Looking at a M101A trailer...

[Rexx66]

Looking at picking one up locally.. hopefully for around 500-550...

Question is, I notice that it has the pinteal(spelling?) hitch requirement and I only have the stock ball on my 79 CJ5 ...

Looked on ebay and found 2 of them but one has me questioning why it may not work..

This - Hitch for Aftermarket Tube Bumper Smooth Black 1967 1983 Jeep CJ5 CJ 5 | eBay

AND THIS:
Jeep Wrangler CJ5 CJ7 YJ TJ 1976 2006 Rear Tubular Bumper Hitch Black | eBay

Any reason the cheaper on wouldn't work? I like the look of the tube one, but I'm not sure if the tongue weight rating would be sufficient for the M101 trailer?

Any suggestions? Not looking to spend a ton for a hitch if possible, and also how I would go about wiring up the trailer lights/brakes/ect... THANKS!

 

[PaRenegade]

When it comes to hitches, the weight rating is a pretty important piece of info to describing it. The cheaper one made no mention of it's tongue or tow rating. I'd be very leary of that and it's cheap price. If something seems to good to be true..........

 

[hdgapeach]

I agree with PaRenegade. I'll also add - You're gonna be hard pressed to find a tow hitch manufactured for a CJ type vehicle that actually lists a decent tow rate. Main reason is because our short wheel base, lighter Jeeps aren't really designed to tow trailers (as such).

Most folks I know of that fab aftermarket rear bumpers with receiver capabilities will make notice that they are "intended" for recovery only. You're on your own draggin' a trailer down the road.

The aftermarket rear bumper I put on my CJ5 is way beefier than the two fleabay links you provided. I have towed my 5' x 8' utility trailer loaded full as can be with fire wood with no problems. I also have towed my former bass boat with no problems.

Check into the some of the guys that home make bumpers. I'm impressed with what I have and as soon as I can dig up the guy that made it, I'll forward you the info so you can pick his brain if you want to. I got mine from fleabay also (surprise!).

I have a quarter ton ex-military Jeep trailer that I tow using the pintle hitch. I like the pintle set up. I bought a receiver hitch with a flat face plate so I could buy a pintle hitch to bolt to it.

 

[Rexx66]

I agree with PaRenegade. I'll also add - You're gonna be hard pressed to find a tow hitch manufactured for a CJ type vehicle that actually lists a decent tow rate. Main reason is because our short wheel base, lighter Jeeps aren't really designed to tow trailers (as such).

Most folks I know of that fab aftermarket rear bumpers with receiver capabilities will make notice that they are "intended" for recovery only. You're on your own draggin' a trailer down the road.

The aftermarket rear bumper I put on my CJ5 is way beefier than the two fleabay links you provided. I have towed my 5' x 8' utility trailer loaded full as can be with fire wood with no problems. I also have towed my former bass boat with no problems.

Check into the some of the guys that home make bumpers. I'm impressed with what I have and as soon as I can dig up the guy that made it, I'll forward you the info so you can pick his brain if you want to. I got mine from fleabay also (surprise!).

I have a quarter ton ex-military Jeep trailer that I tow using the pintle hitch. I like the pintle set up. I bought a receiver hitch with a flat face plate so I could buy a pintle hitch to bolt to it.

I don't plan on towing anything with a ton of weight.. mainly random Lowes/HomeDepot trips for oversized things.. I'm thinking of just going with the tube frame bumper and getting a new hook for it. I was just curious as to what the weight was with just the trailer, they look like they would weigh as much as a tank.

 

[hdgapeach]

Ahhhh, gotcha. Well, to be honest with ya, the m101a trailers are rather heavy to be yanking around with a CJ. I know a couple of folks around here that have one. One guy pulls his around with a 1 ton diesel truck pretty easy. The other guy attempts to pull his around with a mid sized Ford Ranger pick up. He's done a lot of un-necessary work to the drive train in that vehicle because of that trailer. I don't think that trailer is suited for towing with a CJ. It's dry weight is too much for a small towing vehicle. One of the 1/4 ton Bantam style trailers pull pretty good but they're pricey and hard to come by.

I've heard of some folks modifying the m101a trailers to be pulled by smaller vehicles. They've changed the axles out to smaller / lighter units and scrapped out all the unnecessary weight (like the parking brake, brake master cylinder and lines, stake bed lumber, cover and bows). I've also seen the money they had tied up in the project. Not worth the trouble at all IMO.

 

[hdgapeach]

Looked it up. Dry weight for the m101a is 1,340 pounds.

 

[Neuner]

I'm thinking of just going with the tube frame bumper and getting a new hook for it.

Don't get the tube frame bumper especially for towing. I purchased one from Quadratec with only the intent of putting a bike rack on it. I can see in the pic that it has the same terrible vertical leaf to leaf connection. I wound up sending mine back and purchased an awesome one from Ground Pounder Fab.

The tube bumpers, and probably most of the others, come with a statement that they are not intended for towing but only the attachment of accessories.

 

[Rexx66]

I've also looked into getting a Harbor Frieght trailer and maybe customizing it how I want. I'm wanting something to have that rugged look to go along with the jeep if possible.. Plus my CJ5 has been lifted quite a bit so a trailer that sit higher would be preferred vs having a drop down ball hitch... as mentioned I only have the stock swoopy bar with a ball on it.

 

[Petescj]

Not sure how much you wanna spend but these use a Harbor frieght trailer under them.

