Military trailer 12 volt civilian conversion

You can do it yourself, cheaply & easy, in less time than it takes to watch this video!
I show the cheapest & easiest way to convert most any military trailer to a 12 volt system that will work with a civilian vehicle with some helpful notes along the way. Of course, this is my opinion. But, I have used this method many times & with great luck.
NOTE: I should have added in this video that if you want to add a license plate light, tap into the wire 21 right before the connection to the light can. It may be 21-XXX or 21A. Then, ground it to the trailer.
8:03 - Wire numbers
Here is what you need:
97 Bulbs - amzn.to/46djMxK
1156 Bulbs - amzn.to/46jnxlc
7 pin harness - amzn.to/48mskUK
4 pin harness - amzn.to/3PvHAWL
Crimper - amzn.to/453ritY
Butt connectors - amzn.to/451C8Ar
Electrical tape - amzn.to/451C8Ar
Dielectric grease - amzn.to/3tcovRG
Heavy duty zip tie - amzn.to/463Nt4C
People asked about the generator cover. I now offer it for sale:
MEP 802A - ebay.us/5ajRAK
MEP 803A - ebay.us/I4zhYG
As an Associate I earn from qualifying purchases on some of the links that I share.

[@derekrandle3856]

Bro…you just saved me $200 and I appreciate you. Great video. Thanks

[@CallMeColtLLC]

Glad the video helped and saved you some money for more important stuff. 👍

[@jasonvanklaveren3391]

I appreciate the video man. Saved me from having to figure it all out on my own. I used the same 7 pin plug u listed and luckily, mine has led taillights. Worked out great!

[@CallMeColtLLC]

Great to hear!

[@NAKaveli925]

Gave me all the confidence i need to tackle my similarly wired m416 trailer, thanks!

[@CallMeColtLLC]

Good luck, should be easy. 😎

[@thegrayguy]

Thanks for making this video! It was a big help ! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@CallMeColtLLC]

Glad it helped!

[@JohanOrdonez-wu9yh]

Thank you sooo much for this fantastic information! Hats off

[@CallMeColtLLC]

Video turned out a bit longer than I wanted, but I think it covers everything needed. I'm not sure I missed anything.

[@JohanOrdonez-wu9yh]

If some anyone needs more explanation then this then we have an issue, you explain everything so well. Congratulations on your new born/fan We will be waiting on your next adventure/project Best

[@ShawnCleave]

Great information!

[@CallMeColtLLC]

Glad it helped you

[@milcommguy5927]

Good job

[@CallMeColtLLC]

Thank you!

[@georgeguthrie2962]

Would be nice if you had a chart to connect the wires to the correct numbers/ color.

[@CallMeColtLLC]

You must not have watched the video completely. 8:02

[@skitchchristopher9795]

The chart is literally in the video.

[@KN4TIN]

Great video👍

[@CallMeColtLLC]

Thank you!

[@marcbrown1312]

Thank you.. another great video... just wandering where you got the generator cover? Thank you... Marc

[@CallMeColtLLC]

@@marcbrown1312 I custom made it. Have had one for 5 years. Considering selling them on my store.

[@CallMeColtLLC]

ebay.us/5ajRAK @marcbrown1312

[@rogerbannon3767]

Thinking of getting a trailer and want to use as much OEM as I can, great video. What about backup lights don’t most states require those on trailers as well?

[@CallMeColtLLC]

Thank you! Very easy to change over yet leave most of what is there in place. I have never known a state to require backup lights on a trailer, unless maybe on a commercial truck due to size.

[@jeffwebb7352]

Thanks for making an instructional even an old grunt like me could follow. I am going to be picking up a MEP803A on a trailer in a week and was stressing about getting it from Alabama to Texas. The video wasn't too long and was very informative, the pace was good as well. Question about the black out lights, will they still work with this conversion?

[@CallMeColtLLC]

I'm a grunt & know how we work, so I bring it to our level. :) No, the blackout lights are left unconnected at the area where you make the new connections up front. I don't know the numbers, but if you needed them to work, you could make a separate harness for them & tie into the wires for them.

