Bantam Trailer Serial Number
There will be an 'ACM' number underneath the left front spring hangar. It is a number stamped by the manufacturer of the tub and not the trailer serial number. The only 'serial number' on MBT (Willys) and T-3 (Bantam) trailers is on the original data plate. Robert Bills, Apr 20, 2009. There are a couple places to look for your serial number on your Willys MBT or Bantam T3 trailer First, If you find a trailer with its data plate still on the trailer, then it will have your serial number on it. Most are missing if the trailer has been sitting out in the elements.
How to ID your Bantam T3-C Trailer
Fulton Model 0-6 hitch
Arrow tail lamp Model 41 or 7341
Arrow Model 4124 license plate bracket (I have a real nice reproduction http://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/banta .. 20918.html)
Early or late tow chain hooks
Blackout lamp switch hole on lower front right side (early)
Park brake handle mounting holes (early)
Spring hanger rivet bucking holes (early)
Spring hangers riveted (early) or bolted (late)
ACM number on the gusset beneath the left front spring hanger (only found on tubs with 4 side tie downs - left over T-3 tubs)
Shock mount holes in frame (very early)
Shackles “U” Jeep style or 2 piece flat stock style (later)
Combat Wheels, Solid Wheels, CJ2A Style Kelsey Hayes Wheels
Tarp tie down hooks 4 side, 2 front, 1 rear (early) or 3 side, 1 front, 1 rear (late)
Round drain hole patch in tub (early)
Bantam Trailers For Sale
Four holes for riveting on the WWII data plate (early) T3-C data plate uses the upper holesBantam Data Pate Serial Number
Tube supports (early) or sheet metal supports (late) in rear
Bow pockets
Color Red or Green, possibly Olive Drab (very early)
Stencil on Tailgate or rear cross member (2 styles)
Optional Bows, Racks, and Canvas
Jeep Trailers
There are 4 models of what are commonly referred to as Jeep (cargo)Trailers.
The WWII Military MBT and T-3 Jeep Trailers T3 - built by American Bantam Car Co,. Butler, PA MBT - made by Willys-Overland Motors Co, Toledo, Ohio - There were a few other small contracts handed out in 1945 to other lesserknown companies who copied the Bantam T-3 design
- GemcoEng. & Mfg. Co. Inc. (T-1 Trailer)
- PacificCar & Foundry Co., Renton, WA
- Converto ManufacturingCo., CambridgeCity, IN. (T-6 Trailers & T-7 Navy Tailgate Trailers)
- FruehaufTrailer Co., Detroit,MI. (T-1 Trailer)
- SpringfieldWagon, Fayetteville, Arkansas (T6 Trailer)
- TheChecker Cab Mfg Co, Kalamazoo, Michigan (T-1 / CCM-12 Trailer)
- Adam Black (T-3 Trailer)
- Strick Co., (T3 Trailer)
- Utility Trailer, Cityof Industry/Southgate, CA, (N-1 Trailer)
- The Transportation Equipment Co., Detroit,MI - (T1 Trailer) -DataPlate - frontview
- Spen (USMC 1944)
The Post-War (WW2) Civilian Jeep Trailers The Korean War vintage M-100 Military Jeep Trailers The Vietnam War era M-416 Military Jeep Trailers
All 3 Military Trailer series share the following characteristics.
- 4 reflectors.
- Outboard fenders.
- 'A' Frame draw bar.
- Heavy Duty Leafsprings.
- NDT/NDCC Military Tires.
- Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers.
- Same Wheel Rims as Jeep of the era.
- Open top, metal box body construction.
- Raised ribbing on floor pan of trailer body.
- 2 Safety Chains for attaching to Jeep eyebolts.
- Both Service Running lights and Black Out lights.
- Drain plugs in floor to let the water out or hold it in.
- A parking brake makes sure it stays where you left it.
- Solid Axle, full floating bearings, brake drums andshoes.
- The Lunette Eye Loop designed for a pintle hook on a jeep.
- A solid rear panel, not a tailgate, as this would not be watertight.
- Landing legs so you can unhook and drive away leaving it standing there.
- Inter-vehicle electrical connection cable of heavy gage attached to trailer.
