Lowering the M1101 Cargo Trailer w/ OEM parts.

[Terlingua]

Hey everyone,

First post out here. I have an M1101 on it's way home from Ft. Bliss as I type this. I am going thru as much info as I can in an attempt to get this trailer lowered enough to go on my Toyota Tacoma. The one thing I am unsure of is how much drop I really need? I'd like to split the difference 1/2 again between the TV and trailer if possible so I reached out to Calvin Mendenhall over at Mendenhall Industries. They are the original company that has been manufacturing these surge brake actuators for the military since the 40's. (http://www.toledoactuators.com/).

Calvin's recommendation was to go with one of their 5 position couplers which will give me a 3-4" drop. Then he recommended getting a 3" drop lunette from Croft or any other trailer supply. I found this one on their site, but need to call for more details because I don't think it's going to work on this actuator.

http://www.crofttrailer.com/dico-titan-model-6-inner-slide-w-3-lunette/#page=page-1

As for the TV, I am still trying to figure out what I want to do. I want to find a good quality pintle hook that I can mount on one of those riser plates but I need to figure out exactly how much more I need to make up after the above mods.

I'm attaching a document that Calvin sent me showing the OEM 5 position replacement part. I thought this might help some of you guys out here trying to do the same thing in the safest way possible.

If you've got other ideas on any of this... please share.

Take care.

View attachment Mendenhall_BuyersGuide.pdf

 

[Recovry4x4]

Smaller circumference tire would help a bunch. Once you have it home a tape measure will be your friend. Would you enlighten us on your TV and how it applies to your truck and trailer?

 

[Terlingua]

Smaller circumference tire would help a bunch. Once you have it home a tape measure will be your friend. Would you enlighten us on your TV and how it applies to your truck and trailer?

The tires / height are why I bought it so i'm really hoping to leave that be. We're off-grid in a pretty rugged location and I need the clearance.

By TV i meant tow vehicle... sorry... being lazy.

 

[CARNAC]

Crystal ball says TV is Towing Vehicle. But I understand your concern Kenny. In your line of work, a TV (also known as Tranny) is someone you have to probably deal with during temp duty with the vice squad. LOL.

 

[harleyhouse]

Is the Toyota lifted at all?

 

[Recovry4x4]

At least one of my coworkers is a TV. Not sure pre or post. Sorry, didn't mean to hijack, just never seen the term TV used like this. Must be a text thing.

 

[Terlingua]

Is the Toyota lifted at all?

Not yet... but it's a 2012 TRD Off-road.... not sure if that gives me any more height or not. Really cant wait for this thing to get here!

 

[mkcoen]

Not yet... but it's a 2012 TRD Off-road.... not sure if that gives me any more height or not. Really cant wait for this thing to get here!

I'm running a 2011 F250 4x4 with stock 20" wheels and it's not even close to level. I have an adjustable plate for my pintle hitch and plan to raise it to the top setting but that's still not going to be enough. Even with smaller tires you should still have more ground cleanance than your truck and that would be the least expensive and easiest thing to undo if you wanted it back to stock configuration.

 

[DeadParrot]

I put 30" tires(235/80/16 load range E) on my 1101. Axle clearance is still 17". The original tires are about 36" tires. If you are planning on keeping the tow vehicle for a while, talk to a custom hitch place and see what they can suggest. I did that for my 75 Chevy PU and the cost was less than buying a hitch riser plate and 2nd pintle hook. The result coupled with the smaller tires is a level trailer.

 

[swiss]

They run level behind a 5 ton m923, everything else civie requires receiver riser at least 8" dependant on TV

 

[John Galt]

You would probably be close to level with standard 30" tires and 7 hole riser plate.

I prefer to split the difference between the trailer and tow vehicle coupler as well.

At some point I will try to make a steel sleeve that uses the bolts from the surge assembly and weld a piece of channel to that. Go without brakes or just add electric.

 

[gimpyrobb]

This thread is just SCREAMING for some Dee Snider!

 

[gimpyrobb]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwrg0db_zY

 

[rustyshakelford]

Wish I had known earlier. I would've swapped ya some cucv tires/wheels for your 37s if interested plus some! That would lower it about 2.5-3".

Brett

 

[rustyshakelford]

I'm going to try this again. My truck has a 4" lift with 35s. Hitch is set at the highest setting. It's slightly nose high. Hitch is belongs to a friend that drives a ford 4x4 dually. These trailers are tall in the hitch.

 

[glassk]

The riser gives 5 inches