good to see you're workin' on the old gal!

I think if I get a job, I might do at least 2 Eastern Sierras trips this summer!

troyboy162

04-25-2013, 09:50 PM

Thought I'd revive an old thread...

Getting ready to go camping again in the near future...

I call B.S. :p

DHC6twinotter

04-25-2013, 09:50 PM

Looking good Lance!

BTW, I like the stone work on your garage.

Good Times

04-25-2013, 09:57 PM

haha Troy you crack me up!! :)

I need to make a trip to visit Chris in SLO to pick up something and also drop something off. Figure I'd take the 100 and take the trailer and the family up for a bit of a short weekend excursion. Haven't figured out where but thinking it'll just be a dry run to make sure I get my legs back.

Once I feel comfortable, I'll be starting on the 4runner (sourcing parts and ordering soon). Which will leave me at full on fab work in the dead summer / fall and get that up and running for next year. Want to do a CO/UT trip in 2014/2015 so I need to make sure I get everything back up and running. :D

kafene

04-25-2013, 11:03 PM

I call B.S. :p

x1 8) Hahaha

Good Times

04-30-2013, 09:00 PM

O yeah! Got to sneak out of the office to get a bit of work done on the trailer.

Wanted to make a lid for the trailer so I went at it... :)

Wished I was able to get a single sheet for the top but the cost savings was enough for me to say screw it I'll figure it out.

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/Misc/Military%20Trailer/image011.jpg

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/Misc/Military%20Trailer/image012.jpg

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/Misc/Military%20Trailer/image013.jpg

Next step, clean up the welds and make sure everything is rock solid. I only tack welded the framing so I'll need to go back and run a few extra beads here and there to ensure it doesn't rattle itself apart.

Prime and paint hopefully over the weekend.

Still need to buy hardware for the hinges, struts and latches/locks. Don't ask how much the lid weighs... it's heavy. The sheet is 16ga and the frame was 1"x1"x0.095".

04 Rocko Taco

05-01-2013, 05:39 AM

Looking Good! Once this trailer is all finished up, we would love to see you and the family make an east coast trip!

Bob98SR5

05-01-2013, 02:04 PM

omg lance, are you building a tank? :flipoff: i'll come help you this saturday or sunday afternoon. call me tonight and ill fill you in.

i need to weld up a battery tray too.

slosurfer

05-06-2013, 07:25 AM

Dude, you decided to weld it up yourself?! Looks good and beefy!

Good Times

05-19-2013, 10:10 PM

Got a lot of work done over the weekend! :)

Found a local shop to sandblast the sucker and boy that was a life saver! Check out the tub! Clean as it can be.

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/Misc/Military%20Trailer/image014.jpg

Next, fill in those damn holes that the previous owner did... what a PAIN IN THE ***

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/Misc/Military%20Trailer/image015.jpg

Then added structural support right under the lip of the tub so that I can use that to make hinges for the lid. Had an oops w/ the bench saw. Some idiot changed it to 30 degrees when I had it to 45! grr.. Alittle fixing no biggie. :)

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/Misc/Military%20Trailer/image016.jpg

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/Misc/Military%20Trailer/image017.jpg

All three sides done. Fits nice and tight! Now to add support where the tailgate will be.
http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/Misc/Military%20Trailer/image018.jpg

Test fit. looking good. Not sure if I want to run the whole length with beads or just keep it as is. It ain't going anywhere so it's all cosmetic I guess.
http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/Misc/Military%20Trailer/image019.jpg

A little sneak of the 4runner in the back. :) See it's still at home... just ain't moving anytime soon!
http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/Misc/Military%20Trailer/image020.jpg

The lid fits like a glove!
http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/Misc/Military%20Trailer/image021.jpg

Next step, finish the tailgate and then start on the new frame. Gotta order hinges, latches and a new axle... hope to get this done in 2 weekends!

Robinhood4x4

05-19-2013, 10:28 PM

Do not run the full length with a bead. You run the risk of warping it and it's unnecessary.

Seanz0rz

05-19-2013, 10:30 PM

Pm me RE axle. I found a good place to order from if you're interested.

Good Times

05-19-2013, 10:39 PM

Steve, I figured as much. Plus I need to make sure that lid seals perfectly so I was really hesitant to run the entire length. I tack welded one sided and ran 2" beads as best I can without it getting fugly. Some spots looks like I suck at welding... o wait I do! haha :D

Once it's pc'd I'll probably run some clear silicone to clean it up. :)

Good Times

06-03-2013, 10:16 PM

got more done this weekend until I decided to mangle my index finger with my drill. doh! Bob helped w/ a lot of the heavy lifting so that was a life saver! too bad he wasn't around to see me butcher my finger.

Tub had a bit of flex after the tail gate was cut and removed so a bit of reinforcing and hopefully contain/control the damn warping!

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/Misc/Military%20Trailer/image022.jpg

ahh yes my sloppy welds... :) using extra heim joints I have for my hinges. probably overkill and a waste of money but hey I'm just slapping together spare parts so work with me!

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/Misc/Military%20Trailer/image023.jpg

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/Misc/Military%20Trailer/image024.jpg

gosh the welds look really fugly here. o well no biggie. rear tailgate swings out since I didn't want it to swing down.

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/Misc/Military%20Trailer/image025.jpg

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/Misc/Military%20Trailer/image026.jpg

might be ugly but it'll be functional. :) never really cared for it being sexy since I suck at building stuff anyway! ha!

Good Times

08-31-2013, 07:05 PM

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/Misc/Military%20Trailer/image027.jpg

a crappy image but it'll do for now.

tub and lid (not shown) painted and just got the frame built. Kinda messed up but it'll do for now. axle sitting on the ground waiting for some loving :). Those that are interested, I ended up getting a Dexter axle (6x5.5 bolt pattern) with optional electric brakes. It was only a bit more so I just pulled the plug. The tow itself will be light but it never hurts just in case I have too much gear back there!

The exact measurements were 39" frame and 58" wms. Hopefully my measurements were spot on or else I'm f'd! Test will be once it's all put together. doh!

will take more pix next week once I get everything assembled.