If you are a member over at Wranglerforum, this may be a repeat for you, but I wanted to share here as I think you guys will appreciate this!
I've been looking into trailer options for my Jeep Unlimited for a few months - and in the interim I had built a small Harbor Freight utility trailer that I added a car-top carrier to... just to carry our luggage and such for vacation.
After my vacation, I knew my little homebrew trailer wasn't big enough and I started trying to decide what I was going to do - rebuild it and add a new larger axle, etc... or find something else and sell it...
Well - I happened upon this on Cragslist and made the 200 mile round trip after work Tuesday night... wasn't planned AT ALL - nothing like working late, grabbing a buddy and jumping in the jeep for an hour and a half dive one way...
All told - it took about 6 hours door to door with some wiring fab (borrowed the sellers magnet lights) and chatting. Made it home about 1am.
Here she is - M101A1 made in 1968. All the trimmings and in pristine condition... I mean PERFECT! I'm not going to talk price as I'm not sure if the seller is a member here... but He took good care of me.
View attachment 571688
It took about 50 miles to get over the initial "D@mn this thing is huge!!" jitters... but she drove nice and smooth at 65mph all the way home. Pintle hitch takes some getting used to - you have to get over the mental stress of the *CLUNK*... I got about 12mpg at just under 65mphwith OD off.. I get about 18.5mpg at the same speed unloaded (OD on).
View attachment 571689
Got it registered yesterday and I'll start the fun part now - playing and wiring and such! I'm so geeked..
I've never dealt with Military Surplus before and everything is so stinking massive and overbuilt.
I want to flip the lunette ring - but seriously - are you kidding me? I need to go buy a trailer hitch wrench to tackle the nut... but even the stinking cotter pin in the castle nut wont budge! I just watched a youtube vid of a guy flipping one and it took an oxyacetylene torch and 5 lb sledge to get it loose... I'm going to have to put on my big boy pants for this I think... lol!!
Anyways - put the kiddos to work sweeping it out.
View attachment 571690
View attachment 571691
They love it!
I think I'm going to fab up some bench seats and we will do some fun rides on the two tracks up at our cottage and maybe a hayride for church.
My brain is swimming with all the possiblities!
Thanks for the site - I've already read about 5 hours on these trailers and plan on even more as I get more into mine.