I have had some difficultly locating any info on anyone using this trailer as a expo trailer or any camping trailer but others have converted the military generator trailer and the older 416 series trailers which are very popular. Here is my project and I would like to hear any suggestions or ideas the community here has to offer.
The goal: To free up space in my tow vehicle for my significant other and the 2yr old and I am sure will be a dog down the road. So with that said the camping gear and anything else either needs to be roof rack mounted or in the trailer. I am in the process of converting and building my 1983 Grand Wagoneer for long term excursion duties only but in the mean time my 2000 WJ will be filling in.
Rig: 2000 WJ, I6, 223K miles, 4'' RC Lift, 32'' MTR's.
Trailer: 1990 surplus M101A2
I just purchased a ARE aluminum contractors utility cap. I drove a 100 miles with the M101 to get it and put it on top and drove back at normal speeds with it through the mountains of western MD (I know they are small but its what we have here) and with high winds, I was surprised at how well it towed in all conditions and with little effort. 10 years Army so far but towing with a WJ vs HMMWV is like night and day.
The utility cap has 4 individual locking compartments on the outside that are hydro lift doors for easy access to what will be a kitchen area (stove, sink, ect) and not sure with the rest of it yet. It has a ladder rack on the top and dual barn doors at the rear. The doors will need to be trimmed a little to fit the trailer depth and the trailer modified to fill the open space at the tail gate but other wise a near perfect fit.
I will be adding a RTT to the top of this utility cap after I build a boxed cage to tie the trailer to the cap and provide a heavy duty frame to attach the RTT. I just don't think the aluminum ladder rack is up the the task of the weight. Anyone think this will be too tall? the cap is 36'' above the lip of the trailer and all other weight will be at the base of the trailer which is already kinda heavy, so I don't anticipate any issues yet. There will also be a fuel and water storage tanks mounted to the floor of the trailer (later on for long travel capability).
Other items to be installed propane stove and tank, dual optima top batteries (already have and not used) with solar recharge capability. LED lighting inside trailer, cabinets and roof top parameter lighting. Ect, ect, ect, I have been reading up on here and other sites and you all are a great wealth of knowledge and experience that is giving me so many ideas to tap.
Thanks for reading and sorry I will get some pictures up soon and will update as I progress through this build. The plan is to go to the Grand Tetons later this year and pass through Yellowstone. I am so use to backpacking and going so very light that with the extra distance, longer camping duration and not wanting to go for supplies all the time and with extra people and a child I needed to rethink my space and equipment, hope this works.
The goal: To free up space in my tow vehicle for my significant other and the 2yr old and I am sure will be a dog down the road. So with that said the camping gear and anything else either needs to be roof rack mounted or in the trailer. I am in the process of converting and building my 1983 Grand Wagoneer for long term excursion duties only but in the mean time my 2000 WJ will be filling in.
Rig: 2000 WJ, I6, 223K miles, 4'' RC Lift, 32'' MTR's.
Trailer: 1990 surplus M101A2
I just purchased a ARE aluminum contractors utility cap. I drove a 100 miles with the M101 to get it and put it on top and drove back at normal speeds with it through the mountains of western MD (I know they are small but its what we have here) and with high winds, I was surprised at how well it towed in all conditions and with little effort. 10 years Army so far but towing with a WJ vs HMMWV is like night and day.
The utility cap has 4 individual locking compartments on the outside that are hydro lift doors for easy access to what will be a kitchen area (stove, sink, ect) and not sure with the rest of it yet. It has a ladder rack on the top and dual barn doors at the rear. The doors will need to be trimmed a little to fit the trailer depth and the trailer modified to fill the open space at the tail gate but other wise a near perfect fit.
I will be adding a RTT to the top of this utility cap after I build a boxed cage to tie the trailer to the cap and provide a heavy duty frame to attach the RTT. I just don't think the aluminum ladder rack is up the the task of the weight. Anyone think this will be too tall? the cap is 36'' above the lip of the trailer and all other weight will be at the base of the trailer which is already kinda heavy, so I don't anticipate any issues yet. There will also be a fuel and water storage tanks mounted to the floor of the trailer (later on for long travel capability).
Other items to be installed propane stove and tank, dual optima top batteries (already have and not used) with solar recharge capability. LED lighting inside trailer, cabinets and roof top parameter lighting. Ect, ect, ect, I have been reading up on here and other sites and you all are a great wealth of knowledge and experience that is giving me so many ideas to tap.
Thanks for reading and sorry I will get some pictures up soon and will update as I progress through this build. The plan is to go to the Grand Tetons later this year and pass through Yellowstone. I am so use to backpacking and going so very light that with the extra distance, longer camping duration and not wanting to go for supplies all the time and with extra people and a child I needed to rethink my space and equipment, hope this works.