07 tacoma towing a M101A2

[dodecagon2000]

I have a 07 tacoma and i just got the oppertunity to buy a pretty mint M101A2 for cheap and i wanted some feedback on if this is to heavy and big to tow with my truck. I have a the 4.0L V6, 255/85/16's on stock gears, 886 coils, dakar leafs w/ firestone airbags. What do you think?

 

[highlandercj-7]

We just told a guy with a FS taco heck no. That be a double heck no for a lil taco.

 

[alosix]

I've pulled one with my TJ.

It was insane. But the deal was the guy that owned it would tow my at the time 'no brakes' M725 down to the shop if I drug the trailer. So I did.

Cars couldn't see my poor little jeep in front of it.

We lived, but I'm not sure how.

Edit: Whoops. I was talking about an M105 trailer (yeah that was insane)...

The size(shape really) and weight of a M101A2 probably still isn't good for a taco.

Jason

 

[dodecagon2000]

i just found out that the trailer has surge breaks, does that change anyone mind or am i just asking for it.

 

[highlandercj-7]

If you want to tow it around empty, you might be ok. Loaded no way and off road, well your not going to get to far. That trailer was towed by 1.25 ton trucks. It's roughly 1400lbs empty. Sorry here's the other thread I gues he has a lil taco too.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40617&highlight=m101

 

[dodecagon2000]

i called the place i was going to buy a landscape trailer from and a 6.5x10 landscape trailer with 24" mesh sides and a fold down gate weight 1100lbs empty. The new v6 tacos are rated at 3500lbs towing compacity. So my question is whats the big deal with towing this trailer. i mean it may be on the heavy side but its not like 4000lbs empty. Whats the weight of a adveture trailer? I'm now planing on wheeling the trailer at all. its mostly a work trailer.

 

[dodecagon2000]

AT horizon is 1100lbs empty

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

I notice that some people state over & over that the M101 is too heavy for Wranglers, Tacomas, etc. I agree about the tow rating facts. I think a lot of it depends on the intended use, and there is not one default answer for everyone - it depends on the type of offroad the user will be doing, without a doubt.

I wouldn't be scared to pull one around with my '05 Jeep Unlimited (also rated at 3500-lb. tow capacity), but I wouldn't plan on dragging it through 4-rated trails, either.

Just my $0.02.

Craig

 

[dodecagon2000]

I notice that some people state over & over that the M101 is too heavy for Wranglers, Tacomas, etc. I agree about the tow rating facts. I think a lot of it depends on the intended use, and there is not one default answer for everyone - it depends on the type of offroad the user will be doing, without a doubt.

I wouldn't be scared to pull one around with my '05 Jeep Unlimited (also rated at 3500-lb. tow capacity), but I wouldn't plan on dragging it through 4-rated trails, either.

Just my $0.02.

Craig

I agree and my intentions are not for trails, but where talking only 260lbs difference between a AT Horizon and a M101A2 empty weight and look at what people do with there horizons and even loaded to. I mean i hear everyone concern but i guess i am missing something about these trailers that everyone else knows.Some one please inform me on how my logic is wrong, i am slightly new to the whole offroad trailer concept, but i have towed my fare share of heavy material with my taco.

 

[alosix]

FWIW, here's a pic of one behind a tundra for scale:

If for some reason that doesn't work the post it came from is here:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2275477&postcount=34

To me, it looks a little big for the tundra (mostly too tall to hitch up right without some work). I'd think it might still be a little big (wide) for a taco.

Jason

 

[doc holiday]

That is a Tacoma just FYI

FWIW, here's a pic of one behind a tundra for scale:

If for some reason that doesn't work the post it came from is here:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2275477&postcount=34

To me, it looks a little big for the tundra (mostly too tall to hitch up right without some work). I'd think it might still be a little big (wide) for a taco.

Jason

 

[Joe's Toy]

That is a Tacoma just FYI

X2. Why would that little trailer be too much for a V6? Those V6s put down some power. Look at my little 22re. I won’t tackle any long grades but it towed around town very comfortably. I say you ask to give it a “test drive”.

 

[highlandercj-7]

You asked for an opinion. IMHO if you think it can handle it go for it. If you try it give us a report back on what you think. Short term and long term.

 

[panzer]

A taco "can" pull the M101A2 but the real question is do you want to.
It is not so much the weight but the size. The A2 and A3 variants were pulled by Humvee and are the same width.
With a M101 behind a Taco from behind you can't even see the truck.
When you go thru narrow places, turn corners, go down trails. All of this is going to be effected by the trailer width.

 

[WildSide]

I love military trailers for the price. They definitely need to go on a diet though, so consider it a starting point not a ready to run AT. Changing out the axle, hubs, wheels and tires is a huge weight difference alone (which I would consider a must do to have same lug pattern) but then slimming down the box width and adding fenders makes it a great size and quality trailer that you didn't have to fab from scratch. OR fab a new light weight box from the scrap. The lunette carrier can also be flipped to have it ride more level if you aren't lifted enough OR you can pull out some of the leafs when you swap the axle. I am part of the way done doing this with a pioneer tool trailer which has a different tub but same concept. I threw some temp cross bars on it for my tent and used for camping at Ironman, see pic. Now I am working on shortening the tub and making a lid. I am also going to add a rack above the tent for kayaks and add brakes in the future. I paid $400 for it from a guy on steelsoldiers and spent an extra $400 ish for axle, wheels, tires and new lights. Mine is 1100 lbs as pictured and should get lighter as I remove more of the tub. The scrap I sold was over 600 lbs so far just from the tub, not including the axle that I gave to a guy for free.

Edit* - My width matches my trucks width. I ordered the axle from ABC with this in mind.



Not for everyone, but a great starting point if you can find a real cheap of these medium sized mil trailers. Most seem to be selling for reasonable prices on gov liq and a little higher resell so it would be tough to build this quality of a trailer for the price. Side note, don't grind or sand that chemical resistant paint on them without a respirator, it is not friendly stuff. I recommend having it blasted.

An M105 like was referenced above, no that won't work. I had an M35A2 and that was a good combo. :smiley_drive: