Military Trailer Overland Build

[Del Albright]

Thought I would share this build of 1/4 M100 Army trailer I found decades ago in an apple orchard, discarded. I gave it some life. Now I'm building it into more of an overlanding trailer.

This is how they normally look stock.
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What the Army did with them.
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More pics shortly, but so you know: 1) I lifted it (spring over); 2) moved the shock mounts; 3) took off the pintle and added a custom noiseless hitch; 4) cut out the back panel to make a tailgate; and 5) am now building a coooking "table" and lid for the bed. Stay tuned.

 

[Del Albright]

A view of it behind the Jeep after I put on some good offroad tires (BFGoodrich).

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[Del Albright]

And both the Jeep and the trailer have seen some rough times.,
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[Del Albright]

How the trailer comes from Uncle Sam:
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Taking it spring-over allows a bigger tire and more clearance:
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[Del Albright]

Next custom move was to cut out for a tailgate to make loading, cooking and camping easier:
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Chains added to hold the tailgate level with the bed.

 

[Del Albright]

By the way, I love camo. So after some sand blasting (kind of an ugly job to do yourself), I gave the trailer bed a rattle can paint job.
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[Del Albright]

And now I'm mocking up a cooking table/stand and a lid to keep out the dust and rain. Working on that while "stuck at home."
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[Pretzel]

I hope in the next few years I can teach myself to weld and work on a project like this. Looking great!

 

[Del Albright]

I decided to fill in the gap between the 2x6 framework and the trailer gunnel with some 1/4 round (painted and caulked with flexible, paintable stuff). And yes, I am just learning to do miter cuts with wood. Practice needed.

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And this is it with the lid open on both the storage area and the cook box. Boy, do I love camo.

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[Del Albright]

Here you go. Camp set up and ready to cook. The "table" is just a painted 1 x 12 shelf board supported by an expandable walking stick. Naturally I'll have a trash sack handy, as well as some wind screen options, but overall, this will be what my camp will look like. 5 minutes from parked to cooking. :)

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[USStrongman]

Great project.

Just a thought. Why not add a hinged sheet metal or wood "table" that folds closed back onto the inside of the tailgate? To open just open the tailgate, unfold the table outward and you can still use the adjustable walking stick for support? Then you don't have to carry the length of 2x12 around.

I have the chance to get one of these (black not camo with a pintle hitch), but we are picking up an offroad teardrop instead. My dog and I are too damn big to get up into a tent off the ground!

 

[Del Albright]

Great project.

Just a thought. Why not add a hinged sheet metal or wood "table" that folds closed back onto the inside of the tailgate? To open just open the tailgate, unfold the table outward and you can still use the adjustable walking stick for support? Then you don't have to carry the length of 2x12 around.

I have the chance to get one of these (black not camo with a pintle hitch), but we are picking up an offroad teardrop instead. My dog and I are too damn big to get up into a tent off the ground!

I like your idea. My table is a 1 x 12, 6 feet long that slides in right next to the food box. Hardly know it's there.

 

[Del Albright]

Testing out some night lighting of the food box and stove. Gave the old box a fresh coat of paint.

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[Del Albright]

Made up this "utility" pole to hang a lantern and my hand towel.


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[smritte]

Nice build. My M100 has served me well for the past 25 odd years. Its main purpose was hauling gear on my AAT. Its seen all the major trails. I'm building a small teardrop (ish) trailer but will keep my old one mostly due to its simplicity.