Velociraptor_TJ
New member
upon request by many people i am starting a blog to follow my M101A3 build.
I have a Jeep TJ that i take wheeling a lot. a month ago on a recent wheeling trip to a local spot, camping and trying to carry all my gear in the TJ prompted me to want to build some sort of expedition trailer. i went camping on Saturday, Monday had the idea, and low and behold the chance randomly appeared on Tuesday to purchase a M101A3 Trailer in great shape locally for $675. I jumped on it immediately and let the brainstorming process begin.
I then spent the next 2 weeks taking measurements, planning, browsing the web, asking questions, and reviewing products.During this time i cleaned the bottom of the trailer and frame, and then sprayed it with 3 coats of Rustoleum Bedliner.
This brings us to last week when the build officially started.
I will try to break up what is done so far into separate posts. i have accomplished a lot in a week, and have a garage full of supplies with amazon packages coming in the mass daily for the next week or so.
I wanted a way to haul my camping gear with the jeep but not in the jeep, i also wanted to add a few amenities and features to make camping in the heat of Florida and the nature of mud/dirt/cow **** etc at the jeeping places a little more enjoyable.
With that said i decided i wanted the following features:
Off Road capable Trailer
Roof Top Tent
Fresh Water Supply and pump
Hot water
Shower
Camp Kitchen
Self Sufficient if needed
Could double as bug out trailer
I am going with a SmittyBilt Overland XL Tent, i wanted a large tent with room for 4 people just in case i was camping and it monsoons and a friends tent gets wet i have room in them with mine. Now i know they are not a big brand like CVT, Tupai or such, but since this is my first trailer build and until i know what i would want exactly from one of those manufactures at double the cost. 4WD happened to have a memorial day sale of free shipping and sales tax on SmittyBilt products so it was a win win, i picked up the Overland XL, ladder extension, and 8' SmittyBilt awning for $1446 total LTL to my door. I could not say no to this price. The only draw back is this would be a new model, the Annex is still in R&D and will not be available until later this summer. I can wait for the cost savings. It arrives tomorrow so i am excited to see it.
I decided i wanted the rack to adjust vertically, this way it could be compact for towing, and up in the air at the camp site. I designed and built a rack for the RTT, and purchased the Steel for the Rack build. I used 1 1/4" 14ga for the rack, i used 1 1/2" 16ga for the slide tubes, i layered the floor with 1/2-9 expanded metal (extra braces over the section that will be walked on). i am using 4 x 24" stroke 12vdc actuators to lift the rack (found on ebay for $75x4). I added a ledge on 3 sides so i can use the leftover the space from the tent for firewood or other items.
The tub is getting sprayed with 2 coats of Raptor Line Bed Liner - tinted to match Stone White of the jeep - 2x$118 plus 2x$25 for tint
The water system will be comprised of the following
46gal RV water holding tank - fits dimensions i need to put under the rear of trailer to counter tongue weight. I am going to build a skid plate for it also - $100
SureFlow 12vdc Water Pump - $60
SureFlow Accumulator Tank - $40
SurFlow Screen Filter - $10
Camp Chef Triton On demand Hot Water Heater - $120
Ozark 2 Room Shower Tent - $120
The water pump will pull from the tank, the accumulator will help maintain water pressure. The line will split (one for Cold, one to hot water heater). The hot water heater will kick on when it senses water flow and ignite on demand. The Hot Water Heater takes 2-D batteries. I am eliminating those using a 12v-3v 9w resister pack. this will allow it to wire into the 12v Trailer power cell and not require batteries to work. I will plumb a Hot and Cold faucet on the side of trailer with a Y on each (one to shower, one to kitchen)
The Ozark 2 Room Shower Tent has 2 separate rooms, one will be for changing, drying off, porta john, the other to take a shower. I am building a custom shower tree of some fashion since the one that came with the shower only allows one water inlet so you would have to adjust the temp at the heater for the shower. not practical, i can run a cold and hot line and a normal faucet blender. the hot water heater will be mounted on the front with a Jerry Can as a cover (details to come waiting on parts)
The Camp kitchen will include a few features:
ARB 50qt Fridge/Freezer - $890
Coleman Deluxe Kitchen Stand - $120
Camp Chef Stove/Oven Combo - $180
Coleman Road Trip Grill - $160
Coldbrook dual sink fish cleaning table (one sink is 4.5" and the other is 2.5") - $70
Sprayer Faucet from Lowes - $50
The kitchen rack will hold the stove/oven combo.
The fridge from ARB will be used for food only, the yetti will hold beer nice, but with the fridge no melted cheese, soggy burgers or bacon.
The Stove/Oven and grill will run back to the propane supple being mounted on the tongue to hold a 20lb cylinder with a 3 way splitter. 1 - hot water, 1 - grill, 1 - camp stove. This eliminates the need for a ton of 1lb cylinders.
