Trailer Size?

[Toolslinger]

I've been wanting to put a trailer under my MEP-802a. It hasn't been an urgent need, so I really didn't pursue it. It still isn't urgent. However, I had the thought that it would be very nice to put the 802 on one end of a trailer, and a vintage pretty heavy, but low power draw air compressor on the other side. Compressor is about the same size as an 802, but probably only 400# or so. I've seen the twin generator trailers, but never looked in to what model that was. Weight would be fine on an M116, but I don't know about deck space, that seems like it might be too small to fit both units. This setup isn't going to see road use, just movement around my property to provide power, and air when something breaks down, or I need to blow out irrigation.
With that in mind... A) did they squeeze 2 generators on a 116? B) if not, what trailer did they use? C) what other model should I at least be considering so I know what to look for in my casual internet searching/research?

 

[98G]

M1102 chassis is another option.

You could probably make an M200A1 work also.

(Oops)

 

[Toolslinger]

Ok, good start point. Which one is in your photo? Looks like room on the front for an 802a sideways, and the compressor is a touch more narrow so likely ok on the tail.

 

[98G]

I pictured the M1102 chassis. Right after i removed the ECU off the front and then tipped it.

 

[Toolslinger]

Thanks.

 

[FarmingSmallKubota]

I have a couple of these 10kw Drone support trailers. They are made to have an 803, and mep 531, and other stuff has a 35 gallon fuel tank on the front. The pictures here have an ammps 1040 on it but taking brackets off this might work for your purpose. Also the entire platform lifts off with 4 pins removed and a ground wire.

 

[Guyfang]

Look through this TM.

 

[Toolslinger]

That drone support rig looks tall sitting up over the fenders. Nice to have all that flat deck to work with though.

Look through this TM.

I knew I had seen something like that when I was looking at the first 802 I checked out, which was a trailer mount... I had no idea what the TM number was though...

 

[Coug]

The DRASH trailer frames also work pretty good with the MEP-802.
I have the smallest DRASH frame, from a 35kw GET trailer that I put my 802 on and a 3 ton ECU. ECU is around 400-500 lbs, generator is on some 6" C-channel as a riser to clear the fenders. Still has the 55 gallon fuel tank in it, so lots of run time.

Basically just saying if you don't have a reason why you need a correct military setup, then you can probably figure out a way to make just about any trailer work.

Not a huge amount of space behind it, but enough for a small (relatively speaking) tent to be strapped on, and other gear; or whatever else you need it for (also makes a handy surface for a chop saw)



Following pics are ones I've found in the past. This one appears to be a LTT (light Tactical Trailer) with a platform to fit 2 803 10ks, as well as auxiliary fuel tank.

For comparison this is the same LTT chassis but with a single gen. You might be able to turn the gen sideways across the front portion and put your compressor where the gen currently sits, but getting to the generator side doors would be a pain. No aux tank.

Same chassis with 2 802 gens. The gens are raised a little for the doors on the end to clear the fender, but doesn't need a full platform like the 803s do. Again, no aux tank, but if you really need to you could probably figure out how to install one, or just keep a couple Jjerry cans on the fenders.




This is a M116A3. Put the heavy gen in front and air compressor in the rear and should be okay for weight, just a little tongue heavy.

 

[Guyfang]

There are trailers with fuel tanks mounted under the platform.

 

[Toolslinger]

I saw a DRASH unit kinda close for a crazy good price, but naturally when I contacted them, it was gone. It was the style with the tilting deck in the back, which I really didn't care about, but the preinstalled outriggers made it appealing. That's kinda what started me asking as I was simply looking at the LTT versions previously.

I'm not even married to military for this application, but most of the civ trailers in the size range I need are built from spaghetti. I noted a few things like roller trailers that are a possibility, as is an older highway sign board setup. My weights aren't bad obviously, but gotta have enough room to service the 802a. There's enough vibration from the 802 that I want some good framing to be able to glue leveling jacks to the trailer.

