New NY guy on the hunt for a mep-002a...

[AceHigh]

Woah, your mentioning things i had no idea about like the rod for brakes and fluids low. Is it horrible to tow with a lower than perfect lunette for a 4.5 hr ride home? Any good manuals referencing pretrip specifics or exactly what rod i need and how to use ? Also does the wiring harness simpley plug directly into my 7 pin round recepticle on my 2009 dodge ram ?

I didn't mean to make it sound bad, it is really simple. I did my tow with a Crown Vic, piece of cake. The rod I mentioned can just be a screwdriver, something to insert into the surge brake if you want to back up. The surge brakes think backing is the same as slowing down and will apply the brakes. If you don't do this, you can usually still back up, just do it slowly so the brakes don't set.

 

[AceHigh]

OK, I went out and took a few pics. The first shows a screwdriver in the back-up hole on the brakes. This is just for a few feet of backing up only, not for on the road. Second is the 24 volt connector. As you can see it does not convert to civilian use easily. Third is where I tapped in to add a 4 pin civilian connector. This is a little tough to do at GL, thus it is best to use magnetic lights to get you off base. Hope this helps.

 

[AceHigh]

Also remember to mod your genny when you get it. In this pic you can see civilian fuel filter and water separator, also a small part of the Lowe's roof panels that fit perfectly on the top bows. First mod should be Speddmon's oil filter.

 

[Another Ahab]

What's gross weight on an 002 (stand-alone: no trailer/ tank empty)?

 

[AceHigh]

940 pounds.

 

[Another Ahab]

940 pounds.

Wondered if manhandling one was 1) a genuine rigging exercise, or 2) the work of two strong (strained?) backs and a come-along.

But you just settled that thought real quick:

 

[AceHigh]

I took my 003 off once to paint the trailer. I used an engine lift. One man, but a big job!

 

[Another Ahab]

I took my 003 off once to paint the trailer. I used an engine lift. One man, but a big job!

AceHigh, you is one:

 

[Chrispyny]

Seriously you guys rock. Thanks so much for the pics and walking me thru this. Agreed that the magnetic triler lights will be a definate if i decide not attempt at trailering it home. I'm still debating on slapping a cheap electric winch on the front of my landscape trailer and winching it on and calling it a day. That way i wont have to worry about surge brakes, or pin adaptors, or any of that. I actually plan on putting the gen. on a pad next to my power inlet box and biulding a mini pole barn over it with a couple pressure treated 4x4's, small trusses, and a little shingle roof.

 

[Another Ahab]

Hey Chrispy-

Apologize here if you mentioned it already, but:

- How often do you lose power where you are?

A seasonal thing? or like a once every 2-3 months thing?

 

[Chrispyny]

Hey Chrispy-


Apologize here if you mentioned it already, but:


- How often do you lose power where you are?


A seasonal thing? or like a once every 2-3 months thing?

I don't loose power often at all. And not for long when lost.
I'm doing this for piece of mind more than anything. I'm 36 and just bouhht this first house march of 2012. Growing up my father half assed alot of things around the house. When i was younger i told myslef i would be the exact opposite as he. My house is clean, my tools are clean and arranged correctly and stored properly, my bills are paid, my lawn is kept, my neighbors are friendly because i am friends to ly neighbors.
When i moved in, the electrical panel was circa 1971 when the house was built and in my manroom. There was only 1 slot left for breakers and the manroom was scheduled for an overhaul that i completed this past summer. While overhauling my manroom, i had my electrician brother in law install a new 150 amp 30 beaker square D QO panel, and appropriate 100 subpanel to my garage for my welder and accessories such as 220v compressor which is soon to be purchased and installdd. While doing the work i had him install a power inlet box to a 30 amp breaker. I have the interlock kit and my bro in law said he 'd come to install once generator was running.
Simply put its more for piece of mind and i attribute it to a lil bit of prepping. In this economy and crazy world, you can't be to prepared. Also when hurricane irene hit in 8/2011 we lost power, and sandy in 12/2012.
My neighbor has a generac whole house standby. I just think most people should have a fallback. The way i look at it is like this :
if i loose power in the winter, whats going to keep pipes from freezing and my fanny comfortable in the dead of winter ? The answer is My wood stove and generator. Whats going to cool my fanny off when i loose power in the dead of summer. My a/c units and my genny.
I have a split level. Upstairs in summer can get hot! Downstairs in winter can get colder as heat rises upstairs.
Bottom line is, comfort is crucial and if i can afford it, i'll have it, by golly.

 

[Isaac-1]

I love having access to fork lifts and front end loaders, I am about to go put new batteries in my MEP-002a which is wedged behind my MEP-003a in a shed at the family farm at the moment. With luck it will be a 5 minute job to pick up with MEP-003a and move it 20 feet or so out of the way.

 

[AceHigh]

My neighbor has a generac whole house standby. I just think most people should have a fallback. The way i look at it is like this :
if i loose power in the winter, whats going to keep pipes from freezing and my fanny comfortable in the dead of winter ? The answer is My wood stove and generator. Whats going to cool my fanny off when i loose power in the dead of summer. My a/c units and my genny.
I have a split level. Upstairs in summer can get hot! Downstairs in winter can get colder as heat rises upstairs.
Bottom line is, comfort is crucial and if i can afford it, i'll have it, by golly.

I totally agree! It is not how often or how long power is off. It is bound to be off some, and that can be very inconvenient. Two years ago on Easter wife had a turkey in the oven and was getting ready to put a cake in when some idiot hit the power pole down the street. We were expecting a houseful.

