British WW2 10 cwt trailer GS

[David B.]

We have just bought one of these trailers and have already gleaned much information from several different places, in particular a 2006 thread on this forum -thanks to all who posted 2006/7.

Our trailer is a later GS made by Orme Evans and Co of Wolverhampton. Census No X5422182 It's like the 4.2 Mortar Trailer but with drop down rear AND front panels. Its pretty rough but substantially complete and will need all new wood and some parts to complete.

The most important thing is can anyone please help us with a tow hitch assembly complete of the later type with the eye,over-run brake assembly and fold out lifting arms all as an integral part which bolts to the drawbar. (This is well illustrated in the 2006 thread entitled "10-cwt trailer")
We also need to locate a hub dust cover and either good pictures of the original support legs or the legs themselves.

Many of these trailers went to Belgium and Holland as well as serving with the British Army until at least the 60s and distance is no problem as far as transport is concerned.

We have already worked out quite a lot of details and differences between the different manufacturers - SS, Reynolds and Orme Evans plus the different variations of body types but would welcome any information,observations,copy publications or pictures -especially of these trailers in use.

We also have a copy of the Chilwell Vehicle Census Numbers publication and if any owners of a 10cwt trailer have their contract number or census number in isolation more information may be found.

Thanks in advance.
David Belcher.

[Marc van Aalderen]

Hi David,

I tried to do a search for the thread you mention but can not find it. Could you please post a link to it? Thank you.

Cheers,

[David B.]

Hello Marc,

Not sure how to do that.

The thread was started Sept 11 2006 by Nick Bullock and was entitled " 10-cwt trailer"

Hope that helps as there are some good pictures of the hitch I am looking for.

David.

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Try:
http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...hlight=trailer
Rich.

[David B.]

Thanks Richard.

[Marc van Aalderen]

Hello David,

Thanks to Richard I have found the thread. I also have a 10 cwt trailer but an airportable one. It is not yet restored. I know the data plate says build in 1944 by SS Cars Ltd. That would be Swallow Side Car Ltd which later became Jaguar because SS did not sound so nice post war....

Tomorrow I will look up the exact numbers. Hopefully you can find more information in your Chilwell list. Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

[David B.]

Marc - does it appear to you that the later type hitch is the same as your 10cwt (Lightweight) Trailer.

I would also be curious to know if the same pattern hitch is universally fitted to all 10cwt No2 trailers made by the several different manufacturers.

[Marc van Aalderen]

Hi David,

I took pics of the trailer today. To be honest I had not looked at it for several years. Going through all the threads and links to other sites this morning I learned a lot. It appears that my trailer is really very complete. The only things missing are the foldable handle bars and the wooden floor. Somebody cut the handles off. All electrics are there, lamps, switch and connectors. Amazing after all these years. The wiring loom was covered in some preservative wrapping but that did not really help. Wiring is falling apart with old age. Even the hand brake lever and it's release lever are there and still working too!!!
The dealer I bought it off told me it was last in Greek Army reserve. That is why the Greek flag is painted on the front I suppose.
I got quite excited looking it over and think that the restoration will begin earlier than anticipated. Anyway here are some pics taken this afternoon.


I noticed that the stop on the eye shaft is upside down. The towing assembly was probably taken off for repair or something and when re-installed the eye was rotated 180 degrees so that the stop is now upside down!

More pics coming.....

[Marc van Aalderen]

[Marc van Aalderen]

[Marc van Aalderen]

That's all folks!

David, if you can tell me more from your Chilwell manual I would really appreciate it. I do hope that these pics will be of some help to you also.

Cheers,

[Marc van Aalderen]

Originally Posted by David B.

Marc - does it appear to you that the later type hitch is the same as your 10cwt (Lightweight) Trailer.

I would also be curious to know if the same pattern hitch is universally fitted to all 10cwt No2 trailers made by the several different manufacturers.

David,

My hitch looks the same as the later type hitch. I think that these parts were supplied to the trailer builders. Building a trailer from sheet metal is something else compared to casting hitches and turning shafts etc. It would also insure spare parts will always fit.

Cheers,

[David B.]

Hello Marc,

Thanks for the pics - it certainly appears that the hitch assembly was a standardised item probably made by another company and used on the Lightweight Trailer also.

Although SS and Orme Evans seemed to use this assembly on later trailers,Reynolds did not. - Or at least if you look at the pictures of the very tidy Reynolds mortar trailer in the first thread,its a Mk 11 but still uses the original type hitch with the legs still mounted on the draw bar.
The Reynolds design I suppose with the support leg dropping down through the drawbar would prevent the fitting of the later integral hitch assembly- did it change later though ?

