Hill, Bill E. Hotel [Archive]

HillBillE

03-29-2008, 22:08

I like to camp, hunt and fish, I also like to stay at the OHV park for the full weekend sometimes. So here's my solution.

Here is what I did with my M416 trailer.
Before:
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/jeeptrailer010.jpg
After:
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/TrailerProject031.jpg
Did the SOA, and put 31x10.5-15's on it for now, hope to go with 33's to match te CJ.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/TrailerProject005.jpg
Extended the fenders to accomodate the tires. These can be removed and the fenders put back on in the original configuration, as can all the mods to the trailer.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/TrailerProject023.jpg
Built a top from 1'' thick black ash and 1/4'' plywood:
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/TrailerProject025.jpg
Made some roof racks from Uni-Strut and 10 guage plate steel:
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/TrailerProject027.jpg
And installed a roof top tent from Rack Tents:
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/TrailerProject029.jpg
And closed up or traveling:
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/TrailerProject033.jpg
Takes less than 1 minute to set up the tent, and it has a 2 1/2'' thick mattress in it. pretty comfy! HB

Here are the rst of my build pics, from photobucket: http://s114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/?start=all

HillBillE

03-29-2008, 22:12

Everything done to my M416 is reversible, meaning that the trailer can be put back to stock configuration. This was important to me, as future plans involve finding and restoring an old flattie, back to Military specs. And the trailer will be the perfect accompaniment to it. Perfect for doing parades and Vet related stuff. Now, to find me a nice flattie.............:D

Fifthpro

03-29-2008, 22:36

Nice! I have two kids that I haul around all over hell and dale, plus the fact we like to camp when we go out makes me want one as well. It sure would make loading/unloading the rig easier; just throw all the crap in the trailer.

Once again, excellent effort; have fun with it.

trailsnail

03-30-2008, 04:51

That is so sweet. I love it. How many ppl fit in the tent?

miljeep

03-30-2008, 09:33

That is great. Since I have never actually seen a trailer like that in person, can you access the contents of the trailer when you are in the tent? Is their like a little trap door or something?

mdcj7

03-30-2008, 09:37

Nice!!!! after you diconnect the jeep is it stable with you in it. Are you a sound sleeper? The guys I wheel with would move me around at night while sleeping LOL.

HillBillE

03-30-2008, 10:15

Thanks guys! The tent is about the size of a queen size bed inside, perfect for the wife and I, and we can fit our 6 year old in there for now. As he gets older, he'll probably wan his own tent anyway.

You can't get into the trailer from inside the tent, but if no one is inside (the tent), you can lift the trailer top up, even when the tent is open.

The trailer has a parking brake on it (of course, it's a Military trailer!) so when the brake is on, it's very stable. I sleep pretty light, but I may have to figure out a way to padlock the parking brake on, I'd hate to wake up somewhere other than where I crawled in at!:D Some of the guys I wheel with would do the same thing!

HMRRSQ

03-30-2008, 18:41

Heh Randy there's a group of "lost" wheelers that own those new FJ40's that have the same setup on top on the rigs. They are nice.
Looks like another fine project you've completed.

HillBillE

03-18-2010, 16:54

UPDATE: Well, I haven't gotten to the fresh water tank, 12V Deep cycle battery, and fridge/freezer combo yet. But the trailer is working great!

I've made 2 trips to Moab with it, and I'm prepping it for the third trip in April. Also have had numerous weekend trips with it out wheeling/camping/fishing.

The wooden to was showing it's age, and leaking some. So I installed some 20" wide aluminum flashing across the top to keep it dry inside (and save the wood!)

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/trailer007.jpg

Sure is nice, being off the ground and away from the critters that may want to sleep with ya in the dessert!:D

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Moab%20Run%202008/S5300020.jpg

Hope to get the 12V battery in next week, and some 12V lights under the lid, on the back where I set up to cook, and one run into the tent.

HillBillE

03-23-2010, 22:33

Added some MJ bling:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/trailerCJ003.jpg

Here you can see how the trailer tub is accessed when the tent is open:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/trailerCJ009.jpg

Working on a 'cook table' that will hang off the back. It'll be 4' wide and 14-16" deep. Enough room to fit a Coleman stove on, and room for the food prep/condiments/paper towels/etc.

The table will store inside the lid of the trailer, when traveling.

Also picked up a couple of 12V lights for inside, hoping to get the battery box mounted and lights wired this week.

brian613

03-23-2010, 23:53

that is so bad a$$ makes me want one

HillBillE

03-24-2010, 10:03

that is so bad a$$ makes me want one

Thanks!! You can still find the trailers out there, I watched this one for a few years, then one day the guy who owned it was pulling into his drive (with his TJ:D) while I was going by. I turned the CJ around and went back.

We bs'd about Jeeps for a bit, then I asked if he ever thought about selling the trailer:rolleyes:

Ended up buying it for $275, I didn't even try to talk him down!

