Thursday, November 1, 2018

M416 ORV Trailer Build

As most of you already know, I drive a 2013 Jeep Wrangler JK named 'Sarge'. Here is his most recent selfie:

Sarge is always pushing me to go hunting, run trails, or camping. Well, as you can see, Sarge is not the most comfortable vehicle to sleep in. So about two years ago, I decide that I needed to get Sarge a "friend" that would make extended outdoor trips more comfortable. This started my search for an ORV trailer to pull behind Sarge.

I looked at all the usual suspects (Manley ORV, Rockbox, Turleback, etc.) but I just did not understand how they could cost $10k+ when they were all built on the old M-416 trailer design (the same trailer design that I use to pull behind my MUTT when I first got into the Army and has been around since the 1940s) and a couple hundred dollars of steel and labor. So I decided I would just build one myself!

This started my search and it took MONTHS to find a suitable candidate in my area that did not cost $1k+. I luckily found a guy less than 10 miles way that had one for sale for.... wait for it....
$250!!!

So of course, I immediately snatched it up! And thus started my ORV trailer build adventure. As you can guess, the trailer was not in the best shape but it wasn't unsalvageable either. I am going to try and document what I have (or had) done, as well as what I have purchased to put on it. I have a list of what I am still wanting to do or debating on doing as well. Finally, I have a section on what I would do differently (i.e., my regrets). I am doing this so that everyone else can do the same thing to their M-416s and save themselves several thousand dollars.

What Has Been Done

Here is what 'Corporal' looks like today:







As you can see, I still have some work to do. I will post more pictures as I continue building up Corporal.

Still To Do

  • Have the tub bed-lined to color match my Jeep.
  • Have the frame and rail system bed-lined black.
  • Install wider fender flares (possibly built to match Sarge's) and have them bed-lined black.

Debating On What Else To Do


  • Propane tank mounted?
  • C-Jacks for front?

What Would I Do Different

  • I would have used telescoping, square tube to create the cross-members and collars on the ladder rack frame to allow for greater up and down movement and reduce some weight. 

  • Make sure the fab shop does not weld the cross-members to the rack uprights so that they can be adjusted in multiple ways.
  • Make sure the fab shop does not accidentally weld the removable tub to the frame, thus making the tub un-removable!!! 


Please feel free to ask me questions or leave comments on this.

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