Is a M416 or M101 CDN right for me?

[Undefined]

I'm looking for a trailer to use with the 100 Series I will be buying soon. I've been looking at M416 or M101 CDN (1/4 ton, not the 3/4 ton US M101). My goal is to find something appropriate for the following conditions:

• Hauling mulch/top soil/gravel/etc. from Home Depot or Lowes or the local garden supply places for home improvement projects
• Carrying scuba gear (tanks, backplates/wings, wetsuits, etc) to and from domestic dive sites
• Carrying cooler / camping supplies for camping trips in the area
• Extra capacity for ammo, steel targets and stands for shooting events
• (When my son gets older) room to carry sporting goods (soccer balls, football gear, etc)
• Picking up things like appliances at local big box store (new freezer or washer type purchases)
• Tailgating or other festivities

If I got one, I'd love to get it striped, painted black (to match LC), bedlined, and to add a box on the front and jerry can holders to the sides. I am not an extreme offroading or expedition type, so no water tanks and RTT for me. I would like to find a cover of some type to keep things dry. I'd also like to have the wheels and tires match the LC, if that is possible (might involve changing out axles from what I've read). I'm trying to pick out something small enough to keep in the third bay of my garage without taking up the entire third bay.



With a budget of $2k - $3.5k, am I looking in the right or wrong direction?

ETA: I also intend on having a tailgate added to any trailer that lacks one.

 

[Skillet]

either one sounds a little small for you needs, particularly hauling landscaping stuff and appliances.

 

[Undefined]

either one sounds a little small for you needs, particularly hauling landscaping stuff and appliances.

It looks like it would handle a yard of dirt/mulch or a washing machine just fine.

 

[Living in the Past]

In stock form neither has a tailgate. Not a plus when loading large heavy items or removing dirt/mulch. Sides are pretty low for a taller appliances. I have a couple 1/4 trailers I use all the time but also have a M101A1. In general I use my M416 to haul stuff between tow home. The larger trailer gets all the dirt jobs. Paid under $200 for the M101A1 which was under half of what the 1/4 ton cost. The M101A1 is a higher trailer making it harder to load heavy items. In your case some other type of utility trailer might be a better option. If your not looking to drag it around off road no real reason to go military.

 

[Undefined]

Light offroading is pretty much a requirement (light as in dirt roads, quarries, and on rolling farm land and crossing streams getting to shooting or camping sites).

 

[Brentbba]

As stated - stock form, no tailgate. Several have added a tailgate, but it's pretty narrow. I was quoted around $600 to cut in a tailgate on my M101 CDN. I'd think a 1/4 ton would be fine for what you list.

Yes, you can swap out just hubs to match the bolt pattern of your LC. PO did it on mine for his/my 80 series hubs. Depending on what tires you are running, you may or may not need to either modify the fenders or do a spring over. Larger tires (285's and up) may rub a little on the fenders stock. Spring over would probably lift the trailer higher than what a lot of your intended uses are tho, so be careful. Mine stands pretty tall - I think about 60" off the ground with a spring over and 285's on 80 series hubs.

 

[Undefined]

As stated - stock form, no tailgate. Several have added a tailgate, but it's pretty narrow. I was quoted around $600 to cut in a tailgate on my M101 CDN. I'd think a 1/4 ton would be fine for what you list.

Yes, you can swap out just hubs to match the bolt pattern of your LC. PO did it on mine for his/my 80 series hubs. Depending on what tires you are running, you may or may not need to either modify the fenders or do a spring over. Larger tires (285's and up) may rub a little on the fenders stock. Spring over would probably lift the trailer higher than what a lot of your intended uses are tho, so be careful. Mine stands pretty tall - I think about 60" off the ground with a spring over and 285's on 80 series hubs.

The top of the trailer or the bottom of the trailer is at 60"??

 

[Brentbba]

The top of the trailer or the bottom of the trailer is at 60"??

Top of the trailer/rim with the soa. Could be that's to the top of the lid so maybe 50-52". Not at home to measure. Can check tonight if you'd like.

 

[scrapdaddy]

My 2 cents, get the USA M101A2. It will pull perfect behind your 100. You could buy one, strip and paint for under a grand. It could handle anything your 100 could, much better for what you want to do. If you get the M101A3, you could lay a sheet of plywood in between the wheel wells.


Those little 1/4 ton trailers are good for FJ40s and rock crawling trails, but just don't haul much.


Happy hunting.

 

[Undefined]

My 2 cents, get the USA M101A2. It will pull perfect behind your 100. You could buy one, strip and paint for under a grand. It could handle anything your 100 could, much better for what you want to do. If you get the M101A3, you could lay a sheet of plywood in between the wheel wells.


Those little 1/4 ton trailers are good for FJ40s and rock crawling trails, but just don't haul much.


Happy hunting.

The problem with the M101A2 is the 147" total length. I don't have the space for it in the garage (sorry, not giving up the workbench and reloading area), and keeping it outside is not an option in my neighborhood.

