Advice for FNG with trailer M101A3

[fran35]

Hey guys,
I was hoping for some educated guesswork. I just won an auction on GL for a M101A3 trailer and am hoping to get some advice about what to expect from the trailer once my EUC gets cleared and I prepare to bring it home. The trailer is apparently a 1995 Kasel M101A3. It appears to me to be in decent shape, but I was wondering what you guys see. When I go to retreive it, can I plan on towing it or should I look at other options? I have attached some photos and please give me you opinions. I ended up winning it for $340--I hope it was worth it.

Thanks so much
Frank

 

[steelandcanvas]

Bring yourself a set of magnetic tow lights to plug into your tow vehicle. Doesn't look too bad, I've seen alot worse. Check lugs on the trailer. Make sure the surge brake unit is securely mounted.

 

[emmado22]

Late style body, A3 axle, sidboards, good paint looks stright, no visible dents on the tailgate.. Looks very good. Check the bearings, put a plate and magnetic lights on it, and drive it home!

 

[Jimma]

I got my magnetic lights at Harbor Frieght - $9.00 They work great. Check tire pressure. I pulled my M105 home and tires looked awesome and they were but they had very little pressure in them making for a slower heavier feeling tow.

 

[storeman]

Appears to me to be a m101a2. the a3 has 37" hmmwv tires and a round landing gear with a crank to raise and lower it.
jerry

 

[rogerm101a2]

nice looking trailer!! how far are you going with it? be careful of the breaks!!! i have picked up many trailers and the brakes will lock up or the trailer will hop because the hydraulic on the tongue will be loose and make the trailer do all kinds of things..If your interested i have a wiring harness to make the trailer fit your truck without any mods. its a plug and play no cutting wires and no guess work on wires.

 

[KsM715]

The OPs trailer appears to have an early A3 bed with an A3 axle.

 

[fran35]

At the risk of posting a link, here it is. As you can see, they listed it as an A3, but the placard states A2. Is there a huge difference for me and assuming the brakes function, will it require much retro fitting for use as a firewood/yard work hauler?

http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/view?id=4025246

 

[Scarecrow1]

Like most have said just go over your new trailer with the proper road inspection , drive it for a few miles and pull over and put your hand on the wheel bearings to make sure they aren't over heating or that your brakes are not releasing properly . Other than that just your common sense and a little caution will go a long way . Good luck and congrads on your new trailer . I have had a ball with mine and am yet to put a load on it that it can't handle ........

 

[treessw]

Ive still got the mag lights on mine just ran them in front of the mil lights and ran the wire underneath. Zip tied the mag. lights to the fame near the orig. lights. Just have not got a chance to do much else with it. Hope this helps? The trailer is carrying a full cord, or two Ric's depending on where your from. Your from Pa. so a full cord, 4x4x8 plus extra

 

[treessw]

sorry forgot the pic

 

[lindyp38]

bring two spare tires......

remove front and rear gates.....leave the sides on.....

hook up and drive off....

after first 20miles or so.......stop and feel the wheel bearing caps.....if cool to the touch ..ur good to go....if theyre hot...ull have to repackk them.....warm is ok......hot is not good......

good luck.....

my fort drum went off without a hitch.......

they even lowered onto my pintle hitch for me......while still on the fork lift.....lol

 

[mdmorgan]

It's got the upgraded heavy duty spring kit, means you can haul more. Just wire in a flat 4 connector and swap to 12 volt bulbs and your set.

 

[lindyp38]

ok..here are my recovery pics....

 

[fran35]

Ive still got the mag lights on mine just ran them in front of the mil lights and ran the wire underneath. Zip tied the mag. lights to the fame near the orig. lights. Just have not got a chance to do much else with it. Hope this helps? The trailer is carrying a full cord, or two Ric's depending on where your from. Your from Pa. so a full cord, 4x4x8 plus extra

Beautiful. The base where I work gives firewood permits for $10 a load. It beats the heck out of my Ford Ranger bed for hauling. How does the dump feature work and I am wondering if this thing even has it?

 

[lindyp38]

oh..yes...remove those bows....i forgot to mention that......

 

[storeman]

either model will do a great job for your purposes. the smaller wheels/tires on the a2 will make it tow more level for you. I plan to replace the 37" tires on mine with cucv/A2 wheels and tires in the spring to accomplish just that. main differences between them is 45" between fender wells on a2 and 55" on a3, plus 3/4 ton capacity on a2 and 1 ton on a3.
jerry

 

[mdmorgan]

Beautiful. The base where I work gives firewood permits for $10 a load. It beats the heck out of my Ford Ranger bed for hauling. How does the dump feature work and I am wondering if this thing even has it?

The bolts that attach the front of the bed to the tongue, pull them out, there may be one or two places the wire harness needs to be un-clamped from the tongue and bed then set your parking brakes on the 101 then back up with the truck, if your not loaded to nose heavy it should dump, the first time you may need to help it though, to break through the paint.

 

[treessw]

lindyp38-

OK I am jealous of your rig!!!! Thats sharp!!!

 

[KsM715]

If your going to dump it often you should put a small section of flex hose in the brake line near the hinge point. If you crawl under there and follow the line youll see a joint in the line. Take that apart and put the flex line there.



Edit: check the pics in the first post in this thread http://www.steelsoldiers.com/trailers/57171-m101a2-dump-lights-conversion.html