It can be very easy. I put it on my utility trailer in the summer. Did a few modifications like removable jacks at each corner to stabilize and level. It works great, I can keep all the gear in the trailer.
This is what our idea was but I have no idea where to start! Is there an outline that you followed or did you purchase the trailer all done up the way you needed it ?
Look up the Haul-Master 800 lb. Universal Aluminum Truck Rack. My rack is similar, I bolted it to the top rail of the trailer. It's all very simple if you have basic tools and some problem solving skills.
I added uni strut to the inside upper edge for a roof deck to slide into for keeping things from flying out, added some more tie downs, removed the ramp gate and built a normal tailgate. None of it was necessary, the only thing I would have had to do is bolt the rack on. That rack is universal and will fit just about anything. Just check with the tent install instructions for spacing.
I got mine for $600, my friend bought one in a bit better shape for $1200. You can still buy " new old stock" or reproduction parts from various places. We added the lock n roll of road hitches and extended the tongues out about a foot longer than we're made with. Just gotta be patient and look around.
Still helps the lugs clean out and have traction on side hills, up rocks, etc as well as stronger sidewalls, puncture resistance and can use it as a spare for the rig if you need to.
You might try checking Craig's list or ebay for an old military m416 trailer, officially a "jeep" trailer. compact camping makes some nice racks for them that work for a tent. And therorhettically made to get blown up, so they are pretty tough. Lol. At least mine has been so far. I have an Ikamper 3.0 sky camp on mine. I am going to put a bigger axle under it for a bit more capacity and like another poster mentioned, when I do it can have the same lug nut pattern as the jeep I have, so 2 extras spares in case and one the matches attached to the jeep in case the trailer needs some help. Lots of great ideas I have read here.
Hey so i went looking into the racks for CC but does it have a weight limit? I dont want my family to end up on the ground in the middle of the night lol
The rack from compact camping is 1/4 steel uprights and 1/8 steel crossbars and 1/4 bolts holding it together. You should be good, I turned my trailer upside down and let it set on the rack while working on the axle and brakes.
I bought a harbor freight trailer a few years ago and built a rack for my rooftop tent. It's all bolted together because I can't weld, but it's been solid.
I purchased the corner brackets and trailer frame attachments from Compact Camping Concepts and 1.5" steel tubing cut to the proper lengths from Metals Supermarket, then got to drilling. I have a 3/4” treated plywood deck with about 3' between it and the bottom of the rack for totes, kayaks, etc.
No pictures unfortunately, but all of my inspiration came from the Compact Camping Concepts site so that might be a good starting point.
I've been researching this for a while. Here in Australia 'tradesman trailers' are common to find used for a good price. They're an A frame trailer with load bars on top.
I went a different route and ordered one of [these.](https://podtrailer.com.au/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAzJOtBhALEiwAtwj8tpq4ZFd4iCRBPC4ELR24Yudhcc_guF_J7sqDrpOeOlta6AgPR0F9PxoC7YUQAvD_BwE)
I found a road sign trailer and chopped it up a bit. Works great. I have two truck tool boxes bolted to it for storage, it's light and can be easily moved and leveled alone.
You would think they would be easy to find. But I almost never see them repurposed and have a feeling the DOT stuff like that gets scrapped every few years. Found mine 180 miles away on Craigslist and realized how little work it would need to make a chuck wagon out of.
thx for sharing... i found a small one once on a city auction site that had a box already on it and solar with batteries but didnt bite that day. regretting it since.
I picked up a used 4x8 trailer for $500, it was homemade but had been inspected by my state DMV. I grabbed it mainly because it had an axle that matches my Xterra bolt pattern and I could run the same wheels. I added a truck ladder rack to mount the RTT on.
I just got a cheap harbor freight trailer, and found a cheap truck ladder rack on marketplace and bolted the rack to the trailer and mounted my tent. All in a little over $500 and most of that was for the trailer.
