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 slowing 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.