Wanted in Washington State (or bordering states) - 3/4 Ton Military Trailer

[DrakeSF2K]

I'm new to this forum and thank you to the mods for supporting such a great resource! Here's a shot of my 1997 Lexus LX450.

1. 1997 LX450
2. Yeti Cruiser LX
3. 175K Miles
4. Mods:
   -OME J Spring Lift
   -OME L Series Shocks
   -315/75/16 Goodyear MTRs on Procomp Steelies
   -ARB Air Lockers Front/Rear
   -ARB HO Compressor
   -4:88 gears
   -DC Fab Dual Swing Out Rear Bumper
   -Trail Gear Front Bumper
   -Smittybilt 9500lbs Winch
   -Factor 55 flatlink
   -Custom Rack
   -Outpost Sliders
   -Touch screen DVD player
   -Terrain Tamers Drilled and slotted front rotors
   -Terrain Tamers 100 series pads
   -Home built sleeping platform to fit short queen mattress
5. How the truck is used - Overlander, weekend crawler, grocery-go-getter, and dump runner

I really like the idea of the M101A2, but I'm having a hard time finding one so I thought I'd reach out here first. Stock is fine. Even better if it has electric brakes and 12V lighting. Color doesn't really matter, but it would be great if it came with a canvas top and there's something about sandstone that I find appealing, especially when I imagine it towed behind my white/gold LX450. If you have something you're itching to get rid of in or near Washington, please let me know.

I'm also open to suggestions for alternatives, but I definitely don't want a tiny M416 or a heavy M105. Would consider M1101/M1102, but only if it's really nicely priced. I would also consider something in a more civilian category, if it's done right. I am ready to buy now as we're preparing for an overland trip through Washington to Yellowstone in July. Will need plenty of time to prepare the trailer with everything we need. My budget maxes out at $3K and I am not willing to spend a penny more at this point.

 

[Ovrlnd Rd]

Check out SteelSoldiers.com. You can place a "wanted" ad there and more likely to get a hit quicker.

 

[DrakeSF2K]

Check out SteelSoldiers.com. You can place a "wanted" ad there and more likely to get a hit quicker.

Thanks for the tip! I had every intention of posting there, but they just made posting a classified FS or Want ad a 'premium' feature and I'm honestly not interested in paying $15 for a year of membership just to ask if somebody has something available. I have checked their FS forum and nothing is available there today.

Update: I just went back to the SS classified to give it another shot and they have a separate Wanted section that I didn't see before. I am posting there today. Thanks again for the tip!

 

[Ovrlnd Rd]

Oh here in case you missed it:

FS M101A2 Trailer $2400 Overland ready, new axle, tent rack, bed cover, 2" hitch,

Well my type of travel will be changing over the next few years as such I will not be using this trailer. To start the tents that are pictured are sold and not included, I have included the pictures so you can see how two tents had been mounted. This trailer started life as a M101A2 with a...

www.expeditionportal.com

 

[DrakeSF2K]

Oh here in case you missed it:

FS M101A2 Trailer $2400 Overland ready, new axle, tent rack, bed cover, 2" hitch,

Well my type of travel will be changing over the next few years as such I will not be using this trailer. To start the tents that are pictured are sold and not included, I have included the pictures so you can see how two tents had been mounted. This trailer started life as a M101A2 with a...

www.expeditionportal.com

That one is super sweet and I really wish it was closer. I'm in Washington State, but if I was on the East coast, I'd probably drive up and get it today.

 

[DrakeSF2K]

Found an awesome M101A3 about 3 hours from my house! It's been inspected and well maintained mechanically and it was recently sandblasted, powder coated (where applicable) and painted correctly. It also has a brand new top. A little concerned about the 20 year old military tires, but they don't show any signs of cracking and there is zero wear. I'll definitely pick up a spare before taking it out on a long trip. The other huge advantage is that this one is actually titled and registered in Washington State. I talked to a bunch of people with trailers and none were titled in the previous state. Washington is weird about this. If you bring in an untitled military trailer with or without SF97, the DMV told me the state will not title it for road use. The only way they will is if it has a title from another state. This is what I was told on the phone and it may or may not be gospel, but it was enough to convince me to wait on a better option.

I towed this behind my '97 LX450 and barely noticed it behind me, except when climbing some of the hills on I5. Dropped out of OD then, but never to 2nd. It tows so much better than a U-Haul trailer. Can't wait to take it out with us on some of our camping trips and our major Yellowstone trip later this summer.

 

[Ovrlnd Rd]

Looks like a nice score. Good luck with the build.

 

[VanWaLife]

This is what I was told on the phone and it may or may not be gospel, but it was enough to convince me to wait on a better option.

That's bad info, but the titling process is a little bit of a bummer. Currently in the 3 year waiting period to get my M101A2 titled in WA with a bill of sale, but a plate is pretty easy to get. First you go to the DMV, they give you a green light to set up an appointment with the state patrol. State patrol verifies the "VIN" (in the case of these military trailers that will likely be a "serial no"), makes sure it isn't flagged as stolen. Then you go back to DMV and get a plate. Then you have to wait for three years to give anyone an opportunity to dispute ownership, then you get a title.

So you avoided a paperwork headache getting a titled trailer...just wanted to post this to clarify it is possible.

