My Bronco and matching Cactus Gray M416 overlanding trailer custom build

[Tat2Matt]

Awesome job! Looks great.

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[SigSauer226]

Best kind of project, the unique one you do yourself! Nice work! Please explain those trailer brakes a bit more! They look like a form of surge brake, that engage when the trailer surges forward against the tow hitch. Commonly found on boat trailers. But you also mention a hand brake? Please elucidate!

It's just drum brakes that are manually engaged by the hand lever. Very simple. I would use it at camp if I disconnect by Bronco to keep the trailer from rolling. As far as I know it does nothing while trailering.

 

[Sherminiator]

Military trailers use air brakes-so unless he proves an air source, they won't work. But given how lightweight it is, it shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Bronco21fan]

So, I'm finally done with the first stage of my first overlanding/camping/kayak trailer. Never had a Jeep, my Bronco is my first true off road vehicle and I love to camp. When I learned about overlanding it amazed me. Too bad I live on the east coast! Anyway, here is my build.

I started with a Vietnam era (I think, might be earlier) M416 Army trailer. This is what it looked like when I bought it. Cost me $225.

Took a chance with the damage but it's going to be used off road. Won't hurt so much when I scratch it lol. Got the dent taken out best I could for $100.

Stripped everything down to basic parts. Stripped paint and rust and I redid the wheels with new bearings and races.

Then I degreased and scrubbed everything and prepped the metal with etching solution. Next was to coat everything with POR-15.

Then I painted the trailer with Raptor Liner. I did a two tone color scheme, matching cactus grey for the outside and black for the frame, bed and fenders.

Then it was time to put everything back together. I got the original wheels powder coated black and mounted a set of 215/85/16 Falken Wildpeaks on them. They are basically the same size as the original 16x7.00 tires.

Assembled everything and I even got the original hand brake working again! I love this thing. I installed a bed rack. For now it's going to hold my kayak and canoe but eventually I want to add a roof top tent.

My future plans include a box with battery, solar panels and lights. Maybe a refrigerator and compressed air. Also want to add a water tank with some kind of kitchen setup that will fold down. Maybe some recovery tools. I'm open to ideas as this is my first attempt.

Trailer: $225
Fix dent: $100
Wheels and hubs: $60
Shocks: $70
Raptor liner and paint: $220
LED lights: $60
Rack: $120
Tires: $430
Misc parts and hardware: about $100

Total: $1385 and a lot of sweat!

Totally a fun project and I can't wait to use it!

That’s came out great what part of Jersey you from.

 

[Jmo0311]

So, I'm finally done with the first stage of my first overlanding/camping/kayak trailer. Never had a Jeep, my Bronco is my first true off road vehicle and I love to camp. When I learned about overlanding it amazed me. Too bad I live on the east coast! Anyway, here is my build.

I started with a Vietnam era (I think, might be earlier) M416 Army trailer. This is what it looked like when I bought it. Cost me $225.

Took a chance with the damage but it's going to be used off road. Won't hurt so much when I scratch it lol. Got the dent taken out best I could for $100.

Stripped everything down to basic parts. Stripped paint and rust and I redid the wheels with new bearings and races.

Then I degreased and scrubbed everything and prepped the metal with etching solution. Next was to coat everything with POR-15.

Then I painted the trailer with Raptor Liner. I did a two tone color scheme, matching cactus grey for the outside and black for the frame, bed and fenders.

Then it was time to put everything back together. I got the original wheels powder coated black and mounted a set of 215/85/16 Falken Wildpeaks on them. They are basically the same size as the original 16x7.00 tires.

Assembled everything and I even got the original hand brake working again! I love this thing. I installed a bed rack. For now it's going to hold my kayak and canoe but eventually I want to add a roof top tent.

My future plans include a box with battery, solar panels and lights. Maybe a refrigerator and compressed air. Also want to add a water tank with some kind of kitchen setup that will fold down. Maybe some recovery tools. I'm open to ideas as this is my first attempt.

Trailer: $225
Fix dent: $100
Wheels and hubs: $60
Shocks: $70
Raptor liner and paint: $220
LED lights: $60
Rack: $120
Tires: $430
Misc parts and hardware: about $100

Total: $1385 and a lot of sweat!

Totally a fun project and I can't wait to use it!

If you do go with a fridge. I would put it in the back of the Bronco. So if you unhook the trailer and leave it at a base camp. Then the fridge comes with you.

 

[SigSauer226]

That’s came out great what part of Jersey you from.

Bergen County

 

[SigSauer226]

If you do go with a fridge. I would put it in the back of the Bronco. So if you unhook the trailer and leave it at a base camp. Then the fridge comes with you.

