How do I identify the trailers I have? (1 Viewer)

[TOY350]

I have 2 WWII era trailers that have the round fenders. I can't find Willys or Botam (something like that) stamped anywhere. I am curious to know exactly what I have. One is in decent shape and will stay that way for normal trailer uses. The other is beat down and I would like to convert it to a camping/expedition type trailer by researching all the cool things that have been done in this trailer section.

If it helps I can post a couple pics in the morning.

Thanks.

 

[cruiseman]

You will want to post on www.g503.com thier message board has a listing for 1/4 ton trailers.
SC

 

[REZARF]

Bantam trailers had the round fenders as well as some of the German Style trailers as well.

Post up pics we can help you out.

Rezarf <><

 

[TOY350]

I will check out that site Cruiseman. In the meantime here are pics of my 2 trailers, obviously both modified dropping the value but I plan on keeping them anyway. The light green one has a tag on the front which reads:

CONTRACT W-04200-0R0-953
REPAIRED
K&D INDUSTRIES
SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA
DATE 4 5 1945

 

[photogod]

My vote is M100 Korean era. Bantam didn't make round fendered leunette hitched trailers, I don't think. They made round fendered ball hitch hook ups. Interestingly enough, these don't seem to have the weld marks from the welded on chain box that was mounted to the front surface or the rather large hole in the front metal where the round wiring harness was attached and they are welded to the frame instead of bolted.. JMTC

 

[atavuss]

Bantam and Willys both made round fendered lunette hitched trailers during WWll. probably the easiest way to tell them apart is that Bantam shocks were held on by a threaded stud and nut and the upper shock mount was bolted to the frame, Willys had a stud with a hole and shock was held on by a washer and cotter pin and the upper shock mount was riveted to the frame.
Bantam made trailers for the civilian market post WWll, they used a ball hitch, had a tailgate cut in at the factory along with a few other changes from the military trailers. if the one trailer that has the tag showing it was repaired in 1945 then that unit would most likely be a WWll trailer.
here is a link to a site that gives a lot of information:
http://members.aol.com/brimiljeep/WebPages/JeepTrailerPage.html
a post on the G503 forum that might help you:
http://www.g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=72809

 

[TOY350]

Thanks guys, I am now in the process of narrowing down at least one of them from the info on the sites.

 

[Grease Cruiser]

Both look identical to my 1944 Willys MBT.

 

[TOY350]

I found the painted over ID Tag on the light green one. I will be carefully removing the paint to see if I can still read the tag.

 

[cruiseman]

Here is a link that will really help,, 1944willysmb.homestaed.com/5.html
Looks like you have a gemco,,
Later,
SC

 

[cruiseman]

Here is a link that will really help,, 1944willysmb.homestaed.com/5.html,, if it doesnt work, cut and paste it to the address bar
Looks like you have a gemco,,
Later,
SC

 

[e9999]

if these are really WW2, you don't think that they may be of interest for collectors?

sell and buy a recent canadian one?

 

[TOY350]

I think since both had the tailgates cut out and made to swing open and both had ball hitches welded to the front of them makes their collectors value fairly low. The dark green one is actually my dads that he used to tow with his 40 (the one I learned to drive with) so it's not mine to sell, just to use. The light green one is the one I can fully modify. I would like to sandblast it and weld everything back up to as close to stock as I can get it, but with no welding skills or sandblaster I have to shell out some coin. I really don't want to drop more than $300 in the project just to bring it back to stock so I will have to get some friendly esimates. I will keep posting if I can make progress.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

It might indeed be worthwhile to see if a WWII vehicle collector, specifically a Jeep collector, might be willing to pay enough for these trailers and use the proceeds for an M100 or M416 trailer. Or see if they're willing to trade for a nice M100 or M416.

 

[TOY350]

After I identify the one for sure I will look into it then. It couldn't hurt to try. My goal today is reading the whole ID plate so I have somewhere solid to start from.

 

[TOY350]

The light green one is definetely a Willys. Manufactured 11/42 with a serial number of 11327. I am going to contact one of the trailer guys on the board linked up above and see if he can give an estimate on value in the condition it is in.

 

[TOY350]

You guys were right. I should be able to trade the light green one for a newer model in much better condition. Someone was able to confirm my serial and ACM numbers on the trailer as a Willys from 11/42. A definate WWII collectors item. Just waiting for trade offers now.

 

[Grease Cruiser]

They are not worth much unless they are in decent condition. That's what I have been told. Post up what you find out, as I have a MBT.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

WWII 'Jeep' trailers aren't cheap, even in bad condition. They're desirable enough that you can even get replacement bed floors for them now. You can get some pretty good money out of one by simply parting it out.

The torquise trailer can easily be traded for a nice M416, and the modified and damaged black trailer should be able to swap for a good condition M416 (no major damage).

 

[TOY350]

UPDATE:

I traded for a M416 in much better condition. Only minor surface rust in places, overall very solid. Now I can begin my trailer project without having to weld all kinds of things back together and locate parts.