M101CDN with Camping trailer top

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caanuck

caanuck

Joined
Aug 12, 2010
Threads
10
Messages
98
Location
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
I just finished our first test trip with the new setup on top of the M101 and wanted to share the setup for others to consider and get some feedback:D

I have been looking at options for a lid, a roof top tent and a pullout kitchen for a while and with three kids the regular RTT options didn't work. I finally found the guys at kakadu camping, they sell the australian style soft floor camping trailers out of Vancouver.

I'll be clear, this does not require any kind of special fabrication skills, at least nothing like the work I see on the rest of the forum but it is effective.

These pics show the trailer with the tent unit packed up, and it setup. The wife calls it luxury tenting so that is a win.

Let me know what you think...
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What worked well:
Quick and easy to setup
Sturdy frame and canvas seems solid
Tons of coverage over the openings, panels outside that provide shade or storm protection and inside panels for privacy and control vent.
Water system works well

What I'll be fixing:
Levelling the trailer could be easier, need to carry blocks for front and rig up a foot for the back
Lighting inside tent, rigging up some LEDs
Need tailgate and slide out for kitchen (one day)
 
msapers said:
I really like that! Any interior photos of the tent?
Click to expand...

No interior pictures yet, I can take some next trip and that should be in two weeks or so. Basically the mattress on top of the trailer is a queen size with an extra foot of width on the platform. The floor space is bigger than the sleep platform and easily accommodates a folding cot bunkbed either parallel or 90 deg to the bed. the cots stow on top of the mattress when packed up.

Their site has more info www.kakaducamping.com. I don't have any connection to these guys but I was quite impressed with their service. They came to my house to deliver and demonstrate the tent one evening, and the quality seems good so far.
 
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Looks good and comfy! Which model of the tent is that? How did you mount it to the trailer? I have been looking for other options for my 101 as well.

-C
 
tekada said:
Looks good and comfy! Which model of the tent is that? How did you mount it to the trailer? I have been looking for other options for my 101 as well.

-C
Click to expand...

This is the 200 and I was able to use the hardware that came with the tent to fit it to the m101 without any issues. I didn't use the brackets for the trailer end of the gas lifting lifting cylinders because I wanted a snug fit inside the trailer bed.

The hardest part was drilling the first hole through the unmolested trailer, after that it was an easy one banana job.
 
For lighting - I've made some LED strip lights that I stuck to some aluminum that goes around flyscreens, from the local bunnings. I've put 5 mtrs of cord on with a cigarette plug on the end, you can use these in the back of the car or the camper. Two loosely tightened zip ties on the inside polls will hold the light where ever you want it.

Mattress - we bought some egg shell foam for about $50 it is very comfortable even on top of the normal matress.

Hope that helps

:)
 
That LED strip lighting seems like a very good idea, I've torn into a 12v led worklight to do a similar thing,and then I just got a strip light kit to try out as well. I'll let you know how it goes and get some photos too.

No complaints about the mattress yet so I'll keep that idea in the back pocket for the future.

I must say that we are headed out for our annual camping trip to QCC for the weekend and packing up so far it doesn't feel like I'm going to need to do the usual jenga-style dance! Also I won't need to use the roof basket this year... It sure is nice to have all the mattresses and tent already mounted, and still have the body of the trailer to use for packing.
 
Had a great time at QCC this weekend, even got past the washout that stopped us last year. Here are some pics

The trailer packed up

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showing the hardware hinges and latches


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And here is the tight creek crossing on the trail on the way to the campsite


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Dragging a bit

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and here is the setup at the site



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Overall the trip was great, packed up in the rain though so have to unpack to dry when we get home.
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One issue I'm having is the tent to trailer dust seal doesn't get tight at the front and back of the trailer in the closed position. This is likely due to my modifications to the geometry of the gas lifting cylinders. I have them mounted in the factory location on the base of the tent but because the m101 bed is narrower (especially at the base) than the kakadu standard trailer they are about 60 degrees from vertical when closed, still putting alot of force up, bending the base of the tent up and away from the trailer edge.

Basically it leaks when I drive in the rain

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easy fix will be two more latches, I'll see if I can get some in the next couple of weeks.

I'll keep ya posted
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Mine does the same thing and I have a steel lid. I just purchased the thickest WX striping I could find and I doubled it up on the lid and trailer. Keeps it dry but dust still gets in...

-C
 
Have you laid a straight edge across the trailer's lip? Could be that it just needs some "alignment"?
Otherwise maybe one of the TrimLok's with a bulb seal on it?
 
Took a look at the front edge of the trailer and it's straight. It is the marine ply base that is arching up off of the trailer. Hmm, a couple ideas come to mind

  1. Add a steel or aluminum angle screwed to the plywood base to make it more rigid
  2. Add more weather stripping to close the gap
  3. Add a couple latches to pull the plywood down at the front and back of the trailer
  4. Change the shape of the trailer to match the arch of the plywood
  5. Move the gas shocks to be more horizontal when the tent is down against the trailer

#1 seems wrong, adding stuff to deal with a problem can just make more problems, #2 and #4 seem like a patch, #3 will work well in the front but would interfere with a pullout kitchen or tailgate in the back. #5 is probably the cleanest solution, however I like how tall the tent sits when it is open now and how easy it is to lift, on the flip side it is difficult to force closed if it is opened after the tent is set up and the weight is off the lid.

Any more ideas?
 
I wouldn't have a problem with a stiffening rib being used there. I would suggest that the ball stud for the gas spring be attached to it. That will directly distribute the upward force across the full width of the span rather than it being in one localized spot as it is now. The taller that the rib can be, the stiffer it will be.
 
yup, it looked that way to me as well when I first placed it on the trailer. I did a bunch of measuring before buying it and before choosing the placement of the tent on the trailer because there is some leeway. The width matches the 80series at the bumper height almost exactly so I took a chance and have been happy so far. The stability has not been a problem yet, the 55L of water and spare tire in the bed of the trailer helps keep the centre of gravity lower I guess.

As for hitting the taillights I did a bunch of testing to see what clearances I had and I was planning to extend the trailer tongue, however I found that it seems to be more of a perception thing, I was not in any danger of hitting the tail lights in any imaginable situation. I would touch the tail lights with the tent before bending the tongue if I really jacked it around while reversing though.

As a side benefit it is much easier to reverse the trailer now that I can see the tent out the side mirrors.:grinpimp:
 
Rubiconcruiser said:
Is your water tank a field spray unit from a place like Tractor Supply??? Nice
Click to expand...

Yes, came from princess auto (similar to harbour freight I think). Built for an ATV with a 12v auto on/off pump that maintains 40 psi

I replaced the chemical hose with rv style drinking water hose and I'm using compressed air quick connect fittings currently.

Works well and I couldn't go past their sale price they had at the time.
 
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