Newbie lookin for a M101A2 on GL w/ questions...

[TwistedJake]

Alright guys, been reading a lot the last few days and have a few questions as well as making sure I'm doing this right. I'm looking for a trailer and think I've narrowed it down to a M101A2. Don't want to deal with the split wheel on the A1's and such and prob don't need an A3 so paying the extra isn't much of a benefit.

I will be pulling with an 07 RAM 1500 w/ HEMI basically as utility trailer but would also consider using it to sleep in and such with the canvas top when camping. Plans are to get one in as decent shape as I can, do some rust removal where needed, spray it solid OD to make it look fresh, possibly bedline the inside, etc. etc.

I am looking mainly at Ft. Lewis as I'm in Oregon less than 3 hours from Ft. Lewis. My father was stationed there for his last several years so I spent a lot of time on that base when I was growing up. My little brother also works there as a trainer of some sort for the Special Forces.

So if I'm correct, once I locate/win an auction on GL I pay for it right away then submit the EUC which can take from a couple weeks to several months to approve. Once approved I receive a bill of sale and have 10 days to arrange a pick up time and go get it.

Does anyone have any input or advice on the process as Ft. Lewis? Anything I should be aware of other than bring my registration, insurance, license, and leave the guns at home? Are the GL guys there decent?

My plan for lights is just some magnetic trailer lights with zip ties to get it home. I assume my truck will pull it just fine, No Cummins, just the hemi but it shouldn't have any trouble. I'm gonna pick up a pintle hook (thats what they are called right) in the next couple weeks also.

If I had another trailer to haul this thing home on I would but I don't so realize there is a bit of a risk. I'm pretty handy and mechanical so will bring my tools and be ready to do some wrenching if need be. I've also got a mechanic buddy with a shop not too far from there if worse comes to worse. He is real busy though so hate to bug him.

Is there anything specific I should look at on the trailer prior to bidding? Or more so to tell someone who is closer yet knows nothing about them to look for?

I'm pretty excited to get one of these things. I've always wanted a deuce also and someday will hopefully get one.

Just to show what I'm replacing, this is a trailer I drug out of the scrap pile here on the farm and gave a little love. Basically just saved the bottom frame and springs, used an old D35 out of a Cherokee to match the track width and bolt pattern of my Cherokee, new tongue, some steel reinforcements, new deck, new sides, new lights, etc. etc. It tows like a dream and I used it quite a bit but unfortunatly the Cherokee was a total loss in a nasty roll over accident earlier this year so no need for the trailer now that I have the Dodge so want something a little bigger.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Sounds like you have a good handle on how GL works. I recommend getting a hitch that will raise the pintle up about 10 to 12 inches. That keeps my 101 level. I tow mine with a 1998 1500 gmc and it hauls great. Like this, only use it to raise the pintle:

 

[gimpyrobb]

edit wouldn't let me add the pic:

Oh yeah, welcome to the site.

 

[treessw]

I may be half asleep, but it seems like you have this down to a good understanding. Make sure all your stuff is in order before you get there ( Plates current etc). Bring tools, hi-lift, extra tire or two as the ones on it may be dry rotted and start to come apart on the way home. The trailer can be a bit jumpy while trying to stop unloaded but if youmake sure the E-brake actuater is all the way down it should help. if its been sitting a while, brakes could lock up but I am not sure how often this happens? Just throwing it out there. if you have to take the lug nuts off and have trouble threading back on, just turn them to try and re tap them off the studs. Thats about all I can think of. Oh, if you get one with the bows and tarp take all that stuff off and store it during transport, will help while recovering and reduce some drag. Hope some of this helps I am sure others will have more.

Welcome aboard!!!

 

[TwistedJake]

Thank you and good advice. I haven't even shopped for a pintle hook yet or done my research but don't think I'll have a problem finding one. I will keep in mind to look for an adjustable one. Do you happen to know off the top of your head what the height should be to ride level? I think my truck may sit a bit higher in the rear than the Chevy's.

