Another M116 Mule trailer

[maccus]

Here is a M116 that I had in the back yard and its modification into a mule hauler. As with most all improvised adaptations I have used what I had in the iron pile and what I could buy cheaply. Going with 10-32 volt LED lighting so it can be pulled with my M37 or civy pickup. Will add the correct DOT lighting after the paint job. Have two NOS/NDT tires and new rims to be added yet. Thanks for the tires and rims hndersonj. The deck is a couple of Marston runway mats and the winch is one I made to attach to a regular 2 inch hitch receiver. Ramps are a couple of cheap Harbor Freight units. Had to add a two inch tube to the outside of the frame for the fenders so the mule tires could pass thru ok.

Put the Mule on the trailer today for the first time and see I need to come up with a different location for the winch hook. Probable a canvas strap located in the middle of the front axle. Have some 6 inch scraps of boiler plate 8 foot long and will add them to the sides to sort of keep the wheels from wandering off of the deck. When I wire the lighting I will make a "Y" connection to the towing vehicle with one leg of the "Y" a GI trailer plug and the other a standard 7 blade civy plug. That way all one has to do is just load the Mule and go down the road.

P.S. Still looking for an engine guard so if you have one to spare give me a PM.

 

[clinto]

Going with 10-32 volt LED lighting so it can be pulled with my M37 or civy pickup.

We just did this on Dave's M105 camper. He uses it for camping and sometimes pulls it with the Ram dually or the M35. We used the 2-1 adapters (packards) to split the 3 taillight circuits out......... one wire goes to the factory military 12 pin trailer connector and the other goes to a civvy 7 pin connector. Obviously updated the trailer to LED taillights, same as yours.

So now, the 105 can be hooked to any M-series vehicle or any civvy vehicle with a 7 pin and it has lights. And since it's all permanently attached, no chance of losing an adapter.

 

[maccus]

We just did this on Dave's M105 camper. He uses it for camping and sometimes pulls it with the Ram dually or the M35. We used the 2-1 adapters (packards) to split the 3 taillight circuits out......... one wire goes to the factory military 12 pin trailer connector and the other goes to a civvy 7 pin connector. Obviously updated the trailer to LED taillights, same as yours.

So now, the 105 can be hooked to any M-series vehicle or any civvy vehicle with a 7 pin and it has lights. And since it's all permanently attached, no chance of losing an adapter.

Yep my logic also Clinto. Hate to have to monkey around when it comes time to hook up to the towing vehicle.

 

[Landbarger]

I like it!

What did your fenders come off of?

 

[maccus]

The fenders are new stuff. Added some 14 ga. to the inside of the fender between the fender and the frame. Finding a fender that was wide enough was a little difficult. Got them here............

http://www.sturdybuiltonline.com/Co...-Fender-Single-Axle-13-x-36-x-20in_p_371.html

 

[maccus]

Pretty much done with the trailer. Still need to add the USMC markings and add the wiring harness. Then it is done as far as I am concerned. The new old stock tires and rims were fun to mount as the tires had been stored inside, but one was a 1965 and the other was a 1968 date of MFG..

Those of you that attended the GA rally will note that the mule in the background is an exact copy in every way of Clinto's Mule.

 

[hndrsonj]

Looks great!

 

[rumplecat]

Very nice job!!!

 

[Abbylind]

Nice trailer. Where did you get the tires on your mule? Cost?

 

[maccus]

I got the mule tires from John Emery. They were around $110 or so I think. He had a special at the Iola event this summer.

 

[Abbylind]

Thanks!

 

[bigmike]

Awesome Job. I love the look of the Martson Matting.

 

[tommys2patrick]

Great way to haul a mule. Do you know if it's wide enough for a "modern" army mule, side by side, too?

 

[maccus]

Great way to haul a mule. Do you know if it's wide enough for a "modern" army mule, side by side, too?

I do not know that. Would have to measure both mules I guess.

 

[hendersond]

Great trailer! I like it.

 

[Trailboss]

Great work!

I know you have to have the mule way forward to keep the trailer from having too much weight on the rear, but watch out for sharp left turns (especially when backing) to keep the truck from hitting the mule foot rack. Have you considered loading the mule backwards?

 

[mulman7]

John is selling out his stock of tires and does not plan on stocking more.
Summit Racing through eBay sells a set of 4 for $476.00 with free shipping.
These are Coker Tires same as the Denman Tire except they do not say Denman on the side even thought the pic on eBay shows Denman.

 

[Jeeps4ME]

I do not know that. Would have to measure both mules I guess.

I you talking about a M-gator?