M101A2 first attempt at a build thread

[i8boots]

I got the T-nuts in and did a test fitting tonight and think I might stain my boards or so something more than just water seal.

Test fitting pics:



I am just worried about the temperature <°40 during the day, or enclosed 3 car garage without ventilation that stays around °50 all the time.

Thoughts?

 

[Storm 51]

The bows (all wood on the truck and trailer, actually) and side boards are White Oak. It is the original stock wood used by the military (very hard and long lasting; resists rot well). Much better than Red Oak.

The tool rack is just a standard M-Series Tool Rack and the shovel is the standard shovel for that rack. The canvas shovel cover is from a WW II Jeep that keeps things from rattling so much (it was cheap). The Machete Bracket is something I bent up and bolted on. Up here in the Pacific Northwest you need a machete when you are off road far more often than you need an axe. The machete sheath is plastic since a canvas one is more likely to rot. I also used far more straps than normally used because I don't like to lose tools.

 

[i8boots]

I finally got a good enough weather patch to water seal my boards. I was worried about the nice redwood color showing, but the Thompson's seems to have fixed that.

 

[i8boots]

I finally got a good enough weather patch to water seal my boards. I was worried about the nice redwood color showing, but the Thompson's seems to have fixed that.

And now I am super excited to be done.

 

[turnkey]

Great build so far ...lots of ideas for up dates thanks for shareing....great looking trailer...

 

[harleyhouse]

They are great trailers! I am very happy with my camping / family hauler.

 

[hendersond]

Very nicely done.

 

[Trailboss]

Very nicely done.

Yeah, what he said!

 

[i8boots]

Now I'm scared for the next step of taking off the wheels and inspecting the hubs and brakes. I've not done that much mechanic work before.

 

[oddave715]

If the screws that hold the drum on don't want to come off then get an impact screwdriver. Like this: http://m.craftsman.com/craftsman-impact-driver/p-00947641000P They are designed to be hit with a hammer. Work really good at getting those stuck screws out.

 

[i8boots]

Oh wow, I really haven't updated in a while! Let me overload you!

First up, I decided I didn't like the clunking of the broken surge lunette and wanted my trailer to be able to stop itself. I found a local welder who has been trying his hand at offroad trailers, and he and I came up with a plan.
Here's my new 5200lbs axle with e-brakes and parking brakes with matching lug pattern for my Tacoma, as well as has the exact same track width.


Also, here's my new lunette ring hitch and placement:


I love how it tows now!

Well, a month or two later I got a wild hair and decided to design a new semi-removable rack. I say semi as it's heavy, goes the full depth of the existing stakes, and is custom cut and fit for the position. He also created a new front tray for me to put propane/gas/etc. on. I drilled a few holes in the sides and installed tiedown points inside the tub for securing loads. Here are pictures of the new powdercoated steel bows as well as my new name and designation stenciling:


I took on an extended trip to southern Utah, and it towed great and handled amazingly.

I've hit image limit so I'm going to create a new thread for what I did in the last two weeks.

 

[i8boots]

After I got back I realized I couldn't handle it not having the parking brakes work properly, so I made my own cabling and tensioning system using as much existing hardware and no drilling:



After fixing the brakes I got down to some soldering and made removable exterior LED lights using some amazon-sourced aluminum channel, magnetic tape, LED strips, a lot of time, and some vulgarity. All lights are removable and can attach anywhere ferrous, but the 4 sections for each side are hard wired together:


Next up is probably a custom tarp, but I'm not sure. I think I'm good for now.

 

[Another Ahab]

The trailer looks great, real nice.

 

[Sonarman]

Any update on trailer build.