M149 water buffalo

[TaylorTradingCo]

I picked up this trailer this weekend. I have no idea what this is worth, can anyone tell me what it's worth?
Derek

 

[NDT]

Hmm, fiberglass tank, I would say $1000 is the bottom dollar. The stainless tanks bring more, as people use them as fuel bowsers.

 

[swiss]

Well loaded question? Lets see if we can narrow down:

Looks like an A2 based on wheel set. Does it have a dataplate?

1.) Retail or SS price
2.) Does it hold water?
3.) Stainless Steel tank?
4.) All valves intact and operational?
5.) Age of tires and amount of sun damage?
6.) Air Brakes work or not work?
7.) Does hand brake work?

Could be as low as $300 a good condition one I have seen go for $1200-1600. These are not retail prices but more ss prices. Craigs list could start at $800 for a working one to 3000. Not sure if they sell them that high but people price them way up there.

 

[m16ty]

Is that a M149? The reason I ask is because I have a M149 and it has a stainless tank (the one it the pic is fiberglass).

As for value, I really have no idea. I've tried to sell mine for $1,000 with no luck all the while the local GL was selling ones in worse condition for $1,500. I wouldn't think the fiber tanks would bring as much as the stainless ones.

 

[TaylorTradingCo]

It is completely original and does have data plates, hence the M149 model, dated 1970. 400 gallon fiberglass tank. Just pulled it home about 50 miles with no issues, but haven't really had time to check it out.
Derek

 

[Another Ahab]

Always fond of the old water buffaloes, but couldn't tell you why exactly:

- Subscribed.

 

[61sleepercab]

Great hauler for the Moonshine TV boys? Good to have a water tank around .

 

[EwaMarine]

Paint it up VN era and hold on to it. Film and TV stuff could use it and you can rent it...350 a day is what I charge for the trailers..When you think about it you cant do a firebase in a Vietnam era story without having a M-149...and how many are out there left now? Not many in Hawaii thats for sure....maybe on the mainland, but a restored M-149 is valuable for more than just holding water nowadays...
Just my humble two cents. Nice score!!
Aloha from Hawaii!!

 

[Another Ahab]

Always fond of the old water buffaloes, but couldn't tell you why exactly:

- Subscribed.

Paint it up VN era and hold on to it. Film and TV stuff could use it and you can rent it...350 a day is what I charge for the trailers..When you think about it you cant do a firebase in a Vietnam era story without having a M-149...and how many are out there left now? Not many in Hawaii thats for sure....maybe on the mainland, but a restored M-149 is valuable for more than just holding water nowadays...
Just my humble two cents. Nice score!!
Aloha from Hawaii!!

My service was after Viet Nam, but I guess that's what it was:

- Wherever we deployed as a battalion, there was the water buffalo, standing-by

Ubiquitous (there's a ten-dollar word worth looking up); and dependable, like an ol' buddy.

The sight of one brings back a good vibe.

 

[nattieleather]

Well this one isn't any good for drinking water as it seems to be a gray water tank hence the NON-POTABLE stenciled on it. It was used for waist water. Could be used for agriculture purposes. Find a farmer who needs a big tank and get what ever he'll give you for it.

 

[EwaMarine]

Call up Trey Moore at www.mooremilitaria.com Its all about authenticity...and these deserve better than a farmers operation rotting...Id buy the thing in a heartbeat if it was at least in CA...Trey is in TX and he might want it or know someone that would...He runs the one stop nam shop...all things Vietnam...he even has a 113...and they reenact with em all the time...Who cares if its non potable. Nothing says ya cant clean em out... Even as a restored classic its cool. They look great in od 24087!! Or Marine green!! with Yellow stencils!!

 

[Another Ahab]

Well this one isn't any good for drinking water as it seems to be a gray water tank hence the NON-POTABLE stenciled on it. It was used for waist water. Could be used for agriculture purposes. Find a farmer who needs a big tank and get what ever he'll give you for it.

I believe that is properly designated "below-the-waist" water

 

[m16ty]

Well this one isn't any good for drinking water as it seems to be a gray water tank hence the NON-POTABLE stenciled on it. It was used for waist water. Could be used for agriculture purposes. Find a farmer who needs a big tank and get what ever he'll give you for it.

I wouldn't be too worried about it if it was a stainless tank with a good cleaning and using it for drinking water. With a fiberglass tank, I don't know. My stainless M149 was used to store waste oil by the forestry dept before I got it. I cleaned it really good and have drunk out of it without ill effects.

Also, non-potable doesn't necessarily mean waste water. It could have just had been used to haul non-treated water (as in right out of a creek or pond).

 

[Another Ahab]

I don't brag about my memory, but I recall the tanks of the water buffalo always being elliptical in section with squared-off flat ends (suggesting sheet metal, and so likely stainless steel, and not fiberglass or anything else). I'm old school, so all this would have been back in the 80's.

Of course the problem in making any ID was they were always painted OD. But the truth is, I never gave it any thought until now with this thread:

- Does the material/format of the tank correlate to certain eras?

- Or were there always multiple styles at any given time?

Any scholars on the water buffalo in the house?

 

[jasonjc]

The army used two different water trailer back in the day. The M107 and the M149,A1,A2. The M107 used an aluminum tank ,that's more oval shaped and the M103 aka M105 trailer frame. Almost like it was a bolt on kit. The M149 and A1 used a fiberglass/plastic tank that's kind of oval with 4 sq runners 2 top and 2 bottom and it own trailer frame, the cross member are curved and has shocks and torqe rod on the axle. The M149A2 use the stainless steel tanks and same trailer frame. The new water trailer M1112 uses the same tank as the M149A2 but has a new trailer frame with 8 wheels and two axle. The trailer is like double the weight of the water.

 

[Another Ahab]

I don't believe they were glass or plastic, I think I would have remembered that difference.

This is how I'm remembering them, but truth is it was so long ago I can't remember exactly:

- Was it round in section or elliptical?

Maybe we had both.

 

[m16ty]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure the top pic is the stainless tank and the bottom pic is the aluminum tank.

 

[NDT]

Bottom pic is the WWII version and it is carbon steel.

 

[Another Ahab]

Bottom pic is the WWII version and it is carbon steel.

I know we had some outdated equipment (initially: that was under Carter; prior to Papa Reagan, the Game Changer), but I don't think any of it was THAT old.

 

[Castle Bravo]

View attachment 517221

What kind of water buffalo is that? Thats cool with the 10 lug wheels and spare tire.