A Triler for an Oxx (1 Viewer)

[Black Oxx]

So, like most of you I started on a quest to build a trailer to compiment an Oxx. I was interested in an M-416. So in the summer of 07 the quest to find an M-416 began. Ebay, Craigs list, local auctions, farm sales, several forums, and tons of hours looking. Time was on my side and in April of 08 I found a trailer and only 3 hours away. ( Original Pictures are missing)

Lots of hard work and 4 months later I came home with an M-416 ready to go camping.

 

[Black Oxx]

Considering this trailer was born to the military in June of 67, and led a life at the end as a (scrap-wood) trailer, and got banged up pretty good, I am thinking that things are looking good. Every thing is lining up the LineX coating came out good and I liked the two tone look.

Now on to the next step of what to do about a lid? How to keep the Weather out and not add more holes to and already patched trailer. I am trying to maintain most of the original look to the trailer as I go. This idea ma end up going by the wayside as I have looked as some really great trailers here and on some other sites.

The idea was to maintain the lines of the trailer and go up to increase the interior storage space. I wanted to use the sam lines just upside down from the top section of the trailer.

Then we decided to make sure that the dimensions of the top were set to us the full width of a piece of sheet metal and not have to trim the meatal after install. So off we went to build the top.

 

[ukaviator]

Looks good. Keep the pics and the build write up coming.

Looking to do one of these in the near future

 

[Black Oxx]

We got the main ribs welded into place and then added the reinforcements to make the top solid. Center of the top and on the sides of the top. These also help to support the metal across the span of the top and were used to tack the top in place when we got that far. Gusets were placed in the four corners of the top to keep things square.

Grinding all the welds smooth so everthing fits well together, nice and tight.

For now single gas shocks were added, at each end, of the top to hold it open during usage. Notice that we are doing this work off the trailer. The top is connected to the lower frame with 8 piano door hinges. The door hinges are also visible in the last picture of the last post. We used thin pieces of steel to put a gap between the frame and the lid for weather stripping to be added at a later time.

The whole lid is able to be lifted off of the trailer by two people. However four people make it much easier.

 

[Black Oxx]

Remember my saying we set things to use one piece of steel for the top? from one side to the other with four bends. Then we tacked it in place. Two carry handles to match the trailer on each end.

Checking to ensure that everything opens and closes like it needs to under use. This was looking very promising, and coming out better than expected, thanks to Chris and his welding help.

This last picture shows the frame sitting on the trailer and supporting the top when open. If you look carefully you will see the two holes on the front and four on the side that allow the angle iron to bolt on up under the frame to hold the whole lid assembly in place.

 

[burnttoastburgos]

VERY COOL, great write up......keep goin'

 

[ukaviator]

oooh I like that lid, looks stout!

How much would you say it weighs?

 

[Black Oxx]

oooh I like that lid, looks stout!

How much would you say it weighs?

I would think that the top on its own would come in at about 150 to 200 pounds. Like I stated earlier in the thread, it is easier for 4 people to lift the top, more due to the fact that it is an awkward size.

We added a 90 of the same size tube where the red line is for an accessory to be added later in the build. This bracket was welded to the back of the bottom tube and to the bottom of the top tube. This kept a nice and clean appearance.

With the lid open. You can see the 2 inch angle iron that was used for the frame of the lid. We built the frame around the out side of the trailer, so that the lid only fits one way. The lid was designed to open to the outside of the road side, incase I needed in the trailer while on the road. Out of traffics harm is good by me.

If you look in this picture you can also see the bracket in the middle of the lid when it is open here.

Ends welded to the top and cleaned up heading in to be coated.

After getting sandblasted for the coating. Lock hasps are visible in this picture. one on each end to secure the contents of the load while out and about. I managed to find 5 handles that matched the handles already on the trailer. two on each end and one in the middle to help ope the top. Hind sight I should have welded the end handles to the top of the frame. Would have made for finger room when pulling the lid off.

The top came out pretty close to flat. We have one spot that got a small amount of warp to it.

 

[Black Oxx]

Post lining and back on the trailer behind the Oxx. Rims rattle canned silver to match trailer silver, well at least the can lid matched the trailer.

Lid open to admire the progress, what was to come next?

I have tried to modernize with new items in the miltary fashion. Wiring was redone and tail lights moved to 12 volt system. Hand break still functional and breaks checks and lubed.

Noitice the locks hanging to the locking hasps to keep the lid closed from theft.

 

[Elbert]

Just a thought, but you might want to rig up a hard mount hood prop. Like the cars have...because if one of the hood shocks fail someone is going to have a nice headache.

 

[Black Oxx]

I hear you on this idea. I am currently seeking two more struts like the two on the trailer. Then run tandum struts on both sides. I plan on making a triangular pivot point that both shocks mount on and then the triangle piece will mount where the shocks currently mount.