Yeah good idea. I'm still working that out because I have to bring a German Shepherd too in the back

 

[Jdc]

Damn! Great write up and one of the best posts I've seen in awhile. Awesome restoration!

 

[broncoSJ]

So, I'm finally done with the first stage of my first overlanding/camping/kayak trailer. Never had a Jeep, my Bronco is my first true off road vehicle and I love to camp. When I learned about overlanding it amazed me. Too bad I live on the east coast! Anyway, here is my build.

I started with a Vietnam era (I think, might be earlier) M416 Army trailer. This is what it looked like when I bought it. Cost me $225.

Took a chance with the damage but it's going to be used off road. Won't hurt so much when I scratch it lol. Got the dent taken out best I could for $100.

Stripped everything down to basic parts. Stripped paint and rust and I redid the wheels with new bearings and races.

Then I degreased and scrubbed everything and prepped the metal with etching solution. Next was to coat everything with POR-15.

Then I painted the trailer with Raptor Liner. I did a two tone color scheme, matching cactus grey for the outside and black for the frame, bed and fenders.

Then it was time to put everything back together. I got the original wheels powder coated black and mounted a set of 215/85/16 Falken Wildpeaks on them. They are basically the same size as the original 16x7.00 tires.

Assembled everything and I even got the original hand brake working again! I love this thing. I installed a bed rack. For now it's going to hold my kayak and canoe but eventually I want to add a roof top tent.

My future plans include a box with battery, solar panels and lights. Maybe a refrigerator and compressed air. Also want to add a water tank with some kind of kitchen setup that will fold down. Maybe some recovery tools. I'm open to ideas as this is my first attempt.

Trailer: $225
Fix dent: $100
Wheels and hubs: $60
Shocks: $70
Raptor liner and paint: $220
LED lights: $60
Rack: $120
Tires: $430
Misc parts and hardware: about $100

Total: $1385 and a lot of sweat!

Totally a fun project and I can't wait to use it!

Nice!

 

[jalawson]

This is a great write up and awesome project! Love it!

 

[NJRoadkill]

Great looking build! Even better price point. Was literally just looking at the smittybilt scout and at $8k, no thanks. That a lot of hotel rooms.

From NJ also (South. Salem, Gloucester, Cumberland, Ocean)

Wharton State Forest has rustic camping options
Belleplain also offers trails & camping.

see you on the trails!

 

[Rubisquatch]

Great work! I’m sure this will be fun for you and the fam. Let’s see some camping pics next.

 

[Provoflyfisher]

Helluva nice job! Perfect addition to the bronco.

 

[Gtrekker]

So, I'm finally done with the first stage of my first overlanding/camping/kayak trailer. Never had a Jeep, my Bronco is my first true off road vehicle and I love to camp. When I learned about overlanding it amazed me. Too bad I live on the east coast! Anyway, here is my build.

I started with a Vietnam era (I think, might be earlier) M416 Army trailer. This is what it looked like when I bought it. Cost me $225.

Took a chance with the damage but it's going to be used off road. Won't hurt so much when I scratch it lol. Got the dent taken out best I could for $100.

Stripped everything down to basic parts. Stripped paint and rust and I redid the wheels with new bearings and races.

Then I degreased and scrubbed everything and prepped the metal with etching solution. Next was to coat everything with POR-15.

Then I painted the trailer with Raptor Liner. I did a two tone color scheme, matching cactus grey for the outside and black for the frame, bed and fenders.

Then it was time to put everything back together. I got the original wheels powder coated black and mounted a set of 215/85/16 Falken Wildpeaks on them. They are basically the same size as the original 16x7.00 tires.

Assembled everything and I even got the original hand brake working again! I love this thing. I installed a bed rack. For now it's going to hold my kayak and canoe but eventually I want to add a roof top tent.

My future plans include a box with battery, solar panels and lights. Maybe a refrigerator and compressed air. Also want to add a water tank with some kind of kitchen setup that will fold down. Maybe some recovery tools. I'm open to ideas as this is my first attempt.

Trailer: $225
Fix dent: $100
Wheels and hubs: $60
Shocks: $70
Raptor liner and paint: $220
LED lights: $60
Rack: $120
Tires: $430
Misc parts and hardware: about $100

Total: $1385 and a lot of sweat!

Totally a fun project and I can't wait to use it!

Nicely done!!! By chance... do you have a source for that type of trailer? Havent had any luck find one.

 

[HotdogThud]

Whoa. You mounted a damn house as a RTT? that's cool.

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