I've restored quite a few M416 and M100 trailers. Since they are so simple I prefer to take them down to the bare bones, you end up with a much better restoration that way. This page will cover the restoration of my own personal trailer which is the first one I ever restore. I purchased this trailer from my friend Gene. We both bid on the trailer at DRMO Ft. Carson, Colorado. Gene actually outbid me by $10.00 but when he found out I wanted it he sold it to me for what he payed.
This is how the trailer was when I brought it home, not bad, one small dent, and very minor surface rust. The only problem was a good seven coats of brushed on paint that was peeling (typical).
What better way to get rid of that surface rust and peeling paint, sandblast it of course.
As soon as I got it home I had to get it sealed, there was a big thunderstorm rolling in, that's why there's no photos of the primer coat. I painted this trailer Forest Green. I use Gillespie Coatings from Mark Dodd at Rapco Parts Company, Bowie, Texas. Easy paint to work with and quite durable.
As you can tell I didn't paint it to the camo scheme it was when I got the trailer. I needed it to match the camo pattern of my M151A2. I used Gillespie spray cans to do the patterns. Once the painting was done I used 3M undercoating to coat the axle and underbody to prevent paint chips and rust. Once the paint and undercoat were dry I tore down the parking brake assembly and hubs. Bearings were in poor shape so I installed NOS bearings, races, seals, and brake shoes that I had in stock. At the same time I installed a NOS intervehicular cable, wire harness and composite lights.
This is the final product, new paint, 90% tires and has made several trips from Colorado to California behind my M1009 CUCV. This picture did not turn out too well in my scanner. Since this photo I have added a "jerry" can carrier on each side, one for fuel and the other "non-potable" water. I have also added the vinyl tarp. The license plate is mounted on a custom fabricated bracket that uses existing holes. I can have your trailer fully restored in a few days as long as the sandblaster is not backed up.
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