Trailer topper Q & A... Pics.

I'm starting a new project and want some opinions on the dimensions for this M 100 trailer topper. I wnated to put this in chat because the traffic in trailers is a bit slow so mods, if you need to move this please get that idea out of your heads and leave it here.. Gave up on chat so here it is in Trailer Talk...

1. I am going to put a metal frame covered with 20ga or 18ga maybe. What think ye on the ga. thickness? This thing spends all of it's life under a tarp outside in all climatic conditions.

2. Would you think a rack on the trailer is needed if I have a bomber on the Cruiser? And if yes, should the top height be shorter or is higher better?

3. I am going to be putting gas struts on ther thing so do you think the struts from a rear Cruiser hatch will be enough to lift the top if it is hinged from the front of the trailer? I'm going to have 5 cross members made out of 16ga 3/4" square tube, same stuff I made the drawer system out of.

4. I will be bending the tube around what ever radius we decide to use so how much heat do you guys apply if any to bend this stuff or is it good to go with a bit of persuasion. I have never bent square tube on a radius before. The radius is shown in the photos.

5. I have already decided on the curved top so don't waist you breath if you don't like it, it stays.;p

6. Lastly, and most important, which height of top do you think looks better considering the dimensions of the ole millitary M100? The shorter is 6", the taller is 8"

Thanks for the input, always appreciated from this croud.

Any other opinions or ideas are welcome, of course. Let me know if you need more phortos.

I'm not techy enuf to answer 1, 3, 4.

2. Depends on what the rack carries, and how often you need to access. CG considerations, will Cruiser have clearance for things on rack? etc.

My current utility trailer has 2x4 uprights that make it the height of the 60, so I can haul an amazing amount of **** on the intermittant dump run, and occasionally a trailer full of logs for firewood. Looks stoopid w/o a load, like some Conquistidor ox wagon, but it works.

5. curious why...?

6. Taller arch, maybe even one that matches fender/tire arch ?

Look forward to following your build.

sirenmoses said:

I'm not techy enuf to answer 1, 3, 4.

2. Depends on what the rack carries, and how often you need to access. CG considerations, will Cruiser have clearance for things on rack? etc.

My current utility trailer has 2x4 uprights that make it the height of the 60, so I can haul an amazing amount of **** on the intermittant dump run, and occasionally a trailer full of logs for firewood. Looks stoopid w/o a load, like some Conquistidor ox wagon, but it works.

5. curious why...?

6. Taller arch, maybe even one that matches fender/tire arch ?

Look forward to following your build.

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2. Cruiser has no clearance now with nothing on the rack. Over 7 ft. The trailer rack would be for light stuff mostly. Water tight bags full of tents, sleeping bags, maybe an ammo can or two with first aid and tools.

5. I like the retro look of an arched top and it mimicks the fender arch.

6. I think the same arch of the fender would be a bit to tall when expanded to the 4ft wide trailer.

I am planning on hauling expedition camping gear and not much else. I have made a camp kitchen to fit perfectly in the back so that will take up half the space inside. Pic. running water, propane, SS sink and faucet, cutting boards and camp stove all enclosed in the box. The other half will have a slide out box simmilar to the kitchen.

Thanks for the reply and thoughts. Always nice to brain storm these ideas.

2. I've used drybags (meant for canoeing) on motorcycle trips to great advantage for softies like you mention. Downside is theftability at fuel stops & the like -- piece of mind makes for better potty breaks. http://www.pac-safe.com/www/index.php?_room=3

Rubbermaid Actionpackers come in a bunch of sizes, can be locked shut and to something else enuf to slow down a thief, and wouldn't weigh a whole lot more w/softies. http://www.rubbermaid.com/rubbermaid/product/product.jhtml?prodId=HPProd150030

What about mounting ammo cans to outside, under lip, fore/aft of fender?

5/6. Yes, I meant mimic fender, not duplicate. my bad.

How do you define expedition? Self-sufficient for how long in what types of terrain/climate? Curious as I've been daydreaming sameish, for warm/desert climate.

Wow, NICE kitchen. Does it run lengthwise and have legs to support slideout? What will live in other slide out: camp chairs, awning, etc? FYI astroturf makes a nice camp carpet, reduces unpleasantness from dust/mud. Grommets allow it to be pegged out, and if the wind really picks up you prolly don't want to be outside anyway.

What are your plans for shower & potty?
I like the PEET http://www.thepett.com/ but haven't used it, only seen it at trade shows. Old school groover/portapotty too stinky/messy.

Here is what I made about a year ago for my m101. I had a similar intent on an arch; water run off, under lid storage etc.

This was made from scrap material my BIL had and I got from work. It was going to be covered with aluminum diamond plate. Well, since it was first tacked up I ended up abandoning the project. Even though it was aluminum it was getting heavy. I've since gone thru numerous design changes and mock ups as you did with the plywood. Also, am toying with the idea of a Can-Back style topper. Still not sure though... I need something very utilitarian as my trailer gets used for most everything I do these days.

