dstock
Explorer
Thanks, I will for sure continue to post once I start using it (which I am hoping will be before the end of the month), I have a feeling it's never going to be done!!
Dstock's M101A1 build... or the reality, I needed a new project!
- Thread starter dstock
- Start date
Thanks, I will for sure continue to post once I start using it (which I am hoping will be before the end of the month), I have a feeling it's never going to be done!!
dstock
Explorer
Check out my rack!
Another quick update...
Got the RTT rack welded up this past weekend, put the 4 sides together and did a quick test fit:
I then finished up welding the rest. I kind of changed design mid-stream because I decided I wanted the tent cross bars to be welded on top of the rack instead of flush. So I picked up two more pieces of steel, and then ended up welding the original pieces in as well
Of course, while very sturdy, it's now heavier than anticipated, so I may just go ahead and get lifting struts to make things easier. Will be getting things painted and put together this weekend!
Another quick update...
Got the RTT rack welded up this past weekend, put the 4 sides together and did a quick test fit:
I then finished up welding the rest. I kind of changed design mid-stream because I decided I wanted the tent cross bars to be welded on top of the rack instead of flush. So I picked up two more pieces of steel, and then ended up welding the original pieces in as well
Of course, while very sturdy, it's now heavier than anticipated, so I may just go ahead and get lifting struts to make things easier. Will be getting things painted and put together this weekend!
Mark Harley
Expedition Leader
Excellent work my friend!
It is coming along nicely. I like the wheels and tires you are running.
Looking forward to seeing it in paint.
Keep posting pictures for us that have snow and Ice to deal with.
It is coming along nicely. I like the wheels and tires you are running.
Looking forward to seeing it in paint.
Keep posting pictures for us that have snow and Ice to deal with.
dstock
Explorer
Thanks Mark!
I grew up in Maryland, remember those winters, but seems much worse now! Hang in there.
Hopefully, I will be posting some pictures of the trailer in use in a couple weeks.....
dstock
Explorer
Set backs and progress
It's been a couple weeks since I have posted an update, work has been progressing but as with all things taking longer than expected and my spare time has been short of late.
Going back a couple weeks, I took the trailer to my local welder who has previously done me right. I wanted them to tidy up the welds on the side posts for the rack just to be safe. This was the Friday before President's day and I had a 4 day weekend to try to get a final push on finishing up the initial build on the trailer.
Friday morning I take it over to have the welding work done, picked up an hour later and then spent the rest of the day painting the rack, etc.
Saturday morning I go to drop in the telescopic legs and they no longer will go into the tubes more than 6 inches!!! ARRRRRGGGG! It appears when cleaning up the welds on the posts to the bed, they overheated the tubing above the bed rail and it warped about an 1/8 inch. Of course it being Saturday of a 3 day weekend, the welding shop was closed. Not wanting the whole weekend to go to waste, I decided I could cut off the warped portion at the bed rail and still have enough leg from the rack to overlap into the post. This meant also cutting off my pull pins and relocating them lower. All told, it took about 6 hours to put everything right and no I did not take any pictures during this time as I was just plane pissed off.
Here it is during paint, you can see how the side posts no longer extend past the bed:
After moving the rack around quite a bit to paint it, I realized it was fairly heavy, 60-80lbs and then I would be adding the 125lb RTT on top of it. This was the point I decided to add lifting struts to the rack, to make it easier for my gf and I to put it up and down. 50lbs struts seem to be the right balance of weight, it goes up with a little encouragement and comes down the same way. Having the heim joints allows for some leeway in building tolerances without having any slop.
Hoisting the tent onto the rack:
Tent on and at fully raised position:
I was working around rainy weather the last couple weekends so didn't have time to open up the tent itself but hope to this weekend.
I'm halfway done getting the bedliner sprayed on and hope to finish it up before the week's end. My tarp/cover for the bed arrives tomorrow.
I also have a parking brake kit arriving so will be getting that installed in the next week or so and then she will be ready to go for her first adventure!!
It's been a couple weeks since I have posted an update, work has been progressing but as with all things taking longer than expected and my spare time has been short of late.
