1942 "Ben-Hur" 1-ton trailer

Ben Hur trailer was the nickname of the World War II U.S. Army Trailer, 1-ton payload, 2-wheel, cargo, and the Trailer, 1-ton payload, 2-wheel, water tank, 250 gallon ( U.S. Army Ordnance Corps Supply catalogue designations G-518 and G-527 respectively).[lower-alpha 1] Specialized variants were also manufactured.[1][2][3]

The one-ton trailers were designed to be towed by vehicles rated 3⁄4-ton and upwards, like the Dodge WC series trucks, as well as 1+1⁄2-ton 4x4 trucks, and 2+1⁄2-ton 6x6 trucks,[3] such as the Chevrolet G506 and the much used GMC CCKW trucks.

The G-518 trailers were among the Allies' most built and used models with a total of 259,064 units made.[4][5]

Description

The "Ben Hur" trailer was frequently mated to the Dodge WC series of trucks
The G-527 watertank version of the Ben hur trailer

The Ben Hur trailer was nicknamed after its major manufacturer, the Ben–Hur Mfg. Co., although there were many other companies that produced it between 1941 and 1945. Its primary purpose was to transport general cargo; the Signal Corps modified it to carry several different generators.[6]

Variants

  • K-52 equipped with a PE-95 generator
  • K-63 equipped with a PE-99 generator
  • K-63A equipped with a PE-197 generator
  • V-15 used for the AN/TPQ-2 radar
  • M24 ammunition trailer (used with M15 multiple gun motor carriage, auto 37mm & two .50 BMG)
  • M25 A-load carried a 25KW generator for the tire repair truck
  • M25 B-load carried spares and fuel for the tire repair truck
  • G527 water carrier, nicknamed "water buffalo"

Specifications

A captured Ben Hur trailer towed by U.S. Army M3 half-track follows a German Tiger Tank in Tunisia early 1943
  • Weight (empty): 1,300 lb (590 kg)
  • Weight (loaded): 3,300 lb (1,500 kg) off-road; 4,300 lb (2,000 kg) on-road
  • Payload: 2,000 lb (910 kg) off-road; 3,000 lb (1,400 kg) on-road
  • Cargo volume: 113 cu ft (3.2 m3)
  • Length: 145+1⁄2 in (3.70 m)
  • Width: 71+1⁄8 in (1.81 m)
  • Height: 73 in (1.9 m) with canvas top
  • Axles: 1, with 2 wheels
  • Brakes: hand, parking only

Production

G-518 trailers were manufactured by over two dozen companies:[7][8]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ A group number for ordering parts, based on a standard nomenclature list.
  2. ↑ From 1935-1945, the Covered Wagon Co. was the largest travel trailer manufacturer in the United States.

References

  1. ↑ "G-518 "Ben Hur" Cargo trailer". ewarbirds.org. Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  2. ↑ "The 1-Ton Cargo Trailer G-518 known as the "Ben Hur" Trailer". cckw.org. The GMC CCKW Truck Site. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  3. 1 2 Doyle, David (2003). Standard Catalog of U.S. Military Vehicles. Krause Publications. pp. 278–279. ISBN 0-87349-508-X.
  4. ↑ "Ben Hur Trailers". www.cckw.org.
  5. ↑ "G518 Production Data". www.cckw.org.
  6. ↑ "TM9-883, 1 Ton 2 Wheel Cargo and Water Trailers". Department of the Army. 27 August 1943. Retrieved 11 January 2018 – via archive.org.
  7. ↑ "G-518 "Ben Hur" Cargo trailer". Estrella Warbird Museum.
  8. ↑ "Highland Body Manufacturing Company, Highland Body Mfg. Co., Anderson & Harris Carriage Co., Highland Buggy Co". Coachbuilt.com. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015.
  9. ↑ "Covered Wagon Co". coachbuilt.com. Archived from the original on February 15, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Our History Since 1911". Dorsey Trailer.
  11. ↑ "History". Hercules Manufacturing Company.
  12. ↑ "Highland Body Manufacturing Company, Highland Body Mfg. Co., Anderson & Harris Carriage Co., Highland Buggy Co". coachbuilt.com. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015.
  13. ↑ "Home". stricktrailers.com.

General references

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