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Camping Trailer Redo

Discussion in 'Jeep Trailer Tech' started by 458soco, Oct 10, 2018.

  1. Oct 10, 2018
    458soco

    458soco Sponsor

    North Georgia
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    I bought an older m101a1 a few years ago and turned it into a camping trailer for my by-yearly camping trip with some keeping buddies. I used some troop seats I scored for free for the sides and made my own bows out of conduit. Small tool box on the front hold gear and a battery. Ammo can on the fender well holds light switch, charging port, and the fuse block. The first four seats fold down and allow for a sleeping platform (I’m short lol). I lightened it up every way possible and have pulled it a few years with the 74 cj5 I had. You just had to pay very good attention to your speed and other people! In a few weeks I’ll be pulling it with the wife’s jku. The tarp is starting to leak and I can’t seem to find any new replacements so I’ve been looking at vintage camper tops are maybe one of the old small slide in campers. Anyone tried this yet?
     
  2. Oct 10, 2018
    458soco

    458soco Sponsor

    North Georgia
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    Thinking something like this.

     
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  3. Oct 18, 2018
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I haven't tried it but I've certainly tossed different ideas around similar to yours. Obviously weight is a concern, seems like just an aluminum topper would be your best bet. That looks to me like an Alaskan camper in the picture.
     
    Ol Fogie, 458soco and heavychevy like this.
  4. Oct 22, 2018
    458soco

    458soco Sponsor

    North Georgia
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    Yeah weight will be my enemy for sure. Right now the troop seats are the heaviest part of my ad ons. My wife’s JKU pulled it great this weekend. The fact it’s a six speed helped a lot I think. We had a big windstorm sat night and had some limbs come down near camp. A few of them would have came right through that tarp.
     
  5. Oct 25, 2018
    458soco

    458soco Sponsor

    North Georgia
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    Inside of trailer as it sits. Still searching for camper top.
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2018
  6. Oct 25, 2018
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Have you checked into the cost of building a topper to fit the trailer?
     
  7. Oct 26, 2018
    458soco

    458soco Sponsor

    North Georgia
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    Yeah my buddy did that and it wasn't too expensive but its way to heavy. He used wood, I think you could use aluminum and reduce weight a lot but price would go way up.
     
  8. Oct 26, 2018
    458soco

    458soco Sponsor

    North Georgia
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  9. Oct 30, 2018
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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  10. Oct 30, 2018
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Yeah, it could get heavy real quick with wood. Aluminum would be the way to go for sure, but yes the cost can go up quick.
     
  11. Oct 30, 2018
    neohic

    neohic Gentleman Jeepist

    Woodland Park, CO
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    Another thought would be to find a WilderNest topper. I used one on top of a Comanche pickup bed to match my truck.

    Comansion Build Thread

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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  12. Nov 5, 2018
    458soco

    458soco Sponsor

    North Georgia
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  13. Jan 27, 2019
    458soco

    458soco Sponsor

    North Georgia
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    Picked this up this weekend
    Looks like it’s gonna fit pretty nice. It needs a little sprucing up but it’s in really good shape. It was on a 73 c10 long bed. Guy said it’s been on there since the truck was brand new.
     
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  14. Feb 3, 2019
    458soco

    458soco Sponsor

    North Georgia
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    Got some 3”x5” angle welded onto the sides of the trailer to compensate for the extra width this weekend. Also got the inside primed. Plan is to get the inside painted and then test fit the camper top. I have to replace one 2”x6” on the top. It’s one of the ones that bolts to the bed. I don’t really know how I’m gonna replace it but I got to.
     
  15. Feb 3, 2019
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

    Northern Minn.
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    If I understand what you are doing, you should be able to take the outer trim and skin loose by unscrewing it and pulling it away from the bad framing. I'm guessing the inside has paneling, should be able to peel that back too. I've repaired/ rebuilt a couple old campers, you can pick it apart, replace the bad wood, and put it back together.
     
  16. Feb 3, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    That should work out just right for you. My father had one of those on a new C10 also, I think it was a '69. He made a place across the front of it to sleep on when he went fishing over on the coast.
     
  17. Feb 3, 2019
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    That picture kinda of reminds me of the old Alaskan Telescopic campers...........I had one for years.....pretty neat inside 8′ Non-Cabover – Alaskan Campers

    [​IMG]
     
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  18. Feb 4, 2019
    458soco

    458soco Sponsor

    North Georgia
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    That's the plan i'm just wondering how to support it while i remove the 2x6 that is the base for the whole camper top. Maybe some sort of tall sawhorses or something
     
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  19. Feb 4, 2019
    458soco

    458soco Sponsor

    North Georgia
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  20. Feb 4, 2019
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
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    For inspiration you might check out "alive outside" on YouTube. The one guy built a sweet camper on a similar platform, you might get a few ideas from it!
     
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