Trailer sockets for early 1950's UK MoD
 

I have been looking for the trailer sockets and plugs to suit an early ex-UK MoD Land Rover (I think they were called Rover 1). They may pre-date Korean War.

The holes are present on the chassis but nothing else. (Information on the actual wiring of the plug would also be useful)

The photos below are the fittings the second and third being off the Great Train Robbery Land Rover in the Metropolitan Police Museum. (Paul Beck no longer has supplies)

Bump.

Has anyone ever seen them on an MoD vehicle?

I get the idea they were only a short term item until the Warner plugs came in.

Maybe a partial answer?
 

Hello Dianaa,

I've been hoping someone would reply and give a better answer than i can. I can say these are definatley fitted to MOD vehicles. As for a time when they were fitted i'm not so sure. I do remember reading something about these being used on the 10 cwt trailers, so i alway thought they were wartime. Saying that i'm very keen on bedford MW's and in the parts list there no mention of a trailer socket being fitted, unless its described as something else and i am over looking it. At the same time i have the wiring removed from the back of bedford mw's and they all contain this socket.

Attachment 68699

This is the wiring, but wether they have been fitted at the factory or as part of the truck rebuild after the war i'm not sure.

Here is another type of the same thing, not sure what the difference is? This has got a WD marking similar to other electric items.
Attachment 68700 Attachment 68701

Again on this one same type of thing, not sure what truck it is off
Attachment 68702 Attachment 68703

Thanks John

That seems to be a slightly different arrangement with two positions on one bracket.

AFAIK the MoD only started buying Land Rover in 1949, which is why they changed from light green in 1948-early 1949, to deep bronze green of the MoD of the era. (the Great Train Robbery Land Rover was a 1950 model)

The switch in your image was indeed fitted to the underside of the rear cross member of the Land Rover. My understanding is that the switch was used to change over power from the vehicle tail lamp (off) to the trailer tail lamp (on).

The position under the chassis outrigger proved vulnerable and the switch was moved to the dash/bulkhead sometime in 1950 or later.

I believe that the second bayonet fitting is for storing the single dust cap when the trailer is connected and this would be confirmed by your double fitting having only one fitting wired.

What I don't know is if, the two terminals are "tail lamp and ground return" or "tail lamp and stop lamp with ground return the housing itself" or is there convoy lighting in there somewhere?

Any clues from the wiring you have or remnant wiring on the trucks?

Hi Dianaa,

Dirk Leegwater has these. Look under UK parts, about half way on page 3.

Cheers,

Thanks Marc have sent a purchase request

Diana

Hello Dianaa,

The wires going to the trailer socket on the square plate, are "tail lamp and ground return"

John