Adventure Trailer Build

Been working on a design for my trailer that I picked up last month.

The trailer is a M101A2 bed on a M116A3 frame. Good shape overall.



I used to have a rooftop tent on my landcruiser, but quickly realized that without A/C, it was only useable for a couple months out of the year (in this climate).
That left me looking at small pop-up campers and the like. I need something with good offroad capability, that will match my cruiser. Every pop-up camper that I looked at was simply too flimsy and low to the ground. Since this will be used for just myself (most of the time), I also don't need the slide-outs that all modern pop-ups seem to come with.

That's when I started looking at military trailers. The M101s are very close in size to my cruiser (track width is exactly the same on my A3), and are overbuilt (which I like). I looked into the S-250 shelters, but they just don't fit the 101 like they should, and are a bit too tall for my needs.



Here are some pics of my rough model while I get the overall design knocked out. After that, I'll begin to finalize all of the details like body construction (inner frame, aluminum skins, rivet placement..ect).

The A/C system I am using is from here: Arctic 2000

And is perfect for this type of setup. It was developed for use in Semi Sleepers, and designed to run off of a 12v battery bank. 6000btu, and has 3 separate components that will allow for a nice install.




I've still got TONS of work left to do on the design, but if you guys think of anything that I should add, feel free to suggest.

just need some rims on those tires....

Warthog said:

just need some rims on those tires....

Click to expand...

This is just a rough model.

opcorn:

This shows the trailer in relation to my cruiser build (for size reference).

Id use high density spray foam insulation to get the most out of the a/c. It will also strengthen the walls and roof.

I'm sure you already have plans to, but some sliding RV windows would be nice.

Nice. Should work well.

I built mine from a pioneer tool trailer. Still have some work to do to it, but it works well.

I pulled the axle and put one with hubs that match the tires on the truck. That way the spare on the truck/trailer will fit on whichever vehicle I need it to.

You making the shell/framework out of steel or aluminum?

Did you get an estimate on price for the AC system?

Very cool ideas and computer drawings. I like it. I say go for it... Post pics as you build.

Jeff

FireFighterHill said:

Id use high density spray foam insulation to get the most out of the a/c. It will also strengthen the walls and roof.

Click to expand...

Yep, that's the plan. Similar to how the S-250 shelters are constructed.

RIDDLE1 said:

I'm sure you already have plans to, but some sliding RV windows would be nice.

Click to expand...

I do plan to put in some small windows, I just haven't found any that I like yet.
Any suggestions?

M1031CMT said:

Nice. Should work well.

I build mine from a pioneer tool trailer. Still have some work to do to it, but it works well.

I pulled the axle and put one which hubs that match the tires on the truck. That way the spare on the truck/trailer will fit on whichever vehicle I need it to.

You making the shell/framework out of steel or aluminum?

Did you get an estimate on price for the AC system?

Click to expand...

That looks good. I like those pioneer trailers.

My axle is the A3 drop axle, which is 8-lug. Right now, the cruiser is only 6 lug, but will be 8-lug in the future.
However, the trailer uses HMMW wheels (lot of backspacing), so it will get it's own separate spare.

The framework and skins will be aluminum, just to save weight. My preference would be stainless, but the trailer would end up weighing over 3k...

Price for that particular A/C system is around $2k, but they do offer a smaller version which is less.

michigan4x4 said:

Very cool ideas and computer drawings. I like it. I say go for it... Post pics as you build.

Jeff

Click to expand...

Thanks! The computer models (once finished) are what I use to actually cut/fab the pieces that will make up the finished product.

Head over to expeditionportal.com for off road camper shell builds.
There are several mad builds on there.

Nice pics. That cruiser gets a little drafty I bet.

Was looking at the website for that AC company. Wouldn't their all-in-one "Oblo" unit work better for the trailer? Says it even comes pre-charged. Trailer is pretty small, so you wouldn't need that big of a unit. Unless well you are planning on putting stuff on the top of the trailer which wouldn't leave you space to put it up there.

Oblo

I think your cruzer would be much better with a body. And wheels on the trailer. Might improve the chances of you actually getting there in, well, an actual solid object.

J/K

This is a neat thread, great ideas here!

Tomills,

Looks like a plan. What model cruiser, do you have. The older 6 cly. will have a hard time towing that heavy of a trailer. I have a FJ55, but I'm putting a 5.3 vortec in it. Should be more able to handle a 101. My Son and I are building a couple 101's, for camping. I like your hardtop and a/c idea.

Really nice. What software are you using and where did you get the stencils?

Thats a really cool program, I'm guessing a lot of to get your design to that stage!! Can't wait until the real thing rolls in!

Vinny

M1031CMT said:

Was looking at the website for that AC company. Wouldn't their all-in-one "Oblo" unit work better for the trailer? Says it even comes pre-charged. Trailer is pretty small, so you wouldn't need that big of a unit. Unless well you are planning on putting stuff on the top of the trailer which wouldn't leave you space to put it up there.

Oblo

Click to expand...

I looked into the roof mounted a/c units. They're all too tall and bulky for my needs. This thing will inevitably get drug through the brush on occasion, so I'd rather not have something like that sitting on the roof.
I really like how the Arctic models are made of separate components. Since I'm building this from the ground up, it will make for a clean install.


And you're right, there will be a basket up top to hold extra gear when going on extended trips.

maddawg308 said:

I think your cruzer would be much better with a body. And wheels on the trailer. Might improve the chances of you actually getting there in, well, an actual solid object.

J/K

This is a neat thread, great ideas here!

Click to expand...

True! The model definitely looks better with all of the details.... BUT... it just takes an enormous amount of time to accurately model all of those parts.
Everything you see on there was hand-drawn, using dimensions pulled off of the actual parts/pieces. I'm sure you can imagine how long it would take to accurately model the cruiser body using a pair of calipers!

Thanks!

scrapdaddy said:

Tomills,

Looks like a plan. What model cruiser, do you have. The older 6 cly. will have a hard time towing that heavy of a trailer. I have a FJ55, but I'm putting a 5.3 vortec in it. Should be more able to handle a 101. My Son and I are building a couple 101's, for camping. I like your hardtop and a/c idea.

Click to expand...

My cruiser is a FZJ80 model. It's still an inline 6cyl (4.5L DOHC), but it has plenty of power to handle the trailer. If anything, I may do a diesel conversion later on.
Love those iron pigs though! A 5.3 in one of those would be sweet.

plym49 said:

Really nice. What software are you using and where did you get the stencils?

Click to expand...

The software is called Solidworks. Everything in that model was drawn by myself, which just takes time. Actually takes more time to model than it does to fabricate the parts.

3D CAD Design Software SolidWorks

vinny-socom1 said:

Thats a really cool program, I'm guessing a lot of to get your design to that stage!! Can't wait until the real thing rolls in!

Vinny

Click to expand...

Thanks! I'll update below with an example of how the model gets transformed into an actual part.

This is going to be a good build, I look forward to it with interest. I love the Wonder Woman Expeditionary design concept. opcorn: