m101a2 dump - lights Conversion

[bobclausius]

I have read many threads about the m101 trailers. This is what I did to convert my m101a2 trailer to a dump trailer and what I did for the lights.



The lights were very simple, but don’t mess with the blackout lights. I used a 1165 bulb for the bigger one and a 67 for the smaller one. The 24 volt bulbs work but are dim. Light bulbs are cheap. I had to move the wires for the lights so it could dump. To make it a 4 wire hook up, look at my pics. I think all of these trailers are the same.


The brake line on mine had a coupler at the pivot point. Got napa to make me a flex line so it would not break. Use dot 5 brake fluid to bleed brakes if you have to. The front bolts had to be removed so it can dump. You can get pins for it but I just made the holes a bit bigger and used the same bolts, for as much as I will use it for dumping. Get some blocks to put under it when it comes down so the pins or bolts can be put in with ease. Without blocks the trailer can go past the holes. Without a block, bring a crowbar. If you have a big load make sure that the lights don’t hit and break off. To dump, lock hand brakes and back up. That is it.


If you have surge brakes, backing up with a load can be an issue. You may need to put a pin through the holes to disable the the brakes when doing this.



In the state of Wyoming, any trailer under 1000 lb does not need a title. If it is less than 800 lb you can get small plates. cheap. My m101a2 is 798 lbs.



If you make one a dump trailer and like to take it camping, you can level it anywhere and then make a block for it. Look at my pics they will help much!

 

[KsM715]

Good job. I like the flex line in the brakes. I had thought of putting one in and just cutting the hard line back to make it work but I think I like your idea of looping it. No need to cut and re-flare the hard lines

 

[whiskey yankee]

how are the physics?

Based on where the pivot is, it seems like this would be hard to dump if it was full of something heavy. Have you filled it up and tried to dump it? I love the camping setup: who needs a M109?

 

[OrangeMopar]

It is when the load is unbalanced. I had about a ton or so of gravel in my m101a1 and my truck just pushed the tires across the blacktop. I had to hop in and shovel some more to the back. As soon as I did that it dumped like a charm.

 

[timntrucks]

wow that was nice. has anyone ever did a power dump conversion on one i seen the 105s but not any 101s

 

[Rthomas]

What size is the flex line?

 

[derf]

Based on where the pivot is, it seems like this would be hard to dump if it was full of something heavy. Have you filled it up and tried to dump it? I love the camping setup: who needs a M109?

Set the hand brakes and back up?
Or, chock the wheels and back up?

 

[blybrook]

What size is the flex line?

I had a 3/8" line, 6" long, made with the proper fittings for under $10 at a local hydraulic shop.

Set the hand brakes and back up?
Or, chock the wheels and back up?

Either or.

If properly set, the hand brakes are more than sufficient to hold the wheels in place when you back up. Ensure that the pins are pulled first!

 

[Rthomas]

I got a carquest SP4497 brake hose.

 

[HUMONGO]

This thread is pertinent to my interests.

 

[Westech]

I have seen that its not a dump but for shipping. There was just a post by a member that broke the hinge points using it as a dump.

 

[HUMONGO]

I have seen that its not a dump but for shipping. There was just a post by a member that broke the hinge points using it as a dump.

Yeah, I was told that they will bind. I only plan to dump once or twice a year when I get mulch or topsoil. I can weld, it's a calculated risk!

 

[Westech]

 

[lexluther]

Does it put the load at a steep enough angle to dump properly? I have had tilt bed trailers that just pivoted down a little, but the contents would not come out without a shovel...Have you tried it with dirt, bark, etc. yet?

 

[blybrook]

Does it put the load at a steep enough angle to dump properly? I have had tilt bed trailers that just pivoted down a little, but the contents would not come out without a shovel...Have you tried it with dirt, bark, etc. yet?

I dumped the snow out of mine over the side of driveway a week back (it was even with the top of the bed). The bed went almost vertical due to the drop off on that side of the driveway. I had a little that I needed to pull out with the shovel, but most came out on its own.

There are a few other threads about dumping with these trailers that have photos where the bed is in the raised position. No matter what, if you are not putting it over a drop off, you will have to utilize a shovel for some of the material. There just isn't the ground clearance necessary to get the bed vertical otherwise.

Just ensure you don't bind the tailgate under the trailer when performing the dumping maneuver. I made secondary chains to hold the tailgate parallel with the bed, when dumping, it'll flex back towards closed, permitting me to remove the chains for everything to clear off the tailgate when putting the bed back into the regular position.

Even though these trailers were not made for dumping, they do a decent job for it. As stated above, be ready to fix what breaks, as it is likely to do at some point.

HTH

 

[popacom]

Guess this falls under the heading of..............."Whatever trips yer
trigger,,,,,,,,or was that trailer?"

popacom/BILL in KY.

 

[lexluther]

Thanks for the info, either way, they are better than whats available on the civilian market...

 

[unit880]

Thanks for the info, either way, they are better than whats available on the civilian market...

Exactly. I just bought an A1 off a private seller (he gave me a good deal). For what I paid for this thing, you couldn't touch a trailer at TSC. I'm quite sure this thing is dang near indestructable. Not sure I'm ready to try the dump thing yet...

 

[lexluther]

Yea, I will wait on the dump thing until I have a need. If I did it now, every Tom, **** and Harry will want to borrow it to haul gravel for their driveway, and dirt for the flower bed, and the tailgate will be smashed and the bracket broken in no time...

 

[Fredo Corleone]

Yea, I will wait on the dump thing until I have a need. If I did it now, every Tom, **** and Harry will want to borrow it to haul gravel for their driveway, and dirt for the flower bed, and the tailgate will be smashed and the bracket broken in no time...

Not everyone has a pintle hitch and cannon plug set up that keeps the needy away