She was panicky but within a few minutes we were up. Power came on 6 hours later.

 

[Chrispyny]

In december of 2008 i was still living at home , renting an apartment in my parents 4 unit multifamily that i grew up in. If anyone remembers, the northeast was wacked hard with a massive ice storm. I mean massive. The telephone pole in the alley was put in the ground in the 40's. It snapped square in half about 12 feet up the pole. Unfortunately my parents were the only ones who's power was served from that pole. So when the power companies from across the country sent thier linemen to NY to fix the infrastructure, because we were only 1 house down of power, we were last to be fixed.
A power companys linemen from penssylvania put in a new pole and transformer, replacing the old pole and transformer that dated 1943 on its side, 6 days later.
My father had pipes, a wife, and three other tenants including myself he had to contend with. He had to run out in an emergency, buy a 5k home depot special generator, gas it up, jerry rig it into electrical panel ( god help us that the house didnt burn down or linemen killed cause of that poop show) and keep that loud monster running and gassed up for 6 days. It was a complete cluster fudge and i dont EVER want to go thru that myself.
Thats the short story. The details are scary !

 

[dangier]

Loading MEP trailer on your trailer

Will someone please tell me what the absolute exterior dimensions are on the wheel base for the trailers that mep-002s come on ? Im bidding on a mep002a on a military trailer that these come on all the time. I have a dual axle landscape trailer and need to know if i can winch the trailer/002a combo onto to get them home. Its a 4.5 hour drive and i would prefer not to attempt to drag an unknown trialer that far. Tires may be rotted and flat or close to, bearings may be in bad shape, lights may not work etc. my trailer is about 6.5 feet wide roughly. Maybe a couple inches shy. Will the trailer fit ?

Ty!

...


Chrispyny-I did the same thing you are considering. My 14' trailer is 81" inside the fenderwells. Picked up a MEP electric plant trailer (w/2 002's) from New Castle a year ago. Dragged on trailer backwards with come along and chained down. Had 1" or so between the tires and fenders. Rode very well during a 5 hour trip to Virginia.



You might wish to bring blocking and ramps to get the wheels up onto the trailer. I also brought two 4' 6 x 6 timbers notched in the middle in case I had to remove the wheels and drop the axle into them. I was worried about not fitting inside the fenders. All went well and chained to a tree at home and drove out from under it. Neat!
David

 

[Chainbreaker]

Will someone please tell me what the absolute exterior dimensions are on the wheel base for the trailers that mep-002s come on ? Im bidding on a mep002a on a military trailer that these come on all the time. I have a dual axle landscape trailer and need to know if i can winch the trailer/002a combo onto to get them home. Its a 4.5 hour drive and i would prefer not to attempt to drag an unknown trialer that far. Tires may be rotted and flat or close to, bearings may be in bad shape, lights may not work etc. my trailer is about 6.5 feet wide roughly. Maybe a couple inches shy. Will the trailer fit ?

Ty!

I went outside and measured my MEP-002a trailer (M116A2) for you. It measures 72.5" between outermost sidewalls that came with it (LT235/85/R16). The outermost frame is 73.5" at 22" off ground (as measured between lowest outer points of the trailer bows fitments sleeves. So depending how high your trailers wheel wells are, you will at least need 73" - 74" between them at a minimum to squeeze it on. Also, you can find the trailer TM here:

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showth...330-202-13P-M101-Trailer-Dec-30-2011-revision

Page 85 has tie down placard I believe.

 

[Chrispyny]

I went outside and measured my MEP-002a trailer (M116A2) for you. It measures 72.5" between outermost sidewalls that came with it (LT235/85/R16). The outermost frame is 73.5" at 22" off ground (as measured between lowest outer points of the trailer bows fitments sleeves. So depending how high your trailers wheel wells are, you will at least need 73" - 74" between them at a minimum to squeeze it on. Also, you can find the trailer TM here:

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showth...330-202-13P-M101-Trailer-Dec-30-2011-revision

Page 85 has tie down placard I believe.

Can't thank you enough man. I think my trailer should be fine. I'll measure it one last time tomorrow in daylight. This site has been an enormous help. I'm so greatful to everyone so far. I really hope to win this auction. T minus 19 hours!

 

[Rapracing]

...


Chrispyny-I did the same thing you are considering. My 14' trailer is 81" inside the fenderwells. Picked up a MEP electric plant trailer (w/2 002's) from New Castle a year ago. Dragged on trailer backwards with come along and chained down. Had 1" or so between the tires and fenders. Rode very well during a 5 hour trip to Virginia.

View attachment 481017

You might wish to bring blocking and ramps to get the wheels up onto the trailer. I also brought two 4' 6 x 6 timbers notched in the middle in case I had to remove the wheels and drop the axle into them. I was worried about not fitting inside the fenders. All went well and chained to a tree at home and drove out from under it. Neat!
David

That appears to have about filled the trailer. I guess I didn't realize how long they were. You said yours is 14ft?? Looks like the military trailer was almost if not the same length?

 

[gimpyrobb]

The trailer in that pic is a 1.5 ton trailer(m103). Usually those have 2 mep003s on them. Someone earlier in this thread said you were getting an M116. totally different animals, do not confuse the two.

 

[dangier]

Gimpy is right. Mine was a M103 (double 002's). I didn't pick up that yours was a M116 (single generator-smaller trailer). Get the 10% or so trailer weight on the tongue and it should ride good. What would we do without Gimpy....
Hope you get it.
David