On board fuel isn't a concern for my application, and it would likely go south before I burned it. There's a 1000 gallon tank to feed my house, and a pump from that for the tractors, so replenishment isn't an issue since I'm only on 54 acres... I can never be too far away from a refill. (and there are 2 small gas generators that can feed power to the pump if I somehow fail to see a low tank coming on the 802 during an outage)

 

[Toolslinger]

And just because I hate untidy posts with no conclusion...
There's a M116A2 chained down on my tilt bed hauler currently. Former PU of some type. (can't recall the number). Picked it up yesterday. Has the bows/hoops/supports (haven't looked up their nomenclature yet) for a canvas cover, and they're not rusted in the receivers (yay!). That will make the project a bit easier as I wanted something to minimize the weather exposure of the gen and comp. No chance I'm spending the money on a correct tarp, but it will get something that looks decent.

Missing the rear support leg. Not sure I care too much, but it bugs me a bit that it's missing. Had planned to put landing gear on it anyway for leveling.

Looks like the surge brake mechinism is probably going to be bad as the resevoir cap is rusted, and open to the elements. Would have been nice as I live on a mountain, but likely the tractor isn't really going to care it's back there if I need to take it down the hill.

Parking brakes work nicely.

Has some oversize tires on it currently. Looks more like the A3's I've seen. Probably not going to change them until I need to, just have to plan the landing gear to work with the more normal size tires. (I've got a couple off a Ram 2500 that will be waiting if needed.)

I have to look at a TM on securement... The shackels for tieing it down are too small to pass a 1/4" chain grab hook. Didn't have time/tools/spares to pull the cotter pins on the shackle pins. I chained it behind the bed supports in front, and the axle in back. Probably redo that before I haul it home tomorrow. Don't like pulling half above, and half below the suspension... I'll probably never chain it down again, but I suspect I'll swap the cotter pins for hair pins, and just throw the shackels in the tool box to keep them handy, and not making noise in their mounts. Some old fuel line, and a couple other unidentifiable pieces in the tool box. None of the rods, hammer etc... Not a big deal really, set will typically be bonded to the panel, and I have ground rods by the other buildings I might typically park it by to clamp on to. Doubt I could drive a temporary rod at my place anyway. Nothing but rock.

 

[Guyfang]

About that rear leg. The first time you have the trailer unhooked and forget about that leg, is when you walk to the rear of the trailer and the world goes up.

 

[Mullaney]

About that rear leg. The first time you have the trailer unhooked and forget about that leg, is when you walk to the rear of the trailer and the world goes up.

.
Dang Right! And YOU go down...

 

[Toolslinger]

I have no doubt you're right. It is an extremely well balanced trailer. I'll have the 802 sitting sideways across the front, so no real worry about tipping it back. At least that's the case until I get the compressor on the back. Plan is to have adjustable landing gear at 3 points so I can level it, and take the weight off the tires. 2 at the rear, and a single up front. Currently it has a fixed length landing leg at the nose.

This was a PU-751/M. Single MEP-002a apparently.

 

[Guyfang]

I watched a soldier get catapolted over a PU set one day. He was not hurt toooooooo bad, so I can still laugh. He had just take a front gen set off the trailer. He was standing on the lunett, and his good buddy opend the trailer hitch up, then pulled the truck forwards to park it back on line. Amazing how far a person can fly.

Yes, my spell check is not working!!

 

[Toolslinger]

Weather cooperated with me today... Managed to get the 116 off my tilt bed. Vast majority of the ice storm melted off.
I did not have enough time to properly bolt the unit down as I will want to do. So instead, it's chained down so I could move it, and get a tarp over it. The tarp isn't right obviously, but I had it, and I know it's in good shape. It will serve to keep the majority of the weather off, and isn't going to be in the way, except the front portion, should I need power. Easy enough to untie a few ropes to open the side door.

I think for the final version, I'll drop a piece of plywood on top of the hoops, and feather the edges so the tarp doesn't rip. Likely put a little aluminum flashing under the ply in the area of the exhaust.

I greased the heck out of the hoops before I dropped them back in their pockets. I know they'll have to come off again, and I don't want a fight. They could stand a wire wheel on a grinder, paint, and then regreasing... That will have to wait until summer.

So, it's back next to the house. Control cube faces toward the house, so I don't need to be out in snow too much to get going. My porch sits up on top of those concrete piers. Rain drips through, but snow generally stays up top. Parking it on packed snow/ice is less than optimal, but it's what I've got at the moment.

More weather inbound for tomrrow. Not severe, but it only takes one driver being an idiot to turn out the lights.