outpostphx
Member
Thanks, I'm really happy with how it's coming along. I'm still trying to figure out the best way to add a rack for the rooftop tent...
M101A3 Offroad/Expedition Trailer Build - The Vanilla Gorilla
- Thread starter outpostphx
- Start date
Thanks, I'm really happy with how it's coming along. I'm still trying to figure out the best way to add a rack for the rooftop tent...
outpostphx
Member
Hey happy, I think people swwap the wheels and axles mostly because of weight. I know some people swap out so they can match the hub / wheels and tires to their tow rig. These trailers tow great, I don't even know it's back there. I probably shaved 50-70 lbs by swapping out the wheels and tires. The Xterra has a 5k tow rating, fully loaded I doubt the trailer will hit 2k lbs. Do you have a build thread? Congrats on the new trailer!
outpostphx
Member
m101a3 Wheel Bearings / Races / Grease Seals
Just for kicks, I pulled the grease cover off and holy crap these look bad, the grease is a white gray color and really nasty, which is probably water contamination.
I pulled the hub off, the spindle looks good, the bearings and races don't look too bad, but I have no idea how long they've been in there so I just went ahead and ordered a new set of etrailers.com. I'll clean these old parts up and keep them on the trailer for back up.
For reference, here are the parts I ordered for the m101a3 wheel bearings races replacement parts on etrailer.com:
Grease Seal - Double Lip - 2.250" ID - 3.376" OD - GS-2250DL
Outer Bearing - Replacement Trailer Hub Bearing - Item # 2585
Outer Race - Replacement Race for 2585 Bearing - Item # 2520
Inner Bearing - Replacement Trailer Hub Bearing - Item # 25580
Inner Race - Replacement Race for 25580 Bearing - Item # 25520
I'll circle back on this post to confirm they are the correct parts.
Just for kicks, I pulled the grease cover off and holy crap these look bad, the grease is a white gray color and really nasty, which is probably water contamination.
I pulled the hub off, the spindle looks good, the bearings and races don't look too bad, but I have no idea how long they've been in there so I just went ahead and ordered a new set of etrailers.com. I'll clean these old parts up and keep them on the trailer for back up.
For reference, here are the parts I ordered for the m101a3 wheel bearings races replacement parts on etrailer.com:
Grease Seal - Double Lip - 2.250" ID - 3.376" OD - GS-2250DL
Outer Bearing - Replacement Trailer Hub Bearing - Item # 2585
Outer Race - Replacement Race for 2585 Bearing - Item # 2520
Inner Bearing - Replacement Trailer Hub Bearing - Item # 25580
Inner Race - Replacement Race for 25580 Bearing - Item # 25520
I'll circle back on this post to confirm they are the correct parts.
outpostphx
Member
Hey Cajun, I got lucky with my trailer, I got it off CL and it is in great condition. Have you checked out any government auction websites? I know people have gotten trailers for only a few hundred bucks. But, if you're gonna build from scratch, I'm sure there's tons of threads on here that can walk you through it. I went with the trailer as my base because I don't have a huge shop and most of the work is already done, I just need to bolt on / weld on my rack and accessories.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
outpostphx
Member
trailer concept / rendering
Whelp, I've had a few beers and messed around in Photoshop/Illustrator and I think I know what I'm gonna do for a rack, this could change tomorrow, but for now it's looking like a plan...
Static rack with angled rear legs. Bolt it to the reinforced part of the tub rails. Put bars across one side for mounting maxtrax / axe / shovel / etc. RTT up top with a small cargo platform in front for misc.
I want to leave enough space between the rack and tub for a kayak/canoe/paddleboard.
Whelp, I've had a few beers and messed around in Photoshop/Illustrator and I think I know what I'm gonna do for a rack, this could change tomorrow, but for now it's looking like a plan...
Static rack with angled rear legs. Bolt it to the reinforced part of the tub rails. Put bars across one side for mounting maxtrax / axe / shovel / etc. RTT up top with a small cargo platform in front for misc.
I want to leave enough space between the rack and tub for a kayak/canoe/paddleboard.
outpostphx
Member
More Wheel Bearings / Hubs & Painting Hardware
Got a few smaller items off the list today.
Pulled the other hub and got the bearings and races out, except for one stubborn race that's stuck, anyone have a tip/trick to remove?
Also sanded down and threw a couple coats of paint on some of the trailer hardware, not sure how the paint will hold up, maybe I'll get everything powdercoated down the road, but for now it looks pretty good.
The wife got me a bunch of cool stuff for my birthday, including some QuickFists. So I'm mounting my Fiskars matching axe and shovel.
And last but not least, no expedition trailer would be complete without a ************ bottle opener, i give you... The Grizz.
Got a few smaller items off the list today.
Pulled the other hub and got the bearings and races out, except for one stubborn race that's stuck, anyone have a tip/trick to remove?
Also sanded down and threw a couple coats of paint on some of the trailer hardware, not sure how the paint will hold up, maybe I'll get everything powdercoated down the road, but for now it looks pretty good.
The wife got me a bunch of cool stuff for my birthday, including some QuickFists. So I'm mounting my Fiskars matching axe and shovel.
And last but not least, no expedition trailer would be complete without a ************ bottle opener, i give you... The Grizz.
Attachments
outpostphx
Member
Shakedown run
Took the trailer out for it's first shakedown run, just a quick overnight up on Mt. Ord in Arizona. Trailer tows like a dream. The Xterra has plenty of power to tow it, I think its rated for 5000lbs, and the trailer might be 1500lbs loaded up. It was a little bouncy in some sections of the trail, but I did air down which helped. I do need to track down some shocks for it. I'm working on installing some cargo tie downs, got a mount for the propane tank as well. Picked up some Maxsa Escaper Buddys. Tonneau cover should be here soon, and last piece will be the RTT rack.
Took the trailer out for it's first shakedown run, just a quick overnight up on Mt. Ord in Arizona. Trailer tows like a dream. The Xterra has plenty of power to tow it, I think its rated for 5000lbs, and the trailer might be 1500lbs loaded up. It was a little bouncy in some sections of the trail, but I did air down which helped. I do need to track down some shocks for it. I'm working on installing some cargo tie downs, got a mount for the propane tank as well. Picked up some Maxsa Escaper Buddys. Tonneau cover should be here soon, and last piece will be the RTT rack.
Ovrlnd Rd
Adventurer
These are the shocks I put on my M116A2 (same frame and axle as the M101) yesterday. Advanced Auto had to order them but they're an exact fit. A lot of things guys are using have to be modified to work but these just dropped right in.
outpostphx
Member
Thank you! The Monroe / NAPA shocks that I was trying to get my hands on were sold out everywhere.
outpostphx
Member
Do you have a part number on those shocks?
Ovrlnd Rd
Adventurer
Here you go. If you take your phone in with the pic they could probably scan the UPC for it.
outpostphx
Member
Thanks!
outpostphx
Member
Thanks! I'll have some more soon!