Input Requested...

[aires35]

If you read the title and thought that this thread was a solicitation for sex, you're mistaken and move along please...

I feel a little like the dog that caught the car. I was out bid weeks ago for a US M101A2 trailer but found out last night I actually won. I am going to be modifying this trailer for family camping and am very impressed by the fabrication taking place on some of these build threads!

So here's the question... What equipment is suggested for a project like this? I have a stick welder (no good for aluminum), but have been considering a Hobart Handler 140 (uses gas or flux), also looking at a Hobart Airforce 250ci Plasma Cutter.

Any critiques to above, suggestions, whatever, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Doug

 

[Doin_It]

That's a huge question...............you wouldn't ask or say "I'm looking for a girlfriend, should she be red, yellow, black, or white, fat or skinny" Maybe, you could I guess, at least there are some options with that line of questions. You've got to give a few more guide lines as to useage, expectations etc etc.

 

[Borrego60]

Start with what you said,I want to use it for family camping.What do you take,needs,equipment ect? Same hitch? ect.

 

[matt s]

before spending the cash to get a more versatile welder you might read up on strength to weight of steel vs aluminum in terms of structural design.

While I am no expert, there are many people who claim that by the time you have used enough aluminum to make it as strong as steel you are just as heavy (and bulkier) than if you had just used steel in the first place.

OR just ignore this and go out and get some cool new toys!!!

 

[shogun]

Keep in mind the big picture first. This trailer is generally too large for light vehicles, perhaps a full-size pickup is (barely) OK. Sure, I use one with my Jeep, but in controlled, highway, easy pulls.

The good thing about mil trailers is they are strong and wont break a wheel like the home depot happy trailers you see on the roadside all the time. The bad thing is due to the strength there is a temptation to overload them. They gross out well before they bulk out. The 101 is rated at 1500 #, which happens pretty quickly.

One suggestion is to take it to a spring shop and have them add one more leaf (or rebuild the entire pack if well worn). This will increase the load a little, but keep in mind that the knee bone is connected to the shin bone. Increasing the spring load adds more load to the axle, so theres no free lunch. I've run as much as 2 tons in one, but not so much as a pot holed road, no less off-road.

Another consideration is a spare tire. IIRC, the oem is a true "split-rim", so you wont find a tire shop easily to work on it when you're out and about. Sometimes Niagra surplus has tire carriers, and locate a spare.

Overall, you're gonna have to keep it light.

 

[greg mgm]

I've owned a Hobart Handler for about 8 years and it's a great machine. Reliable as can be. IMO, you may want something more HD if you weld hitch material.

If you read the title and thought that this thread was a solicitation for sex, you're mistaken and move along please...

I feel a little like the dog that caught the car. I was out bid weeks ago for a US M101A2 trailer but found out last night I actually won. I am going to be modifying this trailer for family camping and am very impressed by the fabrication taking place on some of these build threads!

So here's the question... What equipment is suggested for a project like this? I have a stick welder (no good for aluminum), but have been considering a Hobart Handler 140 (uses gas or flux), also looking at a Hobart Airforce 250ci Plasma Cutter.

Any critiques to above, suggestions, whatever, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Doug

 

[Trail100]

To weld aluminum with the Hobart 140 you need a spool gun and controller, which basically doubles the cost of that welder. That being said, I have one and love it for lighter duty work, like stated, thick materials need a 220 machine or your stick welder. As far as the Airforce 250 I've been considering one of these as well, the idea of having one less hose on the floor while fabricating would be a definite bonus.

 

[aires35]

I appreciate all the input. Gonna get info a different route and thanks again to all those who replied.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Keep in mind the big picture first. This trailer is generally too large for light vehicles, perhaps a full-size pickup is (barely) OK. Sure, I use one with my Jeep, but in controlled, highway, easy pulls.

