The Sears David Bradley Trailer

Well, after seeing David Bradley trailers with the roadster fenders here over three years ago, I finally got mine. It was in an ad on Craigslist less than 40 miles away. Price was more than I paid for my Jeep. From the information provided on this site, looks like a 1950 or 1951. Data plate is centered on top rail, somewhat corroded. The 4 is stamped low, and very lite, 231-417 109xx. The coupler has been changed to a 2", axle is C-channel, short backstrap hinges, 16" DB tractor wheels. At some point the tires were replaced with 7.60 x 16's. Too tall and wide, wheel spacers keep them from rubbing the body. Similar dents on each side fender. Seems solid, cleaned some wadded up add on tail light brackets and wiring off. Plan to find another pair of stock 15" JEEP steel wheels to match the Matchbox. What color do you think it will be next time you see it? Chain hooks look factory to me.

 

Great find!! I'm looking for one as well...

 

I finally managed to find one today Craigslist about 100 miles from here. From what I've been reading here it appears to be one of the transition (1947?) Dubar Kapple trailers like the one on p.13. It is model number 231,246 serial number 4325. The serial number is below and right of the tongue and screwed on so I believe that the one of P. 13 is the in the original location. It has 16" wheels (not the tractor ones with the weight holes), double knuckle tailgate hinges, Triangle taigate gussets , Square axle and the original wood rack. It also has a couple other things which I can't tell if they are added or original. If added, they did a good job. There is a side step on the left side, a bracket for the taillight on the left welded to the top rail and a bracket for the screw jack. The hitch appears to have been changed but it should be reversable. Heres a couple pictures.

 

Very interesting find!

Now that a second Model 231-246 has surfaced with the data plate in the same location as the one shown on Page 13 (http://www.earlycj5.net/forums/show...ars-David-Bradley-Trailer&p=941915#post941915), I agree that both plates are indeed in their original locations on the front of the frame rail.

I can't tell for sure from your photos, but it may be that the original coupler has simply been moved from the top of the tongue to the bottom (perhaps by someone attaching it to a vehicle with a low trailer hitch?) Is it for a 1-7/8" or 2" ball? The original couplers were 1-7/8".

 

I'm pretty sure the coupler is not original - looks to be newer than the ones in the catalog photos. It's 1 7/8" . It's welded on but could easily be cut off when I find the correct one - any leads would be welcomed. Plan is to restore it to as close to original as possible. After looking back through the photos I guess it's possible it's original just moved and welded on. There aren't any real good close up photos of an original one. Are they marked anywhere?

 

It looks to me like you have an original coupler that has been welded underneath the original tongue, instead of being bolted to the top of it. Check out the coupler in these photos. It appears to be the same one, though yours has a different hand wheel shape: http://www.earlycj5.net/forums/show...ars-David-Bradley-Trailer&p=825082#post825082

I've looked for 1-7/8" hand wheel couplers before, but have not had any luck in locating one. If you aren't able to restore the one you have given that it's been welded, Fulton (which made the original couplers for these trailers) still makes a very similar 2" coupler: http://www.amazon.com/Fulton-Couple...139&sr=8-1&keywords=fulton+hand+wheel+coupler

 

I was getting ready to pull the trigger on the Fulton 2" coupler above. Quite pleased to have found this one on eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-260...ue&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557#ht_589wt_1183

It is the right style, color, and vintage, matches the oversized hitch ball I have, knob looks like the one on my torch bottles, made in Kansas City (back when we were somewhat of a steel town), price was right, and like Wile E. Coyote says "it's an Acme, what could go wrong?".

 

I was watching that one and actually put in the first bid. After I finally got a response to my question on the center to center hole distance I decided it wasn't going to fit the factory holes (4" on center ) and I didn't want to drill another one so I was hoping to be outbid. Thanks. Nice old hitch though.

