Ben Hur Inter vehicle cable length

Half-ton trailer series and larger, Wanted, For Sale(NO EBAY ITEMS), and Knowledge Base
Rob UK
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 386
Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 9:26 am
Location: Ringwood UK

Ben Hur Inter vehicle cable length

Post by Rob UK » Tue Aug 14, 2018 1:19 pm

Hello,

I am in the process of restoring an ex- Frech 1 Ton Ben-Hur trailer back to WW2 spec and I am looking for a measurement. Please can a kind Ben-Hur owner measure the length of the interconnecting cable from the black Bakelite connector to the first wiring clip on the draw bar , viewed from the towing ring.

Thanks in advance

Rob
Ford GPW 1942
Ford GPW 1943
Reel Cart RL-35
Bantam T3 Trailer


D.R.H.
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 3472
Joined: Sat Jun 05, 2010 2:51 pm
Location: Evergreen State

Re: Ben Hur Inter vehicle cable length

Post by D.R.H. » Tue Aug 14, 2018 6:34 pm

YEAH!!! Can someone provide the measurement, pleeeeaaase?? My trailer doesn't have the cable either and I won't be able to pull it around until I get one. Hopefully someone will help us out Rob!! :)
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

ng19delta
G-First Lieutenant
G-First Lieutenant
Posts: 654
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2010 9:36 pm
Location:

Re: Ben Hur Inter vehicle cable length

Post by ng19delta » Wed Aug 15, 2018 1:53 am

My best recommendation is to connect the trailer to your truck (at the most extreme possible angle away from the plug to simulate a hard turn), plug the cable into the receptacle, and then feed it over to the trailer and follow the route to its trailer end terminus. Allow some slack- not a lot as you are setting it to the extreme distance you'll need- and then fit it. This way you know it WILL fit your application and work properly. One problem with WWII Ben Hur trailers was the varied locations of the truck receptacles & sometimes too short connector cables. Unless someone brings a tape measure and a book of dingus charts over, I doubt anyone will notice if you are a few inches one way or the other.

Scott

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: Ben Hur Inter vehicle cable length

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Aug 15, 2018 3:51 am

Will check mine, the original is still installed.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Rob UK
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 386
Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 9:26 am
Location: Ringwood UK

Re: Ben Hur Inter vehicle cable length

Post by Rob UK » Wed Aug 15, 2018 3:54 am

Hi Scott,

Yes that was going to be my final solution, the reason for the question is that the trailer is up turned at the moment which makes it easier to instal the wiring harness now. I Know that the total length of the interconnect cable is 14.6 feet for a metal body trailer
It difficult to figure out the cable routing, it look to me as though the cable is clipped to the draw on the inside of the A, then cross on the second floor beam to the other side and then travels down the under side of the frame to the switch ? Can any one confirm this?

If it helps I will be towing it behind my Dodge WC51.

Rob
Ford GPW 1942
Ford GPW 1943
Reel Cart RL-35
Bantam T3 Trailer

Rob UK
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 386
Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 9:26 am
Location: Ringwood UK

Re: Ben Hur Inter vehicle cable length

Post by Rob UK » Wed Aug 15, 2018 3:57 am

Thank you Ben Dover,

That is appreciated

Rob
Ford GPW 1942
Ford GPW 1943
Reel Cart RL-35
Bantam T3 Trailer

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: Ben Hur Inter vehicle cable length

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Aug 15, 2018 11:14 am

From the center of the bolt where the cable is clamped to the top of the Lunette Casting to the end of the connecting plug is 113"
This trailer sat intact in a hangar from the day it was surplused at DOW FIELD in 1949 until I purchased it from the city in 1989. Only thing that happened was the coat of Civil Defense Orange which was changed to OD after I got it. I sold the spare tire bracket to Dr. Bennett, MVPA Board of Dirrectors.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Rob UK
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 386
Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 9:26 am
Location: Ringwood UK

Re: Ben Hur Inter vehicle cable length

Post by Rob UK » Wed Aug 15, 2018 11:41 am

Ben Dover,

Thank you so much for the measurement its is appreciated, another question, do you know if the cable runs through the frame side rail or is the cable attached to the underside of the side rail ? I noticed that the frame rail is drilled for 1/4" bolts on the under side?

Rob
Ford GPW 1942
Ford GPW 1943
Reel Cart RL-35
Bantam T3 Trailer

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: Ben Hur Inter vehicle cable length

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Aug 15, 2018 12:01 pm

Can't get to it again until weekend, ORD 7-8-9 SNL G-518, 10 OCTOBER 44, Figure 18-1, Page 108 has a photo of the underside of a steel body, Fig 18-2, Next Page is same of a wood body.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Rob UK
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 386
Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 9:26 am
Location: Ringwood UK

Re: Ben Hur Inter vehicle cable length

Post by Rob UK » Wed Aug 15, 2018 12:10 pm

Ben Dover thanks for the info, if you get chance to have look at yours that would be great I am in no hurry

Rob
Ford GPW 1942
Ford GPW 1943
Reel Cart RL-35
Bantam T3 Trailer

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: Ben Hur Inter vehicle cable length

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Aug 15, 2018 12:14 pm

Looks like the harness went inside the frame channels where possible.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

ng19delta
G-First Lieutenant
G-First Lieutenant
Posts: 654
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2010 9:36 pm
Location:

Re: Ben Hur Inter vehicle cable length

Post by ng19delta » Thu Aug 16, 2018 10:18 am

Ben Dover wrote:
Wed Aug 15, 2018 11:14 am
From the center of the bolt where the cable is clamped to the top of the Lunette Casting to the end of the connecting plug is 113"
This trailer sat intact in a hangar from the day it was surplused at DOW FIELD in 1949 until I purchased it from the city in 1989. Only thing that happened was the coat of Civil Defense Orange which was changed to OD after I got it. I sold the spare tire bracket to Dr. Bennett, MVPA Board of Dirrectors.
That center of casting bolt was usually removed when used with Dodge vehicles, due to the extreme distance from center (pintle hook location) to the trailer connector on the left side. There is a note on that in PM magazine form WWII, IIRC. It deals with the 6x6 WC, but would be applicable to the 4x4s as well. It was titled "1 1/2 Ton Dodge Coupling Troubles", but I am not sure of the date. I have it on my computer, but can't post a pic...

Scott

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: Ben Hur Inter vehicle cable length

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Aug 16, 2018 10:40 am

Wasn't that AM article about lengthening the Ben Hur Safety Chains in order to accomodate the WC's?
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

ng19delta
G-First Lieutenant
G-First Lieutenant
Posts: 654
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2010 9:36 pm
Location:

Re: Ben Hur Inter vehicle cable length

Post by ng19delta » Fri Aug 17, 2018 6:33 pm

Ben Dover wrote:
Thu Aug 16, 2018 10:40 am
Wasn't that AM article about lengthening the Ben Hur Safety Chains in order to accomodate the WC's?
No- that was a different article. Somebody on the facebook WWII Dodge group posted both articles: I don't have a photo host at the moment, so I can't post it. It WAS Army Motors, however, and on page 59 of whichever edition... But I don't know which!

Scott

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: Ben Hur Inter vehicle cable length

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat Aug 18, 2018 4:42 am

And in that AM article, just the Ben Hur Safety Chains were altered for the use of the Ben Hur on the WC, the length or installation of the cable was not.
I have the AM WWII Issues and read the article, it has been a few years though.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO


Post Reply

Return to “Trailers 1/2 ton +”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 41 guests