LakeNorman_FJ40
Member
FOR SALE: 1947 Bantam T3-C Trailer
Mostly original Bantam T3-C trailer from dry Southern California. Set up for overlanding and utility use.
Pulls smooth at 65+ MPH (when loaded - not bouncy) and tracks perfectly. Very light weight so hardly notice that you are pulling anything.
Basically the same trailer as pulled by U.S. Military Jeeps during WW2. For post war use, Bantam worked a tailgate into the trailer design for civilian duty (hence the “C” part of the model name).
Overall in fantastic condition for its age. Original tub, frame, fenders, axles, tailgate, and 1 spare tire/wheel. Even has the original Bantam VIN tag affixed to trailer tub bulkhead.
Origin: Built in 1947 at Bantam’s PA facility.
Background: Trailer spent decades in California. The prior owner had used the trailer as a pull behind for his Jeep CJ-5. In the mid 1990s the prior owner relocated and had it transported inside a semi trailer to Etowah, NC (near Asheville) and did not use it for years.
Prior Owner Condition: Was a rust free trailer with several minor pinhole rust through spots, but no major rot or rust through in the tub or structural areas. Prior owner kept it stored in a garage. As with most old Bantams and Willys trailers, the bed floor is somewhat bowed between the ribs that brace the floor.
Current Ownership:
- Trailer purchased in NC mid 2000s and used sparingly. Brought to Atlanta in 2010 and converted to Overland use. Some mild use on family camping and beach vacations. Relocated to California in 2016 inside a moving van semi-trailer. Has never been used in CA. Stored indoors.
Overland Conversion:
- Tongue: extended to ~5’ total and reinforced critical points with scab plates; handle incorporated onto tongue.
- Lid: custom steel lid fabricated with heavy duty hinges and gas struts to hold the lid open. Very heavy duty and seals tight equivalent to a refrigerator. It seals 99% waterproof when a pliable foam seal is used. Worst leak was a few drops while being driven ~45 mph through a coastal thunder storm. Lid locks down with heavy duty latches that can accommodate padlocks. Lid is 100% removable via bolts at heavy duty hinges if you wish to use as an open top utility trailer (requires 2 strong adults to lift lid off). All rectangular steel bracing around the tub perimeter used to brace the lid and can be unbolted (if you with to wish to convert trailer back to original T3-C specs).
- Hitch: Lock N Roll trailer hitch is an off-road articulating receiver hitch that rotates 90* right, left, up, down as well as the normal 180* of turning radius. Completely removable hitch for storage and security. Trailer can be jack-knifed on tight trails to accommodate switch backs.
- Wheels: Prior owner had fitted a set of CJ-5 steel wheels. It now has Willys WW2 16” combat rims fitted (wheel unbolts into 2 halves to easily repair flats in the field); these actual rims were available on some early Bantam T3 and T3-C trailers.
- Tires: new (reproduction) Military bias ply NDTs from Coker Tire. Very heavy duty. Tires are tubeless, but run tubes anyway (zero leaks in 5 years). Spare tube included.
- Paint: Prior owner had painted it maroon to match his CJ-5. Current owner had trailer sand blasted (tub and frame) then a layer of etching primer applied. Trailer tub, fenders, and combat rims were painted Krylon Antique Bronze (available at Lowe’s) which is a cross between a very dark brown and olive-drab green color. Interior of tub and lid is still gray etch primer. Frame and underside painted semi-gloss black. Lid etch primed gray then exterior painted satin black with a Duplicolor Bed Liner top coat (non-rubberized).
Axles & Springs: original Bantam parts (springs are from front of Willys Jeep). All bearings and races replaced and repacked in 2014 as safety precaution (OEM bearings and races kept as spares). The T3-C did not come with handbrakes like the military trailers. Operable 90* rotating front landing leg.
Interior: floor lined with 1x1 wood slats and Farmtek poly chicken coop flooring; serves 3 purposes - levels floor, prevents cargo from scratching paint off floor, keeps cargo off floor in the event of a water leak around the lid.
