shansen M101 build

[shansen]

Well, maybe it's less of a "build" and more of a finish, but I am just entertaining myself with that title. I got this M101 a few months back, it came to me in excellent condition, the entire tub/fenders coated in Line-X and the rest of it done with POR-15. The trailer has 6x5.5 lug wheels on it now, and they surprisingly looked similar to the Mojave Teflon wheels on my FJ40.
So with a very solid start on a trailer, I moved on to making it something more useable for camping. First thing was to get a lid. I like the look of the Adventure Trailers lid, so we used similar "lines" to what they have there. I wanted the entire thing to be built out of aluminum as well. On top of the lid, I will add 3 load bars to support the Eezi-Awn 1800 series roof top tent I have.
Once the lid and tent is on, that will finish my "finish" of the build (at least that is what I tell myself); need to get the thing out of the shop and on to some dirt. Will post up more pictures as it gets finished, below are a few of the structural supports that will be underneath the skin.

[shansen]

Pictures!

[Dezdan]

Wow! Heck of a nice design on the lid!!!! How much does it weigh? Want to build mine for me? :-)

[Titanpat57]

I'm guessing you didn't cut that out with a jigsaw by any chance?...

Nice design, looks like someone has some nice toys to play with!

Pat

[shansen]

Jigsaw, no. these were all laser cut. So far, the lid weighs about 30lbs maybe? Hoping with the skin, load bars, handles, etc, that the entire thing will still be very light, yet strong. I can easily move this around by myself right now.

We are actually contemplating selling a kit that we could ship that would include all of the internal framework, hinge, etc. It would pack nicely and be flat, which would help on ease of shipping (the thing that has killed the ability to sell these before to anyone not local). This still would require the end user to "bring your own skin", which could rivet to the top. We will see how it all works out when the skin goes on next week and it gets finished.

[KA5IVR]

We are actually contemplating selling a kit that we could ship that would include all of the internal framework, hinge, etc.

Keep us posted on this... Sounds very interesting.
Have you figured the pricing out yet?

[toyrover]

i would be interested in this "kit" let me know. Where are you located?

[shansen]

Located just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. Should have some pricing within a week or so, and I will post a picture of the completed project. It would include everything but the skim in the kit, and we would be able to ship it through regular UPS/FedEx because all the components can lay flat and slide into a box. The end customer could even coat the framework in canvas if they wanted; although I am more of a fan of the metal skin.

[Trailpsycho]

Looks awesome, but also overkill. You might consider dropping two of the ribs and respacing. Saves you a little weight and shouldnt affect the strength. Is that steel or aluminum tubing? Guessing aluminum if it only weighs 30 lbs right now. Is this structure to be riveted or welded. Looks pretty awesome...but with all the ribbing you will give up some storage space in the head-space of the lid. Keep us appraised.

Will you make a kit for the M416 as well? That would be cool.

[KA5IVR]

Will you make a kit for the M416 as well?

x2