M101A2, Another home on wheels build thread

[Gallowbraid]

Ever since stumbling on this whole "overland" style of travel and exploring I've been absolutely enamored with the variety of rigs folks use for getting around. Of particular interest to me was the "expedition style" trailers and the wider diversity of uses they seem to have. So after tying my wife to a chair and forcing her to watch episodes of Expedition Overland on repeat I obtained permission to find my own trailer. After reading all the build threads, searching endless corners of the internet and slogging my way through craigslist I narrowed my list down to one, a M101A2. I liked the size, my tow platform (2015 JKU) liked the weight and my wife liked the looks. I came across one a couple hours from me and after a quick phone call and a two hour drive it was mine.

I present to you (insert cool trailer name to be determined at a later date. )

This trailer is in excellent shape. No rust anywhere other than on some of the cotter pins. The paint is beginning to chip away inside the bed as it didn't seem to adhere very well to that galvanized metal in some places. The tires are in great shape (although they're 15 years old according to the date code), and the surge brakes are functioning as they should. As a plus all the hoops and the cover are in excellent shape. As of right now (like as I type this) I believe I'm going to sell those as they're not working into my plan for this trailer at the moment. This brings me to my first question: Other than Steel Soldiers and Craigslist is there anywhere to find a value for these things? I don't see many out there and prices are all over. I'm not looking to make a fortune but I don't want to give them away either.

I'm still finalizing the build plan and probably will be for a while but the short list is this:

1. Some sort of rack system to hold a roof top tent, either the Mt. Adams or Mt. McKinley from CVT.
2. Tongue box to house dual battery setup powering assorted 12v accessories and lighting and running an inverter to power some of those comfort items the wife wants while camping
3. Solar charging? Shore Power? Siberian Husky powered generator? Not sure yet...
4. A tarp style bed cover

That's it for the short list. This will be a slow build due to my work schedule but ultimately I'm ok with that as it'll be done right and enjoyed for years to come.

I'm off now to debate with myself the merits of axle swaps...

Thanks to the following for fueling my addiction:

Silversurfer
Scoutman
RagnarD
Snowblind
Dstock
Shack
Mark

 

[lowrider_rt2000]

I'm jealous! I've been wanting to find a "cheap" trailer like this but around here people want your arm and leg for one. I actually found a pop-up camper in excellent shape with title. I'm going to swap out the axle and springs to lift it. All said and done I'll have less into this than just buying a shell of a military trailer. I'll post pics

sent from inside my Wj

 

[RagnarD]

Looking forward to your build. Sounds like you have a good plan/goal. If you are fine with the 8 lug wheels and are happy with the surge brakes, there is no reason to swap the axle.

I would expect that a clean set of sides, bows, and tarp should get $300-500.

 

[Gallowbraid]

Sounds like you have a good plan/goal.

Oh crap, what did I type to inspire that sort of faith?

Seriously though, thanks for the vote of confidence. Still trying to hash out exactly where this is going but have a rough idea.

 

[shack]

Looks like a great starting point!

 

[Gallowbraid]

Spent some time on the trailer tongue tonight. After exploring all the hitch options available I've narrowed it down to the Max Coupler and the Lock n Roll. Leaning heavily toward the Max Coupler as it "looks" much more solid. Seems to be quite a few moving parts on the Lock n Roll and more potential for failure. We'll see.

Either way there needs to be a 2" receiver on the front of the trailer and that means all that surge brake lunette stuff has to go. Break out the socket set!

Starting point:

Pulled the top to see how the fluid looks. I've seen worse stuff inside master cylinders and this was fairly clean. The picture makes it look horrible but you could actually see through the liquid to the bottom.

I put a can under the rear connection on the cylinder and pulled the brake line connector. After pumping the lunette back and forth about 3 times I was done with that hassle. I filled the shop vac with saw dust and went to town sucking out the brake fluid.

Then I started pulling bolts like a mad man.

In no time at all I had a pile of parts just begging to be listed on ebay or craigslist. This trailer has to pay for itself after all.

Then I tackled the 5 bolts holding the brace/mount/leg in place. My wife even joined in on the wrenching, she's really getting into this project (which helps!)

After a little clean up it'll be ready for the welder to add the receiver on.

Now I have to debate just putting the receiver on top which is simple or having the leg mount cut off and welding the receiver underneath...

 

[Gallowbraid]

Time to order an axle and this is the measurement method I've come up with. It makes sense to me, and hopefully it will make sense to the trailer company as well. They're asking for the spring center measurement in whole inches but mine measure out to be 43 1/4 inch on center. Once I get the axle ordered I'll throw some more details up. Just for clarity this will be 59" from hub face to hub face.

 

[dstock]

Good start!!

 

[dstock]

Time to order an axle and this is the measurement method I've come up with. It makes sense to me, and hopefully it will make sense to the trailer company as well. They're asking for the spring center measurement in whole inches but mine measure out to be 43 1/4 inch on center. Once I get the axle ordered I'll throw some more details up. Just for clarity this will be 59" from hub face to hub face.

Double check you have enough clearance between inside of tire and the bed/frame.

 

[Gallowbraid]

Double check you have enough clearance between inside of tire and the bed/frame.

If I'm doing this correctly there's a total of 13 inches between the outside wall of the wheel well and the inside wall/frame. My tire/rim combo comes out to be right around 10 inches wide. So that should give me 1 3/8" of clearance from the outside of the wheel tub to the front of the tire, then 10 inches of tire and then 1 5/8" of clearance from the tire to the inside of the tub/frame. I think...

 

[shack]

I'll see if I can find my measurements. I cut down the width 2 inches I think to run a lower backspaced wheel. No issues.

 

[Gallowbraid]

I'll see if I can find my measurements. I cut down the width 2 inches I think to run a lower backspaced wheel. No issues.

Thanks!

On a more progressive note I ordered up a CVT Mt. McKinley this afternoon...sort of putting the cart before the horse but I think it will be good to have it on hand during the fabrication of the rack for the trailer. I also got a killer deal on it that I couldn't pass up.

 

[wat3rdog]

Subscribed

Sent from my 831C using Tapatalk

 

[banjotx]

Looks to be off to a great start and fun project. Also will be timely for me to follow your progress. Recently I found a M116a2 and have just done a good cleanup and repaint, surge brakes OK and converted the 24v bulbs to 12v and wire harness adapter for 7blade hookup. I have a little different idea, but like were your going. I'm planning on pulling with a JK and weighed this trailer right at 1200 lbs. Good Luck and post more pics, please.

 

[Gallowbraid]

Looks to be off to a great start and fun project. Also will be timely for me to follow your progress. Recently I found a M116a2 and have just done a good cleanup and repaint, surge brakes OK and converted the 24v bulbs to 12v and wire harness adapter for 7blade hookup. I have a little different idea, but like were your going. I'm planning on pulling with a JK and weighed this trailer right at 1200 lbs. Good Luck and post more pics, please.

Cool looking platform to start with! I'll get to work on some more pictures for ya! Any tips from your conversion of the wiring harness to a 7 blade? I haven't gotten that far yet but I know it's coming.