Ben Hur 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). Specialized variants were also manufactured.

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, 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.

Description
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.

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", 250 gal capacity

Specifications

 * Weight (empty): 1300 lb
 * Weight (loaded): 3300 lb off-road; 4300 lb on-road
 * Payload: 2000 lb off-road; 3000 lb on-road
 * Cargo volume: 113 cuft
 * Length: 145+1/2 in
 * Width: 71+1/8 in
 * Height: 73 in with canvas top
 * Axles: 1, with 2 wheels
 * Brakes: hand, parking only

Production
G-518 trailers were manufactured by over two dozen companies:


 * American Bantam
 * Ben Hur Mfg. Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin
 * Century Boat Works
 * Checker Motors Corporation
 * Covered Wagon Co., Michigan
 * Dorsey Trailer
 * Gerstenslager
 * Henney Motor Company
 * Hercules Body,
 * Highland Body & Trailer Mfg. Co, Cincinnati
 * Hobbs Trailer & Equipment Inc, (then) Texas
 * Hyde,
 * Keystone RV,
 * Mifflinburg Body Company, (were in) Pennsylvania
 * Naburs,
 * Nash-Kelvinator,
 * Omaha Standard Body,
 * Pke,
 * Queen City,
 * Redman's Trailers, Connecticut,
 * Steel Products,
 * Streich,
 * Strick Trailers, Indiana,
 * Transportation Equipment Corp, Missouri
 * Truck Engineering Corporation, Indiana
 * Willys Overland,
 * Winter Weiss Defense Trailers, Denver, Colorado

General references

 * TM 9-883 1-Ton, 2-Wheel, Cargo and Water Trailers, 1943
 * TM 10-1395
 * TM 9-2800 Standard Military Motor Vehicles. dated 1 sept. 1943
 * TM 9-2800 Military vehicles dated Oct. 1947
 * TM 11-227 Signal Communication Directory. dated 10 April 1944
 * TM 11-487 Electrical Communication systems Equipment. dated 2 Oct. 1944