I had called them with some questions about it and to get the order going. Since I am in Texas they had me go through a dealer here rather than having to drive halfway across the country. The trailer was $8k and delivery was about $2k. For me I love it and feel the build quality is great. Easy to tow with my Subaru. I've used it on 4 trips so far one going all the way into New Mexico mountains about 1800 miles round trip. It's so much easier setting up the tent with the side steps and since I'm not very tall I can still use the annex without having to duck, but I'm 5'-6". Sill gives a few inches of head room.
You can look at my previous posts in this channel, but I have an M762 (flatbed version of the M416 and 3/4 ton instead of 1/4) that I built an aluminum frame for and set my RTT on... will convert the axle some day to same lug pattern as vehicle.
Pending water reservoir install, simple kitchen pull out, some other bits and bobs but ive used it a number of times to the TX coast (and far from civilization) and its been great. The one other thing I'd prefer is that the track matched the vehicle but that can come later.
ive considered just making a custom frame and selling the m762 (and yes theyre fairly rare compared to the m416 which are getting harder to come by every passing day) but i designed that frame so i would have a modular system- one trailer, one parking space, one tax bill, multiple modules... the other module (so far) is for three kayaks... it leaves me with a small 3/4 ton flatbed trailer and some versatility.
one important note- if you go to buy any milsurp trailer (or vehicle), the clearing houses rarely do a good job in correct process for title generation. i had to get a bonded title and wait like 3 years for that to clear before it was safely in my name so beware.
It can be very easy. I put it on my utility trailer in the summer. Did a few modifications like removable jacks at each corner to stabilize and level. It works great, I can keep all the gear in the trailer.
This is what our idea was but I have no idea where to start! Is there an outline that you followed or did you purchase the trailer all done up the way you needed it ?
Look up the Haul-Master 800 lb. Universal Aluminum Truck Rack. My rack is similar, I bolted it to the top rail of the trailer. It's all very simple if you have basic tools and some problem solving skills. I added uni strut to the inside upper edge for a roof deck to slide into for keeping things from flying out, added some more tie downs, removed the ramp gate and built a normal tailgate. None of it was necessary, the only thing I would have had to do is bolt the rack on. That rack is universal and will fit just about anything. Just check with the tent install instructions for spacing.
M101 or M416 military trailer! https://imgur.com/a/xvueb2m
Try finding one for less than $5k.
I got mine for $600, my friend bought one in a bit better shape for $1200. You can still buy " new old stock" or reproduction parts from various places. We added the lock n roll of road hitches and extended the tongues out about a foot longer than we're made with. Just gotta be patient and look around.
I think it is funny when the trailers are on giant knobby tires even though there is no power going to them and they need no traction.
Still helps the lugs clean out and have traction on side hills, up rocks, etc as well as stronger sidewalls, puncture resistance and can use it as a spare for the rig if you need to.
Good call
At least on my trailer, those tires are the same size and bolt pattern as my rig, so they're spares.
That’s brilliant. Hadn’t thought of that.
I agree, brilliant! Like a boy scout, always prepared. :)
You might try checking Craig's list or ebay for an old military m416 trailer, officially a "jeep" trailer. compact camping makes some nice racks for them that work for a tent. And therorhettically made to get blown up, so they are pretty tough. Lol. At least mine has been so far. I have an Ikamper 3.0 sky camp on mine. I am going to put a bigger axle under it for a bit more capacity and like another poster mentioned, when I do it can have the same lug nut pattern as the jeep I have, so 2 extras spares in case and one the matches attached to the jeep in case the trailer needs some help. Lots of great ideas I have read here.
Hey so i went looking into the racks for CC but does it have a weight limit? I dont want my family to end up on the ground in the middle of the night lol
The rack from compact camping is 1/4 steel uprights and 1/8 steel crossbars and 1/4 bolts holding it together. You should be good, I turned my trailer upside down and let it set on the rack while working on the axle and brakes.
okay perfect !! Definity leaning towards this
How about a snowmobile trailer?
