Rig Profile: The ECOA Camping Trailer

As seen during the 2022 Rooftop Tent Rally at James River State Park in Gladstone, Virginia

Chassis: US Military M101 ¾ ton Cargo Trailer
Duties: Camping Trailer and Mobile Base Camp
Axle: Aftermarket 3500# solid beam trailer axle
Brakes: Electronically controlled drum brakes
Spring: OE military trailer springs
Wheels: 16×8 black D-window steel wheels (Upgraded – Winter 2017)
Tires: 255/85R16 Cooper Tire Discoverer S/T Maxx (Upgraded – Winter 2017)
Skid Plates: None Yet
Body Armor: None Yet

Initial Trailer Budget:
$ 500 – Street legal M101 Trailer (came with after market 3,500 pound axle)
$ 100 – Metal (to patch missing front window and rebuild door surrounds)
$   50 – Used truck utility cap of Craig’s List
$ 100 – Paint (primer, paint, & bed liner)
$ 200 – Electrical (lights, battery, battery box, wiring)
$ 150 – Misc supplies (awning parts & tarp, leveling jacks)
$ 100 – Fabric (curtains and window netting)
$1200 – Total when trailer went into service on 2015-03-16

Build Albums:
Inspiration
Acquisition and mock-up of the M101 trailer and cap
Teardown and paint
Rebuild of rear doors & patching
Lights, locks, and primer
Leveling jacks and other finished paint

Other Mods:
ARB 47L 12V Fridge (Summer 2016)
ARB 2500 Awning & Deluxe Room Kit (Spring 2017)
Rhinorack Batwing 270 Awning (Spring 2019) with Wall Kit (Fall 2022)
Odyssey AGM Dual-Battery System (Spring 2020)
150w Overland Solar TriFold (Spring 2017)
TemboTusk Skottle (Spring 2017)
LTWK Camp Kitchen Knife Set (Summer 2017)
12v LED Christmas Lights (Spring 2018)
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Last updated 2022-10-28