Silversurfer's M101 CDN Expedition Trailer

Hello everyone
I've been building my expo trailer for just under 7 months now, and would like to share a recap of the build so far.
This build is preparation for a 40 Day Arctic Road. trip.

I picked up my M101 from a friend in my Jeep Club for $1000
44b3ca66ce2ebc7ebc7004fe7fd33832.jpg


I started to tear down almost immediately..
60371dd16efa1ccb65413ca61a20fea9.jpg
81c0d2ec6d55da4724706bd9d47d9e9f.jpg

As some of you know with the M101 trailers, there is Ziebart rust protection in the top rail, and loves to run out on a hot day. Did a thorough cleaning on a hot day.
8176e023304a44deccb1dbe76ad8bd78.jpg

First part of the building was the Tongue using 3x2 steel.

f73edd26c2d3714536fc06df4aeabe92.jpg
cc04f37a0d42aa3a7ffdf082a5d0b388.jpg

Picked up a 2 inch receiver from princess auto to accommodate the Max Coupler
[IMG]//images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/06/257a893816793be3ab796b43eda74f88.jpg
93572eee507d3bb8c7600b56ecda70dc.jpg

The trailer tongue welded together nicely, and I'm sure it will be plenty strong..
d9c5008196b04ad0e26de05eaf43b598.jpg
b5c077b1b4e993c55fde678b41afa9e4.jpg
603b7f593870d945beb675f7cafa3f74.jpg

The trailer tongue will be covered with aluminum checker plate to keep the weight down.
Next up was the Lid! I want to try something different as far as lids are concerned and I chose a rounded edge, and I must say it was pretty challenging lol

Started out with 1x1 tube for the frame rail.
80cfae25cd8df993d0cc90415951031c.jpg
033e022a004ea769fe8de9d41af6f839.jpg
5ee8d58b51d2997baf04c4129130cc5e.jpg

Adding some guide pins.
f72018fa6971ecb1920593382f28da54.jpg

Next up I moved on the lid skeleton using 3/4 thin walled tubing.
ee9a68313751d945de9aa18d07fbaeca.jpg

After a lot of trial and error, It came down to simply notching the tube versus bending it.
1d95da6c78bacbba83e4e9f1c01b8b14.jpg
c5c927cb12def2dd5697a5970934db7d.jpg

I grouped all the tubes together and notched them identically on both sides, and bent them together.
f8c9aedb0dc1bebb2f0cb64767bdb014.jpg

After laying out measurements I started tacking down the frame.
f76efc65f2949113a4cf6a7eaf5abc41.jpg
567909b721cf3f9cc2a1ec140e20cb32.jpg

For the skin I used 22 gauge sheet steel, again to keep the weight down.
510a36325577f941fd2576b4c4c5f3d5.jpg
a5b5019a4ab3a44dae3caaa2110a7811.jpg
d8fcd5565924a89e78a534fd06751b05.jpg
e802215dfad42b3450c1ee0c9f856bb4.jpg




Adventure is out there!
 
Last edited:
My friend Brian bent me up some new fenders..
c710f5dd64eefa86db273a01e38d47ea.jpg

After finishing the lid, I towed the trailer down to Medicine Hat, where my nephew Ben took on the body work and paint.
1f00f617dbdc0403261476a08c0587e4.jpg




Adventure is out there!
 
After a full sandblasting the painting started.
103a8cb8b5a5257478f33215ab1c96ff.jpg
827ff9369a3a8dbdf213a167607cedd9.jpg
87385bc3e2b4965e0ee3121589345c2b.jpg

I decided to color match the trailer to my 2012 Jeep JK's silver.
86cf638224babe30fe82cc9fdf804fb9.jpg
f2014c8f8018681eae662482b98211cd.jpg
64b4fed32b8000ed82c24a23b37cae18.jpg

And then it was time to move on to the lid. With any of you who works with sheet steel you'll understand ( oil canning) The quickest way to rectify this is to heat up the steel in certain spots and throw a cold wet rag on to contract the steel so it tightens up..
e85f5fd262dd662879bb2a512a3cb352.jpg

Lid complete! I decided to go with all bedliner, color matched to the jeeps roof.
b3b4bb1de2cbc56a4889ff87fb38a418.jpg

Removed the stock tires, and mounted a set of Cooper ST Maxx tires, and PROCOMP rims, same as the jeep.
d6f07888981634552203315a81713b38.jpg
4ec75afb9cd8c96f42fd3bd4f127160d.jpg

From that point we started on the small stuff like wiring, bump stops, and rack for the lid.
6508c88b63c0f170ce200be7661d64ad.jpg
0e6fe13274abd9c099a6a340189c63b9.jpg

I put the taillights in the lid to keep them out of harms way when driving through the bush.
9833d45415c25b0f2b5bb5a6677f3688.jpg

So now you're all caught up!! The build is continuing, next up will install the checker plate, tongue box, and mount the jerrycans and propane bottle.
86d360dc6086228a6e458260a84138ab.jpg




Adventure is out there!
 
Last edited:

RagnarD

Adventurer
Well done. Sounds like you have some nice friends/family. I just got a set of those tires for my truck and am kicking around getting them for my trailer too. They look good.
 
Well done. Sounds like you have some nice friends/family. I just got a set of those tires for my truck and am kicking around getting them for my trailer too. They look good.

Thanks!!! I've ran Cooper St Maxx on 3 Overland trips, and they haven't failed me...


Adventure is out there!
 

Mark Harley

Expedition Leader
Excellent finished product! I like the full coverage fenders they look good.
Did the bed liner add much weight to the lid?
 
I've chosen the Tepui Ruggedized XL for the trailer.. It's presently sitting on the docks in LA, waiting for the work disruption to end..
7201a3cb66455fe0f47bdeafb27506c6.jpg



Adventure is out there!
 

PCO6

Adventurer
That turned out great. :clapping: I really like the lid you built and the way that you notched and bent the frame work. Do you know the approximate weight of the lid?
 

PCO6

Adventurer
Thanks. I just backtracked and saw that you already provided this information. Sorry about that.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
185,533
Messages
2,875,610
Members
224,922
Latest member
Randy Towles
Top