Impressed with M101 in stock trim

[Greg_B]

Impressed with M101

Recently completed a 3-day trip into the backcountry in BC. This was my 1st time towing the M101 off road, and I was impressed. It seemed happy to follow behind through cross ups, rocky climbs, and gravel travel. Tight turns in some treed areas saw the trailer wheels track with or just inside the rear wheel outside arc. In stock trim, with stock length tongue (pintle hitch), stock tires (axle width) it simply tracked behind like a little trooper.

I had been thinking soa, wider axle (trailer brakes) to match what would be towing it, etc. However, after this experience, I am thinking the ratios are just about right for my intended use. Some thought went into the initial design it seems.

I’m now thinking of keeping the SUA, raising the fenders to accommodate matched tires to the tow vehicle, and at some point a new axle with trailer brakes. Axle width would take into consideration LC wheel BS so tracking in tight trails, in conjunction with the stock tongue length, keeps the trailer inside the tow vehicle turn radius.

I’ve got some lid/gate and fender ideas that pilfer some ideas off existing builds’ that have appeared in this section. There are also a few twists already planned from those pilfered ideas. It will be a slow process, however I will post up when certain items are complete, and also give feedback when used.

A large trailer condom needs to be considered, as well as a low volume/high pressure wash system to clean the trailer after road grime and back road guck has coated everything…to give making camp a less grimy experience.

Anyone’s technical experience and input with axle width, tracking, tongue length etc is appreciated. As are any comments on where you have taken and you’re experiences using the M101 in stockish trim.

Here is a video showing some of the area we were into: YouTube - Iltis Trailer on Whipsaw Run

And here is a link to a thread where a trip report and some pictures are: https://forum.ih8mud.com/ca-bc-coastal-cruisers/317170-whipsaw-trip-report.html

gb

 

[d0ubledown]

yep, in stock form they're great. if it works for the military, its gotta work for us right? in stock form, the only place my m101 went was from north van, to surrey so i cant comment more on stock.

on a 40, it might not be so bad, but behind my 80, i couldnt see the damn thing...and it didnt ride level. that and the dinkyness of the 6.5X29" tires compared to big 315s kind of looked silly, so thats why i opted for a spring over and matching wheels/tires (image is everything! ) but i think in stock form, a stock cdn m101/iltis and a (mild SUA on pizza cutter) 40 is like a match made in heaven. i wouldnt bother with SO either.

depending on new axle width, tire width etc, you may not have to raise or get bigger fenders. i have 33X12 on my trailer. tires stick out about 4". 4.5" BS 80 wheels on the stock axle put the wheels way out there. with skinnies and more BS wheels, you should be able to be well inside the flares. if you're planning on pulling some leafs, to the point where the suspension would actually cycle, then yes you may need raise or get bigger fenders for clearance. from looking at the pics & vid from the trip report, the 40 track width isnt much more than the trailers? it seemed to track very well, staying within the ruts that the 40 was in.

i dont know if trailer brakes would be needed on these things, unless you're planning on loading a thousand lbs worth of gear in there or the 40s brakes arent stellar.

and yes, the trailer gets sprayed. not fun at all. not having a good pressure washer sucks too. i dont have an RTT and dont base camp around the trailer so its a non issue for me.

cant wait to see what you have in store for your setup greg!

 

[FeilEOD]

Trailer condom

I found a LG ATV cover at northern tool that works well for keeping the grime off. The cover was only about thirty bucks and has lasted a couple years. I originally bought it to keep the weather and sun off the trailer (stored outdoors) and keep the good mil spec tarp from fading. A periodic spray with some silicone tent spray keeps it water repellant. I load the trailer, install thule rack and cargo carrier and "bag" the whole thing down to the fenders and then toss a bungee cargo net over the top for good measure. When not in use and the cargo carrier is sitting in the tub the tarp is large enough to hang down past the hubs.

 

[Greg_B]

Thanks for the info on using a large ATV cover. Will measure, and check it out. Saw some today at Princess Auto for $50.00.