- 10 cargo/rope tie downs for tarp cover. 4 on each long side, 1 on eachend.
- All 3 military jeep box trailers are watertight. They will floatwith up to 500lbs of gear, or the opposite; they can haul water (poorly).
- The lunette assembly has a strong spring on it that negates the slammingand stress when starting from a dead stop or on fast acceleration.
- The trailer lunette eye spins in its socket, allowing the pulling vehicleand trailer to be leaning in completely opposite directions. It even allowsthe trailer to flip over without causing the pulling vehicle to flip withit.
- Fenders:
- Landing Legs:
- Floor Drains:
- Grab Handles:
- Parking Brake Handle:
- Shock Absorber attachment method used:
- Receivers:
- Lunettes:
- WWII MBT and 1950's M-100have round fenders.
The M-416 has squared fenders.
- MBT landing leg has 3 positions (3 holes). There was a 1/2 way up positionfor deep mud use to help support weight of trailer in deep mud conditions.
M100 and M416 only had 2 positions for landing leg - up or down.
- MBT has one floor drain.
M-100 and M416 have 2 floor drains.
- MBT / T3 trailers do not have any grab handles.
M-100and M-416 trailers have 4 grab handles. One on each corner.
- MBT has a hand brake with a thumb button on the very top for the thumbto depress to release the cam lock.
M100 and M-416 trailers have a handgrip handle with the handgrip releasingthe cam lock.
- Bantam T-3 trailers used a threaded stud and a nut to hold on shocks.
Willys MBT used a washer and cotter pin through a smooth stud to holdon shocks.
- MBT - 3/4 of cast socket hole section is above main part of cast bracket.
M100 - 1/2 of cast socket hole section is above main part of cast bracket.
M416 - has 2 cast socket holes in main part of cast bracket.
MBT and M100 cast brackets fit the same in the frame.
MBT and M416 lunette eyes are interchangeable.
- MBT Lunette eyes were thinner diameter.
M416 Lunette eyes are very thick diameter.
MBT and M416 lunettes and the sockets they fit into were cut at thesame angle or bevel.
M100 lunettes and sockets were cut at a different angle. They don'tmate to the M416/MBT ones, even though they look so similar to them
I swap M416 & MBT lunettes back and forth between my MBT's, butnone of the NOS lunettes I had fit in the NOS M100 receivers.
Here is a photographof a Korean War M-100 Jeep Trailer.
Here is a photographof a Vietnam War M-416 Jeep Trailer.
M416's are the easiest to find. They are also the newestand in the best shape usually. Here is another Photoof a M-416B-1 Trailer - Side View. Notice the gas can racks on thesides. This is the M416B1 model.
The WWII is the next most common (even so, it is still rare), but itcan cost a lot more because there is more demand.
The least in demand, and slightly harder to find M100 is my 1st choicefor the average person with a civilian jeep. If you are just lookingfor a great looking, great off road, great on-road trailer to haul a motorcycleor lawnmower then please leave the pristine antique trailers to the collectors.Hauling a motorcycle would require cutting a tailgate (losing the water-tightness).Hopefully you will find a civilian trailer or one that is already cut,and not ruin an intact army trailer by cutting it.
