Has anyone done this?

[MilitaryRestoration]

Has anyone taken a van trailer, ie m146, and cut all the sides off of it to make it a flat deck trailer? Pictures and info if so... And if not any suggestions, comments, or on this

 

[rosco]

Usually, on a van trailer, the sides and top are structural members of the unite. Flat beds are built different, with necessarily stronger under frames. Better look close, to see how its built.

Lee in Alaska

 

[ARMYMAN30YearsPlus]

I agree with our Alaskan brother the vans only have very minimal floor bracing since the entire body is a box beam. Some of the Army vehicles have stronger frames but take a look at an M127 versus an M146 and you will see deeper beams and stronger substructure on the M127.

 

[DaveP]

The M146's do not have a frame.
However the M119's do.
Not the best pics but if you look close you can see whats there.

 

[MilitaryRestoration]

sorry meant m129 got my trailers mixed up. And yes I get what you mean, but like the m119 the m129 too has the chassis style frame to it. So that said and corrections being made hehe now what are your suggestions/opinions

 

[OPCOM]

Man!! an M146 with the front wheels as shown would be sweet behind a deuce! the ultimate camper+commo trailer I wish there were a highway trailer, pullable by a M35, that would hold an S-280.

 

[DaveP]

If it has a full frame cut what you wish. why not get a M127 tho? to heavy?

 

[DaveP]

Man!! an M146 with the front wheels as shown would be sweet behind a deuce! the ultimate camper+commo trailer I wish there were a highway trailer, pullable by a M35, that would hold an S-280.

I pulled my 146 on the dolly behind my M35. what a joke! not nearly enough power.

 

[MilitaryRestoration]

because flat deck trailers tend to go for so much and the shell on our trailers isn't the best so the thought keeps going through my head. It has a really nice deck and the chassis seems to be brand newish compared to the van that appears to have been put onto it... Anyone done this?

 

[ARMYMAN30YearsPlus]

Here is an M127 for compairison

This is my duece dolly and trailer

 

[powerhouseduece]

Man!! an M146 with the front wheels as shown would be sweet behind a deuce! the ultimate camper+commo trailer I wish there were a highway trailer, pullable by a M35, that would hold an S-280.

hey opcom how about this?

 

[ARMYMAN30YearsPlus]

I have one just like that in my back yard The dolly trailer rig pulled OK on the flats but on hills it got down to 3rd gear let me tell you I95 South is not a place to be that slow.

 

[AaronHorrocks]

Why wreck a good trailer just to get a flatbed?

Heck I'll trade you a M979 for a good enclosed trailer!

 

[luapmonn]

Miltruck made a nice flatbed from a van trailer http://www.miltrucks.com/html/military_trucks.html

 

[MilitaryRestoration]

aaron - do you have any pictures?

luapmonn - the link works but which van trailer are you referring to?

 

[dmetalmiki]

My 45foot ex R.A.F. recovry tariler

45 foot sliding deck (pull pins lock brakes nose disconnect air lines.)push trailer back and it rolls to the floor and ramp slide out to road. Load two trucks pull the trailer forward and the deck comes up to traveling position also l ramp comes up into travel position. lock pins connect airlines. ready to go. I made the dolly for the front to suit my M62. the dolly has brakes as well (adapted by me) Palm couplings.nato electric hitch.and has ABS braking system. Tows well and negotiates roundabouts (them doughnut things in the roads at intersections over here!) ok with care and attention..and a look out for others negotiating the roundabout..but mini roundabouts (a predominent scourge lately over here!)neccesitate going "straight on " on wrong side (right side) of the road to avoid wiping out the lighting bollards!! much to the amusement (terror/horrer/amazement!) of our car driving brothers!. some pics posted for interest.

 

[rattlecan6104]

RE: My 45foot ex R.A.F. recovry tariler

I've seen a commercial single axle box trailer converted to a flatbed, connected to a semi and he locked the trailer brakes and went into reverse, snapped the bed and folded the back end right under, it was crazy. From the get go, you could tell the trailer was extremely flimsy.

 

[hndrsonj]

Miltrucks trailer is in the M48 pics. MACCUS is currently in the middle of the same project. They are quite nice when done.

 

[MilitaryRestoration]

dmetal - what are you talking about? sorry, either i'm asleep still or just lost hehe

hndrsonj - i see the m348 but not the m48. Also see 'Van trailer #2' but it wont load for me. could you possibly send a link to the pictures.

 

[hndrsonj]

http://www.miltrucks.com/html/____tractor_trailer_22.html