BadDNA's M416 build

BYOC (chainsaw), the property is almost entirely forested and will need some clearing.

 

Okay I'll buy 2

 

Deal.

 

Waiting... Impatiently!

 

Garage build out had to happen first. That's almost done to a workable state, so the trailer build might resume over the winter, or next spring.

 

Progress - of a sort. I'm definitely not building, or doing any non-critical work in the garage over winter until I get some heat installed out there, but now that it's warming up, and I've got most of the equipment I'll need to get this thing underway, we're buying parts and formulating a plan of attack.

@Skierrichy - I remember some of the challenges you had offroading your trailer and not having brakes on it, so I ordered brake hubs and not just idler hubs. I can always remove the brakes if there's an issue, but I'd rather have them and decide to disable them then build without and decide I want them later.

Ordered:
Timbren 2000 lb HD Axle-Less Trailer Suspension w/ 4” Lift & Long Spindles
Timbren 3500 lb. Electric Brake Hubs - 6x5.5 Bolt Pattern
etrailer Trailer Wiring 7-Way Upgrade Kit w/ Junction Box and RV Style Connector
Hopkins Engager Push-To-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit with Built-In Battery Charger
Tri-Bar LED RV Tail Lights - Stop, Tail, Turn - Submersible - 33 Diodes
Optronics LED Trailer License Plate Light with Bracket - Submersible - 5 Diodes - Clear Lens
Peterson Low-Profile Oval Trailer Reflector - Aluminum Bezel - Amber
Peterson Low-Profile Oval Trailer Reflector - Aluminum Bezel - Red
Optronics Flexible LED Light Strip - Weatherproof - White
TorkLift PowerArmor Solar Locking Battery Box - 6 and 12V Lithium Batteries - Powder Coated Aluminum
Pintle Hook for 2" Hitches - 10,000 lbs

So...if you don't see me much on the trails this year, you'll know why.

 

I do want to switch to having brakes on it, that weight doesn't help anything down hill.
Im not sure what I'm going to do yet though, need to do some research.
I have been wanting better bigger brakes on the truck also and I don't know if that will just fix the problem.

 

I went with electronic brakes since I have the brake controller in the truck already for the big camper. I was thinking of your comments about the trailer wanting to push you downhill and thought that with the electric brakes, I'd be able to independently engage them and almost use the trailer as an 'anchor' on hills if necessary.

 

That does actually work too as long as your trailer has some weight to it, which yours will.
I have watched a guy move to a different line by spinning his tires with the trailer break locked, it was pretty impressive.
You will also be a better anchor too for winching people and you can set up a snatch block off your trailer.

 

Subbed, this looks like it will be awesome when complete!

 

@BadDNA Hey Eammon, What were you going to do mounting an RTT on it? Were you planning on making uprights?

 

Planning on a solid lid, similar to the one Rich has, or possibly a bit taller like this one that @ToyRyd04 did.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/toyryds-m416-build.402261/

 

I have plans to actually raise it even higher for sleeping then drop back down to wheel.
I actually have a lot of plans but can't get to anything on account of new job.
I'm probably just going to have Down East do it all for me which takes the fun out of it but I have to much on my plate right now.

 

I was thinking it'd be interesting to figure out a way to mount it on a set of extension posts, kind of like the roof on a pop-up camper, but then the complexity and more things to break stop me dead. I'm thinking just a mid-height lid like the one above should do it, but I want to get it on wheels and behind the truck before I start too far down that road. I also would like to keep the height and cog low for wheeling and visibility out the back on the road.

 

I do believe that having a solid lid on it is the way to go though, it does add more weight but it's nice keeping things dry and secure.
@BadDNA I've been doing research on a kick ass way to heat your tent that is very safe and not going to cause a fire.
I will let you know when I figure it out but basically you put the small unit in the trailer and cut a 2" hole in bottom of RTT.
Forced hot air.
You will need a dual battery system to run it though.
More details to come.
They call it a bunk heater for tractor trailers.
Mine works awesome and there is virtually nothing that can catch fire.
I've been researching Mr. Buddies and the lot and don't want anything to do with them on account of the dog.

 

Dual batteries on the truck, or just a 'house' battery for the camper? Because I'm planning to have a 12v system in the trailer from the start for lighting, device charging, etc.

 

Yep I'm thinking marine grade batt for the trailer.

 

I've been running a grey/blue-top Optima AGM in my travel trailer for 5 years and it's been bulletproof. I have 200W of solar on the roof of that rig. I'm planning to do the same with this minus the solar, or maybe a set of 2 Trojan 6V deep cycles in series. With much smaller electrical demand in this trailer, I think I can get away with the 10W solar built into the battery box I'm installing. I'm running a 7-pin plug to the truck, so it should charge the house battery while driving and then the solar panel gets a quick wipe when we park and let the sun keep it topped up.

 

That's awesome! I'd like to eventually run solar on the trailer but I know I'll break it if it's on the truck.
Your trailer is going to come out awesome I can't wait until you finish.
I'll finish by 2030 hopefully

 

Yeah, I can't wait to get this rolling either. 2030 sounds plausible. I'm embarking down this path as somebody who's done a lot of wrenching on stuff over the years, but absolutely nothing in terms of fabrication. I've laid down exactly one bead of weld in my life, on a scrap piece in my buddies studio, and I expect to have to redo a lot of the early ones I make here before I'll consider it 'done'. I should clear out the spare bay in my garage soon and start setting it up to work on this though, that way I can do a little more practicing before setting to work on the camper itself.