Lots of M416 trailer update/mod questions (1 Viewer)

[jasheehan]

I purchased a really nice M416A1 with surge brake last summer. It is 1985 Stevens Mfg'd trailer that has never been used. A guy bought 12 of them from a dock in NJ and I got one of them that had been sitting around for a few years. He stored the wheels and tires inside, but left the trailer outside in the weather. It has minimal rust, and is really in nice shape. My brother in law towed it from PA to Colorado this winter with no issues. I plan on fixing it up and using it to camp, hunt, fish and haul stuff around. Now, my questions:

1. The surge brake mechanism is frozen. I feel confident that I can rebuilt/buy components to get it working. I don't anticipate hauling enough weight to make it worth it. I'm not interested in keeping it stock. Should I remove the surge brake system, or get it working? Thoughts?

2. I plan on stripping it down and repainting it. Since it only has a little surface rust, should I strip it down, replace the bolts with stainless or some other type, and build it back up......or just knock the rust off, primer and paint?

3. Any recommendations on paint? Is POR15 worth it on the underside. I currently live in Colo, but move around since quite a bit so I want something that will last.

4. I plan on towing it with either my 85 FJ60 with a stock 2F, HVY OME, and 33x10.5s or with my stock 100 series. I want the trailer to ride level. Any recommendations on how to make the lunette height adjustable? I have a step up/down pintle but it is not high enough, especially with the 100.

5. should I keep the stock taillights or upgrade the wiring harness/tail lights (12V????) so they are compatible with my existing wiring harness's on my rigs?

6. I'd either like to find another stock tire since the originals are in great shape or convert to the size I'm running on my 60 so I have a built in spare. Recommendations? If I convert to 33's, would I need to do a spring over on the trailer?

7. Given that I want to camp, hunt, fish and tool around with this thing, any recommendations on "must have" mods? I've been looking at all the cool builds and I think my eyes are bigger than my tool kit and skilz.

I'll get some pics uploaded shortly since I know everyone loves pictures. Thanks for your help in advance.

Jeff

 

[Dell]

the M416 has no historical collector value...

so I say have at it... and mod anything that might net gain in convenience, comfort and practicality.

 

[AustinCruiser]

You have a M416A1 - very lucky!!. Here's a link for the manual: http://www.ih8mud.com/tech/pdf/trailer/m416.pdf

The manual will show you how to work on the brakes and everything else.

Good luck with the build.

 

[jasheehan]

seriously, no more help on this one?

 

[womacje]

I saw your cry for help, but since there were no pics... I'm kidding. I gave some answers in red below. These are mearly opinion and are to be taken with the "you get what you pay for" value mentality. I've had such a blast on mine, I have biggers ideas than a wallet and have even out run my skills/tools on several ideas.

I purchased a really nice M416A1 with surge brake last summer. It is 1985 Stevens Mfg'd trailer that has never been used. A guy bought 12 of them from a dock in NJ and I got one of them that had been sitting around for a few years. He stored the wheels and tires inside, but left the trailer outside in the weather. It has minimal rust, and is really in nice shape. My brother in law towed it from PA to Colorado this winter with no issues. I plan on fixing it up and using it to camp, hunt, fish and haul stuff around. Now, my questions:

1. The surge brake mechanism is frozen. I feel confident that I can rebuilt/buy components to get it working. I don't anticipate hauling enough weight to make it worth it. I'm not interested in keeping it stock. Should I remove the surge brake system, or get it working? Thoughts? Mine showed up with the surge removed... I added an electric brake axle to mine and I'll get a controller, because I have them, but I would've purchased a straight axle with parking brake had it existed. I don't know enough to comment on the surge brake mech's, so good luck with that decision.

2. I plan on stripping it down and repainting it. Since it only has a little surface rust, should I strip it down, replace the bolts with stainless or some other type, and build it back up......or just knock the rust off, primer and paint? Knock the loose rust off and shoot it. If you use an Enamel, like Rustoleum/ACE Rust Stop you don't need a primer. The Mil spec paint on there is good insurance! Plus blasting is $300-400

3. Any recommendations on paint? Is POR15 worth it on the underside. I currently live in Colo, but move around since quite a bit so I want something that will last. I'm running the Ace paint, we'll see how it goes, I've read good things about it, check the paint section of mud, very detailed info. Otherwise you could powdercoat the entire thing, that would be durable, or have someone apply a hot bedliner to it.

4. I plan on towing it with either my 85 FJ60 with a stock 2F, HVY OME, and 33x10.5s or with my stock 100 series. I want the trailer to ride level. Any recommendations on how to make the lunette height adjustable? I have a step up/down pintle but it is not high enough, especially with the 100. Bigger tires , lift via springs or shackles... Thats all I got.

5. should I keep the stock taillights or upgrade the wiring harness/tail lights (12V????) so they are compatible with my existing wiring harness's on my rigs? I like the LED black outs that some guys have done, but they didn't fit my design, so I went the LED route from an auto parts store, cheap and easily replaceable.

