pioneer tool trailers - kit or factory?

[maddawg308]

Does anyone know if the M101-based pioneer tool trailers were factory items, or add-on kits to modify existing M101 or M116 trailers in the field? Only reason I ask is I saw a pioneer trailer body sitting in the field at Colemans, but no frame or anything else attached to it, like it had been surplussed out as a kit and not as a complete trailer.

Just got the gears in my mind turning....

 

[m35a2kevin]

hey mike,
if i still had access to my external harddrive, i had a couple of pics of them being assembled and painted. they look like they were being built all as one unit. but it is possible these were just being modifed to.

kevin

 

[JB]

Pioneer trailer

I do not think it adds too much to your question (maybe it will) but when I cleaned and painted the underside of mine I made out the Bethlehem steel stamping very faintly on one of the cross members.

 

[tjmilitary]

Our M116 is basically the tool body on the M101 frame. No changes just a different body.

 

[papercu]

Depend on the branch of service. Most everything is factory built, military see a need, planning group get together, decide what needs to be included, how to build them and how many are needed for the entire Army, Navy and Air Force. After years of planning they put out bids for complete units. Lowest bid get the contract and build them. Of course after the years of planning everything is now obsolete. Unit get them and tell what doesn't work and why. Planning group get back together and after more years will issue Change Orders. Everything comes together and GI Joe finally get what they need!
Then the Marines comes and steal it from them. And Life goes on. Wayne

 

[papercu]

BTW It is a tool body on a M116 chassis. Wayne

 

[LanceRobson]

Hello Mike

My pioneer trailer has a 1982 Southwest Truck Body box on an M116A1 chassis. The chassis seems straight stock. There is a layer of 3/4" plywood between the box and chassis.

There's no direct evidence I can see as to whether the body was installed at the Southwest factory or a depot etc. The trailer data plate info is sparse. It only has the serial number (45 and the word "CONTRACT" is over stamped with "REGIST" followed by 06CV6768. Everthing else is blank. I'll look under it later today and see what I can learn from the paint.

If you need pics, let me know. My trailer is in daily use and is sitting in the driveway.

If you don't want it for yourself and it's in good shape, I'm interested. A second one would be handy.

Lance

 

[elkay12]

do you have a pix