 

[DrakeSF2K]

That's bad info, but the titling process is a little bit of a bummer. Currently in the 3 year waiting period to get my M101A2 titled in WA with a bill of sale, but a plate is pretty easy to get. First you go to the DMV, they give you a green light to set up an appointment with the state patrol. State patrol verifies the "VIN" (in the case of these military trailers that will likely be a "serial no"), makes sure it isn't flagged as stolen. Then you go back to DMV and get a plate. Then you have to wait for three years to give anyone an opportunity to dispute ownership, then you get a title.

So you avoided a paperwork headache getting a titled trailer...just wanted to post this to clarify it is possible.

View attachment 569834View attachment 569835

Thanks for confirming. Like I said, it's what the DMV told me, but I wasn't 100% sold on the idea. I've seen way too many of these running around Washington for it to be that difficult. Still glad I got a title and plate, though.

 

[VanWaLife]

Yeah, actually I think I salivated over the one you bought on craigslist quite a bit. Hey have you figured out a good way to get the front foot down/up safely when the trailer is loaded? I've been using my hi-lift, which is pretty hazardous. Not sure if there is a trick or not...if I don't figure something out I'll probably end up replacing the foot with some sort of trailer jack.

 

[DrakeSF2K]

Yeah, actually I think I salivated over the one you bought on craigslist quite a bit. Hey have you figured out a good way to get the front foot down/up safely when the trailer is loaded? I've been using my hi-lift, which is pretty hazardous. Not sure if there is a trick or not...if I don't figure something out I'll probably end up replacing the foot with some sort of trailer jack.

Haven't run into that problem, yet. There's not a lot of weight on the tongue when empty, but I think I'll probably do the same and use a hi lift if push comes to shove. Maybe drag around a block of wood to put under it. My truck sits at 28" at the hitch, so not as many issues as there would be on a standard height hitch with all the weight slung forward.

 

[Ovrlnd Rd]

I recommend getting a bolt on, swivel trailer jack with a wheeled foot. That way you're able to move it around in the driveway while it's disconnected and, like VanWaLife mentioned, it gets heavy when loaded so you're not risking your back trying to lift it off the hitch. I've had many military trailers (from a M101, M1102, and up to a fully loaded MKT-90 kitchen trailer) and they're always more user friendly with a tongue jack.

 

[Dextari]

Found an awesome M101A3 about 3 hours from my house! It's been inspected and well maintained mechanically and it was recently sandblasted, powder coated (where applicable) and painted correctly. It also has a brand new top. A little concerned about the 20 year old military tires, but they don't show any signs of cracking and there is zero wear. I'll definitely pick up a spare before taking it out on a long trip. The other huge advantage is that this one is actually titled and registered in Washington State. I talked to a bunch of people with trailers and none were titled in the previous state. Washington is weird about this. If you bring in an untitled military trailer with or without SF97, the DMV told me the state will not title it for road use. The only way they will is if it has a title from another state. This is what I was told on the phone and it may or may not be gospel, but it was enough to convince me to wait on a better option.

I towed this behind my '97 LX450 and barely noticed it behind me, except when climbing some of the hills on I5. Dropped out of OD then, but never to 2nd. It tows so much better than a U-Haul trailer. Can't wait to take it out with us on some of our camping trips and our major Yellowstone trip later this summer.

Exciting stuff, I got myself one last year stock on craigslist and looking for inspiration to modify. Currently I have a CVT roof top tent mounted, used it twice on camping trips and considering switching the surge breaks and pintle hook hitch: a bit of a pain to back into camp sites with it. Would love to exchange ideas. checkout @bunduoverland on instagram

 

[DrakeSF2K]

Exciting stuff, I got myself one last year stock on craigslist and looking for inspiration to modify. Currently I have a CVT roof top tent mounted, used it twice on camping trips and considering switching the surge breaks and pintle hook hitch: a bit of a pain to back into camp sites with it. Would love to exchange ideas. checkout @bunduoverland on instagram

I'm going to leave mine stock as it came with full canvas in perfect condition. My LX450 is set up for sleeping with short queen memory foam if it's just me or if I bring a buddy or a kiddo. When we go full camp with the wife and kids, we use a large multi-room ground tent. While I completely appreciate and understand the desire for a rooftop tent, there's something about them that bothers me. Mostly, it's that I can't imagine how they ever really dry out and I'm worried about mold.

Regarding brakes, I haven't had any problem backing up, even up a slight grade in gravel. Haven't tried this trailer off road, yet, but you can lock out the hydraulic brakes with a pin. I think I'd leave it enabled while running trails and then manually lock it out if I the brakes engage when backing up. M101's were phasing out when I joined the Army in '94, but as far as I know the same principle applies to M1101 braking systems. We used to back those up on trails all the time.

 

[DrakeSF2K]

Haven't run into that problem, yet. There's not a lot of weight on the tongue when empty, but I think I'll probably do the same and use a hi lift if push comes to shove. Maybe drag around a block of wood to put under it. My truck sits at 28" at the hitch, so not as many issues as there would be on a standard height hitch with all the weight slung forward.

My trailer actually came with the adjustable tongue jack, but it's damaged so I'm replacing with an aftermarket unit with a wheel.