M100 (post WWII) DOD '53 SN# 2185X

[TacoDell]

That should work! I think I'm just going to put mine on the back with a CJ3 bracket, and two propane canes on the a-frame to even out the weight.

This one ?

Looks to only mount to the sheet metal...plans to tie that into the frame for added support ?

I was eyeballing one similar to that... for the M38 or A1
It looks to lower the mounting position...
and I thought it might possibly be able to rest the weight of it on the frame... but don't know that it could reach that.

What that is...

But I started thinking about the days I might have no load in the tub...
^ (rare I'll guess)
But I wouldn't want the tongue too light in that case...
IMO the weight of the spare at the back, makes the front a little too lite at the tongue for proper towing. (except when the tub is loaded)

In your case... the propane tanks should offset that... if they're attached all the time. (and not empty)

------------------------------

Just a thought for your spare, since you are making it hinged...

Make a flat plate to bolt on the backside, so when it is foldd down you have table/bench space:ylsmoke:

an interesting thought...

 

[Errant]

Yep, one of those, but I figured I'd need to put some sort of backing plate on the other side. There's also the option of mounting it underneath, but I'm not so sure about clearance and the hassle of trying to get to it when I need it.

As for tongue weight, I've also got an 18gal water tank that sits in the very front of the tub. Water and propane will be empty at the end of the trip, so at that point I'll rearrange tub contents to get heavy gear forward. But since I'm still looking for three wheels, this is all still hypothetical. I may end up changing my mind once I've got everything and test it out

 

[TacoDell]

Yep, one of those, but I figured I'd need to put some sort of backing plate on the other side. There's also the option of mounting it underneath, but I'm not so sure about clearance and the hassle of trying to get to it when I need it.

As for tongue weight, I've also got an 18gal water tank that sits in the very front of the tub. Water and propane will be empty at the end of the trip, so at that point I'll rearrange tub contents to get heavy gear forward. But since I'm still looking for three wheels, this is all still hypothetical. I may end up changing my mind once I've got everything and test it out

The sheet metal is fairly thin, IMO... I can push on my front or rear panels and see the metal's deflection doing that.
I doubt a backing plate would stop the flex fatigue of the sheet metal surrounding that. Not to mention the weight stressed at the holes drilled into the sheet metal... as tight as they might be.

couple lengths of Sq/Rnd stock, spaced, and secured to the frame and tied vertically into the tube work of the top rail... could reinforce it well... and that bracket could mount to the stock...
even just weld it, to it... (what I'd do)
^ actually was kinda how I was gonna do it... if I put 'er out back. (but I wouldn't have to utilize the upper rail with my set up)

Stowing underneath is out for me... unless I might possibly mod to a spring over... but don't see that for me, anytime soon.

and finally... it's clear that you understand the importantance of load balancing...
so I have no lecture for you... on that. LoL

 

[Errant]

Hey, check out this link

 

[TacoDell]

neat... but I'll bet to say...

those old cj's had heavier/thicker metal then these war wagons do.

I'm not saying it can't be done, btw...

just saying... it will cause grief, down the road, in someones life. LoL

suppose if you stay with the stock sized tire and wheel you could get away with it for some time.

 

[TacoDell]

ST mounting progress...

Imagine the spare tire... following the upper line (right side surface, first pic) on the sq. tube, thru this range of motion...

How the spare will rest... when in the down position.

^ ~ someone suggested I make a table of it ~ :dunno:

I'm simply looking for ease of access in removing the spare tire... as well as being able to access the tie down hooks mounted on the tub's exterior...
But most primarily... to get the spare outta the tub's interior, making room for more important cargo.

 

[TacoDell]

It's 6:30am here so I'm not going to look at mine but won't it fit underneath?

I'm sure it could... sorta.

But it hangs too low for my needs... and these tires are too tall to fit well between the spring hanger's of this M100... maybe not an issue for an wider M416... but the M100 has a narrower frame.

Besides... this trailer is being built to go... where I go.
That usually involves a rock garden (boulders) and the like...

A spare tire hanging down on the underside...
is just a target for the big rocks and boulders to bash on.
And hang the trailer up on those.

This is not so much an luxury (bring my house) trailer...
But an off road trailer... that will get towed thru' the most difficult stuff my junk can tow it thru'.

You will see few luxury's, bells and whistle's on board of this trailer... the kitchen sink and the house will be left at home were it belongs...

Weight is an enemy on the trail... and so lite and nimble is what's in my cards.

 

[TacoDell]

RTT protective cover. (closed)

Well I'm following your thread........looking forward to seeing the end result. :sombrero:

I will hope to keep you entertained... just a wee bit longer !

