Trailer buying advice needed

[piercedtiger]

Thanks Joe! That would be cool! I know I can get civy parts at a local u-pull yard, but military grade might be a little harder.

I do have a welder, grinder and chop saw..... Planning on a plasma cutter this summer too now that they've come down to around $500.

I have a couple steel plants around I could buy stock at if needed as well.

 

[uglysteve]

I found a M101a2 that I want to buy. But I may need to fix the surge breaks. Are parts available? Is there a civilan truck that uses the same break parts? Is there a good internet parts source? Are rebuild kits available for the surge break?
Thanks,
Steve

 

[Mike_Pop]

I found a M101a2 that I want to buy. But I may need to fix the surge breaks. Are parts available? Is there a civilan truck that uses the same break parts? Is there a good internet parts source? Are rebuild kits available for the surge break?
Thanks,
Steve

I've got extra surge brake assemblies if you need parts.

 

[uglysteve]

I found a M101a2 that I want to buy. But I may need to fix the surge breaks. Are parts available? Is there a civilan truck that uses the same break parts? Is there a good internet parts source? Are rebuild kits available for the surge break?
Thanks,
Steve

Can surge breaks be added to an unbreaked m101? There are 2 trailers that I am looking at. The one with the surge break needs some body work. The one with out the break has a better bed. But I need breaks, the unbreaked towing capicity of my Land Rover is about 1600 lbs. A trailer with breaks, about 7700 lbs.
So, that doesnt leave me much room for cargo.
Steve

 

[Mike_Pop]

If you want to add surge brakes, you have to change the axle to one that has brake drums on it. Buy both trailers and swap beds.

 

[uglysteve]

If you want to add surge brakes, you have to change the axle to one that has brake drums on it. Buy both trailers and swap beds.

Mike,
I was thinking of getting both, but that would cost more than I would like to spend for the trailer. I think I can fix most of the body damage. I may have to buy break parts from you.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[Mike_Pop]

Steve,

I've got two surge brake setups here in Nevada. Both of them just bolt onto the trailer tongue. Sometimes they show up on eBay too.

 

[BSH]

Hey, Mike Pop - those Firestones you have on your M101, what model are they? You're running tubes & flaps, right? Can you slap any 16" radial on? I've been contemplating what to do with my trailer, and I really like your solution. I'm interested in a street-friendly, low-cost tire/tube combo for mine.
Thanks.

 

[Mike_Pop]

BSH:

Yes, I am running tubes and flaps. You can put any 16" radial on. I think you can even go wider than what I have. The make of the tires are the Transformer AT.

I tried looking for the military NDT tires but they were too expensive and tough to find. A friend of mine put regular 16" truck tires on his M101 so I figured I could too. They are easy to find and you can get just about any tread pattern. I went with an all terrain because I use my trailer off road and I haul my trash to the landfill.

 

[uglysteve]

BSH:

Yes, I am running tubes and flaps. You can put any 16" radial on. I think you can even go wider than what I have. The make of the tires are the Transformer AT.

I tried looking for the military NDT tires but they were too expensive and tough to find. A friend of mine put regular 16" truck tires on his M101 so I figured I could too. They are easy to find and you can get just about any tread pattern. I went with an all terrain because I use my trailer off road and I haul my trash to the landfill.

Brian or Mike,
Sorry for being stupid, but, what do you mean by "flaps"?
Steve

 

[Mike_Pop]

Flaps are a rubber ring that goes around the rim. It protects the tube from rust or other particles.

 

[Mike_Pop]

Brian,

Correction on the tire brand, they are the Transforce AT by Firestone. Here is an image of the tread pattern. This is my spare.

 

[BSH]

Mike Pop - thanks a bunch for the info. I'm going to keep my eyes open for a pair of decent second-hand 16" radials, and get the ancient NDTs off of my trailer.

 

[Mike_Pop]

Brian,

Just make sure you go to a tire place that can work on the rims. A truck place is where I went. While they aren't split rims, they do have lock rings.

 

[uglysteve]

Got my trailer. It's a1984 M101A2 with a surge break. Thank's for the help.
Steve

 

[citizensoldier]

Looks nice.. Congrats.. They are a very handy and well built unit. I use mine for all kinds of things..

 

[Mike_Pop]

Very nice trailer! Replace those front bolts for pins so you can use it as a dump trailer. Mine is very handy for dumping garbage and gravel.

 

[uglysteve]

Very nice trailer! Replace those front bolts for pins so you can use it as a dump trailer. Mine is very handy for dumping garbage and gravel.

Mike,
To use it as a dump trailer, do you have to add a hydraulic ram? It looks like you could lock the parking breaks, remove the 2 bolts, and back up the truck to dump.
How is it done?
Thanks,
Steve

 

[Mike_Pop]

Steve,

That is exactly how it is done! You don't need a ram. Gravity will take care of it. The tongue pivots on the rest of the chassis.