Refreshing a M101A2 (2 Viewers)

[Mark Harley]

Fathers day last year I drove on a ten hour round trip with my dad
to pick up a 1990 M101A2 military trailer. I was searching for a nice trailer for camping. Somehing different Not a pop up and not a travel trailer. I found this one in Ohio, called the owner ad struck a deal. $500.00 forthe trailer $150.00 in gas and food and a day in the truck with my dad.

Funny that a 41 year old man is still into trailers and even funnier that my 75 year old father was willing to ride along.

The trailer turned out better than the pictures. It is a 1990 model that came with racks and switched to cheap 12 volt taillights that made it a plug and play for the ride home.

 

[Assassin]

nice find---looks like it's in great shape--and the day spent with your 75 year old Father--PRICELESS!!!!!

 

[greentruck]

Nice trailer! Looks more like a restoration than a camping trailer. I'm sure it'll do the job.

 

[Mark Harley]

It will be more of a base camp trailer, It is Military spec and heavy duty.
8 bolt hubs and weighs in at 1080. Plans are for a camp kitchen, RTT, Hot water system, and 12 volt hook ups. I can't figure out why I cant post more pictures so here is my build.

Just purchased a Military trailer to build a family hauler

 

[titanpat57]

I think you have to have 10 post to be able to post more pics...so keep posting!

by the way the trailer turned out great, and I will continue to watch the build develop......

 

[Mark Harley]

Pat I follow you, You are the master!
So much more to do on mine, I want a RTT big enough for the family
and it is going to break the bank, Thinking of a 8' x 8' deck that flips open and a tent on top.

 

[Mark Harley]

Painted and ready for assembly

The tub painted and the frame wired with new electric and lights it was time to get them back together.
Matching wheels and tires were added, and I welded a new adjustible channel tongue for the front.
new tailgate cables and taillights from a stake body truck.

I bought a Machine cover " tarp with short sides" from Mytarps.com It was less than $100.00 shipped and covers the trailer perfect. 5 bows were made to keep the cover from drooping

I fabed a propane tank hanger at work to hold the 10pound tank for the hot water and cooking needs.
I got some free used aluminum diamond plate and welded up a table cook top for my Griswald burner.
It can be switched out for a webber grill when burgers and dogs are on the menue.

 

[Mark Harley]

The frame and tub painted then mounted

 

[Mark Harley]

Propane mount, tongue box and cover.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Wow, camo to red...there's a switch. Beautiful trailer, like the tonneau, looks good.

 

[Mark Harley]

Thank you! It is a slight color change.
I wanted it to match my crew cab. Still in search for a good deal on a roof top tent
and I may venture to a tan cover with quick set up frame?
I got my hot water heater, pump now I need to figure a water tank location.

 

[se2000]

I'm about to fix up my M101A2 and had a few questions. How heavy was the bed when you removed it? How much were your wheels?
Did you consider a old truck cap to cover it? With a rack on to, it could be a cheap way to enclose it. I got the rails and tarp so I won't need to do that myself.

I plan on installing a hydraulic ram to dump with, anybody done that?

 

[Mark Harley]

I would guess the bed weighted 500lbs?
I could only lift one corner myself. I got it on and off with the saw horses and my 11 year old daughter.
The matching wheels came from ebay Same as my 2002 GMC Sierra 2500HD " no extra spare to carry"

I looked at truck caps but nothing looked right. I am making a deck for a RTT.
If you want to use it as a dump. Re-figure the rear mounts when used as a dump they will be stressed.

They are meant to fold for transport not dump.

Look over at SteelSoldiers.com for more 101A2 trailer info.

 

[Assassin]

looks great--like the red as well

 

[Mark Harley]

I added several reciever tubes for an umbrella mount and to hold a cook top.
They are welded to a plate and bolted to the tub. I made a diamond plate counter and fabed up an umbrella holder. I plan on adding mounts for poles that hold a canopy and rack for a RTT soon.

I purchased aTriton hot water heater a 12 volt pump and now I am searching for a wate tank.

 

[JayDoc]

I am currently updating an old 101a1 for base camp use and happened upon your threat. Any chance of an update? pics on how you've used it? I like the idea of adding the hitch mounts for multiple potential uses. Nice work.

 

[Mark Harley]

The trailer has logged many miles and I have added a few items. A deck for my tent, water supply, and a water heater. It has been used as a camper, Hauler, support vehicle and Christmas float. This is whet it looks like now.

My build on EXPO. http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...d-a-Military-trailer-to-build-a-family-hauler

 

[JayDoc]

Thanks, I'll check out that other site.
It looks good. Keep it up.

 

[sggoat]

Very nice build! By the way, what happened to the original bows? Did you ever strip all the mil paint off to see what kind of wood was underneath?

 

[Mark Harley]

The original sides were sold on Steelsoldiers.com
as with the other original parts that were removed.