Grease Cruiser
Adventurer
So... I have this dilemma. I have two military type trailers and need to downsize to just one as there is no need to keep both. Both are very similar in condition and use but I just can't decide which one is better. I need a little help of which one to keep.
The first is a 1946 Bantam T3-C. It's unrestored and in decent shape. Very usable with minor surface rust all over it.... nice patina. It has some very minor rust holes in the bed area but nothing to be concerned about. No title but not too hard to title in my state. The OEM hitch has been removed and a 2" receiver put in it's place. I can run either a 2" ball or a non rotating lunette. It has a factory tailgate in it. 15" wheels with a spare.
The second is a 1965 Stevens M416B1. It's unrestored and in decent condition and has a title. It has the factory lunette and this model has surge brakes from the factory. 16" wheels with a spare. A tailgate has been cut into it but it has been done very well. It also has two factory Jerry can mounts in front of the fenders. This M416B1 was owned by a farmer who used it in the mountains behind his Jeep for hunting. It has some dents and dings but nothing major. No rust at all.
The only advantages of the M416B1 over the T3C (that I can see) are the rotating lunette, shocks, and the surge brakes. However, the T3C is much classier (in my opinion) because of the round fenders.
General use will be hauling various gear for large group camping trips and hauling miscellaneous crap here and there: dump runs, etc. I will be towing it with either an 80 series, 1965 FJ45 short bed pickup, or a 1958 Land Rover Series 1 88". I will NOT be building any sort of official camping trailer out of it; I already have a nice off road tear drop camper made by Moby 1.
I have a friend interested in the one I decide to get rid of. He will be using it for the same reasons: hauling camping gear and other miscellaneous crap.
So... which one would you choose and why?
The first is a 1946 Bantam T3-C. It's unrestored and in decent shape. Very usable with minor surface rust all over it.... nice patina. It has some very minor rust holes in the bed area but nothing to be concerned about. No title but not too hard to title in my state. The OEM hitch has been removed and a 2" receiver put in it's place. I can run either a 2" ball or a non rotating lunette. It has a factory tailgate in it. 15" wheels with a spare.
The second is a 1965 Stevens M416B1. It's unrestored and in decent condition and has a title. It has the factory lunette and this model has surge brakes from the factory. 16" wheels with a spare. A tailgate has been cut into it but it has been done very well. It also has two factory Jerry can mounts in front of the fenders. This M416B1 was owned by a farmer who used it in the mountains behind his Jeep for hunting. It has some dents and dings but nothing major. No rust at all.
The only advantages of the M416B1 over the T3C (that I can see) are the rotating lunette, shocks, and the surge brakes. However, the T3C is much classier (in my opinion) because of the round fenders.
General use will be hauling various gear for large group camping trips and hauling miscellaneous crap here and there: dump runs, etc. I will be towing it with either an 80 series, 1965 FJ45 short bed pickup, or a 1958 Land Rover Series 1 88". I will NOT be building any sort of official camping trailer out of it; I already have a nice off road tear drop camper made by Moby 1.
I have a friend interested in the one I decide to get rid of. He will be using it for the same reasons: hauling camping gear and other miscellaneous crap.
So... which one would you choose and why?