6. I'd either like to find another stock tire since the originals are in great shape or convert to the size I'm running on my 60 so I have a built in spare. Recommendations? If I convert to 33's, would I need to do a spring over on the trailer? You will need to do something for 33's, I did a twice as long shackle and my 33's/285's fit just right.

7. Given that I want to camp, hunt, fish and tool around with this thing, any recommendations on "must have" mods? I've been looking at all the cool builds and I think my eyes are bigger than my tool kit and skilz. Since your tow rigs have different bolt patterns, stay with the axle you have if the parking brake works, stay with skinny tires, height wise, you may want to go taller, but keep em skinny. a top for the trailer could be nice, but i've seen some guys run canvas tops and live a good camp life. The beauty of these things is they don't need much except for repair, the rest is however big your eyes/skillz/wallet are!!! My suggestion is to start of with the basics, check the bearings, get the park brake working, try to fix the surge, if not repairable, ditchem, scuff and paint, good tires and drag it. My best ideas for truck/trailer projects come from sitting around a campfire staring at it!

I'll get some pics uploaded shortly since I know everyone loves pictures. Thanks for your help in advance.

Jeff

 

[photogod]

The nice thing about this place is you can get ideas from everyone and by looking at photos you can see what they have done and incorporate your ideas into others and morf out great ideas. Photos are nice because you can see how things look before you jump in and spend the green to test your thoughts and fab skills. Just remember that it is a never ending project so keep the saving account full.

As far as the MUST have mods... Water, light, food, awning, a cooler or fridge (fridge for me) and a place for ice cubes for the vodka tonic and scotch. A roof top tent is a must and some really comfortable chairs or a lounge chair. You ned a kick ass kamp kitchen as well. Must haves are a state of mind. I can't sleep on the ground anymore, I hate wet food from melted ice and a great kitchen work space is a must for me.

Ride height... I have 285's on military stock rims and it rides perfect level with my heavies on the 80 with 285's. I am going to do a slight lift on the trailer to account for the new swing outs an the 26 gallons of water. I might go 2 inches.

I look at a trailer like this. I have everything I need in the trailer so when I get to camp I can dump it and still wheel where I want. I have gotten so good backing and tracking with the trailer though I can just as easily wheel with it hooked up. It is more fun not to drag the weight around though.

Remember, you need to post photos to improve your visual literacy and for our enjoyment.

 

[madinal]

Be careful of the paint. Some of the trailers were painted with CARC and that can be bad for your health in dust form.

 

[jrhamilton]

I purchased a really nice M416A1 with surge brake last summer. It is 1985 Stevens Mfg'd trailer that has never been used. A guy bought 12 of them from a dock in NJ and I got one of them that had been sitting around for a few years. He stored the wheels and tires inside, but left the trailer outside in the weather. It has minimal rust, and is really in nice shape. My brother in law towed it from PA to Colorado this winter with no issues. I plan on fixing it up and using it to camp, hunt, fish and haul stuff around. Now, my questions:

Its all personal preference on what you want to do with it. (Your money your time) I'm not sure I agree though with the eariler comment that the M416 has no historical value. If that was the case the trailers would not be so highly sought after. Your lucky in the fact you have a M416A1 (M416 w/ surge brakes). There were not too many of these made. The military actaully took their current stock of M416s and modified them to be M416A1s. If I remember correctly while doing reseach on mine that there were only 1200 actually produced my manufacturers and the rest (only a few thousand more) were modified M416s by the operating military units.

The surge brakes can be easly repaired and just about all trailer comapanies and trailer part stores have parts for them. The hand brake cables and associated parts can be harder to find though so don't get rid of those parts.

POR-15 is an excellant product and has been in use by farm equiptment companies for years. I have used it many times in the past and highly recommend it. Just note the POR-15 is perminant so be absolutely sure that if you use it your ok with it being on the trailer for the rest of its lifespan.

Here's a link to my rebuild of a 1965 Parkhurst M416A1:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/trailer-tech/368927-1965-parkhust-m416a1-trailer-rebuild.html

If you can stand associating yourself with crazy jeep guys (as I know this is a Yota Forum) I have also answered many questions on my trailer rebuild on the JK-Forum website found here:

1965 Parkhurst M416A1 Trailer Rebuild

 

[prado t]

Lets see it.

 

[jasheehan]

Thanks for the feedback. I have a line on some used BFG 33x9.5R15s that I plan on picking up this weekend. I'll put them on the stock steelies that came of my 60 and I should be good for wheels and an interchangeable spare. I will need to change the hub bolt pattern on the trailer. Does anyone have the part number or best location to get hubs with those bearing buddies...I think that is what they're called. I think I will repair the surge brake and get the parking brake working and keep it mostly stock. I'd love to weld up a cap for it and then buy a roof top tent. Those are spendy, but I'd love to make this a nice camping rig and like photogod, I'd like to have an all inclusive camping rig. I need to figure out how to carry both Kayaks and mtn bikes though.... Thanks for the input. Pictures are coming....