Towing an M101

rixm37 · Post by **rixm37** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:44 am

I was wondering what the max safe towing speed of an M101 trailer is? I am thinking about hauling some furniture in mine on a three dayl trip at hiway speeds. No sorry I won't be using my M37 as the tow vehicle.

k8icu · Post by **k8icu** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:45 pm

As long as you bearings are packed good and the seals are in good shape and the brakes don't drag you should be able to do 60-65 with no problem.

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:53 pm

I'll go along with k8icu regarding trailer condition. It should be capable of handling the legal speed limit. What that speed limit is, though, depends upon where you are. Some states, such as Illinois, post lower speed limits for vehicles pulling trailers.

If you're going to be hauling furniture for three days, make absolutely sure you have the weight distributed properly. Do not exceed the maximum tongue weight for the towing vehicle. The weight should (as much as possible) be centered both from side to side and from front to back with the bulk of the weight over the axle.

Finally, do not exceed the legal speed limit. LEOs will bust a speeding trailer-puller when they might not stop someone else.

rixm37 · Post by **rixm37** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:03 pm

Thanks K8 and Lifer. Lifer you got it down. I will be sure to pack stuff centered. The trip is in a few months so I have plenty of time to get the trailer ready. I will pull using my F150 that has a factory tow package. It won't be much weight just bulk. Thanks for the help.

Tom @ Snake River · Post by **Tom @ Snake River** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:24 pm

When I was doing steering columns I had to go to Denver, a 20 hour round trip to gewt raw columns.
I rented a U-haul and had a night mare of a time getting home.
I rigged up my M-101 with civi tires, and that thing towed beutifully with a heavy load.
The local NG Unit had one in their yard with DRMO markings. I asked what the story was, They said that the M-101 was such a good trailer vs what they were issued, that they went to DRMO and got one out instead of useing the newer trailer.

peter e mark · Post by **peter e mark** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:48 am

Hi Lifer, And what is "LEO" ? And what is tongue weight?

m-37Bruce · Post by **m-37Bruce** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:43 pm

Law Enforcement Officer, tongue weight is the recommended weight by the manufacturer, before failure occurs, I think most of that depends on the style of your hitch? (I have been wrong before?)

peter e mark · Post by **peter e mark** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:44 pm

Thanks Comrade....

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 4:18 pm

Tongue weight is the maximum allowable weight recommended by the vehicle manufacturer for safe handling. A Class III or Class IV hitch will be capable of heavier loads than a Class I or an unrated hitch and the type of hitch used does enter into the equation, but the vehicle manufacturer's specs should be adhered to. If exceeded, it can invalidate a warranty, result in damage to the towing vehicle, or cause you to become a hazard to other drivers (overloaded and unbalanced trailers do not track well and can really whip you around if you're not careful).

peter e mark · Post by **peter e mark** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 5:24 pm

So if I understand you correctly, the "tongue" weight is the wieght is the weight the vehicle can handle regardless of what the trialer is rated for?

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:30 am

Correct. Ideally, all you need is enough weight on the tongue to keep it down firmly on the ball (or pintle). If you don't have enough weight on the tongue, it can try to lift the rear of the towing vehicle or (worse) pop off the hitch ball. Usually, 100 lbs is sufficient. You still have to keep the max towing weight in mind, though. Your vehicle's brakes and transmission will have to be able to cope with the load.

knattrass · Post by **knattrass** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:39 am

Going to pick one up today at the depot about 60 minutes from here. Plan to tow it home with a mid-size truck. Bought the mag lights and a pintal hook. Did a standing height check of the hitches - M37 is right about at ball height while the mid-size is about shin height. Should be quite the site going down the road - the nose of the m101 is going to be really low....

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 4:04 am

Someone on the forum has a raised pintle hitch that fits into a Class III or Class IV receiver. That would allow you to tow the M191 in a level attitude. As is, with no load in the trailer, you should be OK, but I'd recommend making sure your locking pin is secure and keeping it under the speed limit.

Larry S · Post by **Larry S** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 1:43 pm

Keith I was there at 9am and gone by 9:30. I pulled mine to oscoda at freeway speeds without a problem. Hope you fared as well. Joe the GL guy was very helpfull. Did you see the dueces and 5 tons in the next row?
joe said they will eventually make it to GL. Time to thing about a bigger truck!

knattrass · Post by **knattrass** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 6:48 pm

Hey Larry - good to hear that you had a safe trip. You are right, that Joe is a heck of a nice guy. You must have seen the 101 we bought - very complete with the vinyl cover. The only issue was the forward bulkhead is rusted thru. Looks like we'll need to cut a 2" piece to weld across there. The wheels are the NDTs which will match the M37. I saw some trailers to the right when you first went in that had real canvas covers! I trade old Joe to get a diff cover. We did 55mph the whole way as well. Did you make a wrong turn on I75 to Oscoda - my old area was Tawas. Not real sure what I'm going to do with this trailer -looking like I've run out of room and may have to sell it.

Towing an M101

Towing an M101

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