What an excellent prospect for restoration your trailer is. I can't add much to your data plate information but I can confirm that the contract S 8055 was listed for trailers numbered X6210183 to X6225182. Where did you get the 1944 date though ?
This contract for 15000 seems to indicate an enormous requirement especially since the previous block of census numbers was for another 2000 made by a firm called Motor Panels. I find it difficult to believe these numbers and wonder if all were delivered.

Anyway I'm still looking for the towing hitch complete and would welcome all leads to find one.

Thanks again,
David.

[Marc van Aalderen]

David,

Your welcome for the pics. Hope they were of some use to you.

One thing is strange regarding the contract number. My WD number is not in the range you mention. X6213775 is nowhere near?
I will keep my eyes and ears open for a complete assy.

Cheers,

[David B.]

Originally Posted by Marc van Aalderen

David,

Your welcome for the pics. Hope they were of some use to you.

One thing is strange regarding the contract number. My WD number is not in the range you mention. X6213775 is nowhere near?
I will keep my eyes and ears open for a complete assy.

Cheers,

Sorry marc - the contract was for X621183 to X6225182. My mental arithmetic can't cope with such big numbers so I've got into the habit of dropping the first number. I've corrected it in the post and as you can see yours does fit.
All the best,
David.

[David B.]

Originally Posted by David B.

We have just bought one of these trailers and have already gleaned much information from several different places, in particular a 2006 thread on this forum -thanks to all who posted 2006/7.

Our trailer is a later GS made by Orme Evans and Co of Wolverhampton. Census No X5422182 It's like the 4.2 Mortar Trailer but with drop down rear AND front panels. Its pretty rough but substantially complete and will need all new wood and some parts to complete.

The most important thing is can anyone please help us with a tow hitch assembly complete of the later type with the eye,over-run brake assembly and fold out lifting arms all as an integral part which bolts to the drawbar. (This is well illustrated in the 2006 thread entitled "10-cwt trailer")
We also need to locate a hub dust cover and either good pictures of the original support legs or the legs themselv

Many of these trailers went to Belgium and Holland as well as serving with the British Army until at least the 60s and distance is no problem as far as transport is concerned.

We have already worked out quite a lot of details and differences between the different manufacturers - SS, Reynolds and Orme Evans plus the different variations of body types but would welcome any information,observations,copy publications or pictures -especially of these trailers in use.

We also have a copy of the Chilwell Vehicle Census Numbers publication and if any owners of a 10cwt trailer have their contract number or census number in isolation more information may be found.

Thanks in advance.
David Belcher.

Since starting to look for this tow hitch assembly ( so far without success) I I have found a fair bit of information -different manufacturers-detail differences etc but still very few pictures of them in use have come to light.

Has anyone any pictures they can share or any more information about the different trailer uses. I am particularly interested in a picture showing the GS with (rear) tailboard . Still looking for the tow hitch !
David.

[David B.]

We have now sourced most of the missing parts for this restoration and are about to start dismantling. We will probably have some duplicate parts left over which we will be disposing of.

Among the parts will be items that are common with the chassis of the 10cwt Lightweight family of trailers and some electrical parts.

If anyone is looking for chassis or electrical spares please contact me.

David Belcher.

[Marc van Aalderen]

Hi David,

As you know I am looking for a spare rim or wheel. Also need the socket that goes on the Jeep for the 2 pin plug.

Regards,

[Hendrik van Oorspronk]

Hello Marc, look at the site of Dirk under British vehicles for the socket.

Groeten

Hendrik

[Hendrik van Oorspronk]

Hello Marc, if you looking for the plug, I think I have one I don't need.

Groeten

Hendrik

[Marc van Aalderen]

Originally Posted by Hendrik van Oorspronk

Hello Marc, look at the site of Dirk under British vehicles for the socket.

Groeten

Hendrik

Hello Hendrik,

The socket on Dirks site has a Bakelite cap on the left side. Both sides appear to have a bayonet fitting? Or is the cap there to keep the socket clean and do the wires attach to the rear side? Then I am confused as to why there is a bayonet fitting on that side. Any thoughts?


Cheers,

[Marc van Aalderen]

Originally Posted by Hendrik van Oorspronk

Hello Marc, if you looking for the plug, I think I have one I don't need.

Groeten

Hendrik

Hello Hendrik,

Yes, I would like to take it! After some further reading of several threads on HMVF I think I have found the answer to my previous question. You need two plugs for the socket. One connected to the vehicle and one to the trailer. You simply connect two plugs with the socket. Dirk's sockets come without the plug so I would like the plug you are offering.
Thank you, will send a PM.

Cheers,