I'd like to think that I am approaching the end of this build...
But I know... that won't be a reality for some time.
Tons of little oddball stuff I wanna get done.
If the wallet allows me.

But it's nearing a state that is purposeful and functional...
and so... I'm gonna bust 'er out... real soon !! :victory:


------------------------------------------------------------------


a member of another forum... offered their sail making skills and experience...
to make me a cover for my RTT (when it's closed).

and so I would like to thank Andy Stagg (Atwinda@ ttora)
for designing and assembling this cover for me.

Andy offered his help with approval, of his supervisor('s), at his place of work.
Andy had said business was a little slow... and he could make time for this.
Shortly after volunteering... he got busy with sail making orders...
But still managed to pull this together for me... and so...

Thanks Andy !

...and a plug for 'da business side of things.

North Sails, San Diego Loft.
Historic Decatur Rd.
San Diego, CA. 92106
619) 224-2424

Was a pleasure to do business with Andy and North Sails.


The cover, is made from Top Gun material, is reinforced at the corners, and at where the ladder ends are located (sides@center).
The lower perimeter was reinforced (folded/sewn) and is secured to the RTT lower platform perimeter using Velcro sewn into the cover's lower edge...

and...

Andy also added some additional webbing loops to act as tie down anchor points, for the cover, that align with the tie down hooks on the M100.
will likely use short bungee's here, at first... until I can make up something a little more custom outta webbing.

* note... the Velcro, loop material, on the RTT side of things... has yet to be installed.

The color of the Top Gun material is Gull Gray.



and so... here's a look see.

Need to finish up....

...the spare tire mount...

...install the topside end cap plates...

...and the gas supporting struts...

...and then the list of little ********... goes on and on....

 

[elmo_4_vt]

Wow... That is a quality cover... Very nice.

-

 

[JackW]

I'd make a plywood panel that would strap to the backside of the spare tire - it would act as a handy table top when you were in camp - just fold down the tire and you'd have an instant table.

-oops - sorry didn't see the earlier post with the same suggestion

 

[TacoDell]

Wow... That is a quality cover... Very nice.

-

Thanks... I'm pleased with it.

I'd make a plywood panel that would strap to the backside of the spare tire - it would act as a handy table top when you were in camp - just fold down the tire and you'd have an instant table.

-oops - sorry didn't see the earlier post with the same suggestion

oh God... not the table thing again... LoL

something more important on my list is...

finding a good method of covering the tire and protecting that from UV degradation... slip cover ?.. solar shield ?! LoL

I even seriously contemplated installing another fender over the topside, integrated with the ST mount... but seems like too much hassle and not enough coverage...

Who sells those pre-made spare tire slip covers ?
Maybe I can modify one of those to work ?

 

[TacoDell]

putting some weld to that ST bracket...

nearly there... should bolt on/off easy.

few more welds to finish 'er up.

 

[TacoDell]

some bolts...

put some bolts to work... 5/16 X 3/4" ~n~ nylock nuts
I am using existing oem holes to mount this bracket... and the holes were a 1/4" dia. and so 6 got a little bigger. (3 per side)

the third set (bolts) resides below the cross member and can be seen in the first pic.

View of all 6 bolts...

the lower bolt barely made bite... and so I'll likely scab on some extra material around that to strengthen it some.

an explanation as to why ?, the odd angle cut on the rear of the bracket.

the three bolts securing one side...

 

[TacoDell]

Something new ! ~ something old !

a little chunk of 3/8ths inch
and was eyeballing the fit...

^ not exactly centered... and not sure why !?
the upright is level and square to the tongue... and the draw bars are level...
hmmm... guess I just gotta get it as close as I can and call it good.

was $ 26.00 for this chunk and cut. not bad...

---------------------------------------------

And !!

an interesting find, while at my local metal works...
she's a little boogered... but should straighten and clean up nicely.
think I'll put 'er out back... mount the cooler to 'er

20 bucks...

Now I'll be able to swap the spare tire from the front...
to the *** of the donkey... LoL

 

[TacoDell]

a little 180*

~been outta town for a week... so little has been done
except to think about it~


I think the ST looks cleaner, mounted as shown previously...

But...

I was thinking about reversing the wheel's mount placement, so that I can use the conical lugs to bring the wheel to center on the mount's hub/chunk.

the other direction would require a secondary backing plate, due to a raised stamping of the inner side of the wheel's center chunk.
and would only be centered by the bolt/hole alignment.

And so I'm sorta leaning in this new direction...

got any thoughts about it ?

working out thoughts in my mind...