History of the purchase:
After looking for 2 months on Craigslist and eBay for an m101 trailer to become available in my price range of 600-800, I finally got one. Most of the trailers I found on those sites were m105s and the rare m101 that popped up was in the $1000-up range and over 3 hours from my San Jose, CA area. The 416 was not in the question for me because I didn't think it would fit my dirtbike well. The 105 was way too heavy at almost 2500lbs but the m101 was perfect at around 1300lbs dry.

The purchase:
Well I found a gov auction site called govliquidation.com and ended up winning an auction on a decent m101 in French Camp, CA. About 10 min south of Stockton on I5. There were 5 m101s ranging in condition, the best selling for around $750 and least selling for around $525. I won mine at $585, however, they tied on a 7.25% tax and 10% buyers fee to end up around $675 total. The bummer about it is as a first time buyer, I had to fill out some End of Use contract form and email it back for some type of background check to make sure Im not gonna sell this outdated trailer to Iran or something. That can take around 60 days from today. When it's been approved, I can schedule to go pick it up.


The trailer:
This trailer caught my interest over the other 4 because it has what looks like brand new tires and a similar tread to whats on my jku. Most of the other trailers had the old ass hard as a rock, no tread original military tires. The trailer that sold for the most however did have the better tires as well as fiberglass gates instead of wooden
















Plans for build:
The trailer will mostly be used for dump runs, hauling dirtbikes and the hauling the occasional bullshit I buy/sell on Craigslist. I do plan to build it for camping as well though. I'm not into rock crawling and live super close to Hollister hills and tons of places to play in the mud. I don't really need the trailer for that since I live so close and won't be hitting any trails with it at this point. I did want the option of having the larger clearance and tires to drag the thing hunting and hauling back pigs or deer occasionally. Some of the first things I plan on for the build are:

-possibly swap out pintle hitch for standard 2" ball, more research needed.
-figure out how to hook up the trailer brakes
-Rhino lining interior bed
-Cleaning, sanding, filling, rust protection of the body and black paint
-Swapping wheels to matching XD monster 18" wheels
-Gutting electrical and replacing wiring to flat pin connector and LED markers, tails and backup lights
-Led interior bed lighting
-Some sort of removeable roof covering to allow camping and sleeping in the bed
-Truck bed air mattress
-lockable gun storage
-tongue box and battery box for accessories/12v power
-rear hitch for additional storage or hook ups


Any ideas? I don't care much for keeping it original but am looking for more function and a modern look over classic

 

I am considering a "softopper" canvas collapsible camper shell. It could fold forward and store in the boot bag while not being used but easily extended up to cover the bed portion in bad elements or for camping. Because the trailer will mainly be used for hauling dirt bikes, it will need to be easily removeable. I have bought one of these for my old truck for the same reason and found a used one for $350. It worked great, was waterproof and took about 5 min to put up.

 

Your trailer looks good - this is what I just got ex Australian Army. Its actually a Workshop Trailer which was towed behind Land Rovers, but it goes really well behind the JK

 

That's crazy, I've never seen one of those before. Very cool!

 

I have an M101-A1 and really love it, almost an exact copy of yours except I also have the Canvas Cover that came with the trailer. A very good useable trailer for almost anything you can carry.
Suggestions:

• Dont trade out or cut off the Pintle style hitch - these are excellent for offroading, won't come unhitched in articulation and a pintle style receiver is available through Northridge - where I got mine.
• Don't gut the wiring - look at the "steelsoldiers" website and there are many great schematics, downloadable maintenance instructions, etc. there.
• Look on Ebay for the canvas covers made for these trailers, they are heavy duty and camo in most cases.

 

This is really cool. I'm subscribing to see how this goes. I'd love to get myself one of these someday

 

Cool thanks for the tips. Do you have a thread on your build? I've seen the pintle hitch at tractor supply for $100 so after learning that, I will prob keep the pintle set up. I have seen the canvas covers on there too and like how they look. I may look into that. You gave me an idea actually regarding the canvas covers. I've got a trektop nix on my jeep and would look pretty cool to have a slantback trektop looking canvas cover on the trailer. Easily doable. Is yours much taller with the canvas cover on than ur jk?
Why do you suggest keeping the original wiring? I read somewhere about doing the 24 to 12 volt conversion by swapping the bulb but was thinking it would be better to just run a new set of wires from a flat connector to new LEDs. Thank for your input, it's much appreciated

Also-what's the deal with trailer brakes on these? How do you wire to work? Do you need them? Or could you point me in that direction?

 

I'll keep you posted if I come across any online in the NJ area in my parts searching.

 

Nice trailer, this is exactly what I'm looking to do for my expedition build.

Subscribed!

 

Nice! Got any ideas to share or mods you plan on for urs?