Going back a couple weeks, I took the trailer to my local welder who has previously done me right. I wanted them to tidy up the welds on the side posts for the rack just to be safe. This was the Friday before President's day and I had a 4 day weekend to try to get a final push on finishing up the initial build on the trailer.
Friday morning I take it over to have the welding work done, picked up an hour later and then spent the rest of the day painting the rack, etc.
Saturday morning I go to drop in the telescopic legs and they no longer will go into the tubes more than 6 inches!!! ARRRRRGGGG! It appears when cleaning up the welds on the posts to the bed, they overheated the tubing above the bed rail and it warped about an 1/8 inch. Of course it being Saturday of a 3 day weekend, the welding shop was closed. Not wanting the whole weekend to go to waste, I decided I could cut off the warped portion at the bed rail and still have enough leg from the rack to overlap into the post. This meant also cutting off my pull pins and relocating them lower. All told, it took about 6 hours to put everything right and no I did not take any pictures during this time as I was just plane pissed off.
Here it is during paint, you can see how the side posts no longer extend past the bed:
After moving the rack around quite a bit to paint it, I realized it was fairly heavy, 60-80lbs and then I would be adding the 125lb RTT on top of it. This was the point I decided to add lifting struts to the rack, to make it easier for my gf and I to put it up and down. 50lbs struts seem to be the right balance of weight, it goes up with a little encouragement and comes down the same way. Having the heim joints allows for some leeway in building tolerances without having any slop.
Hoisting the tent onto the rack:
Tent on and at fully raised position:
I was working around rainy weather the last couple weekends so didn't have time to open up the tent itself but hope to this weekend.
I'm halfway done getting the bedliner sprayed on and hope to finish it up before the week's end. My tarp/cover for the bed arrives tomorrow.
I also have a parking brake kit arriving so will be getting that installed in the next week or so and then she will be ready to go for her first adventure!!
Egan70
Observer
Great progress! I am going to steal some of your ideas for my rack. 
I just need to find a good design to allow me to rotate the tent because some of the campgrounds we go to have asphalt driveways and depending on the site I might need a rear opening or a side opening.
What did you end up at for a final, fully extended height after your changes?
I just need to find a good design to allow me to rotate the tent because some of the campgrounds we go to have asphalt driveways and depending on the site I might need a rear opening or a side opening.What did you end up at for a final, fully extended height after your changes?
dstock
Explorer
Great progress! I am going to steal some of your ideas for my rack.
What did you end up at for a final, fully extended height after your changes?
Thanks, steal away!!
Rotation would be interesting, but more complicated for sure, might be easier just to rotate the trailer in the site.
I believe I am at 76 inches for the fully extended height but I will need to check for sure. I will let you know this weekend.
Mark Harley
Expedition Leader
Looks great! can't wait to see it under cover and hitched to your tow vehicle.
Excellent Build!
Excellent Build!
dstock
Explorer
Thank you my friend! Working on a maiden voyage towards the end of the month!
dstock
Explorer
Brief update
Got a chance to open up the RTT tent this weekend and test out the height with the Annex attached. It all worked out perfectly!
Finished bedlining the bed, replaced the chains and pins for the tailgate as well so that it will function as a tailgate which is where I plan to setup my kitchen.
The parking brake kit I ordered from etrailer.com turned out not to be compatible with Dexter parking brake lever's so it's back to the drawing board on that one.
I found another solution on a different site but it's close to $300, so.....I will be utilizing a couple sets of wheel chocks in the interim.
That's it for now, will be adding battery and electrical, plus some led lighting for the RTT in the coming days.
Got a chance to open up the RTT tent this weekend and test out the height with the Annex attached. It all worked out perfectly!
Finished bedlining the bed, replaced the chains and pins for the tailgate as well so that it will function as a tailgate which is where I plan to setup my kitchen.
The parking brake kit I ordered from etrailer.com turned out not to be compatible with Dexter parking brake lever's so it's back to the drawing board on that one.
I found another solution on a different site but it's close to $300, so.....I will be utilizing a couple sets of wheel chocks in the interim.
That's it for now, will be adding battery and electrical, plus some led lighting for the RTT in the coming days.
frenchlayer
Observer
very nice
dstock
Explorer
Thanks!
Have to say, love having the tailgate as a work surface, should make for a good kitchen too!
