tarps / covers for your trailer

[97XJ_95YJ]

I'd like to know what you folks are using for tarps or covers for your trailer. I'd like something that is waterproof and is going to stay together while I'm driving down the highway. I found a few nice canvas tops online at places like Beechwood Canvas, but they're $150. I'd rather not pay that much. What are you folks using?

[speedbuggy]

Canvas tarp and some pvc pipe for the bows. I used Mike B's design ;)

[97XJ_95YJ]

Do you use it just for storage or do you leave it on when you are pulling it behind your vehicle too?

[sparky]

I bought a canvas tarp at Orscheln's and used a plastic PVC bow setup from the Yahoogroup M416 mailing list.

Wish I could attach it here but you must be a member to access it and you can't redistribute. :(

It's a great cad drawing though.

As for using it when towing, I might have once, but without a good way to cinch it down it doesn't work real well so it just keeps the water out of the trailer while it sits. Waiting for it's new owner. :)

[Boyink]

Custom:

http://www.boyink.com/images/jeep/Tarp2.jpg

http://www.boyink.com/splaat/bantam-trailer-comments/tarp-custom/

Also paid $120 - but well worth it IMHO.

[97XJ_95YJ]

Boyink - that is one sweet setup you have there. I love the tarp and the cargo rack. How did you mount your bike racks? Are they Yakima or Thule racks?

[sparky]

Guess I'd add, if I weren't lazy I'd move the eyelettes on the tarp so that they line up with the hooks on the trailer.

The kits are available right down the aisle from the tarp itself. :)

[Boyink]

Boyink - that is one sweet setup you have there. I love the tarp and the cargo rack. How did you mount your bike racks? Are they Yakima or Thule racks?

Heh...

The rack support is all custom that I put together. The rack is an ages-old cartop rack my dad had that I cut apart. It just bolts to the cross members.

I have more pics of the bike rack here (http://www.boyink.com/splaat/bantam-trailer-comments/bike-rack-top-mounted/).

After using it though, it's not that great. The rack makes it hard to get stuff in and out of the trailer.

I hope to re-do it (this would be the 3rd time..:roll: ) - and run one two-place rack of the rear receiver and two in the front using a slip-over-the-receiver style rack (my tongue plugs in like a receiver hitch).

Ideally for camping I want to run some stake racks with a covered wagon style canvas top for more capacity and better access.

[Robert Bills]

This is my solution, custom CanBack top:

http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/924/medium/HPIM0129.JPG

http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/924/medium/HPIM0128.JPG

http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/924/medium/HPIM0140.JPG


If you just want a tarp, with grommets in the proper location for the tie down hooks on your trailer, try Todd McCrimmon at Canada Surplus, Inc. He sells surplus (unused) poly tarps for the Canadian M101 trailer, which is an exact fit for the US M416, and will also fit the slightly smaller tub on the MBT,T3, T3-C and M100. Olive drap on one side, camo on the other. Heavy duty. Search on Ebay for "M416 tarp." About $100 +/-, including shipping.

[jpflat2a]

I paid $400 ( I think) about 6 (?) years ago for this fiberglass cap.
We used HF ratchet straps and made the brackets and hold downs. (Thanks Glenn)
It also has folding table legs up under neath so that when removed, I don't have to set it directly on the ground, and can use it for table/flat storage if needed. Raised like it is, it greatly increases the storage capability, and I've used all of it when packing for the three of us on longer trips.
Someone in N. Calif made these; they made different ones to fit the different trailers as all the bed dimensions are a little different, Bantam, 416 etc.
To my knowledge, last time I asked, no more made and none left.
I know of about 10-15 that were made if I recall.
$$ pricey, but very secure and very dry.

[Robert Bills]

Jim,

We corresponded about your cover a few years ago when I was deciding what direction to go with my trailer.

Your cover is a "new and improved" version of covers used in the early 1960's by the Drifters Jeep Club in Pomona CA. The guys in that club with Bantam trailers built their covers from plywood and then fiberglassed them. The table legs were made from threaded 3/4" galvanized pipe and screwed in from underneath so that the cover could serve as a table in camp. The problem was, these covers were heavy and it took two grown men to take them off. Also, loading was a challenge because the tops were tilted either from the front or one side, which didn't leave a lot of room to stuff things through the gap. I am fairly certain that your cover was inspired by one of the Drifter trailer covers because one of the members moved to the Sacramento area, taking his jeep and trailer with him, and began to run with the guys who hung out at Archer Brothers Jeep and joined a club up there. (Jeepers have never been shy about copying/improving upon a good idea.)

How do I know all this? Because my father bought my trailer from the original owner in 1966, who was a member of the Drifters. That top stayed on my trailer until I restored the trailer a few years ago and went with the "covered wagon style" CanBack top instead. At the time, had there been any of your type covers for sale anywhere, I probably would have purchased one if for no other reason than nostalgia for boyhood jeeping memories.