 

Well the 5.5 wide JEEP wheels with 215-75R-15 tires rubbed on the springs and the body. Cut the C-channel axle in the center and redrilled the spring center bolt holes. Moved each half axle out 3/4" (1.5" total). Used a seat bracket to fill the gap and am getting ready to weld in a piece of seamless 1-5/8" tubing for reinforcement. Shouldn't have been a big job but one of the axle end spindle is bent and took awhile to find it's happy place. Wire brushed the bottom while I had it turned over, hope to prime and paint this weekend.

 

I have one just like this..... But the Sears name/model plate is on the other side in the same location & it uses a 12" wheel.......
My buddy is using it @ the molment, but Ill post pics & model # as soon as I can.

Ive been looking for a long time to find a spare wheel for it. does anyone here have one or know where I could get one?

 

Found this on e-bay for $10. 1 7/8 - Looks like the right one. Need to replace the locking lever but otherwise it looks like it will clean up.

 

Hello.... it's been along time

Finally got some $$ to trow at the trailer .... got some tires

they are an odd size... not too many make them anymore... 6.70x15 found them at tires-easy.com $81 each

just need to find the time to put them on now LOL

 

Hi, all. I was recently given an old utility trailer by my mom that was previously her dad's (still alive) who purchased it new. During my search for some new tires (I'll come back to that subject) I came across this forum and was very surprised at the great information aggregated here. After acquiring the registration from my dad (don't think the actual title is still available) and reading all of your replies I am fairly certain I came into a 1949 David Bradley trailer with original accessories that is in really great shape. I've sent some pictures over to the thread administrator for him post. Although the serial plate is mostly illegible, the impressions show the model number to be 231-417 and it has most of the characteristics previously mentioned except for one area, the tail lights. Knowing my grandfather and the OCPD he passed down to me I'm pretty sure the trailer is mostly original with original railings, crossbars, and tarp except for a not-so-recent-but-in-good-shape paint job. I haven't seen similar tail lights on this forum, but most of the previous examples seem to be from earlier years so it could have been a design change, or it could be some after market work my grandfather performed. All that to describe another great manufacturing example from this era.

My main question is if anyone can point me towards some new tires. The wheels seem to be the 16" tractor wheels that have been mentioned (although the rim measures closer to 18"), and they still have the original 16" by 6.0 AllState tires on them. They still ride fine, but are beginning to crack. I have searched every local place and most internet based distributors and have only found one 16"X6.0 tire that is apparently for the old Willys Jeeps. Here is the link: http://www.performanceplustire.com/products/productID/12015/antiqueTireDataID/3817. They also require tubes and rim guards. I just wanted to see if anyone else has found tires of this size, or if someone can confirm that these are ok to purchase. Thanks for all the information!

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Have you looked at Coker Tire?
http://www.cokertire.com/600-16-coker-classic-blackwall.html
http://www.cokertire.com/searchbyat...im_diameter=116&sidewall_style=0&tire_type=95

Looking forward to your pictures. You shoud be able to post them yourself. You need to load them into Photobucket and then copy the HTML link to the forum.

 

Been doing a few things here and there on the trailer. Packed the wheel bearings, new lug nuts and grease caps. New safety chains. Installed some period correct taillights, cut off the welded on hitch, painted and installed the fulton #7 and did some body work on the fenders. Need to get it sandblasted and painted yet. Trying to decide the color. Leaning towards Red with black tongue and inside and cream wheels or hunter green (like the hitch) with red wheels.

 

Thanks for the info jossar! Appreciate you pointing me towards some alternative, I always like options when purchasing something like this. Gotta admit, I kinda like the military profile though, what do you think? Also, finally got around to doing the photobucket thing and posted the pictures I've taken so far. When I get my hands on the other crossbars and tarp I'll post those as well.

 

Jossar,

Like the tail lights. Where did you get them?

 

I got them used off e-bay. Pretty sure they are repops of 55 - 57 chevy truck lights like these

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-1957-C...Parts_Accessories&hash=item43d26adbf1&vxp=mtr

 

Don't know if this pic will work... But... Got some promotional personalized emblems for my Bradley trailer ... They came in chrome ... So I sprayed them to match the body ...
my David Bradley hard at work ... Leaves

 

My 1947 David Bradley