M101 trailer 3/4t

[chris vickery]

I just aquired a Manac M101 trailer.
It has the 8 bolt type 5/4t wheels.
The CFR is 81-44075.
I was wondering if anyone has other info on this, where it might have been assigned to etc. as well as what model it is. I am thinking M101A2 as it has the surge braking system.
It does have DND property barcode labels indicating it was surplussed out of Montreal.
It is in quite good condition, the sheet metal is straight and 90% rust free. The undercarriage is very clean.
It uses top bows which appear to be about 1"x1" square tubing.
Also looking for parts and pieces for this traileras well as the appropriate MANAC manual.

[Ed Storey]

Nice M101 with a bit of history!

Serial FA581

It initially served in CFB Lahr until Oct 1993 when it was shipped back to Canada. After hanging around Ottawa and Kingston it was sent to the CCIFOR Signals Squadron Bosnia in Apr 1996, then to the Battlegroup in Jan 1997 followed by the National Support Element in May 1997 until returned to Canada in 2000.

Originally an ECC 132301 Cargo Trailer, it was converted to an ECC 132322 with Generator Set in Oct 95. Before being sold as surplus, it was converted back to ECC 132301 in Dec 2001

[rob love]

I am not sure the Manacs were a M101A2, or even referred to as a M101 in official Canadian nomenclature. I always remember just seeing the words "trailer, Manac, 3/4 ton".

The main difference in the body is the wider wheel well extensions to cover those 9.50X16.5 tires. It also has the later style of tailgate latches. As you mentioned Chris, it does have the standard SMP surge brake (still used today on the LSVW trailers).

I also have one of these out by the quonset. Nice enough trailer, but in all honesty it has never left the yard.

[Ed Storey]

Rob makes a good point, any official documentation I have on these trailers simply identifies them as Trailer, Manac, 3/4 ton.

[chris vickery]

Ed, much appreciated for the history lesson! I figured sooner or later I would end up with something with a story...
FA581 is indeed the serial from Manac.
Before you confirmed it to me, I was suspicious that it may have been converted to a genny trailer as there are some holes drilled in the floor.
Another interesting find was the spare tire. The spare is painted white over OD, flaking off at this point but obviously UN. I figured it was just an oddball wheel thrown on at surplus time.

Rob, a question for you. Did the Manac trailers use two piece hinged racks front and rear or is just the rear hinged and the front one piece?
It appears to me that the front two piece rack is incorrect as there is no provision for the locking pins to drop into the front top sheet metal.
Also, my trailer has 12v civvy type 4 pin lighting. Is this a post surplus civvy mod or did the military use 4 pin on the 5/4 or LSVW? The guy I purchased it from is the first civvy owner and he said it came that way surplus. I find that hard to believe.
I am also looking for a new surge setup as the one that is on it is not working as it took a hit of some sort and bent the metal housing. I do not think I can straighten it as the sheet steel is quite heavy. The lunette is OK but the housing is toast as is the master (cracked).
Any ideas where to look for said parts???

[chris vickery]

As advertised....

[chris vickery]

A couple more questions.
I found the Manac data plate behind the spare. It has the serial and does only say Manac 3/4 ton trailer.
Was/is the CFR stamped somewhere on the trailer? I know the CFR because it is still stencilled on the tailgate as well as being paint marker printed on the front when it was surped.

Did this model come with a spare tire carrier? My spare is fastened on with a long bolt thru the front of the box and a wing nut.

I also assume that the bows were special for the Manac series as the holes for them are about 1" square vs the typical top bows on other M101 trailers.

[rob love]

Many questions, and I have only the answers for some of them.

Spare tire racks were not likely on the Manacs. They were not originally on the M101 either. In the old days, the trailer matched the truck. So if you needed a spare tire for your M101, you took it off your M37. Along came the 5/4 ton in 1976, and now you had a spare tire problem. Soon after that, the spare tire stowage kit came out for the front of the box. The kit did not apply to the Manac, since it used the same spare tire as the Gas 5/4 ton, and could also use the CUCV spare if need be. A short 18 years later and it was time for the LSVW. Hard to say if the trailer stowage kits were even still available, since the plan was to replace the 3/4 ton trailers with a new LSVW based trailer. This was in 1995, and sure enough, a short 4 or 5 years later the new trailers appeared.

Re the trailer connection: Any military pattern truck would use the same trailer socket as found on every SMP from the lowly Jeep to the heavy armour if so equipped, and even most of our green tractor trailers had that same plug. But I had seen occasions where the trailer had been issued for use by commercial pattern trucks, and in that case it was far easier to change the trailer plug to commercial rather than to install the military receptacle onto the truck. It wasn't an official modification, but it was done occasionally.

Re the bows and racks: I don't know. I could look it up on the old parts catalogs I have, but at the end of the day, use what you got. I would recommend watching for a set of the LSVW racking if some comes up, or even better a security cage. The LSVW racks are all aluminum, so you won't have the splintering wood problems that one normally has on the 3/4 ton trailers. My trailer had the holes for the front gates if I recall.

I am pretty sure I have some spare parts for the surge brake assembly. But I also see them on ebay all the time and for good prices too. The master cylinder, by the way, is identical to the old willys jeeps including the M38A1 family.

[chris vickery]

Thanks Rob, I appreciate the answers.
I shall endeavor to locate a Manac manual as I am sure it will inform me better on some of the detail questions.
I took another look at this one last evening. It is in even better shape than I thought, with very minimal rust and the typical dents and dings. The floor is really solid with not major dents either. The undercarriage is excellent.

[Ewen B]

Hello, I have an identical trailer. It also did not come with a spare tire carrier. There are many parts in the USA and manuals as well if you look up M101A1. They should be the same. I purchased a disk from a e-bay seller with a parts list etc.. for the trailer and other military trucks. I purchase a new rubber tarp from the states as well. The postage was as much as the tarp but it was in good shape and easier to find, and cheaper than a Canadian one. Keep looking around. There are lots of parts out there. My surge brake connecter twisted on me one day so I just had it welded together.

I will keep my eyes open for you, but if you need photos let me know and i will send you some.
good luck

Ewen

[Frank v R]

hey guys , try to put a 5/4 rim CUCV or 76 5/4 on your made in QC trailer , you may get a surprise I know I did,it went something like this ,what the hell???

[chris vickery]

Tabarnac, q'est ca tu dit???
Frank are the Manac rims different? I have 3. (no they are not all mounted on the trailer like a tri-cycle)

[Frank v R]

Hi Chris , well you are the lucky one (if they all fit) , all I had were the ones on the ground,I'm going to turn down my hubs so that my CUCV rims fit ,it's just a hair but a hair to much, then I'm standardized all the way around,
regards Frank

[rob love]

5/4 ton used a 16.5 rim. CUCV was a 16" rim. An original 5/4 ton rim should fit.

[Frank v R]

Hi guys, well I went down that road also , when our 76 5/4 rad vans were turned in someone at the unit pulled off all the spares and ladders, from there they went on to the museum in Oshawa, so I tried them, guess what , they didn't fit , so makes you wonder who the brain trust was that ordered the hubs and rims for the trailers, maybe the same guy that ordered the last two soft skin trucks to come into the system, thank god for the best piece of mobilty in the system ,the combat boot, or am I just crazy,
regards Frank

[chris vickery]

My rims are indeed 16.5s. The tires are Goodyear 9.50-16.5.