Should I buy this trailer? (1 Viewer)

[SouthBostonFJ40]

I have a chance to get this trailer for very short money, basically for the cost of the tarp. I realize that it is too large to pull behind my 40. I have a Nissan Armada that is rated to pull upwards of 10,000 lbs. The trailer has a new tarp, inside it has fold down benches and wood sides as well as three folding army cots.
What do you guys think? Also, What is it? I was thinking M105, but I am not sure. The only marking on is "M103" stenciled on the tailgate.

 

[lx450landcruiser]

If its as cheap as you say id sa go for it. If you looking to pull it with something smaller and you want to invest some money in it then id say its possible. New axle, lock n roll, aluminum tail gate and some trimming id say you could shave some serious weight from it.

 

[sseaman]

to big in my opinion

 

[titanpat57]

to big in my opinion

X2 But you could build anything in it or on it, and the Armada wouldn't know it was there.

Sure would be one hell of a build!

On second thought, get it, fark it, let's build sumtin....lol

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

X2 But you could build anything in it or on it, and the Armada wouldn't know it was there.

Sure would be one hell of a build!

On second thought, get it, fark it, let's build sumtin....lol

I guess I should explain further... my father is building a house way up in Maine on a lake. There are two ways in, one is by boat and the other is down some pretty gnarly logging roads. Next spring, we will need to bring in some furniture and appliances and Sears doesn't exactly deliver there...so my thinking is to buy this trailer, make a few runs with it and then resell it.


Also, I've done some checking on line and I can't ID this trailer. Anyone take a guess at what it is? I couldn't find an ID plate on it when I looked quickly the other day. It has a fold down front gate and it looks wider than an M101. Lastly, the V shaped fenders are different than any I've seen.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

The M103 is the bare chassis (no body) for the M104 and M105 1.5 ton cargo trailers, along with a lot of specialty trailers. It also shares the same 6-lug hubs, rims and tires as the 2.5 ton 6x6 trucks. The tires on most of these trailer are 9.00x20 (some are 11.00x20). Here is a drawing of an M103 trailer.

So, what exactly do you have? Your hubs are 5-lug as found on the Dodge 3/4 ton trucks, or on the US M101 3/4 ton trailer. That means it probably has 9.00x16 tires.

The A frame and frame appear to be much wider than an M103 or even US M101 frame. The military, for strength, had the A-frame run under the leading edge of the body, and join the side frames back a couple of feet or so. Yours has the contact point at the outer front corners. The axle appears to be much wider than either the US M101 or M103. I've gone through all my references, including ammo, generator, kitchen, signal and other trailers, and do not see any chassis that looks remotely like what you have. In fact, box trailers with fenders went out of vogue after WWII, being almost universally replaced by boxes with integral wheel wells. The chassis on the trailer you're looking at doesn't appear to have much in common with this pic of an M103 chassis.

It appears to me that someone might have taken trailer parts and made up a homebrew trailer from the pieces. It superficially looks like a military trailer, and appears to be well made. Esepcially the front and rear tailgate hinges.

Regardless, it looks like a decent trailer, and if the price is right, get it. Then take it to a scale and get it weighed. It may or may not be as heavy as an M104 or M105. I suspect it is probably closer to an M101, or between and M101 and M104/105.

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

The M103 is the bare chassis (no body) for the M104 and M105 1.5 ton cargo trailers, along with a lot of specialty trailers. It also shares the same 6-lug hubs, rims and tires as the 2.5 ton 6x6 trucks. The tires on most of these trailer are 9.00x20 (some are 11.00x20). Here is a drawing of an M103 trailer.

So, what exactly do you have? Your hubs are 5-lug as found on the Dodge 3/4 ton trucks, or on the US M101 3/4 ton trailer. That means it probably has 9.00x16 tires.

The A frame and frame appear to be much wider than an M103 or even US M101 frame. The military, for strength, had the A-frame run under the leading edge of the body, and join the side frames back a couple of feet or so. Yours has the contact point at the outer front corners. The axle appears to be much wider than either the US M101 or M103. I've gone through all my references, including ammo, generator, kitchen, signal and other trailers, and do not see any chassis that looks remotely like what you have. In fact, box trailers with fenders went out of vogue after WWII, being almost universally replaced by boxes with integral wheel wells. The chassis on the trailer you're looking at doesn't appear to have much in common with this pic of an M103 chassis.

It appears to me that someone might have taken trailer parts and made up a homebrew trailer from the pieces. It superficially looks like a military trailer, and appears to be well made. Esepcially the front and rear tailgate hinges.

Regardless, it looks like a decent trailer, and if the price is right, get it. Then take it to a scale and get it weighed. It may or may not be as heavy as an M104 or M105. I suspect it is probably closer to an M101, or between and M101 and M104/105.

I am picking this guy up tomorrow for $200.00.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

$200? Smokin' deal.

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

I got it home last night!

 

[titanpat57]

Good Job!!..you did the right thing bud. That's a friggin tank for that price. The only thing I'd do IMHO is put the springs under the axle to lower it 4" and weld some shocks on, outside of that she's ready for the rails either way.

 

[sseaman]

it doesn't look to big behind the Armada, how does it tow? do you plan to cut off anything to lower the weight?

But looks like the price was right.

 

[D'Animal]

I would buy that in a heartbeat for $200.