Hi,
I was visiting inlaws for the weekend and went target shooting this afternoon at a friend-of-a-friend's farm. Been there 2-3 times before. This time I noticed what looked like an Army M416-style trailer sitting in 2 foot high weeds behind their barn. I wasn't smart enough to get all the information at the time or to shoot a cell pic of the nameplate, but I know the clean numberplate said it was a "Army Corps of Engineers" trailer, date 1943, and it said something about "Airborne" down near the bottom. From 30 minutes of research now that I'm home, it looks similar to a Converto Airborne Dump Trailer (file shot down below); the tailgate was not sealed like the M416s I've seen in pictures (?). The whole thing was rust-brown, but didn't appear to be rusted through anywhere. Looked like mainly surface rust that a sander, 1/2 gallon of ospho, and some paint would take care of. Had the Army tires still on it. But no fenders. Couldn't tell if they were removed or never had them.
Anyway, I think they're interested in selling it. I was wondering what something like it might be worth, to determine what to offer them for it. And what weak areas to look for to see if it's even worth buying. I've been interested in buying an M416-type trailer to haul behind my FJ62 for long trips, and I think I could get this for nothing or a little more. Thanks for any help!
Matt
I was visiting inlaws for the weekend and went target shooting this afternoon at a friend-of-a-friend's farm. Been there 2-3 times before. This time I noticed what looked like an Army M416-style trailer sitting in 2 foot high weeds behind their barn. I wasn't smart enough to get all the information at the time or to shoot a cell pic of the nameplate, but I know the clean numberplate said it was a "Army Corps of Engineers" trailer, date 1943, and it said something about "Airborne" down near the bottom. From 30 minutes of research now that I'm home, it looks similar to a Converto Airborne Dump Trailer (file shot down below); the tailgate was not sealed like the M416s I've seen in pictures (?). The whole thing was rust-brown, but didn't appear to be rusted through anywhere. Looked like mainly surface rust that a sander, 1/2 gallon of ospho, and some paint would take care of. Had the Army tires still on it. But no fenders. Couldn't tell if they were removed or never had them.
Anyway, I think they're interested in selling it. I was wondering what something like it might be worth, to determine what to offer them for it. And what weak areas to look for to see if it's even worth buying. I've been interested in buying an M416-type trailer to haul behind my FJ62 for long trips, and I think I could get this for nothing or a little more. Thanks for any help!
Matt