The sink table will double as a prep area and dish area. They manufactured one with a faucet for $180 however this has only 1 water input and again i want hot/cold, so i am picking up a cheapo from lowes and will drill a hole and mount my own as quick detachable (details to come awaiting on table delivery) The sinks have covers that double as cutting boards. This should be super handy as boiling water and dishes sucks when camping. The sinks will just drain into 5gal buckets.
Power Cell: On the trailer tongue i am making the following power cell
Harbor freight trailer box - $60 with coupon
Batteries - 2 x Trojan 6v 225ah in series for 12v (i will add a second bank later)
Marine Dual Battery Selector Switch - $35
20amp Solar controller - $38 - went chepo now, will upgrade to MPPT later
3 item power bank (volt meter, 2 usb chargers, 12v socket) all marine grade rubber boots - $9
a 5 position marine switch panel for the trailer components, 12v socket - $20
12v positive terminal bus
12v ground terminal bus
2 x LCD power meters - $18ea - one will monitor power generated, one will monitor power consumption. i may put 2 more later to monitor charge and discharge state of batteries
100w Renogy Solar Panel - $140 - starting with 1, probably add a second later. Florida gets lots of sun so i panel should generate 60ah approx on a nice sunny day. 2 or even 3 would def recharge it.
i am going to make mounts that are removable for side of trailer. the panels will go on when trailer is not in transit. using satellite dish mounts to fab the brackets so i can use the azimuth angle adjuster.
400watt 110v inverter
Additional features will be 2300watt inverter generator
Jerry cans for gas
Storage totes for kitchen supplies, food prep, etc.
Storage totes for other misc camping gear.
once completed i will have a custom tarp made for the top that is waterproof
misc 12v outletts
stereo system for beach days with trailer
installing 2" receivers on each corner and rear of trailer for a few reasons, i could use my hitch mount chairs in them, also i am buying trailer jacks and fabricating them to a 2" hitch so i can use them to level the trailer. also got trailer level's to install on side and front.
some sort of LED lighting system
I am sure over the next week or two as i build this more things will come up i want to add or modify and i will update as i do so. i am going to post pictures of the stages today so you can see the progress it has taken shape over the last 2 weeks. i am beyond excited to see it finished as it is already taking shape! the majority of the major components will be delivered over the next 3 days so a drastic transformation by monday should happen if all goes as planned.:wings:
I will try to go back and edit the items above with links to each if there is a desire for that from anyone.
i also have a lot more photos of the build but the uploader on here sucks, if you want to see a specific thing just let me know
I have a Jeep TJ that i take wheeling a lot. a month ago on a recent wheeling trip to a local spot, camping and trying to carry all my gear in the TJ prompted me to want to build some sort of expedition trailer. i went camping on Saturday, Monday had the idea, and low and behold the chance randomly appeared on Tuesday to purchase a M101A3 Trailer in great shape locally for $675. I jumped on it immediately and let the brainstorming process begin.
I then spent the next 2 weeks taking measurements, planning, browsing the web, asking questions, and reviewing products.During this time i cleaned the bottom of the trailer and frame, and then sprayed it with 3 coats of Rustoleum Bedliner.
This brings us to last week when the build officially started.
I will try to break up what is done so far into separate posts. i have accomplished a lot in a week, and have a garage full of supplies with amazon packages coming in the mass daily for the next week or so.
I wanted a way to haul my camping gear with the jeep but not in the jeep, i also wanted to add a few amenities and features to make camping in the heat of Florida and the nature of mud/dirt/cow **** etc at the jeeping places a little more enjoyable.
With that said i decided i wanted the following features:
Off Road capable Trailer
Roof Top Tent
Fresh Water Supply and pump
Hot water
Shower
Camp Kitchen
Self Sufficient if needed
Could double as bug out trailer
I am going with a SmittyBilt Overland XL Tent, i wanted a large tent with room for 4 people just in case i was camping and it monsoons and a friends tent gets wet i have room in them with mine. Now i know they are not a big brand like CVT, Tupai or such, but since this is my first trailer build and until i know what i would want exactly from one of those manufactures at double the cost. 4WD happened to have a memorial day sale of free shipping and sales tax on SmittyBilt products so it was a win win, i picked up the Overland XL, ladder extension, and 8' SmittyBilt awning for $1446 total LTL to my door. I could not say no to this price. The only draw back is this would be a new model, the Annex is still in R&D and will not be available until later this summer. I can wait for the cost savings. It arrives tomorrow so i am excited to see it.
I decided i wanted the rack to adjust vertically, this way it could be compact for towing, and up in the air at the camp site. I designed and built a rack for the RTT, and purchased the Steel for the Rack build. I used 1 1/4" 14ga for the rack, i used 1 1/2" 16ga for the slide tubes, i layered the floor with 1/2-9 expanded metal (extra braces over the section that will be walked on). i am using 4 x 24" stroke 12vdc actuators to lift the rack (found on ebay for $75x4). I added a ledge on 3 sides so i can use the leftover the space from the tent for firewood or other items.