The tent was another $800-ish, and the rest (top/tires/wheels) was stuff I had, or built in the wood shop.

ravengp

03-24-2010, 23:13

Love the trailer! Working on one of my own. Anyway, I was drooling over the www.Adventuretrailers.com website and they have a reproduction of the M-416. One of the options is a kitchen shelf that locks in place between the fender and the flare of the box. Wonder if that might be easier for you than hanging over the back?

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e25/chris0673/1_shelf.jpg (http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e25/chris0673/?action=view&current=1_shelf.jpg)

HillBillE

03-25-2010, 17:23

I dunno, this one should work just fine!:D

My dad finished it up today:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/trailertable008.jpg (http://s114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/?action=view&current=trailertable008.jpg)

Mounts:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/trailertable006.jpg (http://s114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/?action=view&current=trailertable006.jpg)

Thier is a piano hinge between the 2 boards, so the table can fold in half, that way it will fiy between the ribs in the lid, for staorage.

The table is 48" wide, and 16" deep. Big enough to fit a 2 burner Coleman stove, and have plenty of room for prepping food.:D

HillBillE

03-25-2010, 17:26

I had thought about going over the fender, but with the table on the back, I can still access the inside of the trailer, without reaching over/removing the table. I got some ideas from the Adventure Trailer site. I like thier stuff, but man is it spendy!

HillBillE

03-25-2010, 17:30

My dad used his router, and cut grooves in the table. The brackets are bent, and stick up 1/2" on the end, fitting into the grooves, keeping the table from sliding/moving if bumped.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/trailertable006-1.jpg

Fred

03-25-2010, 17:42

Thats sexy, Can't wait to see it at Camp MJ

deckster

03-25-2010, 22:54

Very Cool...I`m gonna build a similar setup one day!!

ravengp

03-25-2010, 23:31

I gotta admit, that's pretty slick! Love the piano hinge to fold the table.

highlandercj-7

03-26-2010, 09:34

Took the words out my mouth Fred lol. Nice work HB. I love the AT's too but they are out of my $$ range. I have a old Apache Chief, the only thing I hate about it is the 8" wheels. The only reason they are still on it is because of the 1200.00 canvaas it would take to put it up on 31's.

warthog_cj7

03-26-2010, 15:08

That whole setup is really neat.

E5EDDIE

03-26-2010, 16:04

Very nice work HillBillie, is the deck of the tent really stable? By that I mean does it flex much? What is the tents deck made of? Again, 'grats, really nice job!:beer::beer:

HillBillE

03-26-2010, 18:32

Very nice work HillBillie, is the deck of the tent really stable? By that I mean does it flex much? What is the tents deck made of? Again, 'grats, really nice job!:beer::beer:

Very stable! The base, or floor, of the tent, is aluminum frame, with styrofoam between the aluminim 'skins'. And it's about 1 1/2" thick.

There's a 2 1/2" foam mattress inside, and I leave 2 of those self inflating sleeping bag pads in it, for a little extra padding.

Whats really nice, is you can fold the tent up, with the pillows and sleeping bags/blankets still inside. Then, pop it open, and the bed is made!:D

Here's where I bought it from: http://racktents.com/Tents.html

Price has gone up about $30, but I bought it about 3 years ago.

Still one of the better prices for a RTT.

I have to make sure the heavy stuff in the trailer, is toward the tongue:p

I rolled over one night, and almost tipped the trailer over:eek:

I had the cooler, water jug, and some firewood all in the back of the trailer! Add my big butt rolling over, and OOPS! Tippy time!:D

E5EDDIE

03-28-2010, 10:02

HillBillE

03-28-2010, 20:45

I know my fat ass would for sure tip it over w/out some forethought on load planning!:D, So, we gotta know, have you ahh, well, "gotten lucky" up there six feet off the ground? Talk about performance anxiety, try to throw in some new stunt position and fallin' off the top heh heh heh what a memory!:D

Well, we didn't tip it over......but I did learn to put a flat board under the landing leg:D It worked it's way into the sand from the 'commotion', and the trailer wasn't level anymore;)

Scrambler84

03-28-2010, 22:12

Thats an awesome trailer / tent combo

ravengp

03-29-2010, 09:06

HillBillE

03-29-2010, 09:38

Have you considered fabbing some sort of support for the back of the trailer? I've been trying to come up with a way to fab up a drop leg or something that either folds up under the trailer or just snaps on with a pin or something.

I upended my trailer the other day while powerwashing it. I was too stupid to stand it up and got up in it. One step past the axle and...wow!

I have enough tongue weight right now, but I have thought about it.

One idea I had, was to install a 2" reciever on the back.

Then build a leg that slides in. Just turn it 90 degrees and pin it, when traveling.

Right now, with the lid and the tent, and the stuff I load in, it hasn't been a problem yet.

But yeah, I did the same thing when I first got my trailer:D

highlandercj-7

03-29-2010, 09:43

This rear stabilizer from AT is slick and easy enough to build your own. I'm building a set for my tent trailer.

http://www.adventuretrailers.com/accessories.html

Video on how it works: http://www.adventuretrailers.com/rearstabilizer.html

Rear Stabilizer http://www.adventuretrailers.com/images/stabilizer1small.jpg (http://www.adventuretrailers.com/rearstabilizer.html)This device slips under the rear of the trailer. After ratcheting the trapezoid into position the rear of the trailer is stabilized. An excellent safety device for use when the trailer is unhitched from the tow vehicle.

