Thinking of purchasing this M416. The owner extended the tongue and I'm curious what others think about how it was done. Seems like there could be a lot of weight on the tongue when the trailer is loaded down. More structural support needed?
The owner pulls it with an AEV Jeep and extended it to allow the rear door to open. Still learning about these trailers, but it looks like the extension is mounted in the original lunnette location, and uses an extended receiver and an extended lunnette. I think both are solid except for the receiver portion where the lunnette is inserted. Thinking of driving upto Austin to take another look at it today.
The lunnette itself adds about a foot of extension. Just switching to a max coupler type hitch would would shorten it quite a bit.
Looks like they cut the lunette mount off and welded it into the receiver tube.
Unbolt it and find a new lunette $250.00 plus or shorten the receiver bar.
does that lunette even rotates on itself?
of course, all that can be pretty easily changed or improved with a bit of receiver tubing and a welder, or a saw and drill if you're lucky, but that's some extra $$ and/or time, so you might want to factor that in an offer.
I spoke with the owner. As I understand it, he cut the lunnette and welded it to the receiver extension, then bolted the extended receiver into the original lower lunnette mounting location.
I do like the idea of having the receiver versus the original lunnette. Gives me some options for using different hitches.
He's firm on the price, so no offers will be considered.
I've got to get better about using my thumbs for typing....
Didn't get up to Austin last weekend to see the trailer again. He was out of town. If he doesn't sell locally before this weekend, I'm considering just going ahead and purchasing. From the replies above, I believe I can modify what he has done relatively easily, if it turns out to be structurally compromised. He's asking a premium for the trailer, but there's been nothing else for sale close to where I live within the past several months, and travelling to buy elsewhere seems to just add to the cost (yes, I'm trying to rationalize buying the trailer).
I forget where I saw this trailer for sale. The tongue extension (between lunette and trailer) looks like the one they sell at uhaul. The one at uhaul says it shouldn't be used for towing but can be used for extending the receiver for things like bicycles. I was originally going to extend the tongue of my trailer this way, but after doing research and not finding one that was tow rated, I went a different way
Thanks guys. Definitely something I'll check. I assumed it was solid, but honestly didn't ask. I really appreciate the feedback on this.
Actually, thinking about this as I'm typing, it being hollow maybe makes some sense. The ring from the original lunnette was cut off and I believe the shaft (for lack of a better term that comes to mind) was welded to the receiver extension. I could see where it would be convenient to insert the shaft into the hollow receiver end as a platform for welding. That would help ensure it is straight. Guess that would also help some structurally, as well, depending how long the shaft extends into the receiver. Complete speculation on my part.....guess I need to ask for more details.
Decided I did not have time to rework the trailer in time for when it is needed. Going a different direction. Paid a deposit for this one and am picking up on Memorial Day. Thanks for everyone's input on the other trailer.
Bloomer,
One of these days I'll get used to the new setup on mud.
Posted are the pics of my trailer, the wheels I found at a junk yard , they have the same bolt pattern as the m-416 and with 31x10.50 give it a 69" wheel base.
The underside of the tent is a little over 5' which gives my wife enough head room in the annex. You can see how I achieved this.
Looks like you have a very nice setup, especially with the trailer having the hard cover. You should be able to add from there to gain some height for an annex.
Good luck on your build.
Tom
