Did the military ever have a flatbed trailer hauled behind a Deuce with a lunette ring?................................................................ Did they ever have such a thing or will I have to modify a trailer and paint it 383 Camo?
I am in the same boat-no 5 tons, but I want a serious flatbed trailer to haul stuff. The only m-series trailer I've seen is MTO-20 EET that's linked below and it weighs more empty than the deuce is rated to tow.
Looking at Holden's site, they do make a smaller flatbed trailer, the MTO-16. Pics and specs here:
http://www.holdentrailers.com/Military MTO16.pdf
It's an awesome trailer that's much more suited to the deuce, but it's still 6K lbs. empty (10K lb weight carrying capacity, 16K lb GVWR). If you're worried about staying within the deuce's rated capacity (for legal reasons) then the MTO016 loses some luster.
Also, I have never seen one anywhere, in use, for sale, etc. I suspect they are as rare as the MTO-20 and priced accordingly.
I have decided to buy a 20' deckover equipment trailer and paint it to match the deuce. You can buy nice, high quality deckovers for anywhere from $5-7K for new units (I just priced one for a job we're bidding and it was $6900, loaded with options, 16K gvwr, dual jacks, tongue mounted toolbox, 20' flatdeck, 4' dovetail, etc.). If you surf craigslist, you'll occasionally find good deals on used deckovers and less commonly, new trailers. I saw a new 20' deckover for $4500 a few months ago and the only reason I didn't buy it instantly as that I am waaay too tight on money.
This is the deckover I use, it's a friend's trailer. 16' flat, 4' dovetail. 14K lb GVWR and it weighs right at 4K lbs, so it has 10K lbs capacity. It has electric brakes (as pretty much every trailer in this range is going to) so if you want functioning brakes, you'll need to wire up a 12V trailer brake controller in your deuce (not difficult). I have the standard Curt 14082 hitch that everybody else uses. You can see some of the ways I've used it below and how it's hooked up to the truck. It is a fantastic match for the deuce-when it's empty, you can't tell it's back there and it pulls really well. Easy to see in the mirrors, long enough that it's easy to back up, etc. If it were 4' longer on the flat, I would have already stolen it from my buddy.