Opinions Please on a possible starting point.

[TheGillz]

http://boise.craigslist.org/for/589421381.html

Check this out and tell me if you think this might be a good price and place to start to customize for an Expo trailer. Maybe new axle if needed and reenforcments and what not, but looks like a nice starting point.

 

[Martyn]

Buy a military trailer.

The problem with small utility trailers is the welding is sloppy, there is no reinforcement, and they fall apart under heavy off road usage.

If you want to make the military trailer more conducive to Expedition travel switch out the leaf springs, or do an AT trailing arm conversion.

 

[rmarz]

The Gillz,
I’ll have to agree with Martyn.

As the owner of a utility trailer that I have been using off road with a roof top tent, I am already seeing several welds fail. Your use I suppose will determine how long a utility trailer will last under different conditions but from my experience if the trailer is not built for the intended use it is less reliable.

However, for $750 a lot of upgrades could be made and still be relatively affordable.

Good luck with the project.

 

[mjm]

For $750 you should be able to find an M416 in decent shape. That trailer would make a better start than this one.

 

[Robert Bills]

I agree, start with a US M416 or a CDN M101. The avg. going rate for an M416 in "OK" condition is about $750. You will want new bearings and seals, also new tires, but you will want to replace those parts no matter what used trailer you start with. (Bearings, etc. are inexpensive and cheap insurance. I won't use old tires on a trailer. They may hold air, but any tire that has been sitting 5 or more years has "dried out" and is a failure waiting to happen. I like to start fresh so I know what I have.)

After that, the sky is the limit.

 

[TheGillz]

Thanks for the frank reply's guys. I have a military supply place with tons of trailers for sale not too far from here. I will see what they have. What are you all doing for kitchens in the military trailer set ups? I would love to see some pics with one that has been fully outfitted with tent attatched and the like. I am trying to stay in the 3k range including RTT. I am very handy but have a lack of tools. Thank you for your added input.

 

[mjm]

What are you all doing for kitchens in the military trailer set ups?

This sort of leads to a sacred subject...tailgates. In the military vehicle circles, cutting a tailgate into a military trailer is a sin. The reality is they are nice to have. Chuck boxes can get heavy to lift over the sides of the trailer.

The rubber on my original M416 wheels is over 17 years old. Each tire looks like new, but I would not put the trailer on the highway with them.

I hope you find exactly what you are hunting for.

 

[Robert Bills]

Here is a military T-1 (M100 variant) for sale near Sacramento CA ($850):

http://www.g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=113413&sid=6fc5a8ec1221f6ff36a0e786a5f5ecc7

There is a Bantam T3-C (civilian, with tailgate) near Lake Arrowhead CA ($1,250 obo), on the Yahoo Bantam group site:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/BantamTrailer/?yguid=21823071

There is also an M416 listed in the For Sale forum here (In Florida, $750).

 

[TheGillz]

I went out there today and they were closed but have a website, they have m101's aren't they the 3/4 ton ones? I saw a couple trailers out there today and they looked too big. I guess they get new ones from time to time and I'll keep my eye out.

I would still like to see pics of a military trailer with a RTT on it. If anyone has one.

 

[greenhorn]

These aren't mine, just pics I have collected over time. If these are any of ya'lls, insert drooling smilie dude here.

 

[Robert Bills]

Here is a military T-1 (M100 variant) for sale near Sacramento CA ($850):

http://www.g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=113413&sid=6fc5a8ec1221f6ff36a0e786a5f5ecc7

This trailer sold the first day it was listed.

 

[Robert Bills]

[A]ren't [M101s] the 3/4 ton ones?

The US M101 is a 3/4 ton trailer. The CDN M101 is a 1/4 ton trailer similar in dimensons to the US M416.

This trailer, pictured above, is a CDN M101:

 

[TheGillz]

idahomotorpool.com is the place I went too. They have a few M101a1's that I think are too large. But we'll see. they were closed when I went out there yesterday so I'll have to go back Wed. and see what they look like.

 

[Robert Bills]

The M101A1 is a 3/4 ton trailer designed to be towed by an M37 or Humvee. Too large for an expedition trailer.

Looks like this:

You might ask Idaho Motorpool if they have any US M416 or CDN M101 trailers. And keep your eyes open. They do turn up.

 

[Robert Bills]

Here's another M416 for sale in West Virginia, $750:

http://www.g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=97934&sid=a28995e4d1138ba0b9d285f674abde22

There always seems to be no shortage of them when you're not looking, or thousands of miles away when you are.

I'm sure one will turn up within a reasonable distance of Idaho.