15-cwt GS trailer saved from scrapyard

[Alex van de Wetering]

Great addition to the stable, Grant.

I would also be curious whether anyone knows the purpose of the cutout in the tailgate that shows the remains of hinges above it

It reminded me of the US M10 Ammo trailer, which has a similar, but larger, cutout in the tailgate. With the M10 the cutout is to clear the tow hitch, allowing to tow trailers in tandem, but that doesn't seem to be the case with the 15cwt(?).

Clive posted some 15cwt pics in this thread: http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7870
It's hard to see if these trailers have the cutout and flap as well.

I think a step wouldn't make sense as the hinges are at the wrong side. Could this trailer have had special purpose, where something long was stored in the centre of the body, like a mortar tube, radio mast? .....or maybe a panel to allow a cable and socket to be fed through from a generator set, sitting inside the body???

Alex

[Grant Bowker]

Based on the SB-5 parts and maintenance manual, I believe the 20cwt was designed to allow a rear tow hook but that the 15cwt was not. I see no holes on my 15cwt frame to indicate a tow hook having been installed. I haven't measured but don't believe the cutout is large enough to clear a typical CMP tow hook.

[rob love]

Looking back at my posts when I found the trailer, it had provision for a rear tow hook.

[Dave Schindel]

I bought an F15 cab 11 and when I picked it up the previous owner gave me what he said was a trailer axle.I didn't know for sure until I saw this thread.What I have is the complete axle,springs and spring mounts for one of these trailers.It even has the convoy disc bolted to the axle tube.
Good Thread!

[Grant Bowker]

The axle is specified as 2-3/4" square, solid. The springs are described as "as formerly used on Ford CMP trucks".
On edit: Based on the C01Q part number, the springs were sourced from the F30 parts bin along with quite a few other parts in the trailer parts list.

[Harry Moon]

I really lucked out when I found mine, only missing the bottom of the landing legs and rear hitch.

[Grant Bowker]

My thanks to all who have provided photos and leads.
I'm still short on information about the upper, movable part of the sides of the earlier 15cwt trailers. All help will be appreciated.
The photos of the later 20cwt bodies will be particularly useful if I can persuade Bob that he needs to manufacture a body for his 20cwt frame and more photos of all three bodies (early 15cwt, composite 20cwt and steel 20cwt) will always be useful to understand their construction.