Early 1/4 ton trailer question

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Mike's GPW'S
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Early 1/4 ton trailer question

Post by Mike's GPW'S » Fri Jun 24, 2022 8:11 pm

I have two early 1942 script Ford GPW's, either one has a trailer light socket which is correct for this early 42's. Additionally, there are no eyelets for safety chains as well So the question is was there a early 1941/42 1/4 ton trailer that did not have any tail lights?


rjbeamer
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Re: Early 1/4 ton trailer question

Post by rjbeamer » Sat Jun 25, 2022 12:57 pm

Other than some Guns and small towed Artillery, I know of none.

The first 1/4 ton trailers (Bantam) were not introduced until July of 1942, the same month that trailer plugs were installed from the Manufacture. Or at least that is the info from this post.

viewtopic.php?t=55669#p317417


I might note that the Ford GPA's all built in 1943 had a pintle hitch but never had a trailer light socket. ( this is probably due to the fact it ran in the water + it was incompatible with all of the normal 6 volt trailers of the era as the "GPA" had a 12 volt charging system)

Roger

Mike's GPW'S
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Re: Early 1/4 ton trailer question

Post by Mike's GPW'S » Sat Jun 25, 2022 1:54 pm

Thats kind of what I thought, as I have never seen a taillight less 1/4-ton WWII trailer in original condition that is.
I going to go with 1941- early 42 GPW simply wrapped the trailer cord around the tong so it wouldn't drag on the ground.

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Re: Early 1/4 ton trailer question

Post by rjbeamer » Sat Jun 25, 2022 3:42 pm

You said. "I going to go with 1941- early 42 GPW simply wrapped the trailer cord around the tong so it wouldn't drag on the ground."

Not sure why you are mentioning 1941 GPW as the first GPW was in January of 1942 and very few of them at that.
Any Ford in 1941 would have been a GP.

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Re: Early 1/4 ton trailer question

Post by Klaas » Mon Jun 27, 2022 9:38 pm

Mike's GPW'S wrote:
Sat Jun 25, 2022 1:54 pm
Thats kind of what I thought, as I have never seen a taillight less 1/4-ton WWII trailer in original condition that is.
I going to go with 1941- early 42 GPW simply wrapped the trailer cord around the tong so it wouldn't drag on the ground.
So you will drive the combination of jeep and trailer without (brake)lights....eventually someone in blue will stop you for that or (worse) some other fellow will rear-end you with very costly results because he did not see your brake lights lighting up. :oops:

Two options: one - fit a trailer socket to your jeep in the regular position. Many were retro-fitted during the war. Mine was anyway. Option two - fit a trailer socket under the jeep between the chassis so you won't see it but will be able to use it.
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Mike's GPW'S
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Re: Early 1/4 ton trailer question

Post by Mike's GPW'S » Thu Jul 14, 2022 8:49 pm

My 41 and 42 Fords never see the road, restored to original condition and only used at military shows,etc, trailered to and from.
My 42 Willys MB-T has the trailer plug .We will just leave it tied up, as both the Fords do not have trailer plugs, never did.
In today's world I seriously drought most people would ever notice the little bitty single brake light anyway.


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