Gov't Mule - M101A3 multipurpose trailer build

[Scoutman]

Some of the hitch extension...

 

[Scoutman]

Here's our simple solution to making the tailgate a usable horizontal platform without cutting the chains. I cut some short pieces of pipe and welded them to the side of the tailgate so the hooks would slide in. Works perfectly. :elkgrin:

 

[Mark Harley]

Nice job on the tongue extension It looks good!
Great idea on the tailgate pins too!
Were you not able to find any matching ram rims?

 

[RagnarD]

Clever tailgate fix. I still am not a fan of the mil pins for keeping the tailgate closed because mine tended to walk out while flapping in the wind at freeway speeds. Be careful standing on that tailgate though, its just sheet metal holding all the weight.

Tongue looks really nice. Good looking welds as well. I like how you kept the mil landing leg and safety chains. What size rectangle tubing is that?

 

[406expo]

I have the same trailer and am stealing your idea to make the tailgate useable! Thank you, very simple mod and endlessly practical

 

[Scoutman]

Nice job on the tongue extension It looks good!
Great idea on the tailgate pins too!
Were you not able to find any matching ram rims?

Thanks Mark. I had bought these H2 wheels for my IH Scout II but since I won't need them for a while I figured I'd use them for this in the mean time. I used a router to open the center hub hole up so it would fit my truck, trailer, and axles that are going under my Scout. If I find a set of Dodge wheels for cheap I'd grab them but these work pretty nice. I was afraid that the ~2" less backspacing compared to the H1 wheels was going to push them out too much but it worked out about right.

 

[Scoutman]

Clever tailgate fix. I still am not a fan of the mil pins for keeping the tailgate closed because mine tended to walk out while flapping in the wind at freeway speeds. Be careful standing on that tailgate though, its just sheet metal holding all the weight.

Tongue looks really nice. Good looking welds as well. I like how you kept the mil landing leg and safety chains. What size rectangle tubing is that?

Thanks. I haven't driven this on the road enough to have any issues with the chains/pins coming out. I know it has to be clocked a certain way to remove.

I noticed the sheetmetal on the tailgate. I put the pipes close to the radius at the edge of the tailgate to get as much strength as possible. If I have any issues with the metal bending, I can always reinforce the edge with flat bar or angle to distribute the load more. I notice when standing on the gate that the skin flexes a little. I suppose you could cut a sheet of diamond tread to stiffen it up if needed. I typically step on one of the sides if I need to get in it.

I think the tubing is 2.5"x5". It was sort of an odd size but it's what I found at the steel yard. Honestly it's beef overkill compared to the A frame of the trailer. I notched the tube so it had a 'backbone' and wasn't just face welded to the jack bracket. If I were to do it again I'd probably use 2x4. The height of the adjustable hitch is set so that I could pull it with our XJ but mostly it'll be pulled by the Dodge. Next trailer work day I'll figure out a front box/rack.

 

[jeep10jim]

Thanks Mark. I had bought these H2 wheels for my IH Scout II but since I won't need them for a while I figured I'd use them for this in the mean time. I used a router to open the center hub hole up so it would fit my truck, trailer, and axles that are going under my Scout. If I find a set of Dodge wheels for cheap I'd grab them but these work pretty nice. I was afraid that the ~2" less backspacing compared to the H1 wheels was going to push them out too much but it worked out about right.

What size tire are you running on the H2 rims? I am thinking about selling my rims/tires that came on my M101A3 I got last month and using the H2 rims and some decent tires. That way I can try to use something close to what I have on my Jeep J20. The J20 has 16x10 rims, going to see how much they stick out, so maybe the H2's will work for the trailer. Thanks.

 

[Scoutman]

What size tire are you running on the H2 rims? I am thinking about selling my rims/tires that came on my M101A3 I got last month and using the H2 rims and some decent tires. That way I can try to use something close to what I have on my Jeep J20. The J20 has 16x10 rims, going to see how much they stick out, so maybe the H2's will work for the trailer. Thanks.

The tires are a 305-70-17 Nitto Terra Grappler. They're the same size as what's on my truck. I have run 2 sets of these tires on the truck and get about 45k miles before I take them off with tread remaining so I can use them as truck spares or projects like this trailer. I'm due for another set now.

Too bad you're on the west coast, I'd do some trading with you for another couple of 101 tires/rims. :sombrero:

 

[RagnarD]

The tailgate itself is fine strength wise. I stand on mine all the time. The weak point is where the tailgate chain attaches to the sheet metal handle for the locking pin and where the handle attaches to the pin itself.

 

[Scoutman]

I'll keep an eye on those parts.

 

[jeep10jim]

The tires are a 305-70-17 Nitto Terra Grappler. They're the same size as what's on my truck. I have run 2 sets of these tires on the truck and get about 45k miles before I take them off with tread remaining so I can use them as truck spares or projects like this trailer. I'm due for another set now.

Too bad you're on the west coast, I'd do some trading with you for another couple of 101 tires/rims. :sombrero:

Thanks for the info. I will look around and see what I can find, then will make a decision about selling my wheels/tires. There are a few people on the left coast looking for them

 

[mattjaro]

i like your thread and i like your idea for the tong. hope you dont mind if i take that idea when i modify mine and eliminate the hydralic pindle hitch assemply.

not sure where this information would be found but does anyone know what the hubface for the axle is? i want to replace my stock axle assembly when i take my hitch off so that i can match the hub pattern on my truck. have them all be uniform.

any information would be appreciated. thanks.

 

[Scoutman]

i like your thread and i like your idea for the tong. hope you dont mind if i take that idea when i modify mine and eliminate the hydralic pindle hitch assemply.

not sure where this information would be found but does anyone know what the hubface for the axle is? i want to replace my stock axle assembly when i take my hitch off so that i can match the hub pattern on my truck. have them all be uniform.

any information would be appreciated. thanks.

Thanks and copy away.
The hub bolt pattern is 8 on 6.5" which is standard dodge, early ford, and most chevy patterns. Late fords have a metric pattern. I'm not sure what the WMS-WMS dimension is. (wheel mount surface). It's bound to be on the web somewhere.

 

[Scoutman]

Good camping weather is right around the corner and one of the things I want to use the trailer for is hauling Cub Scout equipment for camping trips. One thing I thought of was a flag pole. Anyone have any good ideas here?

I don't want the flag pole to go in a stake pocket cause the sides or bows may be in them. I was thinking of a pivot point with an 6-8' section of 1.75" tubing attached and have a piece of 1.5" tubing slipped inside to telescope up. One for each side would be nice.