Expo 101CDN Build (1 Viewer)

[Admartin]

starting on the fender/step combo.

I ordered a set of fenders from Sierra 4x4. To eventually fit 37's with minimal lift we widened the fenders 1". The fenders bolt to the trailer with 4 bolts per side. 2 attach on top to existing fender supports on M101's and then we added 2 additional bolts fore and aft into the tub. We cut out a small section of fender to clear the existing mount for the interior tie downs.

I also wanted steps to connect to the fenders front and rear to able myself to step up and reach items on top and to help with opening and closing the top. Also it acts like as a stool to sit on

 

[Admartin]

steps were built using a 1/2" sq tube base topped with diamond plate tread steps. The base bolts into the tub at 2 locations and to the fender at 2 locations. The fender is supported by the original fender metal support of the M101 and then by 2 additional bolts on either side.

We put the steps slightly higher than the fender to keep all the lines smooth and continuous.

 

[Admartin]

back from paint

nose box setup was pretty simple for my needs. I wanted to run a deep cycle battery to power my interior light on the trailer lid, the 12 volt shower pump, 3 12 volt outlets from AT (1 dedicated to the fridge that is in the main tub area and 2 others for accessories and such out of the main nose box. I knew I would be running items into the nose box but decided to wait until everything came in and was in place before I started making holes. Grommets were going to be used so this wasn't an issue. Allows for nice clean installation.

We started with a Odyssey Group 31 Deep Cycle AGM, 3 Adventure trailer fused outlets for accessories, Marine grade shore plug inlet, Noco 10 amp charger, and an AIMS 600 watt pure sine wave inverter. I decided to use the pure sine wave inverter b/c I will be mostly charging delicate items such as computers, cameras, and cell phones/tablets. The pure sine wave inverter protects the delicate items and 600 watts is plenty without being a huge draw on the battery. In the future I plan on adding a dual battery monitor to keep track of the main battery in my truck and the battery in the trailer.

 

[Admartin]

Used adhesive backed foam to protect from scratches and to provide some vibration dampening. Used SS hardware along with nylon washers to protect paint and match rest of build and the Jeep.

 

[Admartin]

5 lb Propane Tank and bracket mounted. Might add another one on the other side depending on usage and how fast we go through it.

Bottle opener swag

Layout of how trailer will be packed. The fridge occupies the back corner to help with weight distribution. In front of the fridge in the opposite back corner will be my ARB recovery bag. It weighs about 40lbs i'm guessing and it also helps with weight distribution. Also having a small heavy item here allows the fridge motor to ventilate properly without being blocked. I originally wanted to use Bundu hi lid boxes but they were not in stock at the time I was completing the build so I went with 8 gallon action packers instead. They fit perfectly double stacked side by side (4 total). I've broken them down into the following categories: Camp gear, food storage, food prep items, shower kit & hoses.

Above the ARB bag I placed my 12 volt pump. I wanted it in the rear of the trailer so I could easily run the hose out from the back and take my shower there. The system consists of the shower water tank which is located over the axle in front of the ARB Bag, the pump, and the Ecotemp L5 heater which will be hung outside the trailer on a pole.

 

[Rubiconcruiser]

Other than keeping Mario and Scott at AT in pizza and beer you have done a real nice job on the trailer. Good show

 

[ntsqd]

Is that a Double Cab Combi hauling the lid home?

Based on HandyBob's recommendation, the battery monitor that I have and am about to install in the pop-top camper: Bogart Engineering Tri-Metric

 

[Brentbba]

I like that stainless steel grab bar to pull the lid down. Need to do that as I just grab the middle Thule bar right now and the end cap likes to come off!

 

[NorCal Cruiser]

The trailer looks great! Here are a couple of suggestions you didn't ask for- if it's not too late I'd move the fridge and cargo boxes over to the side of the trailer that opens. The way you have things set up now you're going to have to lift the tubs up over your water tank to get them out and you're going to be reaching in through the lid opening to get to your fridge. How often do you need to have access to your water tank? Probably just to fill it. I'd rather have to climb into the trailer to fill the water tank once right before a trip than have to climb in to move the boxes at every stop. Just my $0.02

 

[Admartin]

Thanks for the suggestions as they are always helpful. The fridge went in the back corner on the hinge side for 2 reasons. The first being that the ventilation. These units need an air gap and I wanted to keep most of the vents open. Second was how I panned on accessing the items inside. Once the lid is open the access is from the rear of the trailer which is super easy. Also it allows for one person to be working on the table that rests on the fender while the other isn't getting in the way trying to get to the fridge.

Once this location was set weight balance necessitated the water tank to be where it is. The action packers are decently light so picking them up and putting them back is pretty easy.

 

[Admartin]

globetrotter installed

tent is awesome. great setup for our across the US expedition

 

[Admartin]

yes that is David's truck. Got it from Arizona when he used to live out there and its in great shape.

AT chaser lid mounted to the underside of the top. Used aluminum angle lined with felt. The table was fit with rare earth magnets and had new dowel holes made for the Sierra Fender bolt holes. Fits like a glove and holds the stove, prep items, food ect no problem. The interior light is an AT 4" red/white led light. Throws off great light, draws very little power, keeps night vision intact. Scepter can opener mount is just welded studs and wing nuts.