- Accessories:
+ spare Bantam non-combat rim with old tire fitted to a LR Discovery rear tailgate spare tire mount
+ bike rack (holds 2 bikes) fitted thru spare tire mount on front
+ top of lid fitted with Ford Expedition roof tracks and (over 12) adjustable fittings; between tracks Farmtek poly chicken coop flooring was installed (prevents cargo from scratching lid)
+ rear tailgate fitted with 2 jerry can holders as well as 2 metal cans for potable water; also comes with 2 extra tan color Sceptre poly jerry cans for fuel storage
+ side mount custom wood table; stored inside trailer during transport; bolts to trailer passenger side above fender
Other parts included:
- box of extra parts comes with trailer and includes automotive grade bulb seal (must be glued onto lid), round LED lights, axle bump stops, reflective tape, etc.
- Bantam owners manual & all receipts from current owner
- original ball mount hitch parts removed during Overland conversion (very valuable in the vintage Bantam community)
- Ford Expedition cross rails (4 total); need to be shortened to fit narrower span roof tracks were installed on trailer lid; could be used to secure roof top tent
- sand rails (2 aluminum sand/bridging rails)
- BBQ grille from Front Runner (fits over spare tire...never used)
Minor needs:
- new lid seal; either basic foam seal with self-adhesive backing (from Lowe’s) or automotive rubber bulb seal (provided with trailer but must be glued); (Note: trailer lid originally used the self-adhesive foam seal as a temporary seal but it worked so well it was left on the trailer for years)
- installation of axle bump stops (included in sale); someone installed wood bump stops years ago; but trailer does not bottom out when fully loaded with camping gear
Either CA title & registration (partially completed with DMV) or can just come with GA registration and bill of sale if your state does not require title
Great little trailer but simply not used. Was bought for use with a Toyota FJ40 and family SUV. Upcoming pickup truck purchase guarantees the trailer won’t see any use.
Price = $4,750. No delivery. Does not come fully loaded as 1 photo shows. Located in NW Los Angeles area. Contact drewporta1@gmail.com
Mostly original Bantam T3-C trailer from dry Southern California. Set up for overlanding and utility use.
Pulls smooth at 65+ MPH (when loaded - not bouncy) and tracks perfectly. Very light weight so hardly notice that you are pulling anything.
Basically the same trailer as pulled by U.S. Military Jeeps during WW2. For post war use, Bantam worked a tailgate into the trailer design for civilian duty (hence the “C” part of the model name).
Overall in fantastic condition for its age. Original tub, frame, fenders, axles, tailgate, and 1 spare tire/wheel. Even has the original Bantam VIN tag affixed to trailer tub bulkhead.
Origin: Built in 1947 at Bantam’s PA facility.
Background: Trailer spent decades in California. The prior owner had used the trailer as a pull behind for his Jeep CJ-5. In the mid 1990s the prior owner relocated and had it transported inside a semi trailer to Etowah, NC (near Asheville) and did not use it for years.
Prior Owner Condition: Was a rust free trailer with several minor pinhole rust through spots, but no major rot or rust through in the tub or structural areas. Prior owner kept it stored in a garage. As with most old Bantams and Willys trailers, the bed floor is somewhat bowed between the ribs that brace the floor.
Current Ownership:
- Trailer purchased in NC mid 2000s and used sparingly. Brought to Atlanta in 2010 and converted to Overland use. Some mild use on family camping and beach vacations. Relocated to California in 2016 inside a moving van semi-trailer. Has never been used in CA. Stored indoors.
Overland Conversion:
- Tongue: extended to ~5’ total and reinforced critical points with scab plates; handle incorporated onto tongue.
- Lid: custom steel lid fabricated with heavy duty hinges and gas struts to hold the lid open. Very heavy duty and seals tight equivalent to a refrigerator. It seals 99% waterproof when a pliable foam seal is used. Worst leak was a few drops while being driven ~45 mph through a coastal thunder storm. Lid locks down with heavy duty latches that can accommodate padlocks. Lid is 100% removable via bolts at heavy duty hinges if you wish to use as an open top utility trailer (requires 2 strong adults to lift lid off). All rectangular steel bracing around the tub perimeter used to brace the lid and can be unbolted (if you with to wish to convert trailer back to original T3-C specs).
