My CND M101 Thread
- Thread starter Septu
- Start date
Just a long day. If I wasn't in a rush to get this ready for this weekends trip it wouldn't have been as much of an issue. I was just expecting everything to go together fine... but it's working now, and that's the important part.
Thanks. I am really happy with how it turned out. But it looks like I'm getting close to the max tire the trailer can handle without adjusting the suspension. Not that I plan on lifting the JK anytime soon, but when I do, it'll be a 3.5" lift... so will have to do something to the trailer to level it out a bit more.
Thanks. I am really happy with how it turned out. But it looks like I'm getting close to the max tire the trailer can handle without adjusting the suspension. Not that I plan on lifting the JK anytime soon, but when I do, it'll be a 3.5" lift... so will have to do something to the trailer to level it out a bit more.
So ordered my CVT 99" (8.25') awning with walls today. Thankfully it qualifies for the GB which is good... because that barely covers the shipping costs (close to $300). Gawd sometimes I dislike living in the north.
Came across Sam's build over on mud and decided I'll copy the mounting for it (pole and blocks with a pin). Seems like it'll be super easy and cheap to do. My tent opens to the passenger side, so I'll have the awning on the drivers side - which is also where I think I'll be putting my pull out kitchen.
The pictures are of Sam's build. Sam's Build Thread HERE
Came across Sam's build over on mud and decided I'll copy the mounting for it (pole and blocks with a pin). Seems like it'll be super easy and cheap to do. My tent opens to the passenger side, so I'll have the awning on the drivers side - which is also where I think I'll be putting my pull out kitchen.
The pictures are of Sam's build. Sam's Build Thread HERE
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Got the trailer back from the welder today. Gas can mount and awning mounts are all ready to go. Will mount the awning tonight. Only downside to the gas on the tongue as is, is that I cannot open my tail gate fully. Will be looking to have the tongue extended/redone this winter sometime. Want to accommodate a the gas can mount and a box for the battery.
Still a little tongue high... will have to see how much that affects things while pulling it. Not sure if I want to change my hitch to a drop one (of one sort or another), or work on raising part of the trailer suspension.
Also, my James Baroud tent shipped from NJ today... so should hopefully be here in a couple weeks.
Still a little tongue high... will have to see how much that affects things while pulling it. Not sure if I want to change my hitch to a drop one (of one sort or another), or work on raising part of the trailer suspension.
Also, my James Baroud tent shipped from NJ today... so should hopefully be here in a couple weeks.
Awning on. Due to CVT never being able to deliver what they actually said they could (apparently too busy to return phone calls, etc) I ended up going with an Eezi Awn 2000. Expensive. Very expensive. But it's nice, and I like the idea of an aluminum cover. And from the time I ordered it from Equip1, it took less than 1 week to arrive. ARB (from a couple places) was going to be until late July, and who knows when CVT was ever going to ship theirs. So I don't really regret it.
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VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
looking good. I have to make up some mounts for my new to me awning still... still.
Progress!! Awning isn't on, but is all ready to go.
Tent is on. Slightly off centered (awning poles are in the way), but not enough to be a major issue. Only concern right now is when I put my full weight on the upper part of the ladder, it transfers to the tent (ladder doesn't lock) and that really flex's the tent shell. Not sure how many options I have there. 1 is to make the load bars wider on that side to support the weight. Will talk to JB and see what they say first.
But now to the good stuff. Porn!
Glad to see that if the weather is bad, I can setup the ladder on this side, and enter/exit under the awning. Until I sort out the flex issue, will have to use this side.
Tent is on. Slightly off centered (awning poles are in the way), but not enough to be a major issue. Only concern right now is when I put my full weight on the upper part of the ladder, it transfers to the tent (ladder doesn't lock) and that really flex's the tent shell. Not sure how many options I have there. 1 is to make the load bars wider on that side to support the weight. Will talk to JB and see what they say first.
But now to the good stuff. Porn!
Glad to see that if the weather is bad, I can setup the ladder on this side, and enter/exit under the awning. Until I sort out the flex issue, will have to use this side.
Oh... and the day I get this all ready to go... I'm about to pull the trigger on a teardrop in Alaska (Little Guy Rough Rider). Price is too good to pass on, and being 14 hrs away (if that) it's too good of a deal not to do. For now, the plan is to keep both. Use this when I want to camp and wheel, and pull this along, and use the TD for road trips and whatnot.
