M101 Military Trailer

I'm thinking about picking up a M101 3/4 ton military trailer and am wondering if anyone here has experience pulling one with their Tacoma. Anyone?

 

Bumping for interest. Hoping for some good input.... Sorry I don't have anything to add though.

 

Thanks, Ben. I noticed a couple of people listed military trailers in the "Show us what you tow" thread. I hope they'll chime in here.
M101:


M100:


M416:


The 3/4 ton M101 (A1, A2 or A3) is very versatile, but maybe a bit big for a Tacoma. That's one of my questions for TW users. The 1/4 ton M100s and M416s are a bit small, in my opinion, at least for what I do with a trailer, and more suited for the old military Jeep. Lots of off-roaders use the M100s though. Other questions I have are about the hitch.

I'm very interested in how people make up the hitch, since the M101 uses a lunette to pintle connection. In my review, I've seen some convert to the standard ball coupler at the trailer or to a high articulation coupler. I also wonder how connection to the trailer is carried off without a lift, since the height to the trailer's lunette is about 22"



Here's a link to a mid-west 4x4 forum where a very talented guy modified and updated his M101 for general use, much as I would use one for: http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/showthread.php?t=189516

Here's a general reference link to info & photos of many military trailers:http://www.olive-drab.com/od_mvg_vehicle_id_trailers.php

Enjoy! And chime in....

 

I am also considering the M101 trailer. I know it has to be converted from 24v to 12v. I am wondering what needs to be done for it to be good for highway use as well as off road use.

I have heard of people swapping axels, but I am not sure why.

 

Just pick up one of these and the mounting bracket to put it on and pull it away...http://www.etrailer.com/Ball-Mounts/Tow-Ready/63014.html

 

haha, good idea!
What is the GVWR of that trailer? I doubt you'd have a problem towing one, but have not done it, so that's just a guess ...
Edit: looking at the pic above, it looks like the GVW of the trailer is around 3,600lbs with 2,200 lbs cargo. Should work fine I'd say. Sounds like a good utility trailer!

 

I use mine all the time to pull M101a1,a2,and,a3's. The a3 is the best pull. It tows so easy do to the dropped and wider axles.

 

Empty the trialer weights 1,200 lbs. You can put a load up to 3,600 lbs on the axle of a M101A1. A3's have a heavier axle so one could place more of a load on them.

 

Question for you there mate as you seem to know whats happening with these cracker trailers. I have an M101 A1 i plan on swapping the axle out on this summer. I currently drive a 2wd 4 banger Tacoma but am planning on selling and getting a bigger one soon. Diesel tacoma come on north america!

Researching i have decided i will go to the 5000lb axle with the 6 x 5.5 lug pattern. Just curious id you would know best widths spacing etc for the axle? My trailer is currently tucked in the back of some guys shed for storage for the winter.

Cheers.

 

Don't convert the trailer's pintle - for $50-60 you can buy a https://www.etrailer.com/Pintle-Hitch/Curt/C48004.html for your existing receiver. The pintle style hitch provides more flexibility and reliability than a standard ball type in offroad travel. I have a M101 CDN2 (similar to US M100 and M416 but not to be confused with US M101xx) that's used mainly with my TJ but has also been behind the Tacoma several times. It tows great both on the highway and offroad. The Canadian 1/4 ton looks much like the US version and has roughly the same dimensions but is built somewhat beefier.

edited to add https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cdn-m101.361611/

 

I have pulled my M101A2 for years with my JKU, and I am sure it will tow great with the Tacoma. I still use lunette and pintle, but am in the process of building the DIY 3-axis off road coupler. I have plans on swapping the axle, and adding a telescoping rack for a RTT to make in a true expedition trailer. Check out the builds on Expedition Portal. Great resource.

 

Thanks mate. That definitely gives me a bit more peace of mind. I hope to get it down to 1000lb before I start adding weight on. I’ve got a build on expedition portal ‘just another M101A2 build’. I’m using a motorcycle jack to lift the tent, gives me 28 inches total I think it was. .

 

Here is a pic of my M116A2. I decided to go a different direction and remove the steel top and build an aluminum box. I didn't like towing it with the 2017 Jeep JKU so I bought a 2018 Tacoma off road. Will see how it pulls next month. The Jeep was rated at 3500. The Tacoma is almost twice that. The weight of 740 minus the lunette leaves 624 pounds empty. Really uncle Sam?? and you put 8 lug wheels and a 9k axel on it. These are crazy built!

 

A few more....

 

Did you ever get the answer to your axle width question? I am ordering a 5200 lb axle for my Canadian 3/4 ton trailer (so similar to the US M101 it was issued with the US tarp). I think 67 inches from hub face to hub face is right.

 

TerryS, ever get that M101 trailer? Sorry for delayed response. Just saw your old thread. Been pulling my M101 a while, don't even know its there when its empty!

 

Old thread, but I’ve been dying to find a m116 in California for a descent price in any condition. I’m trying to build a toy hauler