military or custom

[frumpy]

I have been keeping my eyes peeled for what seems like years (probably about 2) for a military trailer. I saw one today (not for sale) and the guy was outside cutting his lawn. I asked if he was selling it and he said he wasn't sure but call him in a week.

If he does sell it he said $500 range (its a 1952 M100 in need of a restore). It probably needs a new floor and new back for sure. The springs are sagged, and tires are ok. definatly needs a good sanding/sandblasting, bit of body work and paint. After all that I figure it will be another $500 into it.

My other option is to just build one. I do have a brand new mig welder but I haven't welded in a few years. I have 2 235/75/15 jeep rims with muds on them (5 on 4.5 bolt pattern and the spare on my liberty would double for the trailer). I can get an axle for around $150 new, fenders for $60, led lights for $30, etc.

All I plan on using it for is bringing along extra gear (with double duty as a utility trailer) and eventually a platform for a RTT. So, is the M100 worth the extra money, it would definatly look nicer/cooler but is it more practical.

 

[the dude]

I love my M101CDN but I would go custom if I was doing it again. All the things I wanted I built on the M101. Rear tailgate, lid, outside storage, spring over, larger fenders ect.

A trailer is a great fabrication project IMO and you will get exactly what you want.

 

[seanz0rz]

i second that. i love my m762, but if i was to do it all over again, i would build one from scratch.

basically, if you need it soon, or lack the fab skills to build one yourself, then a military one is a great choice.

but, if all else being equal, custom >> purchased.

 

[TacoDell]

I say build from scratch...

I have an '53 Strick M100....
plan to use that for my RTT and take it off road to boot.

But as I do modifications to this trailer... I have a great respect for it's history.
So there will be no bubba fab going on here.

But that doesn't mean I can't use the trailer... And I must only roll it in a parade or to a museum...

Modify it to your needs sure... but only if I know folk can return it back to it's original form...

Many folk ruin these by making mods that are destructive/permanent to these trailers and make it so it's pointless for anyone else to attempt an restoration of that in it's future.

It's sad really... that few folk have an understanding of how rare an unmolested WWII trailer is.

The M416's and M101CDN's... no one really cares all that much about those.
So hacking those up is, tho' unfortunate... is less of concern.

the WWII trailers are getting rarer to find complete and unmolested.

Building from scratch will net folk a better built (stronger) trailer for off road use. And they could add all the bells and whistles they like.
ie: tailgates, pull out drawers, beefier draw bars with "Rock and Roll" hitches new alxles, different wheels, etc, etc, etc.

Scratch building can net a trailer far superior to the WWII stuff.

And you don't have to destroy a part of history... while doing that.

Now if you're more like myself... and understand the importance of keeping the original integrity of said trailer... and are ok with that.

Then have at it... just leave bubba out of the equation.

Or at least find an M416 or M101CDN to hack up. My :2cents:

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Your available time is something to also consider. For me, I planned on scratch-building a trailer, but found a M101A3 that was reasonably-priced, and is saving me a LOT of time. It'll also be perfect for my needs.

Projects always seem to take twice as much money, and 3x as much time as planned. Just be realistic about how much of both you have available before deciding.

Craig

 

[frumpy]

I guess scratch it is, I just love the look of the old military trailers.

I guess the first thing I need to figure out is the axle width and weight rating. For the box I was thinking 4'x4' or 3'x4' with a flat part for a box or storage at the front. Would a 2000lbs axle 48" wide hold up? It already has the same bolt pattern as my jeep and can't see trailer and gear being over 1000lbs.

 

[KA5IVR]

I found a "complete and unmolested" M416 a few years ago for a good price and could not pass it up. I also say building one is the way to go, if you want a trailer with all of the tricks for a RTT.

To get a military one in shape for adventure, You would have to build a Lid for access and to support the RTT. You would also have to do something with the axles to accommodate matching rig wheels & tires.

Keep us posted...

 

[Root Moose]

Build something. Those old military trailers are over rated IMO. You can buy a lot of steel and auto-weld gas for the cost of restoring one of those old things.

 

[jeepdreamer]

Both...?

Or,
Depending on your luck maybe you could source one of the military flatbed trailers...think 416 without the sides...and then build your own from there? That would sort of save you the harder part of building the trailer aspect and let you focus on the fun part of the build? And since your not destorying something...just adding to it you can build it however you want! They turn up on CL from time to time and on GovBid fairly often too...
Just a thought!

 

[ert01]

Build your own for sure. It's a great way to get back into welding!

There are so many +'s for building your own nd only a few for buying and modifying a military trailer...

The reason's I went custom:
Axle width matches my Jeep.
Bolt pattern, rims, rubber all match my Jeep (as spares if need be)
Electric brakes
Lighter
Better springs then a military trailer (CJ 2" lift front springs)


Now, you can do all that to a military trailer and end up with the same result, but the work to modify it is far greater then the work to build it to the same state. Mine is lighter then an M101, it has the Max Coupler, and I can easily add/remove parts as I see fit. Total cost is substantially less then an M101 (they go for $1000-$1200 around here quite easily).

 

[jeepdreamer]

Build your own for sure. It's a great way to get back into welding!

There are so many +'s for building your own nd only a few for buying and modifying a military trailer...

The reason's I went custom:
Axle width matches my Jeep.
Bolt pattern, rims, rubber all match my Jeep (as spares if need be)
Electric brakes
Lighter
Better springs then a military trailer (CJ 2" lift front springs)


Now, you can do all that to a military trailer and end up with the same result, but the work to modify it is far greater then the work to build it to the same state. Mine is lighter then an M101, it has the Max Coupler, and I can easily add/remove parts as I see fit. Total cost is substantially less then an M101 (they go for $1000-$1200 around here quite easily).

Build your own is my second choice. If your going to be modifying it anyway, and they allmost ALL end up having that done...start from scratch and build it how YOU want it. No sense wasting the $$ if your gonna toss out 80% of the military trailer by the end of it all...

 

[seanz0rz]

Or,
Depending on your luck maybe you could source one of the military flatbed trailers...think 416 without the sides...and then build your own from there? That would sort of save you the harder part of building the trailer aspect and let you focus on the fun part of the build? And since your not destorying something...just adding to it you can build it however you want! They turn up on CL from time to time and on GovBid fairly often too...
Just a thought!

thats why i love my m762. its been so versatile for me. beyond being a good trailer offroad and onroad with camping gear, its been great for taking loads to the dump, and moving tools and furniture.

 

[frumpy]

the only military trailers here that arent hard to come by are 2.5 ton ones. Like I said, I have been keeping my eyes peeled for the last 2 years.

this is the axle I was looking at (if I go 3' wide, 4' deep)
http://www.princessauto.com/towing/trailers/axles/8249096-2000-lb-trailer-axle

with these fenders
http://www.princessauto.com/towing/trailers/fenders/2080078-single-trailer-fender

 

[TacoDell]

If it was my purchase...

I'd bump up to a custom 3500# and match the hub face width (WMS) to my rig.
Matching hub, lug pattern... so I could run the same tires and wheels as my rig.

10" E brakes would be swell... as well.

Then I'd build the frame and tub to fit the axle...
instead of building the frame and tub first.

JMO of course.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

the only military trailers here that arent hard to come by are 2.5 ton ones. Like I said, I have been keeping my eyes peeled for the last 2 years.

If they fit your needs, the military has been unloading scores of 3/4-ton trailers. They're available all over the country.

Craig