Hooked up. Pic taken around 11pm PST. Sun still hadn't set yet.
Hooked up. Pic taken around 11pm PST. Sun still hadn't set yet.
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Well as my Alaska trip has been delayed, I decided to take the trailer and the new tent out camping this weekend. Performed like a champ.
A couple observations... mattress isn't good enough, so will have to work on adding something to that. Ladder still sucks (have ordered a new one). But despite getting into the beer/booze, I only knocked the ladder off the tent once! New ladder will have some way to latch it on so it won't come out, and that doesn't happen... because being half in the bag and fishing for the ladder with your foot blows. Also... Tent seems unstable. Tiny movements will rock the whole trailer. I'm not sure if it's because the weight is ~5-6 inches higher (plus the weight of the top that's 3 feet higher), or because I don't have the ladder supporting a portion of the weight of the tent (like my Teupi), Or that my tent is length wise with the trailer verse width wise like the Tepui was - or some combination of all 3. Will see about talking to a few others on here with these types of tents to see if they have this issue, and how their setup is to attempt to deal with it. It's not a huge issue... but it is annoying. For just myself I can deal with it... but couldn't imagine if I had some company in there... it would either be more annoying, or very obvious as to what's going on, and would give a new meaning to "if the tent is ah-rocking, don't come knocking".
Also noticed when traveling with it that having a tall lid (8-10 inches?) and the tent 5-6 inches off the lid (rack height) that it's fairly top heavy. I had initially planned on taking this trailer as is down on a weekend wheeling trip in BC and pulling it down the trail (one I've never been on). Unless I have someone with me (co-pilot) to aid with spotting the trailer and ensuring I don't flop it, I'm not sure I'm going to take it down. Now I know why people want a low COG. I know I could change the lid (I've wanted a metal one anyway) that's lower, and have a new rack made that's also lower... but with just buying a teardrop I don't want to spend any more money on this before I know what exactly I'm going to do with both of them. I also don't have any free funds (due to TD) to make those changes right now anyway.
A couple observations... mattress isn't good enough, so will have to work on adding something to that. Ladder still sucks (have ordered a new one). But despite getting into the beer/booze, I only knocked the ladder off the tent once! New ladder will have some way to latch it on so it won't come out, and that doesn't happen... because being half in the bag and fishing for the ladder with your foot blows. Also... Tent seems unstable. Tiny movements will rock the whole trailer. I'm not sure if it's because the weight is ~5-6 inches higher (plus the weight of the top that's 3 feet higher), or because I don't have the ladder supporting a portion of the weight of the tent (like my Teupi), Or that my tent is length wise with the trailer verse width wise like the Tepui was - or some combination of all 3. Will see about talking to a few others on here with these types of tents to see if they have this issue, and how their setup is to attempt to deal with it. It's not a huge issue... but it is annoying. For just myself I can deal with it... but couldn't imagine if I had some company in there... it would either be more annoying, or very obvious as to what's going on, and would give a new meaning to "if the tent is ah-rocking, don't come knocking".
Also noticed when traveling with it that having a tall lid (8-10 inches?) and the tent 5-6 inches off the lid (rack height) that it's fairly top heavy. I had initially planned on taking this trailer as is down on a weekend wheeling trip in BC and pulling it down the trail (one I've never been on). Unless I have someone with me (co-pilot) to aid with spotting the trailer and ensuring I don't flop it, I'm not sure I'm going to take it down. Now I know why people want a low COG. I know I could change the lid (I've wanted a metal one anyway) that's lower, and have a new rack made that's also lower... but with just buying a teardrop I don't want to spend any more money on this before I know what exactly I'm going to do with both of them. I also don't have any free funds (due to TD) to make those changes right now anyway.
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VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
I agree, they can be a little top heavy with all that kit up there. My CVT Mt Hood is 125# if I recall, and the lid is about 50#. I do have 13 gal of water just above the axle which helps, and I did not do a spring over, which also helps. I am still running 31" tires too.
There are a lot of places down here to haul a trailer to for fun, where specifically were you thinking of going?
There are a lot of places down here to haul a trailer to for fun, where specifically were you thinking of going?
Yeah, I don't have a spring over, but the PO did re-build the leaf springs, which resulted in some height gain. I would bet my lid weights at least 100 lbs - if not more... because with the new tent on it, that sucker is damn heavy, and the tent is ~140lbs. And I have no weight down low. Not sure what the awning weighs, but that's up high as well. Now I know exactly why people don't build any height to their lids. Tires are ~31s (275, 70, 17 iirc).