The tub is getting sprayed with 2 coats of Raptor Line Bed Liner - tinted to match Stone White of the jeep - 2x$118 plus 2x$25 for tint
The water system will be comprised of the following
46gal RV water holding tank - fits dimensions i need to put under the rear of trailer to counter tongue weight. I am going to build a skid plate for it also - $100
SureFlow 12vdc Water Pump - $60
SureFlow Accumulator Tank - $40
SurFlow Screen Filter - $10
Camp Chef Triton On demand Hot Water Heater - $120
Ozark 2 Room Shower Tent - $120
The water pump will pull from the tank, the accumulator will help maintain water pressure. The line will split (one for Cold, one to hot water heater). The hot water heater will kick on when it senses water flow and ignite on demand. The Hot Water Heater takes 2-D batteries. I am eliminating those using a 12v-3v 9w resister pack. this will allow it to wire into the 12v Trailer power cell and not require batteries to work. I will plumb a Hot and Cold faucet on the side of trailer with a Y on each (one to shower, one to kitchen)
The Ozark 2 Room Shower Tent has 2 separate rooms, one will be for changing, drying off, porta john, the other to take a shower. I am building a custom shower tree of some fashion since the one that came with the shower only allows one water inlet so you would have to adjust the temp at the heater for the shower. not practical, i can run a cold and hot line and a normal faucet blender. the hot water heater will be mounted on the front with a Jerry Can as a cover (details to come waiting on parts)
The Camp kitchen will include a few features:
ARB 50qt Fridge/Freezer - $890
Coleman Deluxe Kitchen Stand - $120
Camp Chef Stove/Oven Combo - $180
Coleman Road Trip Grill - $160
Coldbrook dual sink fish cleaning table (one sink is 4.5" and the other is 2.5") - $70
Sprayer Faucet from Lowes - $50
The kitchen rack will hold the stove/oven combo.
The fridge from ARB will be used for food only, the yetti will hold beer nice, but with the fridge no melted cheese, soggy burgers or bacon.
The Stove/Oven and grill will run back to the propane supple being mounted on the tongue to hold a 20lb cylinder with a 3 way splitter. 1 - hot water, 1 - grill, 1 - camp stove. This eliminates the need for a ton of 1lb cylinders.
The sink table will double as a prep area and dish area. They manufactured one with a faucet for $180 however this has only 1 water input and again i want hot/cold, so i am picking up a cheapo from lowes and will drill a hole and mount my own as quick detachable (details to come awaiting on table delivery) The sinks have covers that double as cutting boards. This should be super handy as boiling water and dishes sucks when camping. The sinks will just drain into 5gal buckets.
Power Cell: On the trailer tongue i am making the following power cell
Harbor freight trailer box - $60 with coupon
Batteries - 2 x Trojan 6v 225ah in series for 12v (i will add a second bank later)
Marine Dual Battery Selector Switch - $35
20amp Solar controller - $38 - went chepo now, will upgrade to MPPT later
3 item power bank (volt meter, 2 usb chargers, 12v socket) all marine grade rubber boots - $9
a 5 position marine switch panel for the trailer components, 12v socket - $20
12v positive terminal bus
12v ground terminal bus
2 x LCD power meters - $18ea - one will monitor power generated, one will monitor power consumption. i may put 2 more later to monitor charge and discharge state of batteries
100w Renogy Solar Panel - $140 - starting with 1, probably add a second later. Florida gets lots of sun so i panel should generate 60ah approx on a nice sunny day. 2 or even 3 would def recharge it.
i am going to make mounts that are removable for side of trailer. the panels will go on when trailer is not in transit. using satellite dish mounts to fab the brackets so i can use the azimuth angle adjuster.
400watt 110v inverter
Additional features will be 2300watt inverter generator
Jerry cans for gas
Storage totes for kitchen supplies, food prep, etc.
Storage totes for other misc camping gear.
once completed i will have a custom tarp made for the top that is waterproof
misc 12v outletts
stereo system for beach days with trailer
installing 2" receivers on each corner and rear of trailer for a few reasons, i could use my hitch mount chairs in them, also i am buying trailer jacks and fabricating them to a 2" hitch so i can use them to level the trailer. also got trailer level's to install on side and front.
some sort of LED lighting system
I am sure over the next week or two as i build this more things will come up i want to add or modify and i will update as i do so. i am going to post pictures of the stages today so you can see the progress it has taken shape over the last 2 weeks. i am beyond excited to see it finished as it is already taking shape! the majority of the major components will be delivered over the next 3 days so a drastic transformation by monday should happen if all goes as planned.:wings:
I will try to go back and edit the items above with links to each if there is a desire for that from anyone.
i also have a lot more photos of the build but the uploader on here sucks, if you want to see a specific thing just let me know
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