Trail camper!

Fochps

Fochps

New member
Hey all, I am going to attempt to do a build thread on my trail camper idea. Originally I was going to build an old military m416 trailer. However after trying to find a suitable one I decided to give up. I found a much larger (better equipped) m1102 trailer as my base. This should be fun! It will take a few months and will not be a quick beginning to end but I think you guys might like it. I've searched high and low for a thread on one that was done and I believe this may be the first so bare with me.

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Can't wait to see what you come up with. Are you planning on replacing the axels, suspension and tires? I know that those start out pretty heavy.
 
If you need to find one still Google governmentliquidators. Com. I know I spelled it wrong but it should be the first result. I will enjoy watching this build.
 
You do realize the empty weight on that is 1460 lbs. That is a LOAD to drag through the woods, and after you build it out and load it, you'll be well over a ton. The M416 is 500 lbs empty (approx), which is why the overland guys use them. Weight is your enemy on the trail, both for power and control - that thing might drag you over a cliff. :shocked:

I looked at an M101 (the older 3/4 ton trailer) and it was far too heavy to pull with a 4Runner off-road. On the highway, or to the local campground, maybe, but definitely not off-road behind a 3rd gen.

I built a trailer out of a 56 Ford pickup bed. It's a little wider than I'd like (but over a foot narrower than the M1102), but it weighs about 500 lbs empty, and is easy to pull through the woods loaded, with the RTT on it.

BTW, lots of good ideas and info here: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/forums/42-Expedition-Trailers Lots of threads on M1101 and M1102 builds there. If you aren't planning to take it off-road, it will probably make a nice camper platform.

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I picked one up already out of Tucson. I may go with a smaller tire but that's about it. I am well aware of the weight but towed it home with an FJ doing 60-75mph without issue. I also put it in the garage with a buddy and it was maneuvered fairly easily. I feel my runner will handle it decently. I'm going for it anyway! If all goes right it will be bada$$
 
Also if I'm going rugged and on trails that get real hairy then I'd rather not have anything behind me anyway. For forest service roads 10-15mi back in the woods I'm confident my runner will tow this no sweat. I also tow a 16ft aluminum crest liner bass boat with no issue that has to be close to the weight of this trailer.
 
Just another thought. The tow capacity for my 4Runner is 5000lbs. I doubt I'd have issues unless I hit sand or mud. I've already regeared to 4.33's due to a sweet elocker I just found (for $400 complete). Locked in 4low I'm sure I can take this trailer through some surprising stuff!
 
Fochps said:
Just another thought. The tow capacity for my 4Runner is 5000lbs. I doubt I'd have issues unless I hit sand or mud. I've already regeared to 4.33's due to a sweet elocker I just found (for $400 complete). Locked in 4low I'm sure I can take this trailer through some surprising stuff!
Click to expand...

Have you actually tried towing at full capacity? I bet you haven't.
I pulled a trailer setup at 4000lbs and would never put my 4runner through that again if I don't have to. And that was on road.
Fochps said:
Also if I'm going rugged and on trails that get real hairy then I'd rather not have anything behind me anyway. For forest service roads 10-15mi back in the woods I'm confident my runner will tow this no sweat. I also tow a 16ft aluminum crest liner bass boat with no issue that has to be close to the weight of this trailer.
Click to expand...

Boat and Trailer weight

Biggest weight number I seen was 1450...


Not trying to bust your balls man, just trying to help you be a little more realistic. These truck are amazing, but they don't do trailers as well as other trucks. [MENTION=67615]Dirtco[/MENTION] has possibly the best possible setup for doing so, however.


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/gener...dirtco%92s-camping-trailer-version-1-2-a.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/95322-dirtcos-1999-4runner-build.html

Again, service roads at 10-15mph are probably okay. In fact I KNOW they are. But anything more than that just becomes too much of a headache to justify it.
 
Sweet man! Any build pics? Troubles towing? I appreciate all input. Keep in mind that the build is being done regardless of what if's, ain't gonna happens and no freakin way it will works. Haha, keep in mind I am no idiot savant to 4runners but this also isn't my first rodeo.
 
Fochps said:
Just another thought. The tow capacity for my 4Runner is 5000lbs. I doubt I'd have issues unless I hit sand or mud. I've already regeared to 4.33's due to a sweet elocker I just found (for $400 complete). Locked in 4low I'm sure I can take this trailer through some surprising stuff!
Click to expand...

Not to discourage you from your build, but remember that tow rating on the freeway is not necessarily the same thing as tow rating on 4wd roads. The extra weight back there will absolutely impact your mileage while you're on the dirt, much more than when you're on the pavement, and the heavier trailer will be much more likely to kick out when you're on slippery or off-camber surfaces.

I still think you should go for it, just be ready for that beast to yank your truck around much more than you think it will. :thumb:
 
Got the trailer all converted to 12v from the stock 24v. No sense in pics as it's just a bulb conversion unless you guys want to see. After hunting around for a wiring schematic and a little trial and error the lights all work like a charm and now have a standard 4 pin connector to plug in to the runner...
 
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