spare tire and other accessories mounting

I'm looking to mount a spare tire and jerry can to my M416. I have an extra spare tire carrier bracket from an early CJ or perhaps M38. I was going to mount it and the jerry can to the back of the trailer. However, I'm a little concerned that the added weight on the back of the trailer will cause problems and won't allow it to tow properly and will also make the back of the trailer "back heavy" and it will tip over easy when sitting on the parking leg. Ideally the spare and jerry can would go on the front of the trailer to keep as much weight as possible on the tongue and landing leg, but I want to mount a large ammo can up there. What are your thoughts or ideas? Would the additional wight from a spare and jerry can on the back cause too many issues? Any other suggestions?

 

I like what this guy did... I will likely do the same for my spare. No drilling into the tub is an added bonus.

http://vegasauto.net/m416.html

 

I saw that article and I like that idea, but it still puts the extra weight of the spare on the back of the trailer. I'll have to think about that some more.

 

I'm planning on mounting my jerry cans on the front of the trailer since I plan on pulling it all over the place including the freeway and I just don't feel comfortable with gas in the 'crash zone'.

I'm not sure what size tires you are going to run, but I personally would mount the tire on the back and jerry cans on the front. You can also compensate for the extra weight on the back by adjusting the hitch height so that the trailer tongue is about 5-10% down when on a level surface (learned this trick on my landscape trailer). This will also help keep the trailer level when loaded.

 

If it were mine, I would: (1) extend the tongue (stock, IMO is too short); (2) mount the jerry cans in front of the tub; (3) mount the spare on the rear of the tub or underneath; and (4) re-think the placement and/or need for the ammo box.

My logic is that 2 full jerry cans weigh more than a spare, so should be in front so you have adequate tongue weight.

Or, you could mount the spare in front and 2 1/2 gal. nato style cans just forward of the fenders. As for the ammo box, it would seem it should have less priority in the decisionmaking process than the spare and extra fuel/water.

 

By putting the spare underneath it will put less downward leverage on the back of the trailer as it is closer to the axle, you will have more tongue weight then with it fully at the rear.

 

Weight distribution is a problem. We used to have trailers that had a read support leg for that problem when not attached to the prime mover.

I have never pulled on of these trailers with a CJ, but with a 151 the fully loaded trailer will jerk, pull, push and let you know it is there everytime you change speed. It made no difference what the weight distribution was. Just another fun part of drivin' a jeep.

 

What about using a spare tire bracket from a CJ or M38-A1 and mounting the spare on the side of the trailer, forward of the fenders? That would keep the weight off the back end, keep the departure angle good, and wouldn't stick out much past the fender so as to not get caught on anything. Just a thought.

 

I ended up mounting the spare to the back of the trailer last evening. I mounted the ammo box on the tongue. I haven't mounted the jerry can yet. My plan is to put tarps, rope, and some basic tools in the ammo can. I'll also be putting the lug wrench in there too. If I find myself not needing the can, I'll unbolt it and mount something else up front. Still looking for a place for the jerry can...might end up putting that up front somewhere or on the side.

 

I agree. There's nothing quite so maddening as to put the tailgate down on an unhitched Bantam civilian trailer, then put something in the back without thinking, only to have the trailer tip and everything slide out onto the ground.

That's why I fabricated a rear landing leg for mine.\