M1102 / Gichner S-250 Comms Shelter Camper

I bought a Gichner Systems S-250 Comms Shelter on GovPlanet with the idea of converting it to a micro camper for me, my wife, and my 12 y/o daughter. I decided on an M1102 trailer as the host, as I have a 1986 AM General M998 HMMWV, and it would ride appropriately, and also my Tacoma TRD Off-Road would pull it easily.

Here is the shelter I started with:

Next, I bought an M1102 trailer up in MD from GovPlanet a couple weeks later from a big lot of M1101 & M1102 trailers for sale and had it hauled down to me.

I stripped out everything from the S-250 and saved all the fasteners, wiring, radio racks (which I later sold on eBay), power source etc. and stored in a big Hardigg for repurposing. The fans still worked, but they are 26.5v, which obviously wasn't going to work with the 12v system I planned, so they were later swapped out for 12v radiator fans.

After stripping everything out, my daughter and I washed the inside with soap and water (there is a convenient floor drain).

In the interest of this being a father-daughter project, we went to Lowe's and I let her pick out the paint colors. The theme is milsurp exterior, cozy, vibrant and upscale interior. I spray painted the ceiling blue, then we painted the walls together.

The shelter weighs ~760 lbs, and as I was unable to lift that with my tractor, we got creative by using one of the trees on our 9.5 acres to Jerry rig a hoist to lower the shelter into the M1102 trailer.

With the S-250 in the M1102, work continued. Initially I was thinking I would paint the shelter and the trailer a single, solid OD Green, but I love camo too much to paint over it (I know, I have a problem).

I decided to freshen up the paint on the trailer and go with a satin OD-ish green so I could get some heat reflection from the aluminum to help with cooling.

I did the cut out for and installed an RV window - real pucker factor taking a sawsall to a perfectly water tight vessel and rolling the dice I wouldn't mess it up. I also bought a bunch of angle steel to fabricate gypsy racks like big erector sets with repurposed 3/8" bolts & nuts on the corners. You can see some of the wiring from lights coming out of the shelter to where I would later install the power box.

I used a surplus watertight storage box as a power supply center and mounted it outside, as space is at a premium inside. I have a heavy duty car battery, then the guts from a repurposed old RV power panel with converter and breaker bar etc. I also installed a solar vent fan on top to help ventilate the components.

I installed a 200w solar array on the roof, which charges the battery. I later wired a 110v outlet inside and ran the 30A shore power cable out from the power box.

Back to the interior.

I built a cabinet using materials I had in my woodshop (3/4" ply for the carcass, as it was going to support the top bunk).

I used surplus laminate flooring from building our house and extended the bunks out to 24" using 3/4" ply. I cut a king size 6" ultra plush memory foam mattress into three (3) pieces using a sawsall and two (2) clamped 2x4s as a guide. We have three (3) super comfortable bunks for a total of $160 from Amazon. I decided to do the mattress retaining trim out of cherry (I build furniture as a serious hobby).

I also repurposed a heavy post support that was installed in the M1102 and a fitting from the small air vent in the side of the shelter, added a piece of PVC as a vertical member, then fitted it all together with the cherry and purple heart table top I made. It breaks down and can be stowed easily.

I installed a second RV window on the right side to make it feel bigger. All wiring complete here, with a couple multi-gang switch panels to operate exterior lights, vent fans, and control power to the two (2) dual USB charging ports. You can see the 110v outlet on the right.

Exterior with multiple gypsy racks installed for water / cooler, and a few 5 gallon Jerry cans. Bought a surplus vehicle ladder off eBay and used angle steel leftovers to secure it to the tailgate via hitch pins.

Wanting more real estate off the back, I rigged a pull-out deck utilizing M105 trailer tailgates bolted together, held up by 2.5" angle steel brackets and a positive stop to avoid complete deployment onto the ground. A pair of M105 adjustable legs support the weight of the extended deck.

I ended up getting a lot of six (6) M105 tailgates from MECO on eBay for $400 shipped. I needed three (3) for the deck, so I used two (2) as deployable side counter space / seating. I used door hinges to secure them, so if I need to access the wheels / tires, I can knock out the hinge pins and remove them easily.

Also cut a third hole and installed the A/C unit.

I made screens for the original hatch openings with teak frames that mount via carriage bolt & wing nut. I remove the screens and have a set of toggles that hold the hatches shut from the inside for security purposes.

We visited our friends who have a traditional camper at a campground over Memorial Day weekend and I saw all the high end campers / RVs had undercarriage lights, so not to be outdone, I added them to ours for $28.

I used a surplus computer server case as a deployable gas grill housing. I used 100lb full-extension ball bearing glides and made the shelf like a cutting board out of cherry, maple, zebrawood, and Shedua, then mounted the assembly to the front of the trailer. Still plenty of room for turning when towing with the Tacoma.

Aside from rain, a pretty successful first outing with it. It is primarily meant for overland camping and SHTF (it flood in eastern NC) or camping on the beach, but I am really pleased overall.

We had a composting toilet for those needs, and if overland camping, have a 5 gallon sun shower.

That is an inspiring build! Thanks for sharing it.

Wow, very nice build!

Thanks; it was a fun project. Having my wife begrudgingly admit it was nice and comfortable was almost as great as working on it with my daughter.

Freakin’ Awesome. Really nice work!

lfhoward said:

Freakin’ Awesome. Really nice work!

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Agree you have what I will be trying to create with my M1102 and 13' slide in truck camper. Getting my 26 year old daughter involved maybe; her saying it's comfy on a cool night in the Sierra someday.
"Priceless"

Very nice job

Thanks everyone. This build is now for sale: $8,000 OBO

GREAT JOB!!!

Well done and use of the outside is a plus! Were you able to license it? That is one thing I wondered about Military Trailers one day I want one for my M1078 for hauling more hay in one load.