Lowering an M101A2

[Chief_919]

I have a potential customer who wants one of my M101A2's, but he wants it to ride lower.

Off road ability is not an issue. He has developed a new filter system for WVO and WMO and wants to use this trailer to haul his display model around. The plan is to build an enclosure about 7-8 feet high on the bed with solar panels on the roof to hold his display model of the whole thing. The unit sits about 7 feet high.

The 101 bed is an ideal base for what he wants to do.

Looking at the axle, it appears one could do a spring under swap fairly simply, just moving the axle to ride on top of the springs instead of under them. Looks like you would need shorter shocks, but other than that it looks like a straight foward swap.

I think a spring under swap plus smaller tires would get him to the level he wants, where people could easily step up into the bed to see the unit.

Anyone ever done a swap like this?

 

[Ferroequinologist]

I've seen people do it, but usually they just bolt the axle to the frame, with no springs whatsoever. Seen several m105's done that way.

I think doing a spring under would work fine, not sure on how easy it would be to get smaller rims/tires.

 

[Whitey]

Mitsubishi Eclipse tires. No joke. Really low profile compared to truck tires and it works.

 

[Chief_919]

I've seen people do it, but usually they just bolt the axle to the frame, with no springs whatsoever. Seen several m105's done that way.

I think doing a spring under would work fine, not sure on how easy it would be to get smaller rims/tires.

Yeah, they want suspension so they don't rattle their display model every time they drive, otherwise bolting direct to the frame would work.

The alternative plan would be bolting something like this to the frame:

Reliable Rubber Torsion Trailer Axle — 3500-Lb. Capacity, 30° Below Start Angle | Axle Kits | Northern Tool + Equipment

So that it has the suspension still.

 

[Nonotagain]

Clearances get tight between the axle and frame when you move the axle to the top of the springs.
I'm not sure, but I think longer spring shackles will work.

When I get home I'll verify and post back.

 

[Nonotagain]

Chief
Looked at one of my M101 trailers this evening, and it's not possible to mount the axle above the springs and have any clearance between the axle and frame when you put a load on the trailer.
With no load, there is 5" between the frame and the top of the springs. My axle measures 3.5" diameter, so unless you put longer spring shackles on the trailer, the axle will contact the frame with a load.
I would have placed some weight in and measured spring compression, but the flying blood leaches were out in full force.
The shortest tire for a 16.5" wheel that I'm aware of is a 8.75x16.5 that measures 28" tall.

 

[Oldfart]

I think the wheel bolt pattern is the same as 16" 8 hole rims. Don't know what the hub requirements are, (should be the same as Chevy) but with the exception of the newer "metric" civi 16 inch truck wheels you should be able to convert to 16". That would give a wider selection of tire sizes.

 

[derf]

Mitsubishi Eclipse tires. No joke. Really low profile compared to truck tires and it works.

One shouldn't put automobile tires on trailers unless absolutely necessary.

 

[derf]

Here's the thread on my 101A1:

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/trailers/59482-m101a1-standard-3500lb-axle-swap.html

You can ditch the shocks or get some shorter ones if you want but most utility trailers do not have shocks.

I had to remove two leaves from the spring packs because my U-bolts were short and I didn't want to source longer, custom U-bolts. I dunno how low you want to get it but if you do the axle swap you can mount 14s or 15s easily.

Also, when mine has 1100lbs (two MEP-701As) on in and is level the rear gate clears the ground by about 2". If you go much lower than mine the rear gate will hit the ground when open.

If you want to keep the surge brakes you need to pay attention to the attitude of the trailer. If towed in a "nose down" attitude you may have trouble with the surge brakes.

 

[m16ty]

One shouldn't put automobile tires on trailers unless absolutely necessary.

Why? I'm not saying you're wrong but I don't see what it would hurt. The stock M101 tires are exactly the same as on a CUCV truck.

I will say that you have to watch some light auto tires though. Some won't be heavy enough to use on something like a M101.

Whenever I get a new set of tires for my truck there's always one or two with a little life left in them. The used truck tires always go into my trailer tire pile.

 

[derf]

Here is one opinion on trailer vs. automobile tires:

http://www.serroscottycamperenthusiasts.com/files/whybuytrailertires.pdf

When towing a loaded trailer it is very important that you can control it and that it behaves properly. An unruly trailer can cause accidents and even flip the tow vehicle over in extreme cases.

Also, I think it is OK to use LT (light truck) tires on a trailer. But, I do not recommend using automobile tires on trailers or light trucks.

 

[m16ty]

Ok, when you said "automobile" I thought you were grouping trucks in that category also. We're on the same page.

 

[therealsundance]

Here is one opinion on trailer vs. automobile tires:

http://www.serroscottycamperenthusiasts.com/files/whybuytrailertires.pdf

When towing a loaded trailer it is very important that you can control it and that it behaves properly. An unruly trailer can cause accidents and even flip the tow vehicle over in extreme cases.

Also, I think it is OK to use LT (light truck) tires on a trailer. But, I do not recommend using automobile tires on trailers or light trucks.

The M101A2 trailers we buy don't come with trailer tires. And plenty of light trucks come with P rated tires as OEM.

 

[derf]

The M101A2 trailers we buy don't come with trailer tires. And plenty of light trucks come with P rated tires as OEM.

The article explained why LT tires can be used on trailers. P rated tires are not the best choice for trailers.
But, people skimp on safety all the time and get away with it.
If you do things like using improperly rated tires for trailers and you have an accident, you can get worn out by the cops and lawsuits.
Tires also have a date code and a safe life span of about 7 years.

All the GL trailers I've seen have had terrible tires.

 

[Oldfart]

I don't know about all GL trailers, but I have bought several just for the tires. Two M101a1's provided a nice good near new set of 4 for an M43. Less money than buying the tire new and I have scrap iron I can sell. My son picked up an M1061 trailer with practically new tires and he bought a M105 with a new set of 11.00x20 which he needed. I have looked at a lot of M101a2 trailers in Colorado and Kansas and most of those tires were better than average. Tires and covers probably have more to do with local GL trailer price variation than anything else. A torn cover is worthless except as patch material and bad tires just cost money to throw away.

 

[derf]

A couple of GL trailers I bought had like new tread on the tires but they were cracked and split from sitting in the sun. They held air, but just barely. They looked good in the auction pics but when I got there they were rolling danger.

 

[3dAngus]

Seven foot high? You should ask him if he needs a custom cover for it. I've got that special cover we talked about for the M101 that I don't need, and he needs a cover for something that big and expensive. Now, how to get it to you. Ha.

Anyway, good luck with the project and PM me if I can help.

 

[jimk]

M-105 w/narrowed 5000lb mobile home axle. F rated 14.5 tires. The old stamped steel wheels are rather hard to find now. Square tube tongue. tilts.. Had some U bolts made at local spring shop. Had to fiddles w/ spring pads on the axle tube. A few leafs were removed too, but still takes 4000lbs cargo.

 

[derf]

Nice. I feel my on 101A1, even with two leaves removed the springs are more than capable of 3500lbs. They look and feel heavier than standard 3500lb trailer springs.

 

[number9]

I've thought about taking a couple springs out of my M101A3 but didn't know how bad it would hurt the load capability. I just haul dirt bikes in it, but I kno some day I'll want to load it down with something.

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