Expect to pay between $465 and $900 for either a M100 or M416 trailer.The Willys MB-T & T-3 Bantam Trailers can go for more money. It dependson the condition, and the part of the country you are located in. And rememberit is Willys, not Willy, Willis, Wilys, or Willies. Bantam, not Bantem,Bantum, or even Batman. :-)
GO TO: JeepTrailers For Sale |
| If youare Looking for Jeep Trailer Parts & Jeep Trailers (if any areavailable) - Go Here |
| If you are Just Looking for an Off-Road Jeep Type Trailer - Checkout these Companies: Just-a-Trailer PercivalFab. 4x4 Military Trailers ToughTerrain Trailers ExpressTrailers SafariTrailers USA AdventureTrailers |
WWII Military Jeep Trailers - The Willys MB-T & The BantamT-3 Trailers ~ History, and model differences
Willys and Bantam (and a few others) made nearly identical trailersin World War Two. Officially it is the 'TRAILER, AMPHIBIOUS, CARGO, 1/4-TON,SINGLE-AXLE'. Here is a Photoof Two original WWII Jeep Trailers (Front 3/4 view). These jeep trailerswere used increase the payload hauling capacity of the jeep. The jeep trailerscould haul food, ammo, fuel, people, medical supplies, clothing, bedding,and all sorts of other supplies. It was common to see these trailersin the field overflowing with supplies & equipment as in this photographof a WWII trailer. The Jeep Lube Chart issued late in the warhad the lubrication chart of the Willys MBT/Bantam T-3 Trailer on the reverseside. Photographof Original WWII MBT (MB/GPW Jeep on reverse) Lubrication Chart. Willys-Overlandproduced nearly 60,000 of their Model MBT trailers. American Bantam produced73,569 of their version of the Willys Model MB-T trailers, the Bantam T-3.There are subtle differences between each company’s version. The some ofthe trailer design differences are listed below.
- Shock Absorber & Shock Mounts:
- Axles: 3 types: 1) with a cast housing in the center (Willys early),2) with a center seam (Willys late), or 3) Solid (Bantam):
- Data Plate Stampings:
- Frame Serial Number Plate:
- Cross Members:
- Tail Light Manufacturer:
Willys MBT: Willys used a Flat Washerand Cotter Pin to hold their trailer's shock absorbers (Monroe shockabsorbers) onto the SMOOTH stud of the Shock Absorber Mounting Brackets(the same as on their MB Jeeps).
Bantam T-3: Bantam used a Flat Washer and Nut to hold theirtrailer's shock absorbers (Gabriel shock absorbers) onto the THREADED studof the Shock Absorber Mounting Brackets.
Willys MBT: Early World War II Willysbuilt jeep trailers were the only ones to come with a 2 piece axle (actually3 pieces, 2 tubes joined in the center by a heavy cast coupler). Willyslater went to a single piece axle with a welded seem in the middle of thetube.
Bantam T-3: Bantam always used a one piece axle (A design that Willysshortly switched to as well); solid tube (no seam), spot (button) weldedto hubs.
Willys MBT: Willys only stamped the Month - Year of deliveryon their trailer's data plates.
Bantam T-3: Bantam stamped the Month - DAY- Year of delivery on their trailer's data plates. Bantam's DASH Markwas a numeral'1' stamp turned sideways. If you are lucky enough to have your JeepTrailers Data Plates with a Day stamp, you can use the Jeep& Trailer Day of Date of Delivery Calculator to determine whatday of the week your Trailer was made on.
Willys MBT: The plate on the underside of the left front spring hangerbracket on frame does not have a 'B' stamped into the metal underthe serial Number.
Bantam T-3: The plate on the underside of the left front spring hangerbracket on frame doeshave a 'B' stamped into the metal under the serial Number.
Willys MBT: Willys used 4 frame cross members.
Bantam T-3: Bantam used 3 frame cross members.
Willys MBT: Willys used Tail Lights madeby Corcoran Brown (C-B) Corp.
Bantam T-3: Bantam used Tail Lights made by ARROW Corp.
Here is a photographof the Jeep's Trailer Socket & Cover on the back of a WWII MB/GPW jeep(where the Trailer's Cable plugs into).
Bantam Trailer Serial Numbers
Here is a photographof a WWII Jeep and Trailer all hooked up, connected and ready to go
The following 2 photos both show the correct WWII Receiver Socket, LunetteTension Spring, Safety Chains, Landing Foot (also know as a Landing Leg),and Landing Leg Release Pin.
Photographshowing Correct WWII; Landing Foot, Willys MBT Lunette Eye, andClothLoom Trailer Cable
Photographshowing Correct WWII; Landing Leg, Bantam T-3 Lunette Eye, &RubberLoom Trailer Cable
Photoof original WWII MBT - T3 Jeep Trailer Parking Brake Handle, Black OutLight Switch, and Rubber Electrical Connector Cable (inter vehicular)
These trailers were also amphibious! They were designed that way. Thetrailers could be floated across streams by themselves (without a jeepor other vehicle) either by having soldiers wading alongside them or byusing ropes from both shores tied to the trailer. The trailers were designedto also be towed behind 2 amphibious vehicles - the Studebaker Weasel,and theamphibiousjeep - the Ford GPA - both in and out of the water! Hereis a photo of the Ford GPA towing a WWII Jeep trailer full of GI's in deepwater. Another photographshowing a Ford GPA towing and swimming with a Willys MBT 1/4 ton Trailerwhile the trailer undergoes floating tests from 6/15/1942. Notice thedate. It proves that water operations were intended from very early on.
