Alaskan Camper M101a2 Trailer Project Build

[2INSANE]

I'm tired of tents, setting up camp, cold hard ground, cold/hot temps, being exposed to snow and rain, etc... I'm getting old!! Lol! So I've searched and researched and figured out what I want! I want a camper/trailer that can handle almost any terrain, extreme weather conditions, heavy duty and comfortable. Having all my gear in one area with easy access. So here's what I've got on my brain Here's my rare yet effective most awesome and extreme off-road worthy camper/trailer build.

To start we need a trailer! I thought a M101a2 would work perfect. Long springs for a smooth ride, rear jack, front crank jack, hand lever cable brakes, 8 lug axles/rims and easy to find normal automobile tires
I picked this up from a guy. It's in ok shape. Not too shabby... Got some dings and dents and surface rust. Perfect! Good price too!

 

[2INSANE]

I think some bigger tires is needed. Found me a cheap set of alum 16.5x10 rims and 35/12.5/r16.5 BFG A/T tires. I got them mounted, balanced and cleaned up. Then slapped them on the trailer.

 

[2INSANE]

Ok! Looking good! Now for the camper 1970 Alaskan vintage rare old school pop up camper. She is loaded with a fridge/freezer that runs off of either, 110v or propane or 12v, 3 burner propane stove, 30 gal water tank, sink, radiant heater (propane), table that converts into bed, 2 1/2 gal propane tank, hydroloc jack to lift up the top, 3 alum jacks for mount and dismount, port-o-potty and a lot of storage Awe only 30 seconds to set up camp with this bad momma!!
Picked it up from a local guy for a good deal.
It's 8 foot long, 4' wide at bottom base and 6' wide at top base.

 

[2INSANE]

So I test fitted to see if it would fit... Awe man! It doesn't!!!!! The wheel wells are in the bloody way! Ok ok no problem. I called up my bro and asked if he had a sawzall. Yep!

The camper had a lower lip on the front preventing it from sliding it all the way to the front of the trailer making it so the tailgate wouldn't shut. So I cut it off 2".

So I measured 8" from the inside wall to 8" out of each wheel well. Marked and cut.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33BNfzmjGcw&feature=youtube_gdata_player





Where the propane tank is stored in the rear of the camper on pass side there's an additional 5" extension that was also preventing the camper from sliding all the way in. Marked and cut.

 

[2INSANE]

After mounting, there's a 1 1/2" gap between rails of trailer and camper. Will get filled in with wood.



See how the extension of the camper was hitting the wheel well? Not any more! Muahahaha

And now for the sexy part!







I took her on the interstate. She sailed smoothly over bumps, turns and towed very well at 70mph.

Please keep in mind that this project is not finished yet. I ran out of time and had to go back to work.

Things that need to get done.
1. Electrical connections from Truck/Blazer to Camper.
2. Get sheet metal welded on the wheel wells.
3. Sand blast trailer, prime and paint.
4. Fill the 1 1/2" gap between the trailer rails and camper with wood.
5. Mount 5 Gallon Water tanks to sides.
6. Mount a fire extinguisher to side (Safty First)
7. Cut and make side doors for easy access to the inside front space of camper/trailer.
8. Add 2 feet of square tubing to the tow neck.
9. Add an alum tool box to the front
10. Make a protective metal sheet cover for front window to protect from rocks being kicked up and thrown while being towed.
11. Roof rack for the coolers, luggage, etc.
12. Create some hidden mounts to marry the camper with the trailer.
13. Solar panels to keep the battery charged while disconnected from truck/Blazer.


That's it for now. I'll post more progress when I make it happen. Special thanks to my brother Benj for all the help!

Hope yal enjoy so far. I'm loving it!

 

[59apache]

looks good! i like the vintage design.

 

[bob95065]

Ummmmm.....instead of cutting up your trailer why didn't you keep the camper in the truck?

 

[59apache]

i think its a good idea. leave your camper where ever you want and drive your truck to places you can't reach with a trailer behind. no need to load / unload the camper.

 

[2INSANE]

looks good! i like the vintage design.

Thanks! I'll get ya some more pics of the inside and with it popped up when I'm off work

Ummmmm.....instead of cutting up your trailer why didn't you keep the camper in the truck?

