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I have a paper manual at home titled preperation for overseas shipment or something like that and it may have covered it. I'll have to check the magazine rack in the head to see if I can find it.
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M101a2 not dumping !!
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Chief_919
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Ok, here is my .02.
Are they designed to dump? No.
Can they? Yes.
Is it safe? Yes- if you do it smartly.
First, set the trailer up right. Add a flexible section of brake line, move the wiring harness to the body, lube the joint.
Second, don't overload it.
Third, dump until the body hits the ground, then STOP and manually remove the contents.
Lastly every time you dump use the chance to inspect your frame for damage.
As long as you follow these steps you will be fine. When you dump with the wheels remaining on the ground the weight remains on the axle via the springs as the whole assembly rotates. Now if you overload it with rock then try and push it straight up and lift the whole thing up off the ground then all the stress and weight is on that joint in the frame instead of axle like was done in the linked thread of course it will break.
Be smart about it and enjoy your trailer. Often the first time they are somewhat stuck. Make sure you have removed the front bolts, relocate the wiring, adjust your parking brakes, and add if it won't dump add some weight near the rear use a long prybar between body and frame up front to break it loose.
Are they designed to dump? No.
Can they? Yes.
Is it safe? Yes- if you do it smartly.
First, set the trailer up right. Add a flexible section of brake line, move the wiring harness to the body, lube the joint.
Second, don't overload it.
Third, dump until the body hits the ground, then STOP and manually remove the contents.
Lastly every time you dump use the chance to inspect your frame for damage.
As long as you follow these steps you will be fine. When you dump with the wheels remaining on the ground the weight remains on the axle via the springs as the whole assembly rotates. Now if you overload it with rock then try and push it straight up and lift the whole thing up off the ground then all the stress and weight is on that joint in the frame instead of axle like was done in the linked thread of course it will break.
Be smart about it and enjoy your trailer. Often the first time they are somewhat stuck. Make sure you have removed the front bolts, relocate the wiring, adjust your parking brakes, and add if it won't dump add some weight near the rear use a long prybar between body and frame up front to break it loose.
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wreckerman893
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Why not call it a "tilt' trailer instead of a dump?
I can see where tilting can make loading/unloading something like a lawn mower or 4 -wheeler easier.
You don't need long ramps and things aren't as likely to bottom out.
As far as using it around the farm for hauling loads and ease loading/loading of those loads not a probem either as long as common sense prevails.
The mods Chief mentioned are right on the money and will make it safer and more "tilt" friendly.
I can see where tilting can make loading/unloading something like a lawn mower or 4 -wheeler easier.
You don't need long ramps and things aren't as likely to bottom out.
As far as using it around the farm for hauling loads and ease loading/loading of those loads not a probem either as long as common sense prevails.
The mods Chief mentioned are right on the money and will make it safer and more "tilt" friendly.
3dAngus
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Yeah, my feeble memory is failing me. The ads showed them in the "tilt position", not the "dump position". I misquoted earlier, working on my memory. My apologies on misquoting the ad.
They are designed to tilt.
They are designed to tilt.
KsM715
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What is "tilt" position? They are not designed to tilt either.
That bolt that "hinges" is not in-line with the frame. Even when you just "tilt" the trailer, it is putting a twisting stress into that point. Do it enough and the twisting is eventually going to crack that point. I agree that backing up so far as to take the tires off the ground is going to greatly shorten the time frame in which that crack happens but even if you just "tilt" the trailer its going to crack.
Do I tilt my M101a2, yes, only once and it didnt "dump" enough so Im building a M105 that does use the same principle (sp?) but has the hinge point in a straight line with the frame.
edit: 3dAngus, I'm not trying to argue with you, I'm just questioning if GL is even advertising them as a "tilt" trailer. It was not designed to "tilt"
That bolt that "hinges" is not in-line with the frame. Even when you just "tilt" the trailer, it is putting a twisting stress into that point. Do it enough and the twisting is eventually going to crack that point. I agree that backing up so far as to take the tires off the ground is going to greatly shorten the time frame in which that crack happens but even if you just "tilt" the trailer its going to crack.
Do I tilt my M101a2, yes, only once and it didnt "dump" enough so Im building a M105 that does use the same principle (sp?) but has the hinge point in a straight line with the frame.
edit: 3dAngus, I'm not trying to argue with you, I'm just questioning if GL is even advertising them as a "tilt" trailer. It was not designed to "tilt"
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Ripcord01
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Tilting tailers make me happy.
3dAngus
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3dAngus
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So this is the tilt position...
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They will float also with a little duct tape and some silicone caulk. I wouldn't sell them(or use one) as a lifeboat.
They will fly also, if shoved off a cliff, I wouldn't use or sell one as a hang glider either.
They will fly also, if shoved off a cliff, I wouldn't use or sell one as a hang glider either.
At least one person gets it.
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Ripcord01
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That is a nice trailer. Sitting there just waiting to be plucked , after the "tilit" jobit may need a new tailgate paintob.. It sure would be away to bend you gate woudn't you think?So this is the tilt position...
3dAngus
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Yes, and also break your lights if you're not careful.
Ripcord01
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Some one should tell this guy that they "tilt".
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3dAngus
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WOW. Those are nice looking and clean trailers. Looks like an A3 up front with the HMMWV tires that patracy is selling on the cheap. I think he will get them home a whole lot safer though if he keeps them intact like that, especially with the unleveling and the stacking then tilting. I got a good feeling when the Navy or Military ship these things overseas in the tilt position they have a nice little manual for proper procedure and are very careful in the alignment of them all before heading out to sea, or loaded in a C-5. These guys know how to safely rack and stack much better than the average Joe.
Ripcord01
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Yeah I would hope so. I was looking to see if I could find a ole picture of them loaded up by the Military.
3dAngus
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Me too. I bet they bolt them all together or something to keep them from getting rickety like some of the above posters have suggested. That would surely help keep them from getting weak at the pivot point, but all in all, I am in complete agreement with everything said here. Probably not a good idea at all. I just figure for the $240 or so I paid for mine, I can afford to buy a new one if it goes. The HMMWV tires on it are worth that, then there is scrap value, which I would only do if it was complete scrap and no one else could use it.
I have a "tilt trailer" on the back of my lawnmower from Lowes. I ripped off the tailgate tilting it. It only lasted for three years, at $150. I suspect anything you tilt is going to have problems, unless it is specifically made for that purpose, like a dump truck or something.
I think this has been a great discussion. All have made some great contributions here. I am appreciative of it all.
A student for life.
I have a "tilt trailer" on the back of my lawnmower from Lowes. I ripped off the tailgate tilting it. It only lasted for three years, at $150. I suspect anything you tilt is going to have problems, unless it is specifically made for that purpose, like a dump truck or something.
I think this has been a great discussion. All have made some great contributions here. I am appreciative of it all.
A student for life.
Ripcord01
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I am as well. I am glad not to worry and try such a task then have to worry about doing unessarily repairs or replacing the trialer. I like em but my wife says" why they are ugly" I remind her everyone is different and unique, and they all have stories to tell is they could talk.
KsM715
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Shoot DH I got all excited thinking that was going to be the reference for folding the tongue upwards for transport.
Chief_919
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Actually when the M101 series is "folded" for shipment the exact opposite of what we do to tilt them is done. The two tongue mounting bolts under the frame are removed and tounge is pivoted up on the two bolts on the front so it is straight up and down, with the rearmost part of the tongue now holding it up and the lunette is straight up.
KsM715
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Other than on the data plate, do you know what TM/FM/TB/PS or any other reference material that info is in? I have been looking off and on for over a year now.