[jpflat2a]

yep
I recall
mine came from Placerville,
but lots of old Jeepers around the area.
it's pretty light, I can tilt it up from either side for access, and yes two are required to lift off. Thanks for sharing.

[Walldog]

If you want the drawing of the tarp support just shoot me an email. Also, I have a drawing w/ dimensions of the tarp used on the M101CDN2 1/4 ton trailer.

[Robert Bills]

Back to tarps:

For more info on M416 tarp supports, see this thread:

http://www.g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=78108

[jeepfreak81]

I bought a canvas tarp at Orscheln's and used a plastic PVC bow setup from the Yahoogroup M416 mailing list.

Wish I could attach it here but you must be a member to access it and you can't redistribute. :(

It's a great cad drawing though.

As for using it when towing, I might have once, but without a good way to cinch it down it doesn't work real well so it just keeps the water out of the trailer while it sits. Waiting for it's new owner. :)

Sparky,

Do you remember what size your tarp was? 5x7 ? Taking measurements that seems like it would be perfect with top bows...

[5foxes]

http://newlifecanvas.com/
Try this,,, Mona does a great job!!
M416, in stock & She shipped mine UPS next day.
$100.00 plus shipping ($21), came w/original rope. it's totally awesome!!
Highly recommended.

[5foxes]

http://earlycj5.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=23449&d=1219017233
Not shown with the tarp....yet

[Kicknbak]

Bantam T3 ... Have had different setups over the years. First was a hardtop made from 2X4 bows which were arched on top and notched on ends to fit down inside the outer rim. Covered in arched 1/4 ply, heavily filled and primed, then painted to match trailer. It fit so snug that it didn't need fastening down. Later, tired of setting something down to lift the entire top up, I cut in 4 access doors in top, hinged and locked, then faced with water sealing of course.

Most recent was still sticking with the arched and notched 2x4s (4) for bows... Harbor Freight has a 5X7 heavy duty canvas tarp (treated like orig. military) that fits perfectly for $15. The eyes don't match the hooks perfectly but an eyelet kit fixes that, and heavy tie down ropes used to duplicate originals. Light weight & this way you only have to untie the area you need to access. If you go to a higher load, then the next size up canvas still works good but the arches do not, and are not needed if the load itself will shed water. Inexpensive, yet works fine. Hope this helps... R

[windyhill]

This is my solution, custom CanBack top:

http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/924/medium/HPIM0129.JPG

http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/924/medium/HPIM0128.JPG

http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/924/medium/HPIM0140.JPG


If you just want a tarp, with grommets in the proper location for the tie down hooks on your trailer, try Todd McCrimmon at Canada Surplus, Inc. He sells surplus (unused) poly tarps for the Canadian M101 trailer, which is an exact fit for the US M416, and will also fit the slightly smaller tub on the MBT,T3, T3-C and M100. Olive drap on one side, camo on the other. Heavy duty. Search on Ebay for "M416 tarp." About $100 +/-, including shipping.

What kinda price tag on the Canback top? That is sweet!

[Robert Bills]

My Can-Back top was made when the company was still owned by the founder/original owner. Even though it was "custom" in the sense that it was made to fit my T3-C, the price was the same as the standard "production" top.

The company now has new owners and has relocated to Arizona. I corresponded with them about 18 months ago to inquire about a "group buy" for owners of military trailers, but never received a response. I am told that the production top for a Toyota Tacoma would likely fit with some minor modifications, but I have not actually measured a Can-Back top for a Tacoma to be sure.

As for the price, I paid about $800 including the rack. Pricey, but worth it to me.

[johnny quest]

any hard tops out there?? :? im looking to put on a hardtop for security with either a spare tire mount or a full rack on top. i was thinking that the hardtop would be hinged from the front and open up to allow easier access to the front of the trailer, but then able to be dropped and locked so i wouldnt have to worry about my stuff walking away at rest stops or restaurants.

[andy howell]

look on sportsman's guide- they have the exact correct size -5x7 i think- in od cotton canvas $19.95- any cheaper & they would have to pay you to take it!
andy

[Tumbleweed]

This link to my trailer project might give you some ideas.
http://www.tumblwd.smugmug.com/gallery/6324430_gy6xt#398794705_jaFb4

[Franz©]

any hard tops out there?? :? im looking to put on a hardtop for security with either a spare tire mount or a full rack on top. i was thinking that the hardtop would be hinged from the front and open up to allow easier access to the front of the trailer, but then able to be dropped and locked so i wouldnt have to worry about my stuff walking away at rest stops or restaurants.

You mean like this? The fiberglass sheet was originally destined to be a shower wall, but it reshaped around the framework easily. The skin could also be done in aluminum if you had it. Framework is 4 cutdown cornerpieces from a Duce with additional framing of 1 ½" lathers chanel. Hinges on the front are made from 1/8 pipe with removable pins so the whole top can be lifted off. A pair of washers are welded to the tailgate & topframe for pinning or locking.

The top weighs about 70 pounds and can be lifted off by one person. The winch on the nose serves to lift the spare tire to the Aframe for storage, and assist in loading as well with the top off.