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The Sears David Bradley Trailer

Discussion in 'Jeep Trailer Tech' started by maurywhurt, Mar 19, 2010.

  1. Sep 7, 2016
    optimisticjeepr

    optimisticjeepr New Member

    Howell, MI
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    Sep 7, 2016
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    5
  2. Sep 7, 2016
    optimisticjeepr

    optimisticjeepr New Member

    Howell, MI
    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2016
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    IMG_0049.JPG

    I'll get the S/N info tonight.
     
    SKT likes this.
  3. Sep 7, 2016
    optimisticjeepr

    optimisticjeepr New Member

    Howell, MI
    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2016
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    5
    a.jpg

    The day I brought it home. I rescued Model 231-246, Serial # 3813 from the scrap heap. I purchased it for $200 from a gentleman who's wife wanted him to scrap it.
     
    Ric-san, jeepermc and SKT like this.
  4. Oct 6, 2016
    dobl_D

    dobl_D New Member

    North
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2016
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    2
    Here are a few pictures of my trailer the day that I brought it home - a few months ago. Since then, I've been on the hunt looking for replacement fenders. It looks to be an early Ben Hur based on the numbers shown on the data plate.

    One think I can say for sure... these things are built solid!

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  5. Oct 11, 2016
    jossar

    jossar Member

    Freedom, WI
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2012
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    199
    Nice find! I cant tell from the pictures but are you using the original hitch?
    Joe
     
  6. Nov 8, 2016
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2012
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    1,427
    On my Sears Roebuck hay wagon, I have those same 16 inch wheels!!
     
  7. Nov 9, 2016
    SKT

    SKT I Like CJ's...

    Location
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    Nov 13, 2006
    Messages:
    641
    .
    .

    Great job saving/refreshing this one - it looks really good painted to match your Jeep!

    .
    .
     
  8. Feb 24, 2017
    xayer

    xayer New Member

    Albuquerque
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    Feb 24, 2017
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    1
    Crow - 46 Trailer.jpg
    I finally got around to digging my grandfather's old "Ben-Hur" out of the barn. It has short straps, center reflector on the tailgate, flat top axle so I'm guessing its an early 47 (the plate is missing.) First thing on the list was new tires. Turns out I'm going to need at least one new wheel. I know they are 5 on 5.5 with 670 x 16 tires. Anyone have a lead on the wheels that fit?
     
  9. Feb 27, 2017
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
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    873
    The original 5 on 5.5 wheels from the mid 40s - mid 80s CJs will fit the David Bradley trailers. There are also certain Ford truck wheels that will fit them as well, though I'm not sure about the specific models or year ranges. The David Bradley trailers originally came with 15" standard wheels (which in some cases were manufactured by International Harvester), but 16" wheels were optional during certain years.
     
    Last edited: Feb 27, 2017
  10. Mar 21, 2017
    CAMERON D'AVIS

    CAMERON D'AVIS New Member

    Seattle
    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2017
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    2
    Picked up one of these trailers and started digging around for info and Wow! It had the Jeep fender style fenders when I bought it, no data plate.
     

    Attached Files:

  11. Mar 21, 2017
    CAMERON D'AVIS

    CAMERON D'AVIS New Member

    Seattle
    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2017
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    Here she is now..
     

    Attached Files:

  12. Jul 19, 2017
    SKT

    SKT I Like CJ's...

    Location
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    Such a shame that Photobuckets greed caused all of these photos to be unviewable, as this thread is the best collection of info on these trailers.

    Anyone else have new pics/info to share?

    .
     
    cookieman likes this.
  13. Jul 25, 2017
    Tom_Hartz

    Tom_Hartz Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    North Carolina
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    Apr 9, 2014
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    478
    Photobucket has destroyed a ton of threads and information. So sad.
     
  14. Jul 26, 2017
    BobH

    BobH Member

    Oviedo, Fl
    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2015
    Messages:
    228
    PhotoBucket=RansomWare:mad::mad:
     
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  15. Nov 7, 2017
    XJSuperman