The Rear Stabilizer is $79.00

top of page (http://www.adventuretrailers.com/accessories.html#top)

HillBillE

03-29-2010, 20:27

Those stabilizers are cool, and work even on unlevel ground. Might have to fab up one like that. Cant see paying $80 for 2 pipes and a ratchet strap:D

HillBillE

03-29-2010, 20:52

Got some more done today. My dad has been a big help with the trailer, which is great, as I've been busy with the Jeep:D

Today we mounted a 5 lb propane tank and a battery box up front.
The deep cycle battery I have is a short one, so there is room in the box for a 400W inverter:D

There are slots in the plastic case, for a divider, so shorter batteries don't slide around. I cut a piece of plywood as a devider, and screwed the inverter to it.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/trailer013.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/trailer009-1.jpg

I was going to use one of my 20# LP tanks, which would have been overkill. But my dad gave my his 5# one. He used it for his heater in the deer stand and ice fishing.

He also made a rack to store the table and brackets under the lid.

Bad pic, but you can see where it stores:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/trailer006.jpg

E5EDDIE

03-30-2010, 14:24

hahahha lmao, too funny man, necessity is the mother of invention they say! Nice work it looks great!

Well, we didn't tip it over......but I did learn to put a flat board under the landing leg:D It worked it's way into the sand from the 'commotion', and the trailer wasn't level anymore;)

IBJEEPN

03-31-2010, 04:04

highlandercj-7

03-31-2010, 06:44

LOL, glad he jump started ya buddy I can't wait to see a RTT on yours.

HillBillE

03-31-2010, 10:51

Definately cool. Thanks for posting. My wife bought me a 1952 Strick m100 last year. I'm gonna convert it to something like yours. I have a bantam for show and go. love em both.. You re-lit the fire with your thread. Thanks !:beer:

Cool! Does the M100 have a tailgate? Or was that only the civilian modaels? (like the Bantam TC3, I think)

I thought about installing a tailgate, but decided to keep it original.

All the mods I've done can be reversed, if I ever decide to restore it to original, and tow behind the flatty:D

IBJEEPN

04-01-2010, 10:51

Cool! Does the M100 have a tailgate? Or was that only the civilian modaels? (like the Bantam TC3, I think)

I thought about installing a tailgate, but decided to keep it original.

All the mods I've done can be reversed, if I ever decide to restore it to original, and tow behind the flatty:D The m100 had the back end cut out. But it stayed with the trailer. Imagine that ! It was definately military surplus that a school had at one time. The bantam is a early TC3 model. I was told it was surplus. By the previous owner Who had several beautiful military vehicles. Some of the TC3's were built with left over military spec parts. Waste not..want not... Here they are.. The M100 and Bantam & a pic of the Bantam factory here in Butler, Pa
Neither are perfect.. But I love 'em

Grevus

04-05-2010, 15:08

wow.. thats friggin sweet.. I want one

HillBillE

07-22-2011, 22:14

That Bantam is awesome!!

I haven't even used mine yet this year. :( Going wheeling in WI the last weekend of July, so that will be the first time out this year.

But, I found a nasty wasp nest inside!! I killed all the little buggers, but now I have to wash out the trailer, and clean up everything.

I opened the lid, emptied a can of Wasp Killer inside, and dropped the lid! :beer:

Clean up begins this week.

HillBillE

07-22-2011, 22:16

Here is also more pics of the build: http://s114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/Adventure%20Trailer%20Project/?start=all

Minn_wild1

08-07-2011, 23:29

Nice trailer. I'd like to take a closer look at it one of these days. Hopefully see you in Gilbert one of these weekends.

HillBillE

08-08-2011, 20:47

Nice trailer. I'd like to take a closer look at it one of these days. Hopefully see you in Gilbert one of these weekends.

Give me a holler if you get to Duluth. I usually only do a day run to Gilbert. Might camp there once a year.

I just had it down to Chetek, WI, for the AVF run.

jeepdreamer

08-16-2011, 09:02

This is mine. I was told its a 50 Bantam but the data plate is really hard to read due to age. It has almost no rust other than surface but does need a replacement axle as someone swapped in what looks like a trailer one. I don't care for the "Bud" type wheels it needs..spooky. Its in my CONNEX back in Colorado and will be the bearer of my Technitop RTT that will soon be on my scrambler here in Germany... Can't wait to start messing with it! :)

HillBillE

08-16-2011, 17:34

Yep, that looks like a narrowed up 'Mobil Home' axle. They have a good weight rating, but really aren't designed for full time use.

Check out ExPo forum, or other trailer sights. A lot of guys swap in axles that match there rigs bolt pattern, and sell the stock axles pretty cheap.

For that matter, there's a company that builds axles to your specs, and IIRC, they are under $200 shipped!

ETA: It sure looks like an early Bantam TC-3. There are a few sites out there for them, one is (was?) a Yahoo Group.