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Might be picking up a M416. Have some questions

Discussion in 'Jeep Trailer Tech' started by 97XJ_95YJ, Sep 14, 2007.

  1. Sep 14, 2007
    97XJ_95YJ

    97XJ_95YJ I hate torx bolts

    Woolrich, PA
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    Feb 3, 2006
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    I've been looking for a small trailer to tow behind the Jeeps to carry gear, firewood, etc. when we go camping. I found a M416 trailer locally for sale. I really like the idea of buying a military trailer instead of a small utility trailer from the local Tractor Supply Store or something. The asking price is $700. I haven't seen it yet, but he said it's in good shape but the lights and wiring have been replaced.

    I have no idea how much these trailers weigh. I'm assuming it wouldn't be a problem towing it behind the Cherokee or Liberty, but I really need a small trailer to tow behind the Wrangler. The problem is the YJ has the 2.5L with stock 4.10 gears and 33" tires. It's a bit of a dog on the highway as it is when it's packed up with camping gear. How heavy are these trailers? Would it be a problem towing one with a 2.5L Wrangler? How about towing one with a CJ2A with the stock 134 :rofl:

    Is $700 a reasonable price, assuming it's in good shape? Do these have a tailgate or not?
     
  2. Sep 14, 2007
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    The trailers weigh very little. It's going to depend on what you stuff it with...;)

    $700 is fair, IMHO. No tailgate unless it's been added.
     
  3. Sep 14, 2007
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    Pfft, I towed my 416 behind my TJ 4 banger 5 speed. Even fully loaded you barely knew it was there.

    I had 31" tires, cam, electric fan, Borla header/cat back, and a 4.0L TB though. ;)
     
  4. Sep 14, 2007
    $ sink

    $ sink Gazillians of posts

    Virginia Bch
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    Nov 25, 2004
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    m416 empty weight is about 500 lbs IIRC.
     
  5. Sep 14, 2007
    sammy

    sammy Coca-Cola?

    Albuquerque, NM
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    Going off of his "Cargo" question, would it hold 2 dirtbikes? I know no tail gate, but I'd devise ramps and stuff... Just wondering before I seriously look for one too, how about ply, 4x8? I've personally never seen a real one...
     
  6. Sep 15, 2007
    MOP

    MOP Active Member

    Pullman, WA
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    nope..... on both accounts

    The tubs are just shy of 4'x6' (like 44" x 70")
     
  7. Sep 16, 2007
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    4x8 stuff is easily hauled by just setting it on the top of the trailer though.
     
  8. Sep 17, 2007
    jeepfreak81

    jeepfreak81 When in Doubt, Pedal out!

    Owosso, MI
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    Assuming good shape yes that is a fair price, look for pinholes in the bottom, and check the frame thoroughly. Make sure the front and rear drains are there and functional, left front and right rear, they open from under the trailer, you can't see the drain itself from the top as there is a plate over it. I would not pay $700 if there is a 'hackish' tailgate in it. I would consider one for that price with a gate only if the tailgate was done well. Normally they lose a little value when that mod is done.

    A YJ with a 2.5L should pull it fine, I had a 500lb trailer that I hauled a quad and spare parts in behind my YJ with a 2.5, on larger hills you could feel it, but you could run 70 down the highway with it, and I had over 160xxx on my YJ when I was doing it. Total weight was ~1000 lbs -- just make SURE you have a REAL hitch for it. I had one of those receiver hitches built into a tube bumper and it got ripped off I towed so much with it, those only mount where the old bumperettes used to.

    Sounds about right to me as well.

    The tub of the M416 can unbolt and you could strap the tub to the rafters, or just on end in the garage to store it for later. Then use it as a flatbed, but it wouldn't work real well for it with the tub on.

    Yep, I built a center brace for mine just for this already so the stuff doesn't sag in the middle, a 4' board would actually slide INTO the trailer until where it 'necks down' assuming it is shorter then the trailer R)
     
  9. Sep 17, 2007
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    That's right - I think the 416 is a tad wider than my Bantam.
     
  10. Sep 17, 2007
    Robert Bills

    Robert Bills Member

    Orange County CA
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    M416s weigh about 500 lbs. empty. The load rating is 500 lbs. offroad and 750 lbs. highway. You can tow it with a 4-banger Wrangler, and also with a 4-banger CJ2A. You may notice the weight when fully loaded, but it won't be a problem. As stated above, be sure the hitch is securely mounted.

