M416 Tarp Support

[glcaines]

Based on the instructions found in PM I built a tarp support for my M416 trailer. I modified the PM design by rounding the angular cut on each end of the board to minimize damage to the tarp from rubbing. It took me about 20 minutes to cut the wood, and works well. I coated the board with semigloss urethane and then put on two coats of Forest Green. The support fits snugly when in place.

Cargo Tarp Support B.jpg

[glcaines]

Well, my tarp support didn't work out as well as I thought it would for my M416 trailer. I went back to the drawing board and created a new design which actually works quite well. I purchased two sheets of 1/2-inch exterior grade plywood. One sheet wasn't large enough to cover the width of the trailer bed, so I joined the two pieces lengthwise with 10-inch wide strips of 1/2-inch plywood on both sides. I used exterior-grade wood glue and my staple gun to keep it together and then added 5/16-inch stainless steel bolts. I cut small blocks of 1/2-inch plywood and attached them on the underside of the cover so that when the cover is in place on the trailer bed, the blocks are on the inside of the bed sides to keep the cover in place. The cover was cut to be an exact fit front and rear and sides where the edges of the cover sit on top of the bed, but don't protrude past the edges. I also rounded the corners of the cover. I then sprayed the entire cover top and bottom

Wood Cover Underside.jpg

with Forest Green paint. No more sagging tarps from rainwater or snow. One note, I don't pull the trailer with the cover on it without strapping it down. While driving, the air flowing across the top of the cover causes the air pressure to drop on top, which can cause the cover to lift up and fly off the trailer.

Wood Cover Installed.jpg

[rickf]

The one I always saw the most was bent pieces of PVC pipe. Just poked into the inside where the body protrudes in and bowed up across.

[LACRAC]

this is what we used to do

dog house.jpg

[LACRAC]

this is what we used to do

dog house.jpg