Military Utility trailer

[delfinskee]

Is anyone currently using a M101 or M416 US military trailer as a tow behind their XJ? If so, how does it handle. Any issues? By spec's it appears that the XJ should be able to handle the weight, but I always prefer getting information from people who have already done what it is I am asking. I am purchasing a trailer from decommissioned military stock, and plan on towing it back to San Diego where I live. I am positive the M416 will work, but there are a lot of M101's out there for better prices, plus it will haul a little bit more than the M416. As always, Thanks in advance for any assistance I recieve and Jeep Safe! Steve

 

[ILLXJ]

Check the Adventure Forum. Pretty sure there is some info there.

JIM.

 

[yossarian19]

Yeah, I've seen a lot of M101 builds on the net. Never had one / towe one myself. People who post seem VERY happy with theirs, though. Narrower than the XJ, follow them easily, light weight enough to add / build onto. Looks like a winner.

 

[Darky]

GSequoia has a M416 he pulls behind his XJ. He seems happy with it.

 

[OverlandZJ]

The M101 is a heavy trailer, 3/4 ton if i recall. The 416 is 1/4 ton and better suited for behind the XJ.

Unless you mean the Canadian M101, which are the 416 equivelent.

 

[Super mud]

The M101 is a heavy trailer, 3/4 ton if i recall. The 416 is 1/4 ton and better suited for behind the XJ.

Unless you mean the Canadian M101, which are the 416 equivelent.

Thats what I was trying to figure out. I google imaged both and got the same damn thing expecting the 3/4 in the mix

 

[GSequoia]

A US M416 or M100 is great behind an XJ. A US M101 would be way to large and heavy, they're made to be towed by the big trucks, that's why they have air brakes. As Overlandy said a Canadian M101 would also be great.

The M416 is a little bit narrower than an XJ and tracks perfectly.

 

[Cnickgo]

A US M416 or M100 is great behind an XJ. A US M101 would be way to large and heavy, they're made to be towed by the big trucks, that's why they have air brakes. As Overlandy said a Canadian M101 would also be great.

The M416 is a little bit narrower than an XJ and tracks perfectly.

The M101a2/a3 have surge brakes. They were designed to be towed behind the M880 (Dodge), and later adapted to the a3, a slightly wider wheel base and runflats to match the HMMWV.

The M105, a 1.5 ton trailer, has air over hydraulic brakes and is sized to be pulled behind the 2.5 tons. This trailer is way too big for an XJ.

The M101a2/a3 can be used with an XJ, it just depends on your purpose. Most people say they are too heavy because they are building an offroad only adventure trailer, which they are significantly loading down.

If your purpose is a utility trailer for yard work, with the occasional offroad pull, an M101a2/a3 isn't out of the ballpark. There is a thread on here from a little while back of someone building an M101, did a great job and it matches the XJ well.

 

[karstic]

I love my Bantam T3-C (Post WWII civilian model of the T3)

Tracks well behind the XJ.
Easily picked up and moved by two people.

 

[tbburg]

Here's my -416:

Tows great behind the XJ. Except in deep sand and steep up-hills, the XJ doesn't even know the trailer is back there. This pic was on the Bonneville salt flats. Had the XJ(and trailer) up to about 100mph on the salt.

The -416 weighs 900lb empty, and has a 1/2 ton rating on-highway, 1/4 ton off-road. Simple as heck to work on, and uses standard bearings. Uses the 5x5.5 bolt circle. In the pic above, the trailer has CJ steel wheels. 'Track is a little wide due to the rim offset.

Edit: If you're getting a mil-surplus trailer, SERVICE THE BEARINGS before you tow it a long distance!(yes, I am yelling back there) They use standard bearings and races(same as the old dana-44 full-float front hubs) If you have a class-2 or -3 hitch, you can get a clevis adapter to hook the ring hitch. Don't dump the ring hitch, it's about 100K-X better then a ball hitch, and perfect off-road.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

The M101a2/a3 can be used with an XJ, it just depends on your purpose. Most people say they are too heavy because they are building an offroad only adventure trailer, which they are significantly loading down.

If your purpose is a utility trailer for yard work, with the occasional offroad pull, an M101a2/a3 isn't out of the ballpark. There is a thread on here from a little while back of someone building an M101, did a great job and it matches the XJ well.

Very well stated. I have owned both an M416 (1/4-ton) trailer, and currently an M101A3 (3/4-ton) trailer (BUILD THREAD HERE).

For me, the M416 was very impractical. I couldn't justify an "expedition-only" trailer, as I knew it wouldn't get used much. I need one trailer to serve as that, plus a utility trailer (the emphasis for me being the latter). I love the utility & size offered by the M101A3, and am extremely happy with my purchase. I only towed it behind my XJ once...oddly enough, to haul a hacked-up XJ carcass for scrap. It pulled well. Normally, I pull it behind an '05 Jeep LJ or an '11 Jeep JK.

After having owned the M101A3, I'd never own another M416/M101C/Bantam. They're the "trendy thing", but not practical/usable for me. Just be sure you think through your intended use (realistically) before purchasing.

Craig

 

[Cnickgo]

Very well stated. I have owned both an M416 (1/4-ton) trailer, and currently an M101A3 (3/4-ton) trailer (BUILD THREAD HERE).

For me, the M416 was very impractical. I couldn't justify an "expedition-only" trailer, as I knew it wouldn't get used much. I need one trailer to serve as that, plus a utility trailer (the emphasis for me being the latter). I love the utility & size offered by the M101A3, and am extremely happy with my purchase. I only towed it behind my XJ once...oddly enough, to haul a hacked-up XJ carcass for scrap. It pulled well. Normally, I pull it behind an '05 Jeep LJ or an '11 Jeep JK.

After having owned the M101A3, I'd never own another M416/M101C/Bantam. They're the "trendy thing", but not practical/usable for me. Just be sure you think through your intended use (realistically) before purchasing.

Craig

Thanks for sharing the link! I have an M101a2/a3 build somewhere in the future, meant to be a utility trailer that can quickly convert into a toy hauler for the bikes, boats, and everything else. You have some very good inspiration.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Thanks for sharing the link! I have an M101a2/a3 build somewhere in the future, meant to be a utility trailer that can quickly convert into a toy hauler for the bikes, boats, and everything else. You have some very good inspiration.

You're very welcome. PM me if you have any questions once you get into your build. :cheers:

Craig

 

[Corprin]

I only use my Type-73 (Japanese version of the M100/M416/M101cdn) to haul cargo and caping gear (and with luck, another deer this season) so something the size of the M101A1-A3 is a bit much. As a base camp you are not going to try and pull up some wicked trails, or through the brush, I say go for it. As something that will accompany you on the tail for one-way type of fun, and you can pack light, go for the smaller units.

I do wish I had the dump feature of the M101A1-3, but I can't be upset by my little Type-73. I mostly drag it behind the KJ, because frankly I like the 29mpg of the KJ with a trailer over the 15mpg in the XJ without.

I swapped out the factory axle for a commercial one running 5x5.4 lugs so I could use the trailer's rubber for spares if I ever needed it.

 

[karstic]

I also like the fact that I can go through a drive thru with my Bantam.