I figured I would start a build thread on this as there was a bit of interest in these so here goes. I am reposting some of my earlier info as a starting point to consolidate all the info into a single thread.
General Info - Before I get into specifics, expect to pay between $800 and $1,500 for one of these. And like most things, you get what you pay for. The cheaper ones tend to be completely stock and genearlly need some work. The one I picked up I got for $1,350 and has been almost completely redone including 5 on 4.5 hubs with 16” rims as well as LED tail lights. If you can be patient, the deals are out there. But, for my timeframe, I couldn’t wait. And it seems to me that because of the low availability (less than 2,000 made), the biggest issue I had was finding a good one within a reasonable driving distance. Any drive 6 hrs or less and you should definitely consider it based on what I have seen!
CDN M101 vs US M416 - A couple people asked me why the CDN M101 trailer instead of the US M416? Well, there are really two important factors. The CDN M101 is at worst 20 years newer, and it is actually better built in terms of materials and construction. You simply aren’t going to find many good M416’s outside of the Southwest US that are in any sort of decent condition. The M101’s are fairly available in the Northeast (since many have been sold at surplus in Ontario) and parts can still be had. Here is an article that addresses this question better than I have - http://www.jeepexpeditions.org…an_m101_m416_trailers.php.
Trailer Sources - Enough already, who has one for sale???
Source #1 Tom Fitzgerald - The first source I have is Tom Fitzgerld (Tom at EarlysvilleHFS dot com). He had 3 trailers left (last I knew). One has a better body than the other two but the running gear is solid on all three per our conversations. Now, all three are projects in that they need to be cleaned up and some require more work than others, but they all appeared to be a good platform to start with.
Pictures here - http://tfitz4-foolinabout.smug…915_LGLLy#481328506_CYXU9
Tom is located in Earlysville, VA which oddly enough, is almost directly on the path to GWNF. It would probably take you another 30 minutes to visit him and check out these trailers in person.
Source #2 Yahoo! M101CDN Group - The second source I have is the Yahoo! Group M101CDN located here - http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/M101CDN/
This group is an absolute wealth of ideas and information on these trailers and for sale posts are pretty common. Right now there is what looks to be a very nice one for sale in Tennessee http://chattanooga.craigslist.org/pts/1161057123.html.
Source #3 Craigslist - Always a good place to look although I have found it to be pretty dry the past few months. But I would definitely look there on occasion.
Where I got Mine – Well, I posted up on the Yahoo! Group and was contacted a couple days later by a fellow selling his. It was a pretty chance situation but worked out perfectly for me. The trailer turned out to be everything I was hoping for and I met a great Jeep Guy/Firefighter in the process.
Other Info - I also have a ton of info on building these trailers up. They are obviously very versatile and customizable, much like a Jeep. If you need info or ideas, start with the Yahoo Group, but also check the ih8mud forums (http://forum.ih8mud.com/) as they have a lot of activity around the M416/M101 trailers and some amazing build threads. One of the best mods I have seen is a design for an aluminum lid with hinges and gas struts. Adding that really makes a nice platform. I also intend to do a CJ tailgate so that the cargo is accessible while the lid is down. There are a million smaller mods such as adding a propane source, 12V source, OBA, Roof Top Tent, awning, cook top counter, watertank (under bed, over axle), shower system, etc.
For those folks wanting to see mine in person, I am around for the next couple weeks so just PM me and we can arrange something.