Have thought about doing a H20 tank down low... but before I get to that point, I'd still need to add an electrical system (pump), and likely lengthen the tongue (battery box). Well I suppose I could always go manual pump to start - which would avoid the electrical system and need to lengthen the tongue to fit a battery box and jerry cans. But with picking up this TD, I don't have the funds for either right now, and until I know what direction I'm going in, don't really want to invest much money into either. I've thought of immediately putting the TD up for sale once I get back into Canada, and if I sell it, using the funds to get Wavebreaker's TD (lighter, nicer, and fully loaded). Not that I would take his down too many trails either...
But... if I don't sell either, I'm thinking that this winter, I have a new lid/rack made that's lighter, and puts the tent closer to the ground. I'll also likely have new fenders and some rock guards made for it around the frame, and get some stabilizers on it on the rear end. But having to pay shop time, means doing those 2 things is likely $1500+ (just guessing). Which gets expensive when I'm unsure what direction I want to go in... I'd love to have a trailer for the trail... but the reality is I don't wheel enough to really have a trail dedicated trailer that I have a ton of money invested into. I'm not even sure I camp enough to justify 2 trailers... but I won't go there
Plans for the TD include getting a rack, 2 awnings with walls and a rack basket like what you have on your XJ - assuming I don't sell it first, as I'll be able to make a nice tidy profit on it should I do so. Only reason I'd sell it this summer is if someone meets my high price (am thinking 8k+ for now). Which living up here isn't out of the question.
I'm doing the Telkwa Pass (by Smithers BC). Watching the video I'm pretty certain I could pull a trailer over it... especially if a friend was there to spot me, and support the trailer to make sure I don't dump it... it'll be my first time wheeling with this group - out of PG, none of whom I know - and I'm hesitant to depend on them for this as a 1st timer and still only being a novice with pulling a trailer (but at least now I can usually back it up first attempt and get it close to where I want it! - so that's progress!).
The good news is I can make a pretty comfy bed in the back of my JKU... but what's the point of having 2 trailers both "off road ready" (lol - would never pull a Little Guy TD down a true trail - Rough Rider or not) and yet go on a 1250 km trip (each way) and not pull either one?! Also turns out that I wheel Saturday, then immediately leave on the Sunday morning and do a 1800km drive from BC to Dawson City YT in 2 days to be there for a family function that I can't miss.
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
Man... so many decisions and choices.
Mike (Wavebreaker) makes a really amazing trailer. I go over to his place to talk trailers once a week at least, and we do a trailer based camping trip to close out the summer season every year. He has helped me a LOT with my trailer, and I try to help him out on his where I can.
Honestly, If I didn't already have a 21' (open) Coachman Clipper 108ST (fridge, toilet, queen beds, furnace etc) I would sell the M101 and have a TD already underway. I mentioned it to my wife... her words were "No ******king way". Thats to OO's BTW. lol She loves the idea, but wants a BIG family camping trailer.
So confusing.
Looks like a sweet trip...and yes, sell all the rest of that stuff and buy a Trekken Offroad TD!!
Mike (Wavebreaker) makes a really amazing trailer. I go over to his place to talk trailers once a week at least, and we do a trailer based camping trip to close out the summer season every year. He has helped me a LOT with my trailer, and I try to help him out on his where I can.
Honestly, If I didn't already have a 21' (open) Coachman Clipper 108ST (fridge, toilet, queen beds, furnace etc) I would sell the M101 and have a TD already underway. I mentioned it to my wife... her words were "No ******king way". Thats to OO's BTW. lol She loves the idea, but wants a BIG family camping trailer.
So confusing.
Looks like a sweet trip...and yes, sell all the rest of that stuff and buy a Trekken Offroad TD!!
Well trailer is getting a paint job. First coat of silver is on (to match my jeep). Fortunately I got it on well before it started to rain. Unfortunately from closer than ~10 feet it looks like like it was done by an amateur - which it was. First time using oil based paint, and first time painting anything other than some walls. It'll have to do for my trip to BC next week... but once we get a few nice days I'll have to sand it down (to smooth out the runs), and re-paint it. No pics, as it's all under the tarps. Am hoping I'll have time to pull the tent and paint the lid black... however it's suppose to rain all week... so will see.