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Your opinion on M416 1/4 ton trailer

Discussion in 'Jeep Trailer Tech' started by Craig1953, Dec 8, 2014.

  1. Dec 8, 2014
    Craig1953

    Craig1953 Member

    Santa Barbara, CA
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2014
    Messages:
    76
    Hi,

    With your help I determined that the M151A2 trailer was too big and heavy for my 1967 CJ5, V6, with drum brakes. How about this one? Seller says it a M416 1/4 ton trailer. I looked at it today and I liked it. I still looked a little bigger than I expected. The data plate does says it is a 1/4 ton trailer, i.e. about a 500 lb payload, and the trailer itself is about 500 lbs. It appears to be in good shape. He's asking $1,500 for it. He's firm on the price, but will throw in a spare tire. Is that reasonable for this trailer in Southern California? What is the consensus on the pintle hitch system? I hear it's better for off road, but it looks like there is a lot of slop that would cause jerking, banging, and clanging on starts and stops.

    Thanks for your opinions.

    Craig

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Dec 8, 2014
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    Apr 8, 2008
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    4,717
    I pull mine behind everything, I brought It down to missouri from new york with a 4cyl 87 s10 and do errands behind the wife's equinox. The only thing I don't like is the lack of a tail gate. It is heavy for it's size and capacity but is very stout and pulls nicely. For the price I would ensure it has a good title.
     
  3. Dec 9, 2014
    PieLut

    PieLut Member

    Glendale, Arizona
    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2010
    Messages:
    464
    Looks like a nice M416. Appears the landing leg has been modified or partially missing. These trailers seem to fetch a high price. In Arizona they go from $800-2000.
    I got lucky on mine for $400. Looks mostly original with the pintle hitch, hand brake, and tires/wheels.
     
  4. Dec 9, 2014
    jossar

    jossar Member

    Freedom, WI
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2012
    Messages:
    199
    I gotta agree with jwjeep60. I pull mine everywhere behind my CJ5 with an F head and my Envoy and I'm very happy with it. Tracks great - hardly even know its back there. It's fairly heavy but I can easily roll it around the yard by hand. Personally, I like the pintle - easy to hook up and un hook and I've not noticed much noise on starts and stops but some banging on real rough roads. Lack of a tailgate is a negative but on the flip side, if there's no holes and the drain plugs work it will float (or hold water). Price seems a little on the high side for here but maybe not for CA. I agree the Landing leg does not look right.
     
  5. Dec 9, 2014
    Craig1953

    Craig1953 Member

    Santa Barbara, CA
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2014
    Messages:
    76
    Several posts from previous years have suggested "trailer brakes" for these. Does anyone have any specs or product references for trailer brakes? Are they an easy after market item to install?
     
  6. Dec 9, 2014
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    Oct 25, 2006
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    5,798
  7. Dec 9, 2014
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    Jul 30, 2003
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    8,513
    I think it's over priced.
    But...area/supply/demand/condition will dictate that I suppose.
    I don't think any additional braking is needed, in regards to trailer brakes.
    The hand operated works for parking the trailer.
     
  8. Dec 9, 2014
    Craig1953

    Craig1953 Member

    Santa Barbara, CA
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2014
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    76
    Thanks. Interesting auction site. A search only turned up two, both in New Hampshire, about as far away from So Cal as you can get in the 48. But I'll check back there after awhile and see what turns up.
     
  9. Dec 29, 2014
    5foxes

    5foxes '74 CJ5

    Dayton, Minnesota
    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2006
    Messages:
    139
    Craig,
    I hope you picked-up this trailer, although $1500 is high. The trailer is a 1965 M416B1 by Stevens Mfg. The B1's are a little more rare than the std. M416. They were used by the Marines and are distinguished by the Jerry can mounts on each side as well as the hoisting hoops at each corner and the Mite wheels with the holes.
    I've had mine for a few years now, it's great! http://www.earlycj5.net/forums/showthread.php?56398-Could-a-Stevens-M416-B1-be-worth-1050
     
    Last edited: Dec 29, 2014
  10. Jan 3, 2015
    Craig1953

    Craig1953 Member

    Santa Barbara, CA
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2014
    Messages:
    76
    Yes, I did end up buying it. Towed it back to Santa Barbara from Long Beach and, like you said, it tows really easy. That's with no load though. I've ordered some replacement lenses for the lights and will have to re-wire a plug to connect to the Jeep and I'll be good to go. I think I'll just leave it with the Camo color for now.
     
  11. Jan 4, 2015
    ojgrsoi

    ojgrsoi Retired 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
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    Dec 30, 2002
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    congratulations. Looks like a nice trailer.
     
  12. Jan 7, 2015
    Wenaha

    Wenaha Member

    West Coast
    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2014
    Messages:
    415
    I built an M416 look alike trailer a number of years ago. It had some improvements - tail gate with lockable slam latch, a diamond plate aluminum tongue box with batteries, 30 gallon water tank between the rear frame rails. I used a pintle hitch, which IMO, is much less failure prone than the standard ball hitch. I pulled this trailer all over the West. I think you will be happy with your trailer.

    [​IMG]
     
  13. Jan 9, 2015
    Craig1953

    Craig1953 Member

    Santa Barbara, CA
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2014
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    Hey, that water tank between the rails sounds like a good idea. What did you use for the tank? Can you post a pic?
     
  14. Jan 9, 2015
    Wenaha

    Wenaha Member

    West Coast
    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2014
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    415
    Craig, I don't have a specific photo of the tank. It was made of 3'8" welded poly (food grade) It was made to fit between the rails to the rear of the axle to balance the tongue weight of a pair of G31 AGM deep draw batteries in the tongue box. It was slightly deeper that the frame, with a 1/8" skid plate from the center cross member to the rear cross member. Never had a problem with it at all. I installed a 12V on demand pump in the tongue box, plumbed to the tank, I also had a gravity feed at the rear. It was good for about 1 week to 10 days of dry camping in the desert.

    Here's a drawing of the tank - your would be different, of course...

    [​IMG]

    Tongue box:
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2015
  15. Jan 10, 2015
    Craig1953

    Craig1953 Member

    Santa Barbara, CA
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2014
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    Very cool! Really well thought out and executed. Thanks for the ideas.
    P.S. I assume the batteries are charged from the vehicle. How does that system work?
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2015
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