Yea you prob think I'm stupid or crazy for cutting up a nice 3/4 ton trailer. But look at my truck... It's on it's last thread... The truck is a good truck but it's too long for what I want for the off-road. Plus it's rusted all over the body. Bad cancer. Bad body damage from other trails. My goal is to finish my blazer build and tow the camper behind the blazer. 59apache is right too! Easier to disconnect a trailer then slide off a camper on uneven ground. After pricing, it was a lot cheaper to go this route then have a custom off-road trailer built to fit the camper. Time effective too. And since my blazer is in the shop and the truck is my current trans, its killing me on fuel leaving the camper in the back while daily driving. With the trailer/camper lower profile it's less likely I'll roll over. It's been thought out for a very long time. The truck is going bye bye. What's also great is that after I get rid of the truck, I will still have a bed (The trailer) to haul stuff when needed.

i think its a good idea. leave your camper where ever you want and drive your truck to places you can't reach with a trailer behind. no need to load / unload the camper.

So true!

 

[unclemikey]

Ya did good! That is going to work out super for you. You just can't get a much better camper than an Alskan for that type of project. The two match up very well. I love to see these projects that marry two things together that most don't think off, and yet works so very well. Keep us posted. Like I said before......Ya did good

 

[koolex11]

Fantastic job and well-documented. That kind of project is on my long-term list. Let's see the inside!

 

[2INSANE]

Ya did good! That is going to work out super for you. You just can't get a much better camper than an Alskan for that type of project. The two match up very well. I love to see these projects that marry two things together that most don't think off, and yet works so very well. Keep us posted. Like I said before......Ya did good

Thanks! Wow thats a cool rig ya got there! Yea not very many people have done this. Usually peeps put it on a m105 trailer so they don't have to cut but they are sooooo heavy for the off-road. Weight is a big thing when it comes to off-road.I'm sure you know

Fantastic job and well-documented. That kind of project is on my long-term list. Let's see the inside!

Yea it for sure the icing on the cake for my blazer build when do you plan on doing your project? Hope to see your build! I still have a lot to do with both mine! Lol! It never ends. I'll add some inside pics when I can. Keep your eyes peeled nice truck btw!

 

[bob95065]

Thanks! I'll get ya some more pics of the inside and with it popped up when I'm off work


Yea you prob think I'm stupid or crazy for cutting up a nice 3/4 ton trailer. But look at my truck... It's on it's last thread... The truck is a good truck but it's too long for what I want for the off-road. Plus it's rusted all over the body. Bad cancer. Bad body damage from other trails. My goal is to finish my blazer build and tow the camper behind the blazer. 59apache is right too! Easier to disconnect a trailer then slide off a camper on uneven ground. After pricing, it was a lot cheaper to go this route then have a custom off-road trailer built to fit the camper. Time effective too. And since my blazer is in the shop and the truck is my current trans, its killing me on fuel leaving the camper in the back while daily driving. With the trailer/camper lower profile it's less likely I'll roll over. It's been thought out for a very long time. The truck is going bye bye. What's also great is that after I get rid of the truck, I will still have a bed (The trailer) to haul stuff when needed.



So true!

Makes sense. Great build thread!

 

[indy4x4fab]

Well done deffently a great way to turn a m101a2 in to a use-able camper. Well done.

 

[harleyhouse]

Great job!
The Alaskan camper looks at home in the 101.
The hitch looks like a nice change too!

This is my future plan for my trailer.
I wanted a roof top tent but they are expensive.
I can build this set up for less.

My trailer build blog:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...d-a-Military-trailer-to-build-a-family-hauler

 

[quickfarms]

Nice work

 

[koolex11]

Harley, giving up on the RTT? That makes me happy. DIY jobs are so much more interesting and fun to follow!

 

[timntrucks]

these pics make me want to go camping again thanks for those super great buildup pics

 

[2INSANE]

Well done deffently a great way to turn a m101a2 in to a use-able camper. Well done.

Thanks! I can't wait to take her out this winter!

Great job!
The Alaskan camper looks at home in the 101.
The hitch looks like a nice change too!

This is my future plan for my trailer.
I wanted a roof top tent but they are expensive.
I can build this set up for less.

My trailer build blog:
Just purchased a Military trailer to build a family hauler

Thank ya! I like your idea on that build u plan on doing. That's nice! Looks like home on wheels.

Nice work

Thanks!

these pics make me want to go camping again thanks for those super great buildup pics

Much thanks! With this momma, I can go camping year round in any weather condition on almost any terrain.

 

[2INSANE]

I thought I should share this pic