Ben Hur trailer explained
Ben Hur trailer was the nickname of the World War II U.S. Army Trailer, 1-ton payload, 2-wheel, cargo, and the Trailer, 1-ton payload, 2-wheel, water tank, 250 gallon (U.S. Army Ordnance Corps Supply catalogue designations G-518 and G-527 respectively). Specialized variants were also manufactured.[1] [2] [3]
The one-ton trailers were designed to be towed by vehicles rated -ton and upwards, like the Dodge WC series trucks, as well as -ton 4x4 trucks, and -ton 6x6 trucks,[3] such as the Chevrolet G506 and the much used GMC CCKW trucks.
The G-518 trailers were among the Allies' most built and used models with a total of 259,064 units made.[4] [5]
Description
The Ben Hur trailer was nicknamed after its major manufacturer, the Ben–Hur Mfg. Co., although there were many other companies that produced it between 1941 and 1945. Its primary purpose was to transport general cargo; the Signal Corps modified it to carry several different generators.[6]
Variants
- K-52 equipped with a PE-95 generator
- K-63 equipped with a PE-99 generator
- K-63A equipped with a PE-197 generator
- V-15 used for the AN/TPQ-2 radar
- M24 ammunition trailer (used with M15 multiple gun motor carriage, auto 37mm & two .50 BMG)
- M25 A-load carried a 25KW generator for the tire repair truck
- M25 B-load carried spares and fuel for the tire repair truck
- G527 water carrier, nicknamed "water buffalo", 250gal capacity
Specifications
- Weight (empty): 1300lb
- Weight (loaded): 3300lb off-road; 4300lb on-road
- Payload: 2000lb off-road; 3000lb on-road
- Cargo volume: 113cuft
- Length: NaNinches
- Width: NaNinches
- Height: 73inches with canvas top
- Axles: 1, with 2 wheels
- Brakes: hand, parking only
Production
G-518 trailers were manufactured by over two dozen companies:[7] [8]
- American Bantam
- Ben Hur Mfg. Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Century Boat Works
- Checker Motors Corporation
- Covered Wagon Co., Michigan [9]
- Dorsey Trailer[10]
- Gerstenslager
- Henney Motor Company
- Hercules Body,[11]
- Highland Body & Trailer Mfg. Co, Cincinnati [12]
- Hobbs Trailer & Equipment Inc, (then) Texas
- Hyde,
- Keystone RV,
- Mifflinburg Body Company, (were in) Pennsylvania
- Naburs,
- Nash-Kelvinator,
- Omaha Standard Body,
- Pke,
- Queen City,
- Redman's Trailers, Connecticut,
- Steel Products,
- Streich,
- Strick Trailers, Indiana,[13]
- Transportation Equipment Corp, Missouri
- Truck Engineering Corporation, Indiana
- Willys Overland,
- Winter Weiss Defense Trailers, Denver, Colorado
See also
General references
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: G-518 "Ben Hur" Cargo trailer. ewarbirds.org. Estrella Warbirds Museum. 10 January 2018.
- Web site: The 1-Ton Cargo Trailer G-518 known as the "Ben Hur" Trailer. cckw.org. The GMC CCKW Truck Site. 10 January 2018.
- Book: Doyle, David . Standard Catalog of U.S. Military Vehicles. 2003. Krause Publications. 0-87349-508-X. 278–279.
- Web site: Ben Hur Trailers. www.cckw.org.
- Web site: G518 Production Data. www.cckw.org.
- Web site: TM9-883, 1 Ton 2 Wheel Cargo and Water Trailers. 27 August 1943. Department of the Army . 11 January 2018 . archive.org.
- Web site: G-518 "Ben Hur" Cargo trailer. Estrella Warbird Museum.
- Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20150206123545/www.coachbuilt.com/bui/h/highland/highland.htm . Highland Body Manufacturing Company, Highland Body Mfg. Co., Anderson & Harris Carriage Co., Highland Buggy Co. . 6 February 2015 . Coachbuilt.com.
- Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20190215124020/http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/c/covered_wagon/covered_wagon.htm . Covered Wagon Co.. February 15, 2019. coachbuilt.com .
- Web site: Our History Since 1911. Dorsey Trailer.
- Web site: History. Hercules Manufacturing Company.
- Web site: 6 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150206123545/www.coachbuilt.com/bui/h/highland/highland.htm . Highland Body Manufacturing Company, Highland Body Mfg. Co., Anderson & Harris Carriage Co., Highland Buggy Co. . coachbuilt.com.
- Web site: Home . stricktrailers.com.