[@OurLifeWithAvaAndOllie]

baby

[@CallMeColtLLC]

Brandy new!

[@DeepwoodGarage]

When doing this is an M1101 or M1102 trailer is 8’ of wire enough? Also does the plug side of the harness use the “male” military packard connectors? I’m thinking I can just go ahead and terminate a harness and then when I get one of these from govplanet I can quickly swap to a 12v harness….

[@CallMeColtLLC]

I don't recall to be honest. I shared a link in the description to what I used as I knew it was long enough. You can cut & crimp the proper cables in just a few minuets off the harness at the GovPlanet yard if you wanted, that's what I'd do.

[@DeepwoodGarage]

@@CallMeColtLLC thanks Colt! I just got my trailer home a few weeks ago. Just a heads up I noticed the 12v bulbs I swapped in were melting my lenses. Might be something to check out…

[@CallMeColtLLC]

@@DeepwoodGarage I've never had or heard of that issue. Did you use the ones I shared in the links? Sure you don't have a short in your light can putting more than 12v to the bulb? Sure the mount hasn't shifted in the can and put the bulb against the lenses?

[@DeepwoodGarage]

@@CallMeColtLLC the bulb was too close to the lens. I’m not sure if it was touching or not but it was close enough that it started to melt it. Just something to keep on your radar. I decided to swap in LED taillights after that.

[@DeepwoodGarage]

@@CallMeColtLLC I’ve got a video on my page about it.

[@andycrump994]

I was thinking about buying an M1101. Applying your method would the trailer brakes work? Lol excuse my ignorance.

[@CallMeColtLLC]

The brakes are not electric, so they will work or not work depending on if they're functional to begin with.

[@cavalrymedic706]

Your videos are getting better and better. I have been thinking on how to do this for a long long time. Obviously, I was over thinking it. Suggestion for a video, how to connect a DRASH generator to Mains power of a home.

[@CallMeColtLLC]

Thank you for noticing & the feedback! I have been trying to make the videos edited better. I've invested in new equipment as well. This video, I don't have a microphone, so my audio was not great. Hope to raise some funds soon on that! As far as hooking up a DRASH to home... I don't have one, but I do know it's a 3 phase only. That is an issue. You can't really use it on 240v single phase service. It gets a little complicated. There are transformers and things you can get, but it gets expensive. Maybe one day, if I get a DRASH, I will go over it. Same would apply to the larger MEP 804B and up generators. 240 volt 3 phase on a single leg is not the same as a 240 volt single phase.

[@dennisgray7509]

What bulbs are used in the side markers

[@CallMeColtLLC]

Honestly, I'm not sure. I had forgotten that the M1101 & M1102 trailers have side & center lights & should have covered this. I don't have one on hand to make a follow up video, but when I do, I will.

[@ericramirez8254]

Where'd you get that generator cover?

[@CallMeColtLLC]

I had it custom made. Tested one out for almost 5 years now. Thinking about offering them for sale on my store. They won't be cheap but are very good quality. $200 plus tax & shipping. What do you think?

[@ericramirez8254]

I think it's worth the price. I have an 802 that I keep in the garage because other covers just eventually failed over time. You can make them out of tarp or canvas but unless there's a way to cover the bottom opening under the genset, rodents will always find a way in. @@CallMeColtLLC

[@CallMeColtLLC]

@@ericramirez8254 I have not had an issue with rodents going inside when using mothballs

[@CallMeColtLLC]

ebay.us/5ajRAK

[@skitchchristopher9795]

Great video! Going slowly, carefully and marking wires as I went, it took me about 45 minutes using a heat gun, connectors and electrical tape to seal everything neatly. I wish I had seen this video before I bought that clunky, worthless military connector. Thanks!

[@CallMeColtLLC]

The adapter sucks & I feel bad for the people who spent money on it thinking it was the only option.

[@codyschoenly]

Great video! Keep them coming!

[@CallMeColtLLC]

Slow & steady I will