So, as you may have read, I picked up a M1101 Military trailer recently, and have been reading tons of stuff and doing tons of stuff since.
Here are some gotcha's that I learned the easy way, or the hard way.
Great advice from some members on how to pick up the truck.
1. Picking Up
- Be prepared to wait forever for a temporary pass to get on FT Hood.
- Have all your documentation together (registration receipt, drivers license, and proof of insurance).
- Bring lots of zip ties and a pair of magnetic 12v lights because the trailer is 24v and a fat military plug that wont fit anything.
- Make sure the surge brake is working, and the parking brakes disengage. Also check the tire/axel temp after a mile or so in case there is a seized bearing etc.
- Make sure you have a pintle hitch.
- I did not have to have an EUC which made it real easy.
2. Getting the right trailer:
- If you bid on one, the difference in cost between a 1998 (mine) and some 2010 models (what others with more experience got) was $100 -$200.
- If you bid on one, some might have the tarp/bows in the back (check photos). These items can be $250-500. Finding these items for sale is hard.
3. Modifications begin with wiring for civilian connector.
- Added a 7 pin civilian adapter, and installed a 7 pin/4pin dual receiver on my FJ. $60 at local Northern Tool.
- Plenty, PLENTY of room to work under the trailer.
- When removing the military plug......I crawled under found the military wires which were labled unbolted the ground wire and cut the wires near the base of the box (See photo). I cut the wires so that the metal tags stayed on the trailer, but the now removed military wire w/plug could be labeled in case I sell it.
- The new 7pin wire with plug connected very easy (green, yellow, brown, white).
4. Modifications continue with changing bulbs to 12v bulbs. Use Sylvania #97 for the 11 small lights, and #1156 for the tail lights. If you understand LED conversions, quality etc. go for it......I had a very hard time getting strait answers from the google.
5. Modifications carry on with the task of: Leveling the trailer to the FJ:
I want to say that I decided to leave the pintle set up and like the idea of surge brakes now that I know what they are.
- The 37" tires are too much, too tall etc. They make the trailer tongue point down considerably so swaping to 8 lug GMC 32" 285x65 R16 helps. I hope to sell the original 37x12.5R16.5 to pay for the 32" wheels.
- A 12" Pintle plate will help level the trailer, but if you are running larger than factory tires (I was) it wont let you open the FJ's rear door or worse yet, does not clear the tire and won't fit. (Anyone up for cutting 1/2" Steel plate?)
Will update as the adventure continues.
Here are some gotcha's that I learned the easy way, or the hard way.
Great advice from some members on how to pick up the truck.
1. Picking Up
- Be prepared to wait forever for a temporary pass to get on FT Hood.
- Have all your documentation together (registration receipt, drivers license, and proof of insurance).
- Bring lots of zip ties and a pair of magnetic 12v lights because the trailer is 24v and a fat military plug that wont fit anything.
- Make sure the surge brake is working, and the parking brakes disengage. Also check the tire/axel temp after a mile or so in case there is a seized bearing etc.
- Make sure you have a pintle hitch.
- I did not have to have an EUC which made it real easy.
2. Getting the right trailer:
- If you bid on one, the difference in cost between a 1998 (mine) and some 2010 models (what others with more experience got) was $100 -$200.
- If you bid on one, some might have the tarp/bows in the back (check photos). These items can be $250-500. Finding these items for sale is hard.
3. Modifications begin with wiring for civilian connector.
- Added a 7 pin civilian adapter, and installed a 7 pin/4pin dual receiver on my FJ. $60 at local Northern Tool.
- Plenty, PLENTY of room to work under the trailer.
- When removing the military plug......I crawled under found the military wires which were labled unbolted the ground wire and cut the wires near the base of the box (See photo). I cut the wires so that the metal tags stayed on the trailer, but the now removed military wire w/plug could be labeled in case I sell it.
- The new 7pin wire with plug connected very easy (green, yellow, brown, white).
4. Modifications continue with changing bulbs to 12v bulbs. Use Sylvania #97 for the 11 small lights, and #1156 for the tail lights. If you understand LED conversions, quality etc. go for it......I had a very hard time getting strait answers from the google.
5. Modifications carry on with the task of: Leveling the trailer to the FJ:
I want to say that I decided to leave the pintle set up and like the idea of surge brakes now that I know what they are.
- The 37" tires are too much, too tall etc. They make the trailer tongue point down considerably so swaping to 8 lug GMC 32" 285x65 R16 helps. I hope to sell the original 37x12.5R16.5 to pay for the 32" wheels.
- A 12" Pintle plate will help level the trailer, but if you are running larger than factory tires (I was) it wont let you open the FJ's rear door or worse yet, does not clear the tire and won't fit. (Anyone up for cutting 1/2" Steel plate?)
Will update as the adventure continues.