SoDakSooner
Adventurer
Mostly a lurker here, post a little bit, but I was able to pick up this M101A2 in Texas on a GovPlanet auction. Not a bad deal for $300. I actually sold another really tiny Northern Equipment trailer to offset the cost of this one, bought some temporary trailer lighting, and with fuel to pick it up, all in, net I am at $325 at this point. I can't complain.
So major worries when picking up as I had a 4.5 hour drive to get back:
1. Surge brakes locked up-ok, but actually don't work at all. Will not lock up in reverse,which was fine.
2. tires shot-they are, but held up. Held air well, and no hot spots on the way home.
3. Axles overheating and burning everything down.-I took a laser thermometer with me and initial readings on the hubs got to 150 degrees, but finally settled in at about 120. No worries
4. Lighting-Fixed with $25 Tractor Supply trailer light kit.
Plans.
1. Just clean it up. Get rid of all the stakes.
2. New axle- 5 on 5 hubs with electric brakes to match the jeep.
3. New hitch. Torn here on what do do, but want to drop all the surge brake hardware with it's added weight.
4. Lighten it up in general. Get rid of all the non-essential "stuff"
5. Figure out a finish for it.
6. Seal up all the holes. It was a Comm trailer, so lots of electrical equipment must have been mounted inside.
7. put my welder to use and get a rack built for my RTT.
That's it for now. Just want to make it serviceable. Maybe eventually add pull outs, and enclose it, or make a topper for it. I have gathered way too many ideas on here and now am confused as there are so many things I like. I guess that is the fun part, figuring it all out.
I actually didn't expect to pick one up so soon, but gotta strike when the iron is hot, even when you don't necessarily have a plan yet.
So major worries when picking up as I had a 4.5 hour drive to get back:
1. Surge brakes locked up-ok, but actually don't work at all. Will not lock up in reverse,which was fine.
2. tires shot-they are, but held up. Held air well, and no hot spots on the way home.
3. Axles overheating and burning everything down.-I took a laser thermometer with me and initial readings on the hubs got to 150 degrees, but finally settled in at about 120. No worries
4. Lighting-Fixed with $25 Tractor Supply trailer light kit.
Plans.
1. Just clean it up. Get rid of all the stakes.
2. New axle- 5 on 5 hubs with electric brakes to match the jeep.
3. New hitch. Torn here on what do do, but want to drop all the surge brake hardware with it's added weight.
4. Lighten it up in general. Get rid of all the non-essential "stuff"
5. Figure out a finish for it.
6. Seal up all the holes. It was a Comm trailer, so lots of electrical equipment must have been mounted inside.
7. put my welder to use and get a rack built for my RTT.
That's it for now. Just want to make it serviceable. Maybe eventually add pull outs, and enclose it, or make a topper for it. I have gathered way too many ideas on here and now am confused as there are so many things I like. I guess that is the fun part, figuring it all out.
I actually didn't expect to pick one up so soon, but gotta strike when the iron is hot, even when you don't necessarily have a plan yet.