2012 M1102 Thank you!

[Xfile]

Hello,
Im new and wanted to start out by saying thank you for all the great information that this forum has to offer. About a year and a half ago I aquired an awesome 2012 Silver Eagle M1102 through the good old barter system. I thought I would share my find.

I had been looking for the "perfect" little utility/camping trailer. I came across a local CL add for 2 military trailers, a M1101 and a M1102. They both had the bows and canvas tops. By the time I was able to meet the seller the 1101 was gone. It was older and not in as good of a condition, but the one I could afford. The 1102 was in great shape and the tires even had the rubber tabs all over. After some discussion we were able to come to terms on a trade and I had a friend with a full size truck bring it home.

It tows just fine behind the Jeep providing the top is not on. If it is, that thing acts like a giant inflated spinnaker. I bought a 12in riser plate and the trailer still was not level, but good enough. The first hitch extension I bought to clear the spare was way too long. The one I have now is only a 4in extension, I believe. I did have to get small mirror extensions to be able to see relatively well. It's not ideal for the Jeep but I couldn't pass it up.

The only thing I have done to the trailer was remove the 37in tires, which I sold to fund the stock Chevy rims and tires. I also found some 33in tires and rims on CL for the Jeep. This should help the leveling issue a little. It's first trip w/ the new tires will be a camping trip next week to Ocala, FL. I hope the pics turn out ok and thanks again for all the helpful tips.

 

[FloridaAKM]

Sounds like you already love it. A belated welcome aboard to the green (tan) iron disease hobby, from here there is no return to where you came from! Enjoy & download the TM's on it so you can get to know her better!

FYI the difference between the M-1101 & the M-1102 is a Data Plate, nothing else! Weights & capacity is the same!

 

[Shark Bait]

They're good trailers. I made a topper for mine and have drug it all over the place. I've put about 10,000 miles on it so far. I've got 3 of the M1102's and don't think I'd part with them. Enjoy.

Dave

 

[John Galt]

Good looking trailer you have. That receiver extension hurts my eyes.

 

[Xfile]

FloridaAKM, thanks for the welcome and yes I love this trailer!

Shark Bait, love the topper you made, nice work! Looking forward to great adventures.

John Galt, I agree with the painful extension. It was used once to get the trailer weighed. I'm not an engineer but common sense took over and said their was way too much stress placed on the hitch.

 

[Xfile]

I have a question concerning the hitch and riser. I currently use a short extension so the pintle riser plate clears the spare tire. I also have a hitch vise to try and remove the wiggle since there is some play in the receiver. Should I just remove the spare to further limit the extra leverage created by the extension?

I live in the flat lands of FL so "off road" for me is the Ocala national forest. Sand, mud, dirt and gravel roads, ect..... Thanks for any insight

 

[John Galt]

I would loose the extension. Just throw the jeep spare in the trailer.

 

[banjotx]

very nice, Xfile. You'll have fun with build on the Silver Eagle.
I've been messing with a m116a2 i found last year and working on making a off road sleeper out of it. One thing I found out recently was the pintle hitch without the ball sits almost an inch higher than the pintle with a ball. Towed the sleeper around the beltway today for a few miles and 70 was pretty comfortable and as fast as I want to go. I also am keeping the surge brakes and liking how they work as opposed to the electric brakes I have on other trailers. Been setting up my Jeep JK with a small 2" lift and 285/70 tires, but think I might try to add coil spring air bags as the tongue weight now seems to be close to 200 lbs. and made the jeep squat about a inch in the butt, if thats what I'm able to physically pick up.
Good Luck and want to see more as you go. I have sort of a build going over on Exploration Portal.

 

[banjotx]

few more pics.

 

[Xfile]

Thanks banjotx, I love the trailer. I'm just not sure the direction I want to go with it. Interesting find about the two pintle hook styles, as I also have both. Your build is great and I look toward to checking it out. I'm ok with a little woodwork but welding and any metal fabrication would have to be outsourced.

 

[Xfile]

Had a great camping trip 2 weeks ago and the trailer was awesome. I did remove the spare tire on the Jeep and did not use the extension as suggested. The hitch vise was great and it removed the slight wiggle the riser had in the reciver. Another great suggestion was to use the regular pintle hook instead of the ball combo for a little extra height. The piece of purple water float on top of the riser was to inevitabley save me from tailgate carnage if I tried opening it.