Anyone out there with a Military trailer?

I'm looking to buy a surplus military trailer to make into an overland camping trailer. But I'm wondering if this thing is going to be too heavy for that purpose? This thing weighs 800lbs. I figure I can change the tires and maybe the axle to cut a little bit of weight.

Does anyone out there has one of these? Is it too heavy duty?

 

Step back a bit. You're going to buy a really heavy trailer, I'm guessing for increased capacity, and then remove the parts that give it the extra capacity, but leaving the weight. You're not alone, lots have done it. But ultimately you end up having spent money and time to end up with what is essentially a $200 harbor freight flatbed.

Military stuff is over built because they intend it to fill a hundred different roles in a hundred different locales and used by people who are going to be indifferent about their treatment. They're neat, but you can go a lot lighter duty and fill all of your needs.

 

Well you are right but I thought the frame of the military trailer would be better overall. And by the time I add bigger tires and wheel spacers I think it would be a similar price.

 

From what I've seen, most folks using a military trailer as a base for building an overlanding camper are starting with the 1/4 ton versions - the M416 for US or M101 for the Canadian (Note: US military also has a M101 designation but that's for a much large 3/4 ton trailer).

This is a CDN M101 I picked up several years ago but I haven't done much more than add a hard cover to keep everything dry and allow me to strap excess gear to the top. I also converted the lighting to 12V bulbs and a 7 pin connector. It gets used a lot more behind my TJ than with the Tacoma. Empty weight with the cover is right at 800 lbs.


Lots of build info and ideas for these on the expo site.

 

I was looking for a trailer for years however couldn’t find a trailer reasonably priced that was in decent shape. I ended up finding a built one in DE for sale. It a M416 with 35s. I need to drop the tire size now and do some customizations.

So far I love it. I towed it from PA to FL and back with no issues whatsoever. I have yet to tow it with the Tacoma however my 07 Nissan Xterra rowed it with no hesitations.

 

This guy has an M 1102 for his setup. Don’t know if he’s still on here, but thought it was pretty neat.

 

I'm in agreement that most military trailers are too heavy including the generator trailer in the first post.
This is a M416 with home made brackets for a rack and RTT. The M416 lightweight and easily modified.

 

just picked this m100 over the weekend its gonna be my camping trailer to get weight off the truck

 

I got an M101a1 on Monday. I’m working on prepping it for Raptor OD green bedliner and then putting rails on.

 

how does it pull down the road with the tires? does it make it a bit bouncy?

 

Pulls great, no Bounce!

 

Awesome! I’m waiting for my trailer to come back and then I’ll finally be able to use it!