So it looks like I bought an m101a2...

[smier]

I just used the quick splice clips and a standard 4pin trailer connector with about 4 feet of wire. I found a thread on steelsoldiers.com that give you a list of what wires do what on the trailer. The government didn't use colored wire, they used little aluminum tags that are numbered to identify a wire. There is a junction box in the frame that covers the connectors and all the tags for the wires. I just unbolted the cover, found the wires I needed, spliced in with my quick connectors, swapped the bulbs in the housing to 12 volt bulbs( the military uses 24 volts) and down the road I went!!! I'm not concerned with keeping it original, or an accurate military trailer, so I am just going to rewire the entire trailer with a new kit and lights. The spliced in connector was just a quick fix to get the lights working for the ride home. This trailer is awesome, and it will probably last me forever! They sit pretty high, so loading and unloading may be an issue for some people, but this trailer suits my needs perfectly, definately do your research and buy the newest and nicest one you can get. Sorry about the pics, I'm getting ready to do some mods to the trailer here soon, so I'll try and get some pictures uploaded then.

 

[smier]

I forgot to mention, I installed a tongue jack about two months ago. The trailer is fairly heavy, and even though I could lift the tongue, I had trouble locking the center stand that the military uses to hold the tongue up when the trailer is not in use... I'm not as young as I used to be an figured I wasn't only going to succeed in blowing my back out. It was the best $50 I spent, so much nicer now. I just bought a bolt on model at tractor supply, works great! All together, with the title and auction fees, a few new parts, I'm at right around $500 for this thing. I still need to get some new tires on it, so that will cost me as well, might try and pick some good used tires up off of craigslist...

 

[tRustyK5]

And still no pictures...

 

[smier]

And still no pictures...

I know, I know, it's just that photobucket and I don't get along very well...

 

[tRustyK5]

So do an attachment here...you're a paid member. Attachment is a straight shot from your computer to CK5, no 'middle man' like photobucket.

Use the little paperclip icon.

 

[smier]

Excuse the family truxster, I didn't have a reciever on my blazer when I went to pick the trailer up at Letterkenney Army Depot...

 

[smier]

With the bows and tarp in place, I was still trying to figure out how to put it on correctly in this photo. You can see the box/cover I referred to in my previous post on the trailer tongue/framework in this photo, all the wiring meets at a junction block under that cover. This is where I spliced in for my standard 4pin connector for the lights. Now Trusty can put the Ban Hammer away!

 

[tRustyK5]

We have the same family truckster...ours is an '02 with the mighty 4.7 and blue.

See how easy pics can be?

 

[dhcomp]

Excuse the family truxster, I didn't have a reciever on my blazer when I went to pick the trailer up at Letterkenney Army Depot...

Those pics really put it in perspective. Its a lot bigger than i thought it was!

 

[smier]

It's not as heavy as the picture makes it look, my Durango was loaded down for the trip with more tools, spare parts, jack, spare tires, etc in the back for the trip. It was sitting like that before I hooked up to the trailer! It's roughly the size of an fullsize pickup bed, and my Durango pulled it like it wasn't even there.

 

[smier]

They are only rated for 3/4 ton payload, but just about everyone I've talked to says they can easily handle more. Because of the size of the trailer, I've read that it's easy to overload them, which I would believe. I just love the versatility it provides, I can haul a load of mulch one day or throw the cover on and haul furniture in the rain the next...it even has eyelets in the trailer bed for tying stuff down. The last picture shows the brake setup, take notice of the brake handles where the frame meets the front of the trailer body. There is one on both sides of the frame for each wheel. In the last picture he has the brakes locked when the trailer isn't being towed, you just flip those handles up to release them. The pintle setup is attached to the unit that controls the hydraulic brakes, mine thankfully seem to work perfectly and really have helped stopping when loaded.

 

[CUCV2]

I was thinking of swapping the Suburban out for a Crew Cab. I think getting one of these trailers would be a better idea. Where did you find yours?

 

[smier]

Governmentliquidators.com is the clearinghouse for the federal government. You have to create an account before you can bid on the auctions. They have auctions all over the country, so be careful. Their site can be a little confusing, and sometimes hard to navigate. Also be prepared, some bases only allow pickup on certain days of the week. I was hoping to pick mine up on the weekend, but ended up taking a day off of work. You also may have to pickup the item within ten business days of the auctions end. Study up on the rating methods the government uses, because some auctions are sold strictly as scrap, so you will never be able to title and register some vehicles. Main thing is, do your homework before you bid.

 

[Deuling]

How do you find these from the army?

 

[AJMBLAZER]

As smier said, you buy them through the government's liquidator.

The basics:
-military/government agency declares something surplus to their needs
-it's sent to DRMO to be classified and disposed of
-if it's still useful and not sensitive material it gets sent to GovLiq and they auction it off to the public (provided no other government agency or group with access to the DRMO system wants it first)
-You sign up to bid, go and see the item if possible (some places you can't or the item is far away from you), place your bid, hopefully win, and then go through what can sometimes be a tedious and anal probing like process of getting approval to actually win the item and receive it into your possession.
-Meanwhile GovLiq people either carefully maintain it while awaiting for you or they maul it/strip it for parts/use it as a toilet/switch it with a crappier similar item/any combo of the above.
-You pick it up. Hopefully it's as described and as the pictures show.

I've never personally used GovLiq. The description above is based on many years of reading SteelSoldiers' forum. Some folks have great experiences and have no trouble. Some folks got screwed or had tremendous trouble getting their stuff. Some got bargains on great stuff, some got junk that wasn't as described. Caveat Emptor.

Meanwhile they're often available from surplus sellers. Not sure of any in Michigan. Beware that many items on GovLiq in Michigan are National Guard items that have a reputation for having been used HARD and put away wet. Definitely behoves you to go and look at them beforehand if possible.

 

[Deuling]

I didnt realize it was a 4 page thread (mines on 10 post) lol, i hit reply after reading the first one. Thanks AJ.

 

[IHC656]

I bought a couple of these for moving fire wood. I did not get the canvas or top rails with mine.
Bought a 12volt tail light kit which mounted perfect on the factory brackets.
I was told it dumped, which it does. But not that great.
But for driving thru the woods full of fire wood its top of the line.

 

[smier]

I love mine! It can haul a huge amount of stuff, and I can throw the bows and tarp on an use it to store building materials when I'm working on the house. It's an awesome trailer for how I use it. The brakes are a huge plus when hauling a lot of weight(overloaded). I'm still running the original lights, I just swapped 12 volt bulbs in place of the 24 volt bulbs and spliced a 4 prong connector. I also added a jack to the tongue, because these things are heavy and it will save your back.