If I had acreage, or a four car garage, the M101 (or M1101) would be great.

 

[scrapdaddy]

In that case, whatever you have to get to fit, is the one for you. Since size is the deciding factor, I would build it from scratch and spend a lot less than what a 1/4 ton would cost.

 

[Undefined]

In that case, whatever you have to get to fit, is the one for you. Since size is the deciding factor, I would build it from scratch and spend a lot less than what a 1/4 ton would cost.

If you can recommend a builder, great. I don't weld.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Yeah, that would be a problem. I just don't like the idea of spending stupid money for those 1/4 ton trailers. I think if you had a trailer built for your specific space, it would be bigger and better for your needs than an over priced 1/4 ton.


With that said, they are neat. I have five Military trailers and like to just look at them.

 

[Brentbba]

Can't disagree on prices. Best of luck finding even a stock M101CDN here in the states for under a grand. It's the newer of the twins (US M416;M101CDN). You may find a M416 cheaper, but the rust factor and age may be an issue.

Yahoo groups has a M101CDN site, but trailers don't even go up for sale there often and when they do, most are up north in Canada, not down here in the states.

 

[Undefined]

Can't disagree on prices. Best of luck finding even a stock M101CDN here in the states for under a grand. It's the newer of the twins (US M416;M101CDN). You may find a M416 cheaper, but the rust factor and age may be an issue.

Yahoo groups has a M101CDN site, but trailers don't even go up for sale there often and when they do, most are up north in Canada, not down here in the states.

I've seen a pretty good looking M416 down in Georgia (I'm in Tennessee) for $1,200. My hope is that with a budget up to ~$3k I can find one in good shape and still have enough left over to take care of any deficiencies with the trailer.

The one place locally that builds custom offroad style trailers starts at $3500 and goes up from there.

 

[ntsqd]

Too bad you're not closer to the Left Coast. I have no need for it, but have been itching to build a 416/101 clone trailer from scratch.

If the $$ isn't too big of an issue I know that some of the "Expedition" trailer mfg's also offer more of a utility type of trailer. The two that come to mind are left-coasters so they'll not do you much good. There was a thread here not too long ago (maybe last Sept-Nov?) on a trailer mfg in the mid-west. Wish that I could recall more about it.

 

[Mark Harley]

Take a look at Manley ORV trailers.
Josh and his crew in Ohio build a nice unit.
They will customize to your needs too.

http://www.manleyorv.com/

 

[Undefined]

Take a look at Manley ORV trailers.
Josh and his crew in Ohio build a nice unit.
They will customize to your needs too.

http://www.manleyorv.com/

Those look great, but are a bit out of my budget.

 

[Living in the Past]

Can't disagree on prices. Best of luck finding even a stock M101CDN here in the states for under a grand. It's the newer of the twins (US M416;M101CDN). You may find a M416 cheaper, but the rust factor and age may be an issue.

Not sure If I agree with this. It's location location location. I have a 9/43 MBT with only surface rust. Same with my 65 Johnson Furnace M416. Both are from the Southwest. All M101 CDN are from Canada. Seen just as many needing small rust repairs that don't. Been towing the M416 on the freeway for close ten years. I have never touched the bearings. I just hubs on a regular bases after towing. Even in the summer they bearing get warm. I see no reason to tear into them.

To the OP I towed my M416 behind my 100 series for years until I traded it in for a newer/larger Sequoia. I never even know it was there. But when backing up it's a different story. You can't see it in the side mirrors until it starting to jack knife. Backing up with pintle hook/lunette is not like a trailer with ball hitch. I have a quick converse to a ball hitch for my M416 but rarely use it. Years of practice with my three military trailers I've gotten pretty good backing except at night when I can't see the trailer in the dark. Unless you lift the 1/4 ton trailer plan on having the driver's seat raised as high as it will go if you want to see the trailer out the back. That is key to backing these up is adjusting the steering wheel all the time. Once they lock up going the wrong way the only thing that will correct it is pulling forward. Didn't buy my M101A1 because it was a military trailer I bought it because it was a cheap (under $200) that would dump. The 1/4 ton I had wanted to over twenty years to use behind my FJ40. It took that long to find one cheap enough. Right around $400. Then when a second for the same price showed a few years later I bought that one too. In both cases I had to travel a couple hundred miles to pick up. Not sure why but around here the sellers had problems finding someone to do that.

If you are unable to make your trailer (I wouldn't try myself) and cost is a issue I would search CL for a utility trailer that fits your needs. Inspect it for rust, cracks in the frame and general over all shape. If you are unable have someone go thru the bearings and wiring and you should be set for a long time since you plan on keeping it in a garage. The 1/4 ton trailers are cool but it won't fit your needs.

 

[Brentbba]

Not sure If I agree with this. It's location location location.

That's why I said 'may be an issue'.

OP - with a 3K budget, you should be able to find a nice M416 or M101CDN in nice shape and have plenty left over to cut in a rear tailgate and any other mods you might want.