jscherb
Expedition Leader
Thank you very much. Not sure I have more talent than anyone else, but I am lucky enough to have more free time to devote to projects like this than most people do
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Fiberglass M416/M100 Military-style Trailer Tub Kit
- Thread starter jscherb
- Start date
Thank you very much. Not sure I have more talent than anyone else, but I am lucky enough to have more free time to devote to projects like this than most people do
.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
Today's time for sewing got me the driver's side panel almost done. It's not hemmed at the bottom yet, so the snaps aren't installed along the bottom, and the front corner zipper isn't done yet, but it fits pretty well considering all of the measurements were made by copying the passenger side panel and making a mirror image for the driver's side. The flaps on the back of the side panels wrap around and will enclose the back panel zippers to prevent water entry.
Inside. The front left corner because the zipper isn't done yet.
I probably won't get any more sewing time for 4 or 5 days.
Inside. The front left corner because the zipper isn't done yet.
I probably won't get any more sewing time for 4 or 5 days.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
jscherb
Expedition Leader
Got a little more sewing done today, finished up the passenger side roll-up panel. I got the rear panel started, but still have to finish the rear flaps.
The side flaps in the front don't have velcro under them yet so they don't snug down nice to the side panels yet, I'll do the velcro after I finish the rear panel.
It's been handy that the entire frame comes off the tub. I can work right near the sewing machine instead of running out to the garage every few minutes, and I can move the entire assembly around so I don't have to bend as much to fit things.
The side flaps in the front don't have velcro under them yet so they don't snug down nice to the side panels yet, I'll do the velcro after I finish the rear panel.
It's been handy that the entire frame comes off the tub. I can work right near the sewing machine instead of running out to the garage every few minutes, and I can move the entire assembly around so I don't have to bend as much to fit things.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
I finished up the back panel, and all I've got left to do before I put the whole thing on the trailer and take it for a test ride on the interstate is finish up the velcro closures. Here are a few photos of today's sewing.
Back panel closed and sealed:
The back panel is sealed with velcro, and zippers allow it to roll up:
Rolled up:
Back panel closed and sealed:
The back panel is sealed with velcro, and zippers allow it to roll up:
Rolled up:
jscherb
Expedition Leader
For those who might be thinking of breaking out their sewing machine and making one of these, here are a few sewing details.
This is the outside of the back panel. It's got a zipper up top which attaches it to the top panel, and zippers on the sides which attach it to the side panels. There's velcro hook along the sides and top to close it to the side and top panels. There's a row of snaps along the bottom to attach it to the tub frame and two snaps up top for the loops to hold it when rolled up. The bottom seam with the snaps has 1" webbing sewed into the hem to strengthen it so the snaps will never come out.
This is the inside view. The loops for securing it when rolled up are attached to this panel, not to the top panel - I did the so when this panel is removed, there won't be any straps hanging down from the top panel. Along the bottom edge you can see the stake pocket, inside it is a garden stake (you can see the ends peeking out), which makes it easy to roll it up evenly and tightly. The stake slides out of the pocket.
This is the outside of the back panel. It's got a zipper up top which attaches it to the top panel, and zippers on the sides which attach it to the side panels. There's velcro hook along the sides and top to close it to the side and top panels. There's a row of snaps along the bottom to attach it to the tub frame and two snaps up top for the loops to hold it when rolled up. The bottom seam with the snaps has 1" webbing sewed into the hem to strengthen it so the snaps will never come out.
This is the inside view. The loops for securing it when rolled up are attached to this panel, not to the top panel - I did the so when this panel is removed, there won't be any straps hanging down from the top panel. Along the bottom edge you can see the stake pocket, inside it is a garden stake (you can see the ends peeking out), which makes it easy to roll it up evenly and tightly. The stake slides out of the pocket.
Captain K-man
Adventurer
You can tell you're a Jeep guy. I see a lot of the Jeep soft top influence in your work. Looks great.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
Thanks. The Jeep soft tops perform very well in the weather and at speed on the interstate, and this trailer is designed to tag along behind the Jeep anywhere/anytime, so I figure I'll borrow some of the best practices from the Jeep.
screwball48
Explorer
The top is looking good. Can't wait to see it completed and installed. The trailer is going to look very cool behind your Jeep.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
jscherb
Expedition Leader
Thank you. If nothing gets in the way of my plans, I hope to get the last bit of sewing done tomorrow morning and get it installed on the trailer and taken for a test drive by the afternoon.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
Got the sewing basically finished, so this being Memorial Day, I figured it would be a good day to take the military trailer out for a spin on the highway. Installing the top... in this photo the tub frame is already on the trailer, it just slips into the same lift-off hinges that the fiberglass hard cover uses. The bows and top panel are going on next. They store pretty flat when they're off the trailer.
A few photos of the top panel installed.
A few photos of the top panel installed.