Finally got around to changing the hub/drums to LC size. Should be okay, as long as I don't hit any bumps eh?

gb

 

[greentruck]

Ya think?

Yeah, looks pretty tight. I think there's more spring travel than the distance between the fender and top of the tire.

 

[Greg_B]

It's heading to Cruisin Off Road for some custom lov'n. Staying SUA, and having a set of bolt on fenders built. Building for max size of 35" tires, which will mean the top of the fender likely starting at the top of the gunwale, angled down to a flat storage section front and rear.

Tailgate, tongue box, aluminum storage box in front of the RTT on the lid, then some sort of removable load bar system above it all for mixed use, then into the interior for some sort of storage system: Rear slide out camp kitchen idea, with flat storage above which is accessed by the main lid. It'll all change 10 times between now and then anyway.

gb

 

[greentruck]

Hey, it's looking better already!

The locking lid is probably the next step for us, then the RTT. Looking forward to seeing where yours goes. Ours is probably fixed up as good as it's going to get for this year.

 

[Greg_B]

Here's the latest update with my trailer. Someone here as a "my slow trailer build" thread. I should rename mine "my slower trailer build" thread!

Anyway, some prototype bolt on fenders that allow running of 35" tires and staying SUA. These are build for the width of 315/75R16's on FZJ80 alloy 16x8 wheels (not the combo in the pics obviously). We also had some custom light brackets cut.

gb

 

[Morse_FJ40]

Looking Good. I found a product at my work... Costco it is called TarpX. It works great with the M101 CDn. I think it was about $40.

later
Ryan

 

[d0ubledown]

looking awesome greg! jasons made some fantastic fenders for that thing...love it! now i want to go back to SUA and put more accomodating fenders on it. maybe ill hit up jason for some jerry can & propane tank mounts...

 

[greentruck]

Yowza, I like the lines of those fenders, too. Very nice work!

 

[womacje]

Great looking trailer! I love the look of the m101's. Those fenders are awesome!!! Wish I had that axle so I could swap hubs as easily as you did. I'm jealous!

 

[Assassin]

fine build---i love the trailer and the look,,,,,,,,,,,,,,goo job!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Greg_B]

Thanks for the complements folks. Jason is a pleasure to work with, as we beat up ideas, matched to his "this or that will work" hands on building experience. The pattern is in a laser table now, so where Jason wants to take this will be his call. There are a few ideas I have for a "prototype two" version, but I want to run this a little bit 1st. If "Prototype two" happens, these ones will be sold off.

Sealing tailgate, outriggers of some sort, perhaps a built in rear receiver hitch are next on the agenda. After the tailgate, a sandblast and paint/seal seams will happen, to ensure the Lords of Rust are held off as long as possible.

Then it will be the inside storage...drifta style, while also working towards a tongue box for power, solar, and some water consideration.

It's a long term thing, so I'll post up when changes occur.

gb

 

[Brian in Oregon]

Nicely done. Very clean looking.

 

[chappysfj40]

i like it too

 

[Greg_B]

A little fender testing in September: YouTube - Gregs trailer New fenders side grazed once (not seen on video and not on that trail) due to my error (twists and weaves around some boulders in a slide area), but they did not hit on any drop offs or climbs. I was a bit surprised, as I expected with the large flat areas on the lower section of the fenders to have some dragging.

The cover is an ATV cover from Princess Auto (for those in Canada).

gb

 

[ScottReb]

Like the fenders!

 

[Cruisin']

Great video, Greg! Its amazing to watch how well these trailers work in the rough terrain.

I especially like that in the first couple shots you can see that the cover is nicely retaining the firewood that's not strapped to the lid anymore!

-Jason

 

[Greg_B]

Hi Jason. I wondered when someone was going to post that observation! The cheap ATV cover did well, holding that wood in, and the mud out. Solidifies my thoughts that when the final lid configuration is figured...and cover for it all is in the picture.

gb