After selling the pickup truck earlier this year, I am finding the loss of that bed to be an issue. I have had a DR Power ATV trailer for over a decade that works incredibly well at the house. “At the house” is key. That ATV trailer is not road-legal, and there have been too many times when I’ve needed to move things around or pick up items outside the house.
I was initially looking for a basic utility trailer, but was shocked by the prices. Then, I came across the M416 trailer. Those were sub-$2,000, but still a lot for a trailer built between 1940 and 1980. I like everything about those trailers except the price. The lack of a rear door kinda sucks for my uses, too, but it is a very cool trailer. Enter the M1101. It is made of aluminum, doesn’t weigh a lot, and is only slightly more expensive than the M416, which makes it less than what I was finding for decent utility trailers. Assuming I can get the price I think the DR Power trailer is worth, it will only cost me a few hundred dollars more to have a road-legal trailer with A LOT more capacity and options.
Pulling this trailer was easy with the Lincoln Navigator. I would have towed it with the GX460, but it was in the shop getting some goodies installed.
M1101 Starting Mods
It already had a custom-fabricated aluminum rack. This rack will come in handy when it comes time to use it for kayaks and a rooftop tent. The first mods will focus on conversions. I want to be able to run the lights within the trailer. It is set up for a 24-volt Hum-vee connection, needing me to convert the power to 12 volts via a 7-pin connection. That will allow it to connect directly to the GX to control brake lights and turn signals. Second, replace the bulbs with red LEDs for brighter signaling. Lastly, as a precaution, bleed the brakes and replace the brake fluid.
M1101 Mods still in consideration
I think the military tires with runflats that can be shot might be a bit heavy. Changing the tires to something that shares a bolt pattern with my GX makes a lot of sense, and then I can mount my old Toyos, which are coming off the GX, onto some new rims for the M1101. That should save some weight. This mod isn’t too crazy, at around $150, by changing the axle hubs. What gets expensive is buying new rims. I need to see how this sits and tows behind the GX first.
The brakes seem decent. I caught a video discussing how they’re mechanically triggered by the tow vehicle’s pintle hitch, causing the tow bar to push back. I was thinking electric brakes would be nice, but if there is a mechanical brake, that sounds like less to break!
Another consideration is to move to Timbren axles, but that’s crazy expensive (>$1,000).
Woods trailer
It is going to get the most use on our 40-acre woodlot… also known as our backyard. Today, I was able to fit a cord of firewood in it. I was shocked! This would have taken me three trips with the DR Power trailer.
There are a few more little trees on the edge of the trail that need to be cut down now. In the meantime, I’m being super careful!
Fun for the kids
Ever since the trailer got home the kids have been all over it! I had no idea they’d want to spend this much time hanging in a trailer. So, they got a fun ride into the woods this morning.