    XJSuperman New Member

    Central Iowa
    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2017
    Messages:
    9
    3348 serial tag.jpg
    Howdy folks, first post on the site. I have been lurking in this thread on and off for a couple years now. I acquired what I believe (thanks to this thread) to be a 1948 Sears & Roebuck trailer. I believe mine was made by David Bradley, but I suppose that is up for debate. Everything was intact on the trailer when I got it, however, one of the roadster fenders was rotted out, and both fenders were full of bondo in an awful attempt at repair somewhere along its history.
    Im unfortunately at work at the moment, but I can post more details tonight. I did attempt emailing Maury when I first began researching the trailer but Im afraid I didn't get through. Thats ok, Im on here now.
    Attached are the links to my two build threads for it on my other forums, (hopefully that's welcome), there are a vast amount of pictures in both threads:
    ECJ5
    XJSuperman's Sears&Roebuck Trailer - Expedition Portal

    Specs and details:
    Serial number: 3348 Model#: 231.246
    -Sears and Roebuck serial tag centered on lower edge of front face (just above the tongue)
    -flat floor
    -square axle
    -Roadster fenders
    -16" rims (not the David Bradley bolt hole style) and I didn't blast the wheels so I didn't catch any numbers there, they had good paint on them.
    -tailgate hinges are interlocking type with rebar and cotterpins holding them in place
    -the original green was visible under the layers of pink, red, and black paint, also inside the hitch mechanisms
    3348 trailer.jpg rear.jpg rotted leftside fender.jpg IMG_2489.jpg IMG_2490.jpg IMG_2533.jpg



    -I made the taillight brackets after basing them off the homemade one that was there when I got it
    -I had it sandblasted, and then I coated it in POR15 and Magnet Paints chassis saver, followed by Monstaliner, black parts are POR15 Topcoat.
    -currently building a removable rack for it
    -mounted jerry can brackets
    -will be mounting 81mm ammo cans underneath in the future for storage




    Also, within the last 2 weeks I got my hands on another one of these, this one a BenHur model, from a local friend. It is amazingly original, except for the axle and wheels that are missing.
    I am an alumni of Iowa State University, so this one means a little something because it appears this one was owned by them before they were a university. Hence the painted I.S.C (Iowa State College) with the numbers 125389 below it, and the state of Iowa plate on the tailgate.
    Specs and details:
    -Showing original green color
    -BenHur visible on tailgate
    -tailgate hinges are short backstrap with bolt-in pieces on the tub side
    -missing a couple stake pocket sleeves
    -missing axle and wheels
    -flat floor (no DP)
    -standard fenders
    -missing serial tag (location noted on front face, right side if being viewed from front)
    -tongue mount is different than my Sears model (its much wider across front of the tub)
    -clevis type hitch (appears original, but Im not sure)
    a19d73f4afee3e0cc43137c9ff59732e.jpg e4a978c7eb1ffdf4c4320727857e923f.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2017
    ojgrsoi likes this.
  16. Nov 28, 2017
    Dustoff

    Dustoff New Member

    Rio Rancho, NM
    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2017
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    1
    I bought this old trailer about 4 years ago, rusting away in a backyard. It was titled “home made trailer 1976”. The Owner had no additional information. I completely restored it and built it into an Off-Road trailer. During my restoration when sanding the paint and rusted tail gate. It was green paint with yellow letters BEN - HUR. I had no idea the history of the trailer until now. Here’s the final pic. Still looking for the old pics when I bought it. I did all the work so ask anything about it. DD6E13AD-747A-4CBA-B454-A8F4E1BCAB8E.jpeg
     
    fctex likes this.
  17. Dec 5, 2017
    Kris Smith

    Kris Smith New Member

    San Diego
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    Dec 5, 2017
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    1
    I just became the owner of what I believe after reading this thread to be a 47-48 Bradley. Its frame is rusted out and will need to be replaced along with some of the sheet metal. It’s got the square axle round fenders long welded double knuckle hinges and a plate on the left lower section of the frame front next to the tongue that may be the data tag. It’s got the two bolt tongue mounting on it and the nut style hitch fastener on a 1 7/8” ball.
     

    Attached Files:

  18. Dec 11, 2017
    XJSuperman

    XJSuperman New Member

    Central Iowa
    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2017
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    9
    How do you have those eyebolts mounted? Did you drill through the rail and add a large washer or? Im needing to do the same thing for my rack mounts
     
  19. Mar 12, 2018
    used assassin

    used assassin New Member

    Cartersville Ga
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    Mar 12, 2018
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    1
    Picked this up the other week, and this is a great site for all the info thats here, this is a 1947, Ben Hur
     

    Attached Files:

  20. Jul 22, 2019
    Nathan David Nitz

    Nathan David Nitz New Member

    kentucky
    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2019
    Messages:
    1
    are replacement hubs available for our trailers?
    Thanks!
     
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