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TRAILER, 1/4-TON PAYLOAD, 2-WHEEL, CARGO, 1942-43, AMERICAN BANTAM T-3 AND WILLYS MBT THREE QUARTER RIGHT REAR VIEW | TRAILER, 1/4-TON PAYLOAD, 2-WHEEL, CARGO, 1942-43, AMERICAN BANTAM T-3 AND WILLYS MBT THREE QUARTER RIGHT FRONT VIEW |
| ORD 8 SNL G-529 Spare Parts and Equipment for Trailer, ¼-Ton Payload, 2-Wheel,Cargo, (American Bantam T-3 and Willys MBT), Headquarters, Army Service Forces, July 1945 | |
World War Two Jeep Trailer Specifications
Body type: Open Top Cargo
Weight (gross): 1050 lbs.
Weight (net): 550 lbs.
Weight (payload): 500 lbs. (Off road spec.)
Ground clearance: 12.5 inches.
Loading height: 22 inches.
Shipping dimensions: 141 Cu. Ft.
Shipping dimensions: 42 Sq. Ft.
Brakes: Hand parking brake only, cable operated.
Tires: 2
Tire size: 6.00 x 16 6 ply
Tread: 49 inches.
Electrical system: 6 volt, negative ground.
Fording depth: N/A,Trailer will float with 500 poundload, with 6 inches of freeboard.
Towing vehicles: Truck, 1/4 ton 4 x 4 (Jeep);
Truck, 3/4 ton, 4 x 4;
Ford Amphibian, 1/4 ton 4 x 4 GPA(Amphibious Jeep);
Carrier, Cargo, (amphibious), M29 Studebaker 'Weasel'.
| Year | Contract Number | Starting USA Registration Number | Ending USA Registration Number | Total Production |
| 1942 | Ord 2518 | 168918 | 173917 | 5,000 |
| 1943 | Ord 2519 | 253934 | 271500 | 17,567 |
| 1943 | Ord 2906 | 271501 | 277083 | 5,583 |
| 1943 | Ord 2906 | 463283 | 476700 | 13,418 |
| 1943 | Ord 2906 | 697387 | 706550 | 9,169 |
| 1943 | Ord 2960 | 639010 | 639259 | 250 |
| 50,987 | ||||
| 1944 | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| 1945 | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| 73,569 | ||||
Willys-Overland produced almost 60,000 of their version of the 1/4tontrailer, the MBT.
Where do I find my WW2 Jeep Trailer's Serial Numbers?The Willys MBT and Bantam T3 Trailer serial numbers are usually difficultto locate. MBT's and BT-3's had trailer (vehicle) Serial Numbers stampedin 2 places.
Bantam Trailer Parts
Locating Serial Numbers on Second World War Willys MBT and BantamT-3 Trailers
- THE DATA PLATES ON THE FRONT BODY PANEL
The data plates is found on the front panel of the trailer, facingthe outside. It is on the drivers side close to the outside top. It is held in place by 4 screws or 4 rivets. The data plates are oftenmissing. The Nomenclature plate has the vehicle identification informationincluding;the Manufacturer (Willys, Bantam or other Co), the Model (MBT or T-3),the Serial Number, and the Date of Delivery (Date of Manufacture). Thisis the actual trailer manufacturer serial number. These Data Plates weremade out of Brass, Pot Metal, Steel, and Aluminum. Be very careful removingpaint or straightening dents on your data plates because valuable informationabout your Jeep Trailer can easily be destroyed in the process. There were4 versions of the text on the Trailer Data Plates. Two each for Willysand Ford. Two each Early QMC, 2 each Late ORD.
| Jeep Trailer Data Plate Types |
| Early QMC (Quartermaster Corps) |
| Late ORD (Ordnance Department) |
- THE FRAME
The frames for trailers were also sometimes stamped. One source ofof stampings are from ACM, the manufacturer of the body tub/frame unitthat all the companies built their trailers on. Another souce for someof these stampings are from rebuilders. Typically there are 3 places tolook on your trailer frame. See pic below to help you in locatingthe areas to look in.