- Hitch: Lock N Roll trailer hitch is an off-road articulating receiver hitch that rotates 90* right, left, up, down as well as the normal 180* of turning radius. Completely removable hitch for storage and security. Trailer can be jack-knifed on tight trails to accommodate switch backs.
- Wheels: Prior owner had fitted a set of CJ-5 steel wheels. It now has Willys WW2 16” combat rims fitted (wheel unbolts into 2 halves to easily repair flats in the field); these actual rims were available on some early Bantam T3 and T3-C trailers.
- Tires: new (reproduction) Military bias ply NDTs from Coker Tire. Very heavy duty. Tires are tubeless, but run tubes anyway (zero leaks in 5 years). Spare tube included.
- Paint: Prior owner had painted it maroon to match his CJ-5. Current owner had trailer sand blasted (tub and frame) then a layer of etching primer applied. Trailer tub, fenders, and combat rims were painted Krylon Antique Bronze (available at Lowe’s) which is a cross between a very dark brown and olive-drab green color. Interior of tub and lid is still gray etch primer. Frame and underside painted semi-gloss black. Lid etch primed gray then exterior painted satin black with a Duplicolor Bed Liner top coat (non-rubberized).
Axles & Springs: original Bantam parts (springs are from front of Willys Jeep). All bearings and races replaced and repacked in 2014 as safety precaution (OEM bearings and races kept as spares). The T3-C did not come with handbrakes like the military trailers. Operable 90* rotating front landing leg.
Interior: floor lined with 1x1 wood slats and Farmtek poly chicken coop flooring; serves 3 purposes - levels floor, prevents cargo from scratching paint off floor, keeps cargo off floor in the event of a water leak around the lid.
- Accessories:
+ spare Bantam non-combat rim with old tire fitted to a LR Discovery rear tailgate spare tire mount
+ bike rack (holds 2 bikes) fitted thru spare tire mount on front
+ top of lid fitted with Ford Expedition roof tracks and (over 12) adjustable fittings; between tracks Farmtek poly chicken coop flooring was installed (prevents cargo from scratching lid)
+ rear tailgate fitted with 2 jerry can holders as well as 2 metal cans for potable water; also comes with 2 extra tan color Sceptre poly jerry cans for fuel storage
+ side mount custom wood table; stored inside trailer during transport; bolts to trailer passenger side above fender
Other parts included:
- box of extra parts comes with trailer and includes automotive grade bulb seal (must be glued onto lid), round LED lights, axle bump stops, reflective tape, etc.
- Bantam owners manual & all receipts from current owner
- original ball mount hitch parts removed during Overland conversion (very valuable in the vintage Bantam community)
- Ford Expedition cross rails (4 total); need to be shortened to fit narrower span roof tracks were installed on trailer lid; could be used to secure roof top tent
- sand rails (2 aluminum sand/bridging rails)
- BBQ grille from Front Runner (fits over spare tire...never used)
Minor needs:
- new lid seal; either basic foam seal with self-adhesive backing (from Lowe’s) or automotive rubber bulb seal (provided with trailer but must be glued); (Note: trailer lid originally used the self-adhesive foam seal as a temporary seal but it worked so well it was left on the trailer for years)
- installation of axle bump stops (included in sale); someone installed wood bump stops years ago; but trailer does not bottom out when fully loaded with camping gear
Either CA title & registration (partially completed with DMV) or can just come with GA registration and bill of sale if your state does not require title
Great little trailer but simply not used. Was bought for use with a Toyota FJ40 and family SUV. Upcoming pickup truck purchase guarantees the trailer won’t see any use.
Price = $4,750. No delivery. Does not come fully loaded as 1 photo shows. Located in NW Los Angeles area. Contact drewporta1@gmail.com
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