MEP Trailers rated at 3,000 load capacity?

[WARWAG]

Hi All,
Well My brother picked up one of my three Gensets I won. The trailers have been modified to carry 3,000 lbs vs the stock 1,500 lbs ratings these M116 originally came with. I will post some pictures of the suspension here soon. For now here is what I have. Is this a common thing the Military did to these trailers?

 

[WARWAG]

From the pictures my brother just sent me I cant see ANY difference between the standard M101 3/4 ton rated trailer and these M116 genset trailers (suspension wise that is). Here are the pics from the M116 trailer.

 

[WARWAG]

OH I see the difference. That metal Plate that the Military added! lol. I believe these axles them selves are rated to 10,000 lbs. The springs Im sure are more than capable of 5K. I have always found it funny that the M101 trailers were rated for 1,500 lbs after seeing how over built they are.

 

[Nonotagain]

The M116A3 trailers were rated for 1 ton if they used a 6 leaf pack.

The trailer pictured only has a 4 leaf spring pack, so unless someone removed some leaves, I don't believe the plackard is correct.

 

[derf]

Those ratings are for off road and rough terrain, if I'm not mistaken.
Just like the MEPs are rated for extreme conditions and will do more than the rating, I think the trailers are capable of carrying way more than their rated 3/4 ton on flat roads and highways. I wouldn't hesitate to haul 1 ton or a little more in an M101A2 on good, flat roads, with a proper tow vehicle.

M116A2s have surge brakes.
M116A2E1s have 4" frames instead of 3".
M116A3s have 4" frames and offset axles.

Quote from olive-drab.com:

The M116 Chassis, Cargo, 3/4 Ton has been used as the base for many specialized 3/4 ton trailers, such as mobile power generators, radar sets or tool collections. The M101 3/4 ton cargo trailer uses the M116A2 chassis to carry the M101A2 and the M116A3 chassis for the M101A3. Unlike the other M116 series trailers, the M116A3 has a load rating of one ton.

 

[SCSG-G4]

The plate says max GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight - trailer and load) is 3000 pounds, not payload.

 

[derf]

The plate says max GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight - trailer and load) is 3000 pounds, not payload.

The trailer weighs around 1340lbs so rated payload capacity of 1500lbs gets you up around 3000lbs total. Makes sense.

 

[WARWAG]

The M116A3 trailers were rated for 1 ton if they used a 6 leaf pack.

The trailer pictured only has a 4 leaf spring pack, so unless someone removed some leaves, I don't believe the plackard is correct.

Hard to tell what could have been done in its life. Either way 4 or 6 leafs its still more trailer capacity than needed! Thanks for the info. I will check my other two trailers when we pick them up Tuesday or Thursday.

 

[WARWAG]

Thats a good point. But my standard M101 trailers dont have that placard? OH well. Thanks for the info. Makes sense now.

 

[derf]

Info on olive-drab.com says they came with 5 or 6 leaf springs. Maybe the "modified" part means they installed 4 leaves?