Should I buy this M103?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Joined
Jul 2, 2007
Threads
22
Messages
131
Location
Cedar Point, NC
Local Coastal NC... the price is CHEAP... I don't currently have a trailer, and would mount this thing with expedition camping gear. I thought this babies were beasts and maybe too much trailer... any input?
dsc04246.jpg
dsc04234.jpg
dsc04235.jpg
dsc04235.jpg
dsc04237.jpg
dsc04238.jpg
dsc04239.jpg
dsc04240.jpg
dsc04241.jpg
dsc04242.jpg
dsc04243.jpg
dsc04244.jpg
 
That is a very nice M103. It is a good find with the canvas top.

The M103 and the M105 are very similar trailers. Rated to carry 1 1/2 tons, they are meant to be towed behind the large deuce and a half trucks. This trailer weighs 1660 Lbs empty and when loaded it would be very heavy and hard for your cruiser to pull, especially off road.

The US M101 trailer would be a better choice. It is rated as a 3/4 ton trailer and works great behind full size 4x4s. I have read of a couple of FJ40 owners that pull this trailer.

Most look for the 1/4 ton trailers for off road use. They are smaller and easier to pull off road. These are the MBT, T-3 (both WWII era), M100 (Korean war era), M416 (Vietnam era) and the Canadian M101. Also, the post WWII civilian 1/4 ton trailer, T-3C. This civilian trailer has a tail gate and used a ball hitch.
 
I'm not looking for a trailer to pull into serious trails... mostly would be used to haul for utility short distances, and then rigged for beach trips to camp mounting a roof top onto it. I can get a M101 for $900, but this one is gonna be more like $300...
 
Its going to be a huge PITA to pull EMPTY, let alone full of whatever you fill it with.

They're heavy bastards...and huge. At that price you can probably resell it for profit on ebay, but I wouldn't want to pull that with a 60 or even an 80 due to its size/weight.
 
I used to pull an American M101, similar to the 103 behind my Chevy Tahoe, I just sold it and started to build a smaller one.

On the the 101 I had I swapped out the axle for a 3500 standard axle, dropped the height and allowed me to use normal tires. PUlls like a dream and can haul at least double of what its rated at. After the axle and tire swap I could move it by myself pretty easily.

If you get the trailer look into swapping the axles you'll be way happier!

m101.jpg

HPIM0244.jpg
 
LOL... It weighs 1660 pounds empty! It's almost 14 feet long and almost 7 feet wide. And you want to use it behind your '60?

That's a non-starter.


BTW, that's a fairly normal price for those. I've passed up several at auction that were completely reconditioned right before they were surplused. When the price passed $200 I let each one go. There were five of them and they all went for $225-$350.

They're appropriate to tow behind a Deuce and a half or something similar. Not behind a Cruiser.


Mark...
 
Last edited:
I never said I would tow it behind my 60... I was thinking the 100...

But it appears I need to get the 101 for $900... as this is way to much trailer.
 
m103

I think you had better think twice. I bought an M105 from a military base with same intention as you. I soon realized it was too much trailer. Because I prefer the longer bed space of the M105, I had axles converted to 6000 lb, removed and replaced leaf springs, and removed front hitch assembly. Lightened it up about 700-800 lbs. It also lightened my wallet. Am still moving forward on the trailer build(including rtt) but I will end up spending big bucks. I would suggest a M101 or older M416.
 
I never said I would tow it behind my 60... I was thinking the 100...

But it appears I need to get the 101 for $900... as this is way to much trailer.


An M100, M416, or M101cdn will work well behind a Cruiser. Any of the larger ones will kick its butt. FJ40, FJ60, UZJ100, whatever. Just too much trailer for this class vehicle.

An M101cdn (NOT a M101) will make you much happier.


Mark...
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom