m101 value (1 Viewer)

[greentruck]

SNIP
I emailed Grote about the extra less that came with the trailer and they said because of their military contract they can't tell me anything about the lights. The did say just hook 12v to each wire and see what happens

Not to be topical or anything, but this is one more sign there are too many secrets....

Nothing different about a 24V mil system versus a 12V civvy system except for the blackout light option that I'm aware of. Just swap the bulbs/LEDs and figure what wire goes where to convert to how your desired plug handles things.

BTW, besides Grote, I'm pretty sure TruckLite makes the same lights for DOD. Instructions, wiring diagrams, etc are probably in the box if you buy some -- and may be online if you check around.

But don't tell the NSA I spilled the beans...

 

[scrapdaddy]

You can buy the led Military tail lights, made by Grote. I bought 6 sets, from a guy on Steel Soldiers.

I can look up what wires you need to use, from your pigtail, to work with your truck.

Sorry, I didn't read your last post. Let me do some looking, I still have some sets in the shop. I'll look tomorrow, they are all numbered.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Ok, I dug them out. The wires should of had a number, on the colored tag. Here's what's on mine.

RED---21
BLUE---22 461 and another tag with 460
WHITE--ground
GREEN ---24
YELLOW---23

Those numbers correspond with brass tags on the trailer wires. What's neat is you can take off the cover, on the tongue, where the wires connect to the pigtail and make your own pigtail with the plug you need. Or, you can cut the Military plug off and just wire up your plug.

22-461 is left turn/brake
21 is marker lights
22-460 is right turn/brake
90 is ground

You don't need the others, for a 4 way plug

HTH, Ron

 

[itbrokeagain]

That is great thank you. One last light question. Why would right and left turn connect to the same light?
Edit nevermind. I looked at the lights. Thank you for your help!!

 

[itbrokeagain]

So I have been thinking about all the stuff I can haul. What is the chance of actually overloading this trailer and hurting it? It seems like because of the size it would be easy to overload. I'm also thinking a bolt on jack from tractor supply is in order. Would be even better if it was a military style crank jack. What was this trailer originally for?

 

[greentruck]

The M101A2 has a listed capacity of 1,500 lbs. The A3 variant is 2,000 lbs. That said, overloading is probably considerably north of those numbers.

The 1/4 ton trailers are rated that way, because this originally was intended to be what it could handle in a amphibious landing or water crossing and still float. There are little bungs in the four corners of the bed that need to be in place in the drain holes first.

I've had it loaded with about a ton once or twice coming home from the building materials big box. I find myself wishing for the braked axle I intend to eventually install. I definitely wouldn't hit the interstate with it like that.

I suspect that the us M101 3/4 ton series is rated just for weight capacity on the road. or cross country. My guess is that it'll handle 2.500 lbs without too much trouble, although you'll likely find yourself wanting trailer brakes too at that weight if you've taken the surge brake off.

 

[scrapdaddy]

The first M101 was built for the M37, a 3/4 ton truck. They improved on them through the years and when the Humvee came out, they improved the M101 to an A3. It has a wider axle and greater payload. It runs the Humvee wheels and tires, 37". Not to mention the crank up landing leg. Don't think about buying one, very high dollars. ( the jack )

The axle is real cool, bumps up in the middle for more ground clearance.

 

[Mark Harley]

I went with a crank up Jack off ebay with the weld on ring.
Works great and is easier to use than the original fold up version.
With a full load it is easier to hitch the trailer with an adjustible crank than man power.

 

[itbrokeagain]

I love this trailer. I loaded it up with firewood (likely more than I should have) and it handled it without a problem. The surge brakes worked perfectly and I also pulled all of the wiring out and redid it to a 4 way. My biggest issue is the safety chains are too short. Do they have to go back to the frame hitch or can I make a mount off of my receiver?

 

[scrapdaddy]

It should go to the piece bolted to the frame, just in case the pintle hitch fails. That's a problem everybody has, the chains are too short. They are good chain and hooks, so some like to leave and add to it. Some remove and put on new chain or cable.

 

[greentruck]

SNIP
My biggest issue is the safety chains are too short. Do they have to go back to the frame hitch or can I make a mount off of my receiver?

Sounds like you're not using the 4-bolt mount in the bumper? There's something called a "chain plate" that is mounted sandwiched between the mounting point and the pintle hitch that is used to hook-up the chains when using the pintle to tow. You could get one of those and bolt it by itself to the bumper as a quick way to get chain-up points.

 

[itbrokeagain]

This is what I'm using

 

[Mark Harley]

Go with safety cables. I changed mine and like them alot.

 

[sggoat]

That trailer looks very close to mine-same mfg-mine's an '89. I rewired mine for regular 4 pin trailer lights. I have the pin number wiring connections around here somewhere??? Will look tomorrow and sent a pic/scan---Sand off all that ugly camo on the side rails--you may find beautiful Mahogany wood underneath!
Gary

 

[PAToyota]

Local guy has an M101A3 up for sale. Asking $1500 - which seems more than a bit high, even though that would be the newest variation of them. He says:

37" Hummer wheels w/ run flats. Have all the bows and canvas top. GREAT SHAPE! Includes pintle hitch for a 2" receiver.

Not sure if it has been converted or still has the 24V wiring for lights and such. Debating it if I could possibly get him down under $1K.

Thoughts?

 

[Mark Harley]

For $1500 you can find 1101 and 1102 trailers.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/for/3836468453.html

if the 101A3 is nice I would go to $1000.00 no more.

 

[scrapdaddy]

I picked up two of the 101A3's for under $300 a piece. You have to bid on them and travel. I sure wouldn't pay even a $1000 for one. You can still get the M1101's for alot less, if you look.

The Government is dumping alot of the trailers, right now. There are deals out there.

 

[itbrokeagain]

That trailer looks very close to mine-same mfg-mine's an '89. I rewired mine for regular 4 pin trailer lights. I have the pin number wiring connections around here somewhere??? Will look tomorrow and sent a pic/scan---Sand off all that ugly camo on the side rails--you may find beautiful Mahogany wood underneath!
Gary

I cut out all the wiring and went with a trailer wiring kit with a 4 flat connector. Talk to me some more about that Mahogany please

 

[itbrokeagain]

Tagging a trailer in Ohio couldn't be any easier. Anything under 4k does not get titled. Have it weighed by a certified weigh master DMV issues plates. Registered as home built.