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Dell's M100 Trailer

163K views 379 replies 56 participants last post by  kemosabee 
#1 · (Edited)
Can already hear that sucking noise coming from my wallet :scared: ! ?

I don't think I'll get too expeditionary on this trailer.
But I do intend to use it off road and hauling on longer trips.


so... I'm going to be cleaning this M100 up some and thought I'd start a thread and share how that goes.

I got a bit of wire brushing and sanding, little weld work too, to get the tub sealed back up. Make or buy some sort of cover.

Not to mention secure the tub properly. :doh:

So to start off right, here's a good look at 'er now.

link to load's of detail pics below,

but first... some larger previews. :D



wutz 'dat wire fo ?



temporary pintle hitch...

:yeah I know that's not how the safety chains go.
But damn if it don't make for less slack bang on the pintle for street chit:
;)



folding leg/stand...
( thing works great ! )





junk wire holding the tub on !? :eek:



all four corners :doh:
lights are cool tho'



looks fairly clean underneath.
and first thought the trailer's frame was in fair-good condition.
but was wrong 'bout 'dat


Edit* found cracks in the frame rails that required repair.
the issue is addressed later in this thread. (twice) :(





still sporting Data tags.









Interior tub condition...







and thar she sits lookin' at me. :whip:



This trailer came with a tech manual and parts list.
Not to mention, the original invoice and bill of sale from govt. surp.

I'm feeling purdy good about finding this gem... in the rough. ;)






all the detail ! ~the good, the bad and the ugly~ ;) Here


-----------------------------------

washed out the tub. and no real surprises :)
:tho' that's a lot of holes:







============================

~edited~

I have determined that my DOD and SN# are...

DOD 1 - 53, SN# 218

this posting of another '53 M100 at G503 website,
seems to substantiate the serial # 1 stamping irregularity.


http://www.g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=184311

and another
 
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#374 ·
I did purchase the bumper from them this year, with the add-on hitch deal. Got the bumper, hitch, and tow brackets. Have towed with it a few times this year, towed it with ATVs and camping gear, dump runs, lawn mowers, and it has held up. I have checked the bolts to make sure they did not get loose at all after every trip.

My lunette\pintel connection is a bit looser than I thought it should be. I'll grab a pic of it later so at least for me I'll have a better idea of what I need to do to make that connection better. Maybe I just need to give the hitch\pintle some BFH love and see if it will fit, I think I might have spent a few minutes looking at it and trying to fit it in there in a rush.

I'll take a look at Sierra and see how much more money I need to spend. :D
 
#375 ·
My lunette\pintel connection is a bit looser than I thought it should be.
There need be some play in that fit...
just not too much.

Maybe I just need to give the hitch\pintle some BFH love and see if it will fit, I think I might have spent a few minutes looking at it and trying to fit it in there in a rush.
Are you saying that the pintle hitch's receiver shaft holes don't line up correctly when inserted into the AP receiver ?
Is it solid bar or sq. tube ? Made in china ?

BFH might work...
but I wouldn't force something just to make a go of it.


I'll take a look at Sierra and see how much more money I need to spend. :D
Hopefully Chris is still in the business...

Sierra 4X4 Trailers is the more correct business name.
Still exists on the web.

You might want to call Chris ^ to get the latest availability/cost on that coupler.
 
#379 ·
^ that pintle looks to be a little too large...

likely off a larger hauler where the trailer's lunette ring
would also be a larger lunette ring thickness.

realize that a 1/4 trailer's lunette ring thickness...
is less then what pintle might be used on a 5 - 10 ton hauler
^ usually hauling a larger/heavier trailer.

Ideally...

you want the lunette ring to sit in the pintle's saddle
with very little forward and aft movement/play.

There does need to be a little upward spacing for movement...
But it should not be excessive.
Ideally, around 1/8th inch gap

When the fit is more exact...
it will be quieter and have less fore and aft movement.
Tho' that more precise fit may also have you wanting to
apply some heavy grease between the pintle saddle and lunette ring.

Applying some grease there will reduce the chance of binding...
if the hauling angles/articulation becomes extreme.

I know that some folk have tried using other materials
to lay between the pintle's saddle surface and the lunette
Thereby taking up a little slack/spacing.

But good luck finding a material that would hold up
to that stress.

I personally would prefer to locate a pintle
that would more precisely fit your trailer's lunette ring.

Look at pintle's that are 5 ton or less...
but there is no exact specification or tolerance
when locating something current or new...

Would be best if one found an original
that was fitted to the lite rigs of that era.

Similar to one that was mounted to a M38 or M38a

I have a cheap 5 ton chinese knock off...
that fits better...
But it's often a hit or miss when buying chinese junk
unseen and untested.

Check with military supply wholesaler's
such as Midwest Military Supplies.
They may offer a better fitting pintle hitch
for the 1/4 ton military trailers.

Midwest Military supplies

alternatively...

you could sign onto the G503 forum and ask them what they know.
 
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