I still don't get these kinds of comments. My M101A3 weights 1240 lbs. WITH the side rails, bows and top (obviously less without). It pulls nicely behind my 2005 Jeep LJ (3500-lb. tow rating). I guess if you're talking about a lesser tow rating, I get it. However, I'm happy with mine behind my LJ. "Intended use" is probably the biggest variable.

aires35 - Congrats on the purchase. Do a search for my build thread, and it may give you some ideas/input. I'm very happy with my 110V Millermatic 135 MIG welder. It has served me well. I have no desire to use a stick welder after having used a MIG for years.

Craig

 

[Titanpat57]

I still don't get these kinds of comments. My M101A3 weights 1240 lbs. WITH the side rails, bows and top (obviously less without). It pulls nicely behind my 2005 Jeep LJ (3500-lb. tow rating). I guess if you're talking about a lesser tow rating, I get it. However, I'm happy with mine behind my LJ. "Intended use" is probably the biggest variable.

aires35 - Congrats on the purchase. Do a search for my build thread, and it may give you some ideas/input. I'm very happy with my 110V Millermatic 135 MIG welder. It has served me well. I have no desire to use a stick welder after having used a MIG for years.

Craig

Right on! Great trailer with loads of possibilities...although weaving between trees and rocks at Moab or the Rubicon ain't one of em! I think it's a nice, heavy duty base to start with.

Here's a link that may help shed some light on the M101A2

http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_m101_trailer.php

 

[cigarluvr]

I've been building my trailer from scratch using a Lincoln 135 and a recently purchased Miller Spectrum Xtreme 375 Plasma Cutter. I have found that the 135 is getting a bit small for what I plan on doing to my trailer and my Jeep but the PC is an absolutely amazing machine. Granted it is at the higher end of the small PC price, but it definately performs to that standard. Take a look at it...

BTW...if you have access to a 220v outlet, by a 220v welder or you'll be kicking yourself in the butt!

 

[aires35]

Thank you and looking up your build thread as soon as I finish typing this!

 

[JPK]

I like the M101's. The small 416's and Canadian 101's are just too small for my uses.

BTW, the M101 is rated for 1500lbs CROSS COUNTRY. Not just off road but cross country, as in go from here to there as the Army advances no matter what the terrain or what is in the way. I'll double check the plates on one of mine tomorrow, but I recall offhand that the M101's are rated for 2250lbs on road. And that is on any road, including a gravel road or two track (will check the plate for the Army definition of "road" tomorrow.) In my opinion, that puts the weight rating for even harder core trails north of 1500lbs and for expedition type use nearer 2000lbs.

Also, I think the M 116 A3 chasis, with the Hummer matching drop axles, which some M101 A2's come with, might carry a stouter axle than the M116 A1 chasis's under the M101 A1 trailers.

I'm fitting out an M101 A2 trailer that came with the M116 A3 chasis. You can get to 1500lbs with an Aluminum cover with built in tool/storage boxes, between the wells six foot bed slide, 6x 5gal cans, 35gal poly watertank, a spare, 60qt Engel, two RTT's, modest kitchen facilities including stove and grill, 2x 20lb propane tanks and an Old Town canoe. Fully loaded with beer, food, fuel, water, clothes, etc, and you are at 2250lbs. But you are set for a damn long time fully loaded.

 

[aires35]

I really appreciate your post. Living in Texas and owning a Tundra, most of my camping with the trailer will be poor grated roads like those in Big Bend NP. Wont be doing the Rubicon in a Tundra Crewmax period, let alone while towing an M101!

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[JPK]

The cross country, unlimited usage payload capacity of the M116 A3 trailer frame, with the surge brake, with the M101 box mounted is 1785lbs. 89.25% of a ton, cross country, over any ground your willing to try.

The box itself weighs 575lbs, and its hell built for stout.

Like you Aires35, I don't see completing the Rubicon with the trailer hitched, but it sure would be nice to come back to a comfortable base camp, with a cold beer, hot shower, BBQ grill and a thick air matress.

JPK