Jeep Trailer Dinoot Lightweight Fiberglass Tub Kit Dinoot Trailers - Dinoot Trailers Dinoot Trailershttp://www.dinoot.com/&sa=U&ei=5M4x...3B144w&usg=AFQjCNGVkySKXkM_fU1FZlmP4SEhEnGY0A

 

[wm69]

Ahhhh, gotcha. Well, to be honest with ya, the m101a trailers are rather heavy to be yanking around with a CJ. I know a couple of folks around here that have one. One guy pulls his around with a 1 ton diesel truck pretty easy. The other guy attempts to pull his around with a mid sized Ford Ranger pick up. He's done a lot of un-necessary work to the drive train in that vehicle because of that trailer. I don't think that trailer is suited for towing with a CJ. It's dry weight is too much for a small towing vehicle. One of the 1/4 ton Bantam style trailers pull pretty good but they're pricey and hard to come by.

I've heard of some folks modifying the m101a trailers to be pulled by smaller vehicles. They've changed the axles out to smaller / lighter units and scrapped out all the unnecessary weight (like the parking brake, brake master cylinder and lines, stake bed lumber, cover and bows). I've also seen the money they had tied up in the project. Not worth the trouble at all IMO.

+1. You'd be much better suited with an M416 or M100, or an old Bantam. I have an M416 and an M100. They are perfect size for a CJ. The 3/4 ton trailers are just too heavy for a CJ.

 

[Rexx66]

+1. You'd be much better suited with an M416 or M100, or an old Bantam. I have an M416 and an M100. They are perfect size for a CJ. The 3/4 ton trailers are just too heavy for a CJ.

Those would be perfect... however where I live closest one I can find is 6+ hours away.. :/

You tight asses need to sell one to me, haha

 

[Rexx66]

Not sure how much you wanna spend but these use a Harbor frieght trailer under them.

Jeep Trailer Dinoot Lightweight Fiberglass Tub Kit Dinoot Trailers - Dinoot Trailers Dinoot Trailershttp://www.dinoot.com/&sa=U&ei=5M4x...3B144w&usg=AFQjCNGVkySKXkM_fU1FZlmP4SEhEnGY0A

I'd be down for one of those maybe... Is there a specific one from HF that it would go on? I apparently am not seeing prices on them on the site?(dinoot)

 

[PaRenegade]

On the model page it has pricing options below the specifications chart. Thanks for the link, I like these kits.

edit: Heres what I found for the HF trailers. Sounds like it will fit any of them.
Harbor Freight Frame
Smooth Riding Spring Retrofit
Replaces your existing spring hangers and springs with longer, smoother riding springs. Simply unbolt your existing Harbor Freight ones, clamp the new ones in place, drill a few holes, bolt them on and no more shaking your trailer to death. Springs provide a GVWR of 1150 lbs and are tunable for reducing the capacity.
Kit Includes:

• Pair of bolt on replacement spring hangers
• Pair of 4-leaf premium trailer springs
• Shackles and spring bolt kit

Coming Soon, Install Guide
Drilling required
Grinding down of spring center pin or using Replacement Spring Seat required
Kit Price: $139

 

[Rexx66]

On the model page it has pricing options below the specifications chart. Thanks for the link, I like these kits.

edit: Heres what I found for the HF trailers"
Harbor Freight Frame
Smooth Riding Spring Retrofit
Replaces your existing spring hangers and springs with longer, smoother riding springs. Simply unbolt your existing Harbor Freight ones, clamp the new ones in place, drill a few holes, bolt them on and no more shaking your trailer to death. Springs provide a GVWR of 1150 lbs and are tunable for reducing the capacity.
Kit Includes:

• Pair of bolt on replacement spring hangers
• Pair of 4-leaf premium trailer springs
• Shackles and spring bolt kit

Coming Soon, Install Guide
Drilling required
Grinding down of spring center pin or using Replacement Spring Seat required
Kit Price: $139

Found it... A little bit above my price range for the one I'd want.. I may just end up going with a Harbor Freight trailer and getting some wood and building one up somehow.. Won't look as cool though, haha

 

[Rexx66]

Just curious... what are you early CJ5 guys using for a trailer hitch? I can't seem to find anything that is reasonably priced for a 2 in hitch. When I do find one under 200 it only has a weight limit of 50lbs which Imo is completely worthless.. I can take a dump more than that!

Mine is a 79 CJ5 . Links are greatly appreciated and cheap as possible too.

 

[mstar]

Not going to be any help with hitch/bumper dilemma but what I ran into
with the M100 and M416 lunette hitch that they don't work well with a rear mounted spare because of the height of the tongue. I fabricated a drop tongue with civilian style hitch for the one I had.The military jeeps had the pintle hitch mounted up high in the 4 holes on the rear x-member.
I am sure someone has figured this out already but the stock military setup looks better to my eye.Just not practical with swingout rack. mike

 

[Rexx66]

Not going to be any help with hitch/bumper dilemma but what I ran into
with the M100 and M416 lunette hitch that they don't work well with a rear mounted spare because of the height of the tongue. I fabricated a drop tongue with civilian style hitch for the one I had.The military jeeps had the pintle hitch mounted up high in the 4 holes on the rear x-member.
I am sure someone has figured this out already but the stock military setup looks better to my eye.Just not practical with swingout rack. mike

Yeah the only hitch i have found that's reasonable is the Hidden Hitch 87001 class 3 hitch... they go for 160 on amazon.

I have a decent sized spare on the back and only have about 3 inches in between the stock ball and bottom side of spare tire. If i get a new hitch i plan on using a drop ball hitch adapter. My jeep has been lifter quite a bit