M101A3 redneck tear drop build.

[Patrol65]

Decided not to pay 6k plus for a tear drop and got a bit of a project. I picked up a m101A3 locally for $500. Body and frame are in great shape, rust surface rust on the frame. The tires are trashed and so are the break lines. We then pick up a camper cap for the top. It will be permanently mounted wants the sides of the trailer are raised.
The trailer tracks well behind my JKU Rubicon
Wanting to go with electric breaks and try to stay with a Jeep jk stud pattern. The axle measures 74inches hub to hub. What have some of you gone with.

 

[wADVr]

Nice, thats a good deal for a a3. And yes these trailers track excellent behind the JKU even with the wider track width.

if you’re concerned with matching the track width of your JK you will need to inboard the wheel wells like I did on my trailer. the jK axle width is 65 or 66” IIRC and with a 4.5” BS 8” wide wheel with say a 12” wide tire that leaves you roughly 52-53” between the tires and the tub is 55” between the wheel wells on the a3. I narrowed mine to 49” for this reason but have not moved forward on replacing the axle yet. If the extra width is not an issue then add4 or 5” to the JK axle width and go from there with a 3500 lb axle. Keeping in mind that factory wheels will need spacers to clear the hubs. The aftermarket 4.5 BS wheels may also have clearance issues though too so confirm first.

 

[Patrol65]

Redneck trailer is say 73inch with 3 inch tube to get to 3500

 

[old_CWO]

Sell the fancy military wheels and tires, they usually have some value. Buy "normal" 8 lug wheels and tires including a spare. Fix the brake lines and bleed the brakes.

Done.

 

[Patrol65]

So went with a 70 inch Dexter 3500 capacity axle with electric brakes with spacer on Jeep jk rim. The military axle and rims weigh a ton. Oh and if your wife says let’s stripe the paint off to have a nicer paint job.....don’t. That or plain on a few days with airplane paint stripper and scraper.

 

[Patrol65]

Axle is on but Note to self electric brake hub small brake pad goes to the front. So it was disassembled it all or jack up the trailer, disconnect axle and spin her around. First coat of automotive primer on the outside is completed.

 

[Patrol65]

Next project was dealing with the height of the cap's hatch it hangs 2 3/4 inches under trailer floor. I was able to get some 2x4 rectangular tubing for free. This would be welded around the top of the trailer. I then used a few pieces of scrap metal and added an inch to the bottom.

 

[Patrol65]

Little bit of unexpected rust today. Hint... For you in MD I had an issue with MVA titling the trailer. When I bought the trailer it had passed through several owners already. It came with the original title from the gov. So I figured I was good. However the issue is the original owner who bought the trailer from the government never titled it. Per MVA I would have to track that person down and have him title it. Then he would have to sign it over to me. I guess a way around it is try to pass it off as a home built trailer. Or register it through another state.

 

[high-and-dry]

Passing that off as a homebuilt would be tricky as hell in maryland. They want pics of the frame and tongue and receipts for the parts you used to build it. I am getting ready to go thru this in maryland.

The other option and its not hard is Maine.

Patrol65 wherein MD are you, I am in carroll county.

 

[Patrol65]

I am down in Calvert county. Maine tags will be here Monday. Top is on but not bolted down. I came across few issues. One looks like the the front part of the cap body where the door is has expanded by 1/2 inch. Second issue is the design of the cap and trailer. I am going to have to run square tubing down the side of the trailer on either side of the door.

 

[Patrol65]

May slide top forward see if it’s any better fit. Anyone re build a truck cap window?

 

[high-and-dry]

I know calvert county well I used to do a lot of work down there.

Is the spread due to not being bolted to a truck bed, if so put a little pressure on it with say a rachet strap and take another click everyday. Dont rush the squeeze but work it slowly.

 

[Patrol65]

Been a bit but red neck trailer got window seals done and raptor lined. I also changed inside a bit adding some storage.

 

[Patrol65]

About finished. Got to cut some holes in the lids, sand and stain it all.

 

[Patrol65]

Appears stainable wood filler isn’t to stainable in some spots