Ghost: M100 Trailer Build
- Thread starter WinterfellJK
- Start date
I got the trailer roll ready so I can go to my local metal shop and pickup the remainder of sheet metal and round tubing for the skin and fenders. I also pulled it around the neighborhood and tested the jackknife capability. I found the pins holding adjustable length chains were the first to touch the spare tire on the Jeep before the tongue hit the corner of the bumper. I raised the tire on the tire carrier and I’ll trim the tops off the pins to give me more than 90deg of tongue rotation on each side.
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I was able to tack the sheet metal panels to the frame this weekend, cut mounts for tail lights, roll tubes and begin mocking up fenders.
Does anyone have tips to keep tubes from turning into potato chips while rolling on the Harber Freight tube roller?
Does anyone have tips to keep tubes from turning into potato chips while rolling on the Harber Freight tube roller?
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Traveler II
Neat build! It looks like you are following the initial concept plan closely. It's always nice when a plan comes together. I look forward to following the rest of the build.
All of that grinding dust/residue on the floor reminds me of my own trailer build. I like your articulating hitch.
All of that grinding dust/residue on the floor reminds me of my own trailer build. I like your articulating hitch.
Thanks! The concept has been maintained so far. I think I saw in your build thread also that working with an existing trailer probably didn't save any time in the build, and it probably increased the effort to work with what was existing already. That and not knowing exactly what was required to complete all the designs I wanted as been a surprise to me how much more time it has taken to build. The floor is clean again today and ready for more dust as I grind the finished sheet metal welds.
Fenders and step rails are taking shape. It’s tricky fitting such a big fender onto the M100 since the sheet metal arch needs a curve cut out to fit against the angle on the top of the trailer body. I also decided to relocate the tie down hooks that interfered with the back of the fender.
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Fenders are done. They are mostly welded, but the sheet metal against the trailer tub was also glued with seam sealer. I mounted the lift points for the pipe jacks, but still need to decide on how they will mount for driving, so they are up out of the way.
Does anyone else using pipe jacks to level a trailer keep as least one wheel on the ground when setting up at camp? With my trailer lifted on the jacks without wheels, their is a lot of slop in the pipe mounts even with the locking pin installed allowing the trailer to move side to side a lot. I can imagine it will be an uneasy feeling like that moving around in the tent.
Does anyone else using pipe jacks to level a trailer keep as least one wheel on the ground when setting up at camp? With my trailer lifted on the jacks without wheels, their is a lot of slop in the pipe mounts even with the locking pin installed allowing the trailer to move side to side a lot. I can imagine it will be an uneasy feeling like that moving around in the tent.
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I'm currently working on the tent/awning pivots and actuator mounts. It's yet to be seen if the 900lb push actuator has enough power to lift the platform given the flat angle between the pivot arm and the actuator.
The tent/awning platform, actuator mounts, and top rub rail are done. The tent and awning will stick out past the frame, so I added the top rail for some tree/rock protection towing offroad. I tested the actuators with me hanging off the back of the platform and it lifted without any problem, so hopefully no surprises later with everything mounted.
What are your thoughts on the Cruisemaster DO35 hitch? I'm thinking of getting one for my OVS off road trailer. I'm not sure if it will mount to my trailer though because it looks like it needs a plate to mount on, which my trailer doesn't have.
I've only driven the DO35 around the neighborhood and to the metal store so far, but it's perfectly smooth. I'm looking forward to finishing the trailer this spring and testing offroad this summer. Hitching and unhitching is easy, but I'm rolling (or lifting) my light trailer tongue around, so it's probably similar with an OVS trailer. Cruisemaster only recommends to mount it on a drawbar plate, something like 10mm thick, but you can see how mine is through bolted inside a 1/8" wall square tube. I'm taking a chance it's strong enough, but it seems ok.
A while back I remember seeing another US trailer manufacturer using the DO35 on their 2" receiver adapter. I don't know who it was, but maybe you can find it and hopefully they sell it separately for you to replace the ball hitch receiver on the OVS. I'll take a look again also and come back if I can find who it was.
Thanks! Good luck on your build. I got the OVS off road trailer they started selling last year and I’ve been modifying it a bit. I can’t wait to get it out this year.
Thanks! I may have been remembering the Rustic Mountain Overland Yakka trailer, but it looks they don't build them anymore. That's who I bought my DO35 hitch from since they had the best price. I found these photos of what looks like the DO35 mounted on a receiver adapter. Maybe they still have them available, or you can make one yourself.