    $700 is a fair price for an unmodified M416 in decent condition. M416s do not have tailgates, nor do WWII MBT/T3 trailers and post-war M-100s. The only 1/4 ton "jeep" trailers with tailgates are the Bantam T3-C (1946-53) and the Spen (1946 to sometime in the mid 1950s).

    You cannot haul dirt bikes in the M-416. The bed is only 72" long. Although it is possible in a Bantam T3-C with the tailgate held open by the chains, you would be better off with a different trailer if hauling dirt bikes or a quad is your primary purpose.
     
  11. Sep 18, 2007
    97XJ_95YJ

    97XJ_95YJ I hate torx bolts

    Woolrich, PA
    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2006
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    So I'm guessing the M416 could be easily modified with a Willys / ECJ5 tailgate? I'd hate to cut up a nice trailer though...
     
  12. Sep 18, 2007
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    There's at least one thread here that details putting a tailgate in a 416.
     
  13. Sep 18, 2007
    97XJ_95YJ

    97XJ_95YJ I hate torx bolts

    Woolrich, PA
    Joined:
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    Just scrolled down and saw that :oops:
     
  14. Sep 18, 2007
    Robert Bills

    Robert Bills Member

    Orange County CA
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    Sorry, the Willys and early CJ-5 tailgates are too narrow for the M416 tub, not tall enough, and do not fit the profile of the trailer tub. Although anything is possible, and you might be able to make it work, it will certainly not be an easy job and will never look right.

    Your time and money would be better spent fabricating a tailgate that is an exact fit. You can buy a rear trailer panel from Jeep Panels Plus (they make panels for the MBT/T3/M100,T3-C and if they don't stock M416 panels they can certainly make them.) These panels come formed with the ribs that give the sheetmetal strength against flexing. Brace it on the edges with angle as on the Bantam T3-C, weld 1" tube to the top to match the rest of the trailer bed, add the hinges of your choice, tabs for the tailgate chains, and you're done. You could save some time and money if you are very careful removing the rear trailer panel, as you can re-use the piece to fabricate the tailgate. Be sure that you add braces to the rear sides of the trailer tub to strengthen it because the rear panel you remove to allow for the tailgate keeps the trailer tub from flexing. If you don't add that bracing the tub will twist, never be square again, and your tailgate will not fit. Early Bantam civilian trailers used tube braces. Later Bantam civilian trailers used sheet metal "skirts."

    Here are some photos to give you some ideas, followed by a link to a site with photos of the two bracing methods and another link to photos of my '46 Bantam T3-C:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3B/HubbardTrailers/Bantam.html

    http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/showgallery.php?cat=924
     
  15. Sep 18, 2007
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Tip: Use ECJ Hood hinges, so you can remove the tailgate easily.

    I used door hinges so can remove mine by pulling the center pin, but wish I had thought of the hood hinge approach.

    Might also make tailgate hinges work, but would take more fab time.
     
  16. Sep 18, 2007
    97XJ_95YJ

    97XJ_95YJ I hate torx bolts

    Woolrich, PA
    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2006
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    UPDATE
    Here are some pics of the trailer I'm looking at. What do you think? Is it worth $700? If not, what should I offer? I have no experience with these, so any advice would be helpful. It has no title, which concerns me a little, and he's not sure if the lights work or not. There are no military data plates on it. Still has the military lunette hook on the front.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  17. Sep 18, 2007
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    Looks worth it to me.

    Mine was priced at that, bought it for less though.

    Lights on these are easy. Just buy a set of cheap trailer lights at Wal-Mart and slap 'em on.
     
  18. Sep 18, 2007
    97XJ_95YJ

    97XJ_95YJ I hate torx bolts

    Woolrich, PA
    Joined:
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    Can't really see it that well in the pic, but the tail lights are just the rectangular ones like are found on later CJs /YJs /TJs /dump trucks /many other things.

    What about that data plate missing? Is that important? Do I need a serial number from the data plate to try to get a title for it through the DMV? PA laws are funny that way. :(
     
  19. Sep 18, 2007
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    :shrug: Dunno about a data plate. KS and NE didn't care. You don't have to tag a trailer under 2K.
     
  20. Sep 18, 2007
    jeepfreak81

    jeepfreak81 When in Doubt, Pedal out!

    Owosso, MI
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    That will depend on your state, mine is titled as an assembled right now, but because my data plate is on it I should be able to get a title.

    Looks like it is worth $700 to me as well, If you decide you don't like the lunette I will trade you the hitch on mine even up, mine was converted to a 1 7/8" ball that is mounted the same as the original lunette. - I have pics.
     
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