M101 3/4 Ton Expedition Trailer Build

[robertwalker2003]

I like your idea on trimming the tongue sheet metal, but rethink the fender trim. Alot of work and someday you might want to run wider tires. Good job on your design.

The fender trim is a point on concern for me. I don't plan to run anything bigger than 31's on the trailer so I'm not sure what I'm going to do on that. In my mind of all the trimming I have done making the fenders larger would not be that hard, if I needed them. I don't like the look of fenders that stick out past the tire sides but I learned with my TJ that when I put larger flares that did stick past the tire they keep so much more mud and rocks of the sides. I also am concerned with the people that will be following me on the highway, you know the ones that ride 1 inch from your bumper. That would be more of a water spray in the rain, but here I'm rambling. I'm going to rethink the fender trim. I have my old 31's from my TJ and I'm going to pull them out and see if they fit under the fender.

Thanks for input, it much appreciated and seriously considered.

Robert Walker

 

[Scrapdaddy]

I truly appreciate what you had to say Robert, and thank you for saying it in the first place.

I understand how easy it is to get caught up in the "glitz and the glamour" as you stated. That's why my M101 will be more of a bare bones build. More so because of what I intend to use it for and just how often it will get used. Believe me, I wish I could camp every weekend, but with 5 kids (we are a blended family) still in school, we have a very full plate. My trailer will mainly be for hauling gear. And just like you I felt that the M416 was WAY to small for what I needed in a trailer. Don't get me wrong, I love the M416 but try and fit 7 mountain bikes in one. Ya, not gonna happen. I have several things that I spend my hard earned money on, my Jeep, mountain bikes, guns, etc. My trailer I will use a dozen times a year if I'm lucky, so I can't justify putting thousands of dollars into it. I plan on fixing it up to my needs and having the option of doing more as those needs change.

Both you guys have trailers, that will last a life time, just the way they sit. We have four different 101's and two 105's. My Son is building one, like your's, a multi-purpose type. He needs to haul mulch, lumber, bikes and camping stuff and the 101 is perfect for the job. I'm going to build a camping version for my FJ55, I might go with the Max-coupler on that one, but really like the surge brakes, for heavier loads. Have fun and keep them simple.

 

[Mark Harley]

Robert:

I like the looks of the angled cuts, Cap off the raw edges and it will look good.

 

[Toyotero]

Robert,

The trailer is coming along nicely.

Regarding your tongue weld:



You didn't get good penetration. You can tell by how it appears that the bead is just sitting on the metal, somewhat like a bead of water sitting on a waxed car.

You later welds on the thinner stuff are showing improvement with the MIG, but one issue with your tongue was that the metal is thick and was cold, which acts as a heat sink and pulls heat from your weld area into the surrounding area. One solution to that is to preheat your material with a propane torch to lower the difference in temperature between your target weld temp (about 2000*F) and the surrounding area.

You might want to modify your weld pattern also; check out what the instructor says to do in this video. Looping back over the weld vs welding in a straight line also helps by putting more heat into the weld. A side benefit to the looping is that you can get the 'stack of dime' look to the finished weld. :-D

[video=youtube;w4RrDeUKcH4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4RrDeUKcH4 [/video]

 

[robertwalker2003]

That was the first time I welded anything. Another memeber pointed that out put did not give advice on how to really fix it so I do thank you for that. I p[lan on taking the trailer to a pro very soon and have them weld that piece in. I have been concerned about it for some time and I have not even figured out where I am going to put the safety chains becasue of it. My welding skill overall have improved some, but I'm still not happy with my results on alot of welds. I'm not sure if its me or the flux core 110volt but my welds always seem to be spoty at best. Every now and a again I will good a good looking bead but the next day its like I never have welded a day in my life.

I have cut down some of the welds I have done on the side panels and they seems to be penetrating both pieces. Most of them the metal tears away from the weld and I have been told thats the ways they should be.

Thanks again for the advice and hopefully yours suggestions will help.

Robert Walker

 

[robertwalker2003]

I'm trying to decide how I want to trim the overhanging floor area. I want to have storage boxes on top of the fenders and maybe fuel or water cans in the area between the fenders. Fuel cans and a propane bottle will be on the front deck area.

If anyone has any input by all means let me know.

Thanks

Robert Walker

 

[robertwalker2003]

Forgot to add this picture. This is basically what it looks like right now. Not all the measurements on paper are to scale on all three drawings but the basic layout is the same.

Thanks

Robert Walker



I would have to add the inches of metal on each side to get the side to look like the first two pictures, not a real big deal, i forgot to figure that when I was doing the drawings.

 

[Mark Harley]

Robert I like view #2 it just flows better.
Cut the flats off and cap the sides.
Make a mount on the front deck for cans.
Just remember that the tongue will get heavy.

Great work, Keep posting.

 

[jkce72]

I agree with Mark. #2

 

[Scrapdaddy]

I would let your needs dictate how to trim the sheet metal. Are you going to need that extra floor space in front of the fenders, if not , cut it down. Many different ways you could go. It takes alot of beer and head scratching, to see where you're going to put everything!

 

[robertwalker2003]

I would let your needs dictate how to trim the sheet metal. Are you going to need that extra floor space in front of the fenders, if not , cut it down. Many different ways you could go. It takes alot of beer and head scratching, to see where you're going to put everything!

I kind of decided that I was not going to do anything until I layed every thing out. I do like the both designs in there ways but also don't like both. Head scratching is in the future for sure.

Robert Walker

 

[robertwalker2003]

Robert I like view #2 it just flows better.
Cut the flats off and cap the sides.
Make a mount on the front deck for cans.
Just remember that the tongue will get heavy.

Great work, Keep posting.

I like number two as well, I'm concerned on the tongue weight. I plan to run a RV style water tank inside the cargo box all the way forward. I'm starting to wonder if that along with the fuel cans, propane tank, and battery system if it will be too much weight.

Robert Walker

 

[robertwalker2003]

I agree with Mark. #2

Thanks for the input. I think two will be choice.

Robert Walker

 

[busbart]

Hello,

I like what you are doing, but i like to ask you a maybe silly question in your opinion, but wasn't it easier just to toss in everything and lift the cover and take something you needed instead of having to do all this welding and cutting and so on?

I might have understood your goals wrong, but ithought you did'nt do this for the looks of it? or did you?

I really don't want to upset you, but this is something which i just don't understand? (now you have to buy expensive boxes and all that)

to be honest, i don't know, is there a reason why a lot of them popular trailers have everything bolted up on the outside? In my opinion everything which is just on the outside can get wet and dirty very easy and not to mention, being stolen i.e. Africa or so.

Beeing in Libia (before the war) and was glad i did not have anything hanging of my Dodge, dut did'nt dare to leave my truck 2 minutes unattended in the villages!

I'm really curious at your answer!

And again, no pun intended!
cheerio,

Bart

 

[Chris Cordes]

Not trying to speak for him but personally I prefer to keep certain things outside. I don't like to keep 1. Fuel inside due to things rubbing bouncing etc. 2. Propane for my stove same reason. 3. Things that get dirty etc quickly like tarps shovels etc. Granted I don't have the setup to mount such things outside I just carry them in my truck bed at the moment in individual boxes and containers but if I had the setup that would be my first choice.