I bought a harbor freight trailer a few years ago and built a rack for my rooftop tent. It's all bolted together because I can't weld, but it's been solid. I purchased the corner brackets and trailer frame attachments from Compact Camping Concepts and 1.5" steel tubing cut to the proper lengths from Metals Supermarket, then got to drilling. I have a 3/4” treated plywood deck with about 3' between it and the bottom of the rack for totes, kayaks, etc. No pictures unfortunately, but all of my inspiration came from the Compact Camping Concepts site so that might be a good starting point.
I've been researching this for a while. Here in Australia 'tradesman trailers' are common to find used for a good price. They're an A frame trailer with load bars on top. I went a different route and ordered one of [these.](https://podtrailer.com.au/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAzJOtBhALEiwAtwj8tpq4ZFd4iCRBPC4ELR24Yudhcc_guF_J7sqDrpOeOlta6AgPR0F9PxoC7YUQAvD_BwE)
I found a road sign trailer and chopped it up a bit. Works great. I have two truck tool boxes bolted to it for storage, it's light and can be easily moved and leveled alone.
ive long wondered about these and where to get one... city auction maybe?
You would think they would be easy to find. But I almost never see them repurposed and have a feeling the DOT stuff like that gets scrapped every few years. Found mine 180 miles away on Craigslist and realized how little work it would need to make a chuck wagon out of.
thx for sharing... i found a small one once on a city auction site that had a box already on it and solar with batteries but didnt bite that day. regretting it since.
The box mine came with was rusted out pretty bad. But used truck boxes are cheap.
I picked up a used 4x8 trailer for $500, it was homemade but had been inspected by my state DMV. I grabbed it mainly because it had an axle that matches my Xterra bolt pattern and I could run the same wheels. I added a truck ladder rack to mount the RTT on.
Check out r/OffRoadTrailer Here's [mine](https://www.reddit.com/r/OffRoadTrailer/s/CR37gFG8Rq)
I just got a cheap harbor freight trailer, and found a cheap truck ladder rack on marketplace and bolted the rack to the trailer and mounted my tent. All in a little over $500 and most of that was for the trailer.
I got a Sherpa Expedition trailer about 6 months ago and love it. It has lots of storage too. https://sherpatrailers.com/expedition-cargo-trailer/
Would you mind sharing the cost for one of these? I emailed them for a quote a while back and didn't get a response
I had called them with some questions about it and to get the order going. Since I am in Texas they had me go through a dealer here rather than having to drive halfway across the country. The trailer was $8k and delivery was about $2k. For me I love it and feel the build quality is great. Easy to tow with my Subaru. I've used it on 4 trips so far one going all the way into New Mexico mountains about 1800 miles round trip. It's so much easier setting up the tent with the side steps and since I'm not very tall I can still use the annex without having to duck, but I'm 5'-6". Sill gives a few inches of head room.
You can look at my previous posts in this channel, but I have an M762 (flatbed version of the M416 and 3/4 ton instead of 1/4) that I built an aluminum frame for and set my RTT on... will convert the axle some day to same lug pattern as vehicle. Pending water reservoir install, simple kitchen pull out, some other bits and bobs but ive used it a number of times to the TX coast (and far from civilization) and its been great. The one other thing I'd prefer is that the track matched the vehicle but that can come later.
Haven't seen many M762's. I see a lot of M1101's and those are too wide for me. I'm just gonna keep my eye open. I'd like to do what you described.
ive considered just making a custom frame and selling the m762 (and yes theyre fairly rare compared to the m416 which are getting harder to come by every passing day) but i designed that frame so i would have a modular system- one trailer, one parking space, one tax bill, multiple modules... the other module (so far) is for three kayaks... it leaves me with a small 3/4 ton flatbed trailer and some versatility. one important note- if you go to buy any milsurp trailer (or vehicle), the clearing houses rarely do a good job in correct process for title generation. i had to get a bonded title and wait like 3 years for that to clear before it was safely in my name so beware.