Ghost: M100 Trailer Build

[WinterfellJK]

I picked up a 1951 M100 trailer a few years ago with no intentions of building it out any further than some bigger tires for dispersed tent camping trips in Colorado. However, after thinking about logistics of finding BLM/NFS campsites that could fit a Jeep, utility trailer, tent(s), and the rest of family camp setup, I decided to put the tent on the trailer and build it. The trailer was solid but already modified by the PO with a flimsy rack, welded ball coupler, and a hacked and then unhacked tailgate. Parts have been accumulated slowly and mostly second hand to keep budget down. This is my first welding project with YouTube as training, so hoping for the best, but so far so good.

Plans:
extend tub walls up 18" with exo-frame
roll up tonneau cover
extended tongue
tongue box
off-road coupler
tongue jack w/ wheel
tube fenders
rear bumper with hitch receiver
swing out tailgate
new 3500lb axle, electric brakes, parking brake
probably new leaf springs to account for added weight
35" tires on Jeep JK wheels
RTT and 270 awning on lift platform, linear actuators
battery system for lights, break away switch, actuators, and camping accessories.

As received:

Concept:

After scraping the caulk from the back wall of the tub, the tailgate looks to have been cut out with a hatchet.

 

[WinterfellJK]

Cut off the hitch and cast pintle landing leg assembly that is normally bolted, not welded, then trimmed and bent the A-frame for the 4" square tube for the tongue.

 

[WinterfellJK]

Removed the small sections of C-channel frame in the front corners and welded in stacked square tubes. I have a feeling the corners will take a beating on the trail, so they should be strengthened.

 

[WinterfellJK]

4" - 1/8" wall square tube tongue and tow chain sleeves from LinkLock up front near the coupler. I'm mounting the Cruisemaster DO35 V3 Plus hitch coupler inside the end of the tube bolted through with brass spacers to take up the gap.

 

[WinterfellJK]

Hitch receiver integrated into rear bumper which is two stacked square tubes replacing the rear C-channel frame. Just enough clearance to install the receiver pin behind the 1.5" square tube so the bumper can be flush.

 

[WinterfellJK]

Handbrake handle from DO35 mounted to tongue bracket, ARK XO500 going on, tongue box test fit, and axle fit test. I needed to trim off the inside lip of the wheel spacers to clear an edge on the Dexter axle brake drum.

 

[WinterfellJK]

Front end is taking shape, I just need to drill holes for the DO35 in the bottom of the tube, weld a lift handle on top, skid plate for the bottom bolts, and a tray for the tongue box. The Dexter axle was ordered hub-to-hub 58" with 2" wheel spacers the track width is only a couple inches less than my Jeep, but it will still end up needing wide tube fenders for some wheel coverage.

 

[WinterfellJK]

Rear floor welded to the new bumper and patched holes where the floor drains were cut out. I need to build up a little more weld on the edge so the tailgate has a flat corner to seal against. The bar will be cut out later after the tube frame is added to keep the tub square.

 

[smritte]

Looks like your on the way to something nice here. Articulating hitch is a must as well as a park brake. If you haven't done it yet, throw some good shocks on it. That was one of my many learning curves with off road trailers.

I've had my M-100 since the late 80's. I picked it up, lifted it and put 33's on it and used it to haul gear down our Black Diamond Adopt a Trail. Late 90's- early 2000's (ish) I saw my first RTT and turned it into a camping trailer.
Its seen a number of trails, hard core and mild, and has been one of my favorite projects.

Went from this when I first got it


To this years later.

 

[WinterfellJK]

Looks like your on the way to something nice here.

Thanks! I came across your trailer in my research and it gave me some ideas of what could be. I am going to put shocks back on it, but not until after I determine if my stock old springs will be ok for the added weight. I'm guessing not, and I'll need heavier springs with shocks.

I got the frame for the tongue box welded from the top side this weekend. I'll weld the rest from the bottom when I flip the trailer again to fit my new parking brake setup and add gusset plates for the rear hitch receiver,.

 

[smritte]

My old spring held up for a bit. Later when I replaced them, one of the main leaf's was cracking. You couldn't see it until I tore the spring pack down.

 

[WinterfellJK]

I started on the exo frame to box in the top of the trailer and support the tent/awning.

 

[WinterfellJK]

Exo frame is done. I may put another vertical bar in the middle on each side and possibly a few corner gussets to reinforce. I also test fit my used tonneau cover and began to modify it to fit the shorter length.

 

[WinterfellJK]

I welded corner gussets in the front and mounted my new custom parking brake cable from controlcables.com. It was very easy to specify to them what I needed and they gladly went back and forth quite a few times answering all my questions. It fit exactly as measured and seems like a quality piece. The center bracket mounts to the side of my trailer tongue to keep it away from trail hazards and the cable segment to the pull handle routes into the tube to the front.

 

[smritte]

new custom parking brake cable from controlcables.com.

Those guy's were so helpful. Their local to me and had it shipped the next day.

 

[WinterfellJK]

Tailgate frame is done with sheet metal to hold the bulb seal, Buyers latch, Jeep door hinges, and a bracket for license plate light mount.

 

[64Trvlr]

View attachment 289785

I really like your work and the way you think. You've made it nice purpose built, heavy duty trailer.

I'm curious why you went with the jack you have instead of one like this? No bolts, no chance of vibrating loose, just rock simple.

 

[WinterfellJK]

Thanks! It’s been a fun project so far.

I found the ARK researching jacks and it seemed very rugged and I liked the wide wheel to be able to roll the trailer when unhooked at camp or driveway/garage. I have two of the pipe jacks you showed as well that will mount on each corner of the rear for stability and leveling of the tent.

 

[WinterfellJK]

The Hi Lift is mounted on the front as low as possible above the tongue box. I can still remove the tongue box and I’m considering to retrofit a motorcycle hitch rack to fit in its place instead of hanging it off the back hitch receiver of the trailer.

Has anyone made a removable moto or bike rack for the trailer tongue?

 

[tyndall]

will be interested to see what you come up with for the bike rack, I’m thinking of adding a removable one to the back of my trailer. What bike are you going to put on it?