Well, went and recovered my first M101A2 today.
Purchased from GL at APG in Maryland.
Seems to be in decent shape - the canvas top has a couple of minor rips, there's some rust on the lunnette, and the data plates are scratched up some, but overall, not bad cosmetically.
I probably paid a little more than if I had purchased elsewhere, but its less than 15 miles from my house to APG, so I figure I saved in having to take a full day off work and the trip cost of a longer distance recovery.
The trailer is camo with the tan top - I really wanted the camo top, so if anyone else has a camo one in ok shape that would like to trade for the tan one, let me know and we'll see if we can work something out.
I also cheated a little - I used to work on base at APG and still have some friends there, so was able to get one of them to help me out by escorting me on base so that I didn't have to go through the vehicle inspection. Saved a ton of time, but the GL guy seemed a little confused and not sure what to do with someone that could get in without his help.
Since I only had 15 miles to go, I didn't get real in depth going over the trailer. I checked the tires, made sure that the brakes weren't locked, locked out the surge brake, made sure that the canvas was all tied down securely, stuck my magnetic tow lights on the trailer, and off we went. It was slightly angled forward, but really not too much, and once I change out the tires, I think it will be just right.
I stopped after the first 5 miles or so and checked the wheel hubs to make sure that they weren't getting hot - they were still ice cold (it was 30 degrees out today). Checked them again when I got home and they were still cold. I'll check the bearings as soon as it warms up, but it appears that they're ok.
I verified that the parking brakes work - they held wheels locked when I pulled.
As soon as I got home, I took off the landing leg, and put on dual wheel jack - that made a huge difference moving it around. Was a cakewalk after that, and I could now get it up and down far enough to hitch to my truck without having to lift it.
I've already contacted Maine Trailer Registrations about registration. Their site says that they need a bill of sale with the sellers signature and VIN# - neither of which are on the paid in full invoice from GL. Hopefully they'll take that invoice to register it as I don't plan on titling it in MD. If anyone here has any tips on how to use the invoice from GL to get registration from them or any other company in Maine, the help would be greatly appreciated.
My next projects on it are to check out the surge brakes and suspension, lengthen the safety chains, work on getting the electrical system converted to 12V, try to get the top repaired, and take the bearings out and repack them. From there, I'm planning to put adapters on the wheels to convert them to match my truck and my SUV, add some storage (still working on ideas for that), and a few other ideas I have for making this an awesome extended camping trailer.
Thanks for everyone's help on here - I've learned a ton so far, and looking forward to learning more
Purchased from GL at APG in Maryland.
Seems to be in decent shape - the canvas top has a couple of minor rips, there's some rust on the lunnette, and the data plates are scratched up some, but overall, not bad cosmetically.
I probably paid a little more than if I had purchased elsewhere, but its less than 15 miles from my house to APG, so I figure I saved in having to take a full day off work and the trip cost of a longer distance recovery.
The trailer is camo with the tan top - I really wanted the camo top, so if anyone else has a camo one in ok shape that would like to trade for the tan one, let me know and we'll see if we can work something out.
I also cheated a little - I used to work on base at APG and still have some friends there, so was able to get one of them to help me out by escorting me on base so that I didn't have to go through the vehicle inspection. Saved a ton of time, but the GL guy seemed a little confused and not sure what to do with someone that could get in without his help.
Since I only had 15 miles to go, I didn't get real in depth going over the trailer. I checked the tires, made sure that the brakes weren't locked, locked out the surge brake, made sure that the canvas was all tied down securely, stuck my magnetic tow lights on the trailer, and off we went. It was slightly angled forward, but really not too much, and once I change out the tires, I think it will be just right.
I stopped after the first 5 miles or so and checked the wheel hubs to make sure that they weren't getting hot - they were still ice cold (it was 30 degrees out today). Checked them again when I got home and they were still cold. I'll check the bearings as soon as it warms up, but it appears that they're ok.
I verified that the parking brakes work - they held wheels locked when I pulled.
As soon as I got home, I took off the landing leg, and put on dual wheel jack - that made a huge difference moving it around. Was a cakewalk after that, and I could now get it up and down far enough to hitch to my truck without having to lift it.
I've already contacted Maine Trailer Registrations about registration. Their site says that they need a bill of sale with the sellers signature and VIN# - neither of which are on the paid in full invoice from GL. Hopefully they'll take that invoice to register it as I don't plan on titling it in MD. If anyone here has any tips on how to use the invoice from GL to get registration from them or any other company in Maine, the help would be greatly appreciated.
My next projects on it are to check out the surge brakes and suspension, lengthen the safety chains, work on getting the electrical system converted to 12V, try to get the top repaired, and take the bearings out and repack them. From there, I'm planning to put adapters on the wheels to convert them to match my truck and my SUV, add some storage (still working on ideas for that), and a few other ideas I have for making this an awesome extended camping trailer.
Thanks for everyone's help on here - I've learned a ton so far, and looking forward to learning more
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