M101A2 Offroad trailer

[SilveradoHD]

I am just getting into the Expedition hobby, and yes I know most of you would probably say it is a lifestyle not a hobby. I am looking at getting one of the 3/4 ton miliary trailers and building it into an offroad trailer. I like the fact that they share an 8 lug bolt pattern with my truck so I can have matching wheels and simplifies the issue of carying spares of different sizes. I can also work them into my rotation if I decide it is best. I also like the larger size. I have a 3/4 ton HD pickup so I am not as concerned about the weight. They seem to be very plentiful and can be picked up cheap. I know that most of my travel and camping over the next year will be limited to primarily highway travel and little offroad by comparison. I live in central IL so there is a large drive to get anywere Expo worthy. In the past we just camped at campgrounds and I filled the back of my truck with all of the gear, but then seemed to limit my Lab's space in the bed. He prefers to rid in the back and before I get any negative comments I have a cable that secures him so he can not jump or fall out.

My plans for the trailer include:

- Hummer wheels to match my truck
- duel batteries with solor charger
- custom cover to hold bikes, kyacks, or rooftop tent
- bracket to hold spare tire
- Fresh water cans with brackets
- Fire Extinguisher
- converter to 110 power
- mounted hi-lift jack
- mounted shovel and ax
- Fuel cans and brackets
- LP tanks (2 mounted)
- Storage for kitchen items
- bulk storage for tents, chairs, and all other camping equipment

If possible please post some pics of trailer builds off of the big brother of the Jeep trailers I see so many of on the forums. I am very new to this and would also welcome any feedback on if I should or should not use this as a base for my offroad camping trailer. Remember that due to the size of my 2500HD crew cab Silverado I will not be doing any extreme offroading. My funds are limited currently so cost is a factor, but like the though of building so I can use it as I customize it and add the goodies I want.

 

[Expedition Key]

Welcome Silverado, I don't have any pics of the M101A2 built, but I've been researching them a bit and they seem like a great platform for a fullsize truck.
They are starting to hit the auctions hard, expect the prices to come down.

Kye

 

[elmo_4_vt]

They only thing to keep in mind is that the lug pattern and tire size can be replicated on any trailer with a pretty low cost, relatively. So it's not necessary to make that part of your decision process. I think form and function of the trailer should be the higher priority. Then, if you still come to a trailer that has matching hubs and wheels, that your that much better, but you don't need to make sacrifices elsewhere.

-

 

[tropics]

Hi Silverado,
I have a M101A1 which I use for general hauling, camping etc. Its a great trailer, I can fit all the kitchen equipment for our camping, two large gas grills, burners, pop ups, coolers, tables, etc.... with no problem. I changed the mililtary axl to a new "standard" trailer axl with a 6 on 5.5 bolt pattern to match my truck. Easy change, also much lighter than the military one on there now. Attached a before and after pic of the trailer.
Mahalo
tropics

 

[MikeW]

Hi Tropics,

Is that a bent pintle I spy on the "after" photos of your trailer? Any better photos or info available?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[tropics]

Hey Mike,
The lunette does have a bend in it but I believe its so that it can be flipped to allow for adjusting depending on the height of the vehicles pintle. Details on the trailer are it has a high lift jack mounted with quick fists, a Wedco water can and gas can, a propane tank mounted, it has been spraylined on the bed interior, the body has been sand blasted and epoxy primed, all the lights and wiring redone with led lights, Nose box added and the most important piece of equipment added to the nose box.....the bottle opener. :sombrero: I attached one more pic of the suspension, thats about it for now for this one. I'm currently rebuilding a M416 I picked up a couple months ago, as they say, why stop at one trailer

 

[MikeW]

Silverado - going to take my questions to another thread to avoid hijacking yours further. Those bigger trailers look nice!
Tropics - I'm about to post a new thread about this. Would appreciate your input.

 

[rickc]

check this link:

http://www.hummernetworkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=219432&highlight=m101

 

[SilveradoHD]

Welcome Silverado, I don't have any pics of the M101A2 built, but I've been researching them a bit and they seem like a great platform for a fullsize truck.
They are starting to hit the auctions hard, expect the prices to come down.

Kye

Thanks for the welcome. I have seen a lot of these hitting the military surplus. The prices aren't bad because they are not nearly as wanted as the smaller trailers so that works out perfectly for me and what I need.

 

[SilveradoHD]

Hi Silverado,
I have a M101A1 which I use for general hauling, camping etc. Its a great trailer, I can fit all the kitchen equipment for our camping, two large gas grills, burners, pop ups, coolers, tables, etc.... with no problem. I changed the mililtary axl to a new "standard" trailer axl with a 6 on 5.5 bolt pattern to match my truck. Easy change, also much lighter than the military one on there now. Attached a before and after pic of the trailer.
Mahalo
tropics

Great looking trailer. That is very close to what I was thinking. My Silverado is black so I was going to have it painted or powdercoated to match. Just a great looking trailer, and I want to thank you for the pics because it has convenced me that I am on the right path for my purpose. This will be great to use with my truck and at a time when I can afford a dedicated expo vehicle I will look into building a smaller trailer. Who needs garage space anyway. Is there a forum which follows your build?

 

[tropics]

Hi Silverado,
Sorry, I didnt take too many pictures when I did the build of the trailer so no build thread. Good luck with your build, the M101 is a great trailer, it is large but amazingly we still fill it up full when we go camping. I can see how the M416 would be too small for the type of outings we do. Shoot me a pm if you want to see some of the other pics I took during the build, nothing worth posting since there are so many other great builds from the other members.

Mahalo
Tropics

 

[SilveradoHD]

Hi Silverado,
Sorry, I didnt take too many pictures when I did the build of the trailer so no build thread. Good luck with your build, the M101 is a great trailer, it is large but amazingly we still fill it up full when we go camping. I can see how the M416 would be too small for the type of outings we do. Shoot me a pm if you want to see some of the other pics I took during the build, nothing worth posting since there are so many other great builds from the other members.

Mahalo
Tropics

That sounds great, I would love to see what pics you do have of the build and the final product. I will be in touch.

 

[SilveradoHD]

I do have some good news to report. I have decided that the 101A2 is the perfect platform for what I am wanting to build. The fact that I have a 3/4 ton truck and need the room for my camping gear made my final decision, along with some good information that I have been given on this thread. I have one in my site and hope the auction goes the way I want. Either way, at least I know the direction I am going. I am hoping to get it in the next week and get to work getting it registered here in IL and a few minor things done. Then I will be able to get some use out of it and work on it between camping trips getting it how I want it. I figure by next spring I will have a nice trailer so I can start some real expeditions. Thanks again everyone and I hope to see you out on the trail.