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The Sears David Bradley Trailer

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

  1. Apr 12, 2010
    johnnyc

    johnnyc .

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    a few quick-o rest-o pics not too bad for a day and a half turn around

    1954 tailgate

    [​IMG]

    very rusty...had to spot in metal all the way around practicly...after power washing all the dirt out of the seams...i found there were no seams :(

    [​IMG]

    con-ferr ax and shovel holder:

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Apr 12, 2010
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
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    Wow, you work fast - it looks great, John!

    By the way, are the reflectors on your tailgate originals? Mine are missing, and I'm debating whether to replace them with new ones or just leave them off.
     
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2010
  3. Apr 12, 2010
    johnnyc

    johnnyc .

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    the original reflectors fell apart...and were cracked alot...so wally world had trailer reflectors...fit perfectly...and alum so they will not rust :)
     
  4. Apr 12, 2010
    Chris Insull

    Chris Insull All roads lead me back to the beach... 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Chesapeake, VA.
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    I found one (I think) here locally; looks like the fenders are not stock though. Been thinking about getting it, but getting the "can you finish the BT3-C first" looks from the wife... Called the owner who was not very motivated to sell judging from his attitude (NO, I didn't try to lowball!!) and unwillingness to answer questions. Still, might just have to go look at it... Probably a 1-7/8" ball needed. Any thoughts/ advice?
    http://norfolk.craigslist.org/rvs/1670587747.html
     
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2010
  5. Apr 12, 2010
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Hi Chris,

    What you've found is actually a different trailer than the model this thread is really about - but I'm glad you brought it up, as it's related and certainly worth mentioning. Besides the smaller 44" x 6' David Bradley trailer with a 1500 lb. carrying capacity, during the late 1940's, Sears also carried a larger, heavier 50-1/2" x 8' David Bradley trailer with a 3000 lb. capacity.

    Below is the same 1947 Sears catalog page pictured in the first post at the beginning of this thread. The larger model is shown to the right of the smaller David Bradley trailer. Note that the stake pockets on the larger trailer are much shorter than those on the smaller model, and the bed is 18" deep, vs. 12" deep on the smaller David Bradley trailer:

    [​IMG]


    Here's a 1948 newspaper ad for the larger model showing the optional stake racks installed:

    [​IMG]
    ]


    You've come across one of these larger David Bradley trailers. Though the wheels of course aren't original, the round fenders very likely are. Here are the photos from the link you posted:

    [​IMG]


    ....and here's another example of the same model I came across online a few weeks ago:

    [​IMG]


    I don't have any advice for you, Chris....except that if you like it and can get it, I would. Sears' David Bradley equipment tended to be very well built, and I'd bet that with a little maintenance, that trailer would serve you (and your wife) quite well for a long, long time!
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2017
  6. Apr 13, 2010
    Mr. Gangrene Jeans

    Mr. Gangrene Jeans I See Voices&Hear Visions

    Kansas City
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    I am sure it is a dandy fine trailer for hauling, but for me the big attraction of the smaller one is the shape of the late roadster fenders. The flanged lip is so similar to the front fenders on a early JEEP, that to me they match better than a military Jeep trailer.
    Will not having a title be a problem in your state?
     
  7. Apr 13, 2010
    Chris Insull

    Chris Insull All roads lead me back to the beach... 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Chesapeake, VA.
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    Not really, just need to register it as a homebuilt at which time the DMV will issue a VIN and title. I've done it twice before with M-416's I've dragged out of fields (with permission!!) in NC that didn't have any data plates or title and brought back to VA to make road worthy and sell.
     
  8. Apr 13, 2010
    Mr. Gangrene Jeans

    Mr. Gangrene Jeans I See Voices&Hear Visions

    Kansas City
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    Cool, look like nice well built trailers to haul sheet goods, provisions, etc...
    Not sure about pulling it fully loaded with a short wheelbase vehicle.
    Amazing how low the deck is relative to the axle, almost like a torsion setup.
     
  9. Apr 13, 2010
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I noticed that too, but couldn't find a reference to springs of any kind in the catalog description for the large DB trailer. Given the lack of clearance between the tires and fenders, I'm guessing the axle must have been attached directly to the frame on that model.
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2010
  10. Apr 14, 2010
    SKT

    SKT I Like CJ's...

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    This is a great write-up, thanks for sharing!

    It maybe slightly off topic, but I just acquired an M100 that has Dunbar-Kapple on the data plate with a delivery date of Feb 1953.

    Just wanted to pass that little bit of info along, and again, to thank you for sharing/collecting all this great info on what seems to be a rare trailer!


    :beer:
     
  11. Apr 14, 2010
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Thanks for the kind words, SKT!

    Since we're on the subject of other David Bradley / Dunbar Kapple trailers, I thought I'd post the following as a footnote to the story of the Sears Model 231-417 trailer.

    Although production of the Model 231-417 ended in 1958, Sears continued to carry a 7' long wooden box David Bradley trailer that appears to have shared some parts with the earlier 6' all-steel model. Check out this page from a 1962 Sears Farm catalog - and note especially the (at that point optional) fenders:

    [​IMG]

    The company that evidently manufactured the David Bradley Model 231-417 trailer for Sears, Dunbar Kapple (located near Geneva, Illinois) was sold in 1960. As the 'Shipping Note' above indicates, the subsequent David Bradley trailer was made by a manufacturer located in Oskaloosa, Iowa. In 1964, Sears dropped the David Bradley name from their farm, lawn, and garden equipment line altogether.
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2017
  12. Apr 24, 2010
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Here's a 1955 David Bradley Model 231-417 trailer modified for use as a piece of firefighting equipment. Wonder if the Greensboro FD still has it?:

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2017
  13. Apr 24, 2010
    all4jpn

    all4jpn Member

    fredericksburg,va
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    my inlaws have an old sears trailer..its small with wood sides...i gotta get some pix from them to see what it is.....(they are 330 miles away)
     
  14. Apr 24, 2010
    48cj2a

    48cj2a http://bantamt3c.com

    Central Illinois
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    There is a Sears David Bradley Trailer for sale in a local for sale lot of cars.
     
  15. Apr 24, 2010
    Mr. Gangrene Jeans

    Mr. Gangrene Jeans I See Voices&Hear Visions

    Kansas City
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    48cj2a How much are they asking? Do you have pictures?
    Does it have the cool roadster fenders?
    Thanks
     
  16. Apr 25, 2010
    farwest

    farwest New Member

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    Hello,
    I just brought home one of these trailers, but I'm not sure which one. Until I saw this thread last night I didn't know anything about these trailers. I took some pictures and I've got to figure out how to post them. It has the round fenders, original wheels and the axle is basically a half round, flat on top. The data plate is missing, but the rivets and outline of it is there on the front right upper portion under the top overhang. Hopefully that location is some help in determining which trailer it is, if nothing else.
    Thanks,
    Greg
     
  17. Apr 25, 2010
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

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    load your pics to a web based photo site, eg....photobucket, then copy the img code and paste here at 800x600 oixals :beer:
    Jim
     
  18. Apr 26, 2010
    johnnyc

    johnnyc .

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  19. Apr 28, 2010
    farwest

    farwest New Member

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    Since the trailer I have doesn't have a serial/data tag is there an alternate serial # location on any of these trailers where it might have been stamped?
    Thanks,
    Greg
     
  20. Apr 28, 2010
    johnnyc

    johnnyc .

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    the only spot that i have found was on the tag only...not even the rims had date stamps...there is a stamp on the rims but no date.

    if you have the round style fender its pre-47

    roadster style fenders its 47 and newer AFAIK
     
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