Location #1 & #2 may have the rebuild serial numbers stampedinto the outside face of the frame in approximately 3/8' high numbers.Location #1 & #2 are not factory locations for stamping the serialnumbers. It appears that the military stamped the numbers there onsome trailers to make it easier to determine the serial number. Manytrailers that went to the PTO (Pacific Theater: Japan, Korea, Guam, Philippines)came back with numbers stamped in the alternate locations. These couldhave been stamped during the Korean War, or Vietnam War or ?
Location #3 is UNDER the trailer. This is the ACM serial number. TheACM serial number was stamped directly into the frame or support bracket.Bantam trailer ACM serial #'s start with a 'B'. You will have to crawlunder the trailer, lay on your back, and look up at a triangular pieceof metal bracing the frame. This brace is about 5' x 6', and the ACM serialnumbers are stamped into it. The number is stamped under the left frontspring hanger bracket on the frame.
Serial numbers located in #1 & #2 should match data plate serialnumber on the body. The serial number in position #3, is the Tub Mfg.'s(ACM) number, and not the Trailer Serial Number. The numbers are closelycorrelated. Closely, but not exactly matched. Mr. C. Lutz is keeping adatabase on the relationship of these two serial numbers.
When I go looking for serial #s, I use a propane torch and a small wirebrush (toothbrush size). These items are the best I know of to help inlocating the Trailer frame stamped serial numbers because there is usuallysome grease, rust, dirt, and old paint to deal with. Hit the area withthe torch until the paint bubbles. Then scrub with the brush. WARNING:The hot melted paint will fall all over you, so wear old clothes and eyeprotection!! Re-apply the heatand scrub till you get to bright shiny metal, and hopefully a serial number.Sometimes the numbers are very faint, in fact, the whole stamping can bevery light, so some care and good lighting will be required to uncoverit.
Hereis photograph on where to look for military trailer stamped VIN #/ serialnumbers. They could be stamped in any of the 3 locations, or none ofthem.
Post War Civilian Bantam T-3C 1/4 ton Jeep Trailers
After the war, Bantam struggled along for a few years manufacturing 1/4tonJeep trailers (T3C) for the civilian market. This kept the company alive,but only barely. In the end it wasn't enough and Bantam finally went outof business after just a few more years of trailer production. Bantam'scivilian T-3-C trailers were stripped down copies of the Military MBT/T3Trailer without all the features that the military trailers (T3) came with.Bantam went on to produce this basic trailer after the war for the civilianmarket from 1946 until 1953.