 

[treessw]

I use the same set up as gimp, works great with mine aswell!!!! If you get one with just the pintle no ball, sometimes this helps due to the fact there is not as much room for the trailer to jump and slide around

 

[TwistedJake]

I may be half asleep, but it seems like you have this down to a good understanding. Make sure all your stuff is in order before you get there ( Plates current etc). Bring tools, hi-lift, extra tire or two as the ones on it may be dry rotted and start to come apart on the way home. The trailer can be a bit jumpy while trying to stop unloaded but if youmake sure the E-brake actuater is all the way down it should help. if its been sitting a while, brakes could lock up but I am not sure how often this happens? Just throwing it out there. if you have to take the lug nuts off and have trouble threading back on, just turn them to try and re tap them off the studs. Thats about all I can think of. Oh, if you get one with the bows and tarp take all that stuff off and store it during transport, will help while recovering and reduce some drag. Hope some of this helps I am sure others will have more.

Welcome aboard!!!

Thank you. And I figured that I would pull the canvase and either strap it down in the trailer with the bows or toss it in the bed of my truck. I have a tonneau so if it will fit in the truck that would be simple. But planned on bringing plenty of tie downs and ratchet straps for any surprises that may pop up. Can never have enough ya know. And good tip on the hi lift. I have one that I've never used so will throw it in the truck also.

 

[gimpyrobb]

The bottom of the pintle should be about 24" off the ground to be level.

 

[goodguyzy]

those trailers are great, i got mine out of fort lewis. G/L personal are real nice to deal with. purchased with no wheels or tires, added some 16" steel wheels. I also pull it with my 1/2 ton pickup with homemade hitch, most parts from HF. Good luck.

 

[treessw]

yeah the hi lift does great on these trailers, lifts great and the handle doubles as a breaker bar for those stubborn lugs

 

[Nonotagain]

While some like the high lift jack, I personally like a small hydraulic floor jack. Place it under the spring plate and it will lift the trailer more than high enough to change any tire you need.

Now onto the Harbor Freight pintle hooks, they aren't in the online catalog any longer. Search results for: 'pintle' I don't know if their Chinese supplier raised the prices on them, but no pintle hooks in the catalog or in the two local stores. Check on eBay for the pintle and the riser plate. Figure on the purchasing the 14 hole plate.

Plan on locking the brakes out via pinning the master cylinder. The trailer only weighs 1300 lbs which is nothing for your half ton truck to pull or stop. Once you get it home you have plenty of time to make sure everything works correctly.

 

[OldDominionIron]

As said before, you seem to have things well in hand. The 10 days to pick up the trailer is 10 business days, so keep that in mind if your GL site is only open 3 days a week.

Welcome to the site.

 

[therealsundance]

A compressor is a good idea as the tires on all of mine have been flat or way under inflated, like 5psi.

 

[3dAngus]

I don't know if Ft. Lewis has a shop for helping there, but at Robins you can get help to jump start vehicles or put air in your tires and such.

I got my raised pintle hitch at Northern Tool. As stated earlier, they are not available at the local Harbor Freight tool store.

 

[Katahdin]

Like Nonotagain said its only 1300lbs. I recovered mine 450 miles in a Jeep TJ one way. I'll also endorse the Northern Tool 12 inch extension.

Don't forgot chains and linkages, the stock M101 chain won't reach.

Watch your speed on base, I got pulled over doing 25 in a 20 leaving the base....I was watching the trailer in my mirrors, not my speedometer. I got off with a friendly warning, the cops were more interested in checking to see if my Jeep was stolen, they didn't give the trailer a second look.

Pack as many tools as you can, wheel bearing grease, etc you never know. I planned on unhitching and getting wheel bearings at a local Napa if I needed them, smart phones with GPS are great for finding parts stores with Google Maps.

 

[therealsundance]

Grainger has the cheapest price I could find for the 12" pintle receiver.

Northern tools is backordered.

 

[Nonotagain]

Try www.easternmarine.com for the plate. Pretty good prices and they sell a ton of them.

 

[goodguyzy]

sorry i should of said that the h/f stuff i got was a closeout item, i still see them locally but looks like most stores have got rid of them.

 

[AMMO 23]

You missed the boat there was like 15 M101A2 trailers just south of Portland about 3 months ago. Could have inspected them and got the one you want if I remember correct they all went cheap. Just keep your eyes open may be more close by.

 

[rickf]

Tractor supply has the pintle plate but I don't remember if they have the hitch. Just so you know a stock pintle from a MV will also work. I have several of them laying around.


Rick