m416 lid questions

[wakesetter]

I have been searching around the internet and this site on trailer lids. It's time to build a lid and start fixing up my trailer that I have had for about 4 years now. I found this diagram and thread for the dimensions of an M101 build, will they work for a 416?
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/14234-Any-room-for-another-m101-build-up

I am also interested in what hinges some of you may have used, especially if you are able to make the lid easily removable. I dont really want to do a welded on piano hinge all the way down one side, I was thinking of hinges with removable pins, so the lid could come off easily

What clamps have you used successfully to keep the lid closed?

Thinking of finishing the bottom of the lid with 1" square tubing or L steel. Thoughts on this?

The goal is to have a lid made out of one piece of steel, plus the ends welded on. If I do this, do I need to do any bracing underneath with say 1" square tubing?

Thanks in advance for any advice or ideas, I would like to build this lid up with as few errors as possible along the way!

 

[Brentbba]

More search here and portal will lead you to quite a few M416 and M101CDN build threads complete with pics. IIRC the dimensions are just about the same for the M416 and M101CDN, but not positive. I just had one fabed here locally in SoCal of steel. It's two pieces with a seam in the middle length wise to provide some structural support. I've seen other builds with 2-3 cross supports. I guess it depends on whether you plan a RTT for the trailer. I do have an Eezi-Awn Globetrotter sitting on mine at 200+ lbs and it's just fine.

Good luck and have fun with your build!

 

[wakesetter]

right on. Yes I do plan on putting a RTT on it. Already have the tent and really don't like my current mount which is why I am looking to do a lid.

Still up for other thoughts.

 

[sailor]

I have a 1 piece aluminum lid with welded ends on the 416. 2 X 1" square alu tubing runs transversely on the top of the lid to mount the RTT and provide some stiffness. Lid is flat so you give up some volume inside...

 

[wakesetter]

Thanks for that input. My goal is to have an angled lid like I am sure you have seen. More because I like the look of it, but also for maximizing storage capacity.

 

[Brentbba]

Too bad you aren't down here in SoCal. Great fabricator that's done two lids for the M101CDN that mirror the tub. One mine and one other. Just as an FYI cost was $900 down here.

 

[franklin40]

if i were you i'd do the measurements of your trailer and submit them to the guys building your lid. i got a set of plans from one of the guys here on mud for a m101 i though was exactly like mine. his lid fit his trailer perfectly. the guys building the lid cavilled and asked are those inside or outside dimensions so i went and actually measured my trailer and found it was one inch narrower and one inch longer than the plans i had submitted. i would have had to pay for a lid that wouldn't have fit. it doesn't take long to measure yours up but you'll know for sure that those dimensions will work for you.

 

[killer1954]

I bought a lid for my M416 from Bobby at Cascadia Vehicle Tents. I'm not a fabricator, so I decided to purchase one. Not cheap, but I like the quality and it comes with the gas struts and all mounting hardware. Theirs is a 2 piece top; the lid itself and a frame that mounts to the lip of the trailer and that frame has the hinges welded to it. I like the design. The lid is removable from the frame.
http://www.cascadiatents.com/M-416-Military-Trailer-Lids.htm?m=87&s=677&id=367
There are some pics there you see for ideas.