 

[Admartin]

what i'm hoping to fit in the trailer plus our luggage for the 10k trip across the US

some items might get moved to the jeep if need be.

 

[markthemenace]

Hi there! That's an awesome build you've got going...love what you guys can do with trailers. I've a question though...with expeditions like these, surely you will run across cold weather right? I rarely see much thought going into heating the tents on those cold nights.

I might be missing something here, as my experience in camping out in the wilderness comes mostly from hunting and this usually happens in the cold days of November. I just came back from a hunting trip and really wished we had a trailer like yours to haul off-road. However, I doubt we would be able to take the cold without the 10x12 wall tent heated by a woodstove to dry us out as well as the clothing!

How do you guys do it?

 

[Admartin]

hey mark thanks for your kind words.

this setup is definitely not good in weather below 50 degree's (ask me how I know ). we have actually finished the trip but I was unable to start this thread until we got back due to constraints. Between building the trailer, working 60+ hrs a week, have 2 bull terriers and my gf, time is/was a major luxury I didn't have. I took most of these photos and kept them for when we returned.

IMO I wouldn't not go this route (canvas tent) if cold weather was going to be the norm for 2 reasons. The tent is IMO the best built tent you can buy for mounting on a trailer. EEZI Awn has legendary quality as most people know but they are not designed to handle 50 below or elevation where the weather drops significantly at night. There are little gaps where air/cold can creep through and cause an issue. This works wonders in hot weather however. We camped in 90 degree heat and the tent remained cool because of this.

If you are serious about using this setup as a 4 season tent it can be done with some slight modifications. First I would suggest insulating the floor with some sort of pad underneath the mattress. You'd be surprised how much of the cold creep comes from the wood deck. Second would be a heater of some sort. The way I would go is the heatsource system you can see on AT's website. Now I understand this is an expensive way to go but in terms of safety you'd have a hard time finding a better system. There are different options for running the heater hose into the tent and I'm sure you'd be plenty warm with that setup.

I'm actually planning on selling this setup and working on designing and building my own offroad teardrop. The trailer/tent combination is fantastic for 3 season camping IMO. You get amazing views out of the main window and the breeze and draft is amazing in hot weather. For my use though and having 2 dogs plus my gf who comes with I'd like a hardsided camper with a separate kitchen area.

 

[Admartin]

some shots from our adventure

first one is a lunch break for the pack in virginia

second is road to the north rim/toroweap area

third is north rim at toroweap. had to drive about 62 miles inland to reach the toroweap area. great views, amazing scenery and no fellow campers. we were by ourselves in nature. absolutely amazing.

 

[Admartin]

setting up camp in toroweap. i'm a big fan of hydroflask products. absolutely amazing for keeping temps of beverages for a loooong time. like seriously 12 hrs means 12 hrs.

 

[markthemenace]

hey mark thanks for your kind words.

this setup is definitely not good in weather below 50 degree's (ask me how I know ). we have actually finished the trip but I was unable to start this thread until we got back due to constraints. Between building the trailer, working 60+ hrs a week, have 2 bull terriers and my gf, time is/was a major luxury I didn't have. I took most of these photos and kept them for when we returned.

IMO I wouldn't not go this route (canvas tent) if cold weather was going to be the norm for 2 reasons. The tent is IMO the best built tent you can buy for mounting on a trailer. EEZI Awn has legendary quality as most people know but they are not designed to handle 50 below or elevation where the weather drops significantly at night. There are little gaps where air/cold can creep through and cause an issue. This works wonders in hot weather however. We camped in 90 degree heat and the tent remained cool because of this.

If you are serious about using this setup as a 4 season tent it can be done with some slight modifications. First I would suggest insulating the floor with some sort of pad underneath the mattress. You'd be surprised how much of the cold creep comes from the wood deck. Second would be a heater of some sort. The way I would go is the heatsource system you can see on AT's website. Now I understand this is an expensive way to go but in terms of safety you'd have a hard time finding a better system. There are different options for running the heater hose into the tent and I'm sure you'd be plenty warm with that setup.

I'm actually planning on selling this setup and working on designing and building my own offroad teardrop. The trailer/tent combination is fantastic for 3 season camping IMO. You get amazing views out of the main window and the breeze and draft is amazing in hot weather. For my use though and having 2 dogs plus my gf who comes with I'd like a hardsided camper with a separate kitchen area.

Gotcha! I think its an awesome build anyways. The teardrop sounds like a good idea...but is it going to be big enough for your growing family? Those little guys need space eh! I've got a staffie mix myself and know how much exercise they need!

Ultimately, I think you're right about the 4-season camping rig being a hardwall type like a teardrop. I can't see my wife and kids coming hunting with me if it involves cold creeping in anywhere! Thanks for the ideas!

 

[Admartin]

yeah they definitely need space. I'm thinking of going slightly larger in the teardrop than most people would; probably something around 12 ft long 6 ft wide and 5 ft tall. To this I'd like to add a pop top like if possible. Lots of engineering and work but we'll see. T

I'm still working on learning google sketchup so I can start designing but I have a pretty good idea of layout that should work for all of us.

few more pics from the trip. The best thing about the tent is the size, bed area is huge.

 

[Brentbba]

I have tent envy! Would love one of those on my M101, but just too pricy and used are snapped up in seconds of the post!