Early T3C Bantam Trailer?

Quarter-ton trailer series, Wanted, USED PARTS FOR SALE NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES., and Knowledge Base
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Ghostrider5211
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Early T3C Bantam Trailer?

Post by Ghostrider5211 » Sun Apr 28, 2019 6:41 pm

Good evening everyone,

This little Bantam trailer showed up on Facebook Marketplace (a place where I should really stop surfing when I'm bored). I saw this little trailer for sale and I went out to see it today. I bought it for 300 dollars. I've always wanted the opportunity to have a trailer for the jeep (or Dodges, who cares what pulls it?) to have behind it to bring stuff to shows, or just to have around for light-duty help around the property, post-restoration.

This trailer was used on the farm it currently sits on, and it rolls well apparently as the seller had recently brought it to the farmhouse from where it was parked, 60 miles away. He wanted me to just hook up and drive away, but as you can see, I wasn't willing to subject it to any more severe road time than it has already seen.

Every piece of this poor trailer is going to need worked on. I'm thankful that it's just a trailer... I think. They're simple right?

It's a T3-C I learned, which means it's a Civilian trailer, but I think this one's early. There are remnants of OD paint on the tongue area and it has several early features. It has combat rims on both sides, which is nice! The data tag appears to be a cut US Army tag.

I need your guys' input on this. How did I do? What does it take to restore a trailer? I'm assuming it's GOTTA be simpler than a jeep or Dodge... maybe I shouldn't have jumped on it, but I just knew that I had to give it a chance; worst case maybe break even parting it out.
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1942 WC-21
1942 WC-24
1942 WC-55/52
1943 Ford GPW
1952 M37
1952 M38A1
1955 M152CDN

RIP Adam R. Lang 10/2/87 - 9/8/16


1942GPW
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Re: Early T3C Bantam Trailer?

Post by 1942GPW » Sun Apr 28, 2019 8:55 pm

Looks like a pretty nice trailer to me, and early also! I think you did very well. You could certainly more than make your money back on parts, but you’d be destroying a rare early trailer that appears to have most of its original parts still with it. I’d restore it, or sell it to an enthusiast who will. Best of luck - Eric
10/7/42 Ford GPW (SN 70778)
11/42 Willys MBT (SN 13021)

Rus Curtis
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Re: Early T3C Bantam Trailer?

Post by Rus Curtis » Mon Apr 29, 2019 5:10 am

Nice find! Your trailer might be a 1946 model. The earliest trailers had a tube support in the rear before switching to the plates you have (originally the drivers had the only hole cut for tail light). There are other clues to also help in dating - some visible in your photos, i.e. spring hanger holes and the serial number plate shape. Can you read the serial number?

Visit here:
http://bantamt3c.com/

You will be able to find more about your trailer, including a search to see if yours has an ACM number. Send Art your info so he can include your trailer in the database.

Also, there's a good trailer section on the CJ2A forum where you can also gather a lot of info on your civvie.

Congrats!
Rus Curtis
'54 CJ-3B
T3-C

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Chuck Lutz
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Re: Early T3C Bantam Trailer?

Post by Chuck Lutz » Mon Apr 29, 2019 9:06 am

You might want to just restore it and paint it up like an OD WWII trailer for now. If you want one to actually USE for camping or other duties, the tailgate is a HUGE improvement over having to heft something like a T84 & T/C up over the side rails and down into the bed of the trailer. The stake pockets indicate it is a Bantam T3-C civilian but it is up to you to determine what your needs are.

I would be against parting it out as it has value as is and if you checked that CJ-2A website and went to the section on trailers I am sure you could find a buyer. They will want to see pics of the bed and if it has an original Fulton hitch on it (added value!). It has combat rims which were used on "early" T3-C units and it looks like you have some/all of the original wooden frames for the canvas top. That would be another bonus!
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

Ghostrider5211
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Re: Early T3C Bantam Trailer?

Post by Ghostrider5211 » Mon Apr 29, 2019 10:12 am

I really appreciate everyones thoughts! Let me put one thing to rest. There will be no parting out of this trailer. I will restore what I can save and replace what I cant. Lots of potential here...just gotta get good with the welder.
1942 WC-21
1942 WC-24
1942 WC-55/52
1943 Ford GPW
1952 M37
1952 M38A1
1955 M152CDN

RIP Adam R. Lang 10/2/87 - 9/8/16

Ghostrider5211
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Re: Early T3C Bantam Trailer?

Post by Ghostrider5211 » Tue May 14, 2019 7:06 pm

I drilled the rivets out on the tag and I believe I have recovered the serial number of the trailer. Posting it here for reference. I believe it says "MODEL T3-C SERIAL 2949".

Really cool. Looks like this may be a pretty early trailer, probably 1946, not too sure.

I sprayed down every bolt and nut I could with PB Blaster and removed the rotted wood floor. This thing has significant damage from rust. Time to get the welder skills amped out (literally!).
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1942 WC-21
1942 WC-24
1942 WC-55/52
1943 Ford GPW
1952 M37
1952 M38A1
1955 M152CDN

RIP Adam R. Lang 10/2/87 - 9/8/16

Rus Curtis
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Posts: 503
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Location: Alabama

Re: Early T3C Bantam Trailer?

Post by Rus Curtis » Wed May 15, 2019 4:46 am

Nice work! You may be on the edge of whether or not you have an ACM number.
Rus Curtis
'54 CJ-3B
T3-C


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