As for forming the 16ga 3/4" tube, you could do it by hand, but I'd suggest finding a local fab shop that rolls. Just give'm your plywood board as a template and let'em roll. It shouldn't take long for the 5 pieces.
Also, make the radius as large as possible. Too tight and the side walls of the tube will buckle.

sirenmoses said:

2. I've used drybags (meant for canoeing) on motorcycle trips to great advantage for softies like you mention. Downside is theftability at fuel stops & the like -- piece of mind makes for better potty breaks. http://www.pac-safe.com/www/index.php?_room=3

Rubbermaid Actionpackers come in a bunch of sizes, can be locked shut and to something else enuf to slow down a thief, and wouldn't weigh a whole lot more w/softies. http://www.rubbermaid.com/rubbermaid/product/product.jhtml?prodId=HPProd150030

What about mounting ammo cans to outside, under lip, fore/aft of fender?

5/6. Yes, I meant mimic fender, not duplicate. my bad.

How do you define expedition? Self-sufficient for how long in what types of terrain/climate? Curious as I've been daydreaming sameish, for warm/desert climate.

Wow, NICE kitchen. Does it run lengthwise and have legs to support slideout? What will live in other slide out: camp chairs, awning, etc? FYI astroturf makes a nice camp carpet, reduces unpleasantness from dust/mud. Grommets allow it to be pegged out, and if the wind really picks up you prolly don't want to be outside anyway.

What are your plans for shower & potty?
I like the PEET http://www.thepett.com/ but haven't used it, only seen it at trade shows. Old school groover/portapotty too stinky/messy.

Click to expand...

Expedition for me is a week or two without seeing people. Or very few people. South West is where it happens for me.

Kitchen was a fun project. My nephew wants to start making and selling them in three different sizes. It does have height adjustable legs that fold out for a free standing kitchen. The other side of the trailer will have a big slide out storage box for what ever doesnt need to be totaly safe fron predators. I have no rear seats in the Cruiser and have a full length storage system in there for the good stuff. Shower is a gallon of water for now and a camp towel. Pooper is a shovel and a big hole when we are in the middle of nowhere. Otherwise pit toilets.

Well sir, you are a creator of sorts. Nice camping equip box, maybe you should blueprint these and sell em to the troops on this board, I will take one for sure. Nitrogen filled supports, Do you have a support design or placement for them in reference to the top anchorage point and body attachment point? I am trying to get this design to work with a little help from some frends. Thanks

Rubiconcruiser said:

Well sir, you are a creator of sorts. Nice camping equip box, maybe you should blueprint these and sell em to the troops on this board, I will take one for sure. Nitrogen filled supports, Do you have a support design or placement for them in reference to the top anchorage point and body attachment point? I am trying to get this design to work with a little help from some frends. Thanks

Click to expand...

The nephew and I are going to produce and try to sell the camp kitchens but the price is going to be pretty high on the loaded version like I have. $850 for this little beauty. The think I like about it is that it is all self contained. Three gallon water tank with water on demand pump, propane tank, propane stalk so you can hook up the Coleman stove a propane grill and a propane lantern to lighr the camp sight, cutting boards, formica top or diamond plate AL, height adjustable legs, dish towel rack, paper towel rack, spice racks, stainless sink with gray water drain and fittings, chromed solid brass faucet, all stainless recessed hinges, chrome plated marine drawer and door latches located on the inside so there is nothing to catch on the outside surfaces, 3/4" ply on the bottom and 1/2" else where, plated fasteners and Gorilla glued seams, rabbided joints for max surface glueing area, 1x2 solid oak runners, four coat spar pollyurithane finish, all hand fitted amd assembled. This on was called the 6 case model because it took us 6 cases of beer to design, cut and assemble all the pieces. There will be two other models, one that will fit right on the 80 series tail gate and a smaller version that will be portable for boaters and picnic applications. We would be happy to offer these in any configuration as far accessories needed, fully loaded or a plane jane with just the box and no plumbing or propane. let me know if your interested and I will custom make one for you and shoot you a price. Blue prints are an option but we would rather make and ship. I will give it some thought though.

As far as the lifts on the topper, I think I am going to make the thing and see what it weighs, see how high I want the top to raise, then see if the struts I have will do the job. They are from the rear hatch top and they seem to have a ton of compression but I think it depends a lot on where they are placed.

Thanks for the reply

Fantastic grub box.

I am designing something similar for my trailer build. FWIW, I would buy blue prints for your design if you sold them.

Rezarf <><

REZARF said:

Fantastic grub box.

I am designing something similar for my trailer build. FWIW, I would buy blue prints for your design if you sold them.

Rezarf <><

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I guess I'll have to give the plans thing a second thought.

What's a serious fair price? Never done this before.

Thanks for the continuing update, it is great to be able to chat with someone who has class as well as sense of adventure. I will dimension my system and give you all the specs later this week and we can work from there. Lift location is what I am not sure of, as far as lifts go I have a vast assortment from 15 to 220 pounds capacity. Thanks again,, Jim

photogod said:

I guess I'll have to give the plans thing a second thought.

What's a serious fair price? Never done this before.

Click to expand...

If they were done really well with a materials list, cut diagram, assembly instructions, maybe even full size drawings... they would be worth a lot, maybe 50 bucks or more?

I am not sure but you could look in some custom woodworking magazines for some drawings and see what they go for.

Keep us posted.

Rezarf <><

This will be the roof of my M100: from a Land Rover;
I made it smaller and shorter

That's pretty cool! Really good use of a rover.

probably could make a cruiser top fit with enough fab work on it.

Nice idea.

Rezarf <><