Although they weren't a completely new design,the trailers were given the new model name: BT3C. (They are also calledBTC, B-T3C, BT-3C, BT3-C, T3C, T-3C, T3-C by others. A long list to describethe same trailer). Bantam also added some features that civilians wouldfind useful, ones that the military would have objected to. They addedstake pockets to the T3-C, so you could put wooden stake sides (to haulmore cargo) and/or wooden top bows (to hold a tarp up) on the trailer.They discontinued the parking brake assembly. No brake drums on axles,and no hand brake ass'y. The lunette eye style receiver was replaced witha civilian type ball hitch receiver. The data plate size was reduced insize to 1'x3' for most of the civilian trailers, although some early onesdid come with full size 3'x3' plates. The data plates were mounted in thesame place as the military trailers - towards the top of the front panelon the drivers side. These smaller data plates were only held on by 2 rivetsinstead of 4 rivets. Originally these smaller plates were closer to thetop of the top rail tubing, but they were eventually lowed a few inchesmore down the panel. Civilian trailers came with fewer rope hooks / cargotie downs (for securing a cover tarp, or tying down the load it was carrying).Military trailers have 4 per long side, the civilian T3-C trailer onlyhas 3 per side. Both Military & Civilian trailers had 1 hook tie downon the front & rear panels. A dropping tailgate was added and the rearsection had reinforcement gusset panels added to support the body &tailgate. The tailgate was not wanted on military trailers because militarytrailers could float. A tailgate would not allow amphibious use of thetrailer by the Army, Navy, and Marines. It would, however, add a lot moreusefulness to the civilian customer by making it easier to load & unloadthings for the trailer. The gusset panels were needed to compensate forthe cargo body's loss of strength when the tailgate was added to the trailerto prevent flexing and too much stress being put on the body panels andwelds. These panels were the new location for mounting the rear reflectorsand taillights. If the new T-3C came with tail lights, they came with civiliantaillights instead of military black out lights. The front panels of trailerswith no taillights would have been issued without the extra upside downrope hook to hold the vehicle electrical cable when not in use - no taillights,no need for electrical inter vehicular cable, no electrical cable, no needfor a hook for it. The side red reflectors of WWII were discontinued aswell, and the rear red reflectors were moved from the rear body panel tothe outside tailgate reinforcement gusset plate panels. The major changesmade to the BT3 for conversions to the BT3-C in the civilian market aredetailed below.How to tell if you have a Bantam Civilian trailer.
- Look for 'stake pockets' inside the trailer on the long sides of the cargobody wall to allow mounting the cargo body top bows.
- Look for 3 rope hooks / cargo tie downs on the side of the cargo body.(Military Trailers have 4 hooks / tiedowns.)
- Look for only 2 rivets or rivet holes where the data plate would mounton the outside front body panel, drivers side, towards top. Keep in mindthat some early trailers did come with the 4 rivet 3' x 3' data ID plates.Most civilian trailers had the 1' x 3' data plate.
- Look for a lack of parking brake, brake drums, and brake cable assembly.
- Look for a lack of side reflectors on the rear side 1/4 panels.
- Look for a Factory drop down tailgate & side gusset support plate panelsat the rear panel. (NOTE - Many military trailers have had tailgates hackedinto them. Most were done very poorly). This meant they were no longerwater tight.
- Look for a Factory civilian ball hitch receiver. Hitch is a Fulton Standard1 7/8' Ball type. (NOTE - Many military trailers have had civilian ballhitch receivers hacked/welded onto them. Most were done very poorly).
- Look for a smaller civilian style electrical connector plug and trailercable. (NOTE - Many military trailers have had their original Heavy Dutycables & Plugs removed and replaced with after market civilian ones.Most were done very poorly).
Photographof Bantam T3-C Civilian Trailer showing Wooden Stake Sides and Tailgateopen / dropped down, and tail lights.
In 1946 Bantam trailers were available from the factory in Butler, PAin Red and Green paint colors only. The suggested retail price in November1946 was $169.50 plus $8.12 tax for the basic cargo trailer. The UtilityChassis (no cargo body, wiring or fenders) was $126 plus $6.62 tax. SideRacks, Bows and Tarpaulin Set was $35 plus $1 tax. A flat tarpaulin was$12 plus $.38 tax. All prices were F.O.B. .
Other Countries Copy the American 1/4 ton Jeep Trailer.
The World War II Trailers were also copied by several foreign countiesduring the cold war era. There are some subtle and some not so subtle differencesin these foreign manufactured jeep trailers. Differences such as lighting,brakes, and in the number of reinforcing ribs pressed into the floor andside panels of the trailers. Japan, and Switzerland both made copies. TheDutch and French Armies each had their copies as well. WOF (Willys of France)made some of them, as well as GENEVA, MILLION-GUIET, and HOTCHKISS. Manyof these French 1/4ton Jeep trailers had front mounted spare tires (asseenhere and hereand here and here)and are still the companion of the PEUGEOT P4 today. Canada has made acopy the M416 trailer, called the M101CDN, and has really beefed it up and added some really nice featuresas well.
Other WWII Jeep Trailers
Bantam Trailer Parts For Sale
WaterBuffalo - Water Tank Traileralthough not technically rated for this size load,jeeps were sometimes pressed into service.
Cannons
A Bantam BRC prototype jeep and towed M3 antitank gungoing airborne during testing at New River, North Carolina. | British Airborne Commandos unload their jeep and towed20mm Cannon from their crashed glider. | Early Ford Script GPW Jeep towing a .50cal Anti-AircraftGun. |
75mm 'pack' howitzer M1A1 - cannon
57mm anti-tank gun M1 - cannon
20mm AA gun - Anti-aircraft gun
Converto Airborne Dump Trailer~ more coming soon!
Hereis another photographof a WWII Jeep Converto Airborne Dump Trailer and Vietnam era 1/2 Flatbedgenerator Jeep Trailer. Converto produced around 6,500 1/2 ton trailersduring World War Two. These Airborne Dump Trailers had similar dimensionsto the Bantam T3 1/4 ton jeep trailer, and used Kelsey-Hayes MB/GPW jeepcombat wheels that had been reinforced with metal plates to make them stongerand able to carry a heavier load than the standard World War Two Jeep Trailer. http://wwiijeepparts.com/WW2/Photos/19411942194319441945MilitaryJeeps/ConvertoDumpTrailer.jpg
K38 / K-38 Linesman Trailer
TheK38 Linesman Trailer, also called the Telephone Cable Splicer 1/4 ton,Single Axle Trailer for Equipment TE-56, was used by both the civiliantelephone companies and the military in daily service before, during, andafter World War Two. The trailer in Military use was called the G529K-38 ¼-Ton Trailer. The K-38 was a very small covered box trailerthat was used in the military prior to WWII until about the end of the1950's. It was utilized most by the US Army Signal Corps, and by similarunits in the AAC / AAF, USMC and USN. See CONSOLIDATEDSUMMARY OF MAJOR ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT : (Signal Requirements for CompleteProject). dated 1 Nov. 1944 ~ item #47 <see 3 items above 'Page 2 of6 Pages EXHIBIT 3G'>. It is basically an OffRoad Tool Chest on Wheels. It has a liftopen metal top, and a lower pop open cubby hole at the rear. It used16'tall motorcycle tires, had heavy-duty leaf springs, and a lunetteeye and two loop pulling handles on the front of the drawbar. Taillight,foldinglanding leg, and padlockhasp to protect the contents were all standard issue, as was a rearwork shelf. When you flipup the lid (passenger's side opens, hinge is on driver'sside), the insideis full of tray compartments for tooland equipment storage. The 'Military Telephone man' would draw a jeep& K38 trailer from the motor pool and go out for as long as necessaryto run communication lines between units. These trailers were made in farsmaller quantity than regular jeep box trailers, and these trailers seldomcome up for sale. Data plates were mounted on the front body panel in thelower driver's side corner. They were made by at least 4 companies overthe years;
- FWD Auto Co.,Eagle Division, Appleton, Wisconsin (data plate).
- HighwayTransport Co., Edgerton,Wisconsin
- Transport Freight Co.
TRAILER, 1/4-TON, SINGLE AXLE, TELEPHONE CABLE SPLICER. K-38 |
Here is a rough, 'as found' K-38in Europe. And a not so bad K38found in the USA. I have a G-529, 1/4 ton, Trailer, 2-wheel, K38 TelephoneSplicer Trailer and I think they are great.
Please see myWantList Page for parts I need for my K-38 and MBT Jeep Trailers.
WWIIBritish Airborne Trailer
Designed to be towed behind US made and UK modified World War Two Jeeps
Bantam Trailer Dimensions
Canadian10 CWT G. S. Trailer
Designed to be towed behind 5,000 custom made World War Two WillysScout Car (MB Jeeps) made & modified in the US to Canadian specs.
The Canadian model name for this jeep is W-LU 440-M-PERS-1 (WillysLight Utility Military 4 wheels, 4 wheel drive, 80 inch wheelbase, Personnel,1st Model).
Other Post War Military Jeep Trailers
M-416 series Vietnam war era Military Jeep Trailer
These trailers were made by several sources, including; Stevens, Anthony,Fayette, and Johnson Furnace Co.
M-416 Trailer Specifications (as shown on M416Trailer Data Plates)
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