Civilian Converto Questions |
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19Cargo42
Member Joined: 23 Apr. 2018 Location: Western Mass. Status: Offline Points: 570 |
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Posted: 17 Mar. 2020 at 9:35pm |
Hi,
I ran across a civilian Converto trailer for sale online locally and wanted to ask a couple questions, since I don't know much about them. Did the factory ever make a civilian version that can dump like the military version? The one online dumps, but I suspect that's a bubba mod. When did production of the civilian model begin? Did they start in 1945 like the early T3-Cs or later? Thanks, John
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Rus Curtis
Member Joined: 25 Mar. 2010 Location: Alabama Status: Offline Points: 1733 |
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John,
There isn't much information on Converto trailers. I've searched before and get back information on Converto's, Spen's, Bantam's etc. Visually, I think the Converto's and Spen's are similar but not exact. I've seen trailers with a pivot just over the axle that have been identified as Converto's. Those trailers also had tailgates that could pivot either at the top or bottom. Did you buy this trailer? Do you have pictures?
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Rus Curtis
Alabama 1954 CJ3B Bantam T3-C |
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48cj2a
Bantam Trailer Moderator Sponsor Member Joined: 22 July 2005 Location: Central, IL Status: Offline Points: 4523 |
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Yes, Converto did make a Civilian version of the "Dump Trailer" but it did not look anything like the Military Trailer.
I just found this cool Ad for Gimbels last week from the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph 20Jan46 but have not researched them any further. This may be the initial entry into the Civilian Market after the War. |
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Art C USAF (Retired)
47 CJ2A #134955 Project 48 CJ2A #206759 62 L6226 Station Wagon #58167 10900 45 T3-C #191 Project http://www.bantamt3c.com http://www.48cj2a.com |
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19Cargo42
Member Joined: 23 Apr. 2018 Location: Western Mass. Status: Offline Points: 570 |
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Thanks for your posts. Well, based on the catalog image, I actually think is is an original Converto civilian dump. Someone must have added the fenders. The hitch and the landing leg are not original, and it's missing the tail lights. I haven't seen it in person yet, so I don't know how much work it needs, but it looks like a good candidate for restoration.
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48cj2a
Bantam Trailer Moderator Sponsor Member Joined: 22 July 2005 Location: Central, IL Status: Offline Points: 4523 |
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The trailer appears to be in overall very good condition.
If you can find a good image of the missing parts like the dump lock piece we can compare that to other trailers.
I won't say its impossible to find the needed parts but you will have your work cut out for you. If you can find another owner you may also be able to duplicate/reproduce some of the needed parts. I would eventually like to update the Jeep Trailer Spotters Guide and would like to get similar picture angles as you provided to identify some of the other trailers since there is not a lot of information out there other than Forum Posts. Based on what I see in this picture, I think I have the correct Fulton hitch coupler at home (should be home from deployment at the end of the month or early May and will check if interested (can't remember but it may be NOS): I found this image from a military version, not sure if correct for civilian or not: Edited by 48cj2a - 28 Apr. 2020 at 6:19am |
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Art C USAF (Retired)
47 CJ2A #134955 Project 48 CJ2A #206759 62 L6226 Station Wagon #58167 10900 45 T3-C #191 Project http://www.bantamt3c.com http://www.48cj2a.com |
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19Cargo42
Member Joined: 23 Apr. 2018 Location: Western Mass. Status: Offline Points: 570 |
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Adding this link to the discussion. Scroll down to the blue trailer. It has a cast hitch assembly and original landing leg/wheel: http://www.ewillys.com/2019/06/26/converto-trailer-photos/
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19Cargo42
Member Joined: 23 Apr. 2018 Location: Western Mass. Status: Offline Points: 570 |
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Sorry for the multiple posts. I'm hoping to go look at this once my work-imposed travel restrictions are removed (hopefully in the next few weeks.) One question I have regards the lack of axle springs. The non-dumping Convertos have springs, but this one does not appear to have any. I'm curious if that's the original design or a Bubba mod.
Art, could you post a larger version of the ad that you have above? I'd like to see if I can detect more detail in the photo of the dump rig. Also, I'm actually rather enthused about potentially getting a non-Bantam trailer because I like the looks of this type, but my one concern regards the rims. I'll be curious to see if the lug pattern is the same between this trailer and the standard CJ2A rim or if it's different. If the latter, that means having to carry one spare for the Jeep and another for the trailer. I'm presuming that's not an issue with a Bantam trailer. Thanks, John
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Rus Curtis
Member Joined: 25 Mar. 2010 Location: Alabama Status: Offline Points: 1733 |
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First printed info I've seen on civilian Converto.
Nice sleuthing Art! Real nice looking trailer John.
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Rus Curtis
Alabama 1954 CJ3B Bantam T3-C |
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48cj2a
Bantam Trailer Moderator Sponsor Member Joined: 22 July 2005 Location: Central, IL Status: Offline Points: 4523 |
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I saw the cast hitch too and believe it was added at some point - I've never seen anything this HD in normal production trailers of this era. All of them seem to use a variation of the Fulton Coupler with the knob.
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Art C USAF (Retired)
47 CJ2A #134955 Project 48 CJ2A #206759 62 L6226 Station Wagon #58167 10900 45 T3-C #191 Project http://www.bantamt3c.com http://www.48cj2a.com |
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48cj2a
Bantam Trailer Moderator Sponsor Member Joined: 22 July 2005 Location: Central, IL Status: Offline Points: 4523 |
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I'm traveling home finally so a bit of a Zombie but while waiting between connection flights I downloaded several more Converto Ads.
This one is a full page Gimbles Ad from the Philadelphia Inquirer 21Apr46 and although grainy a much better image than the other one. Interesting note in the image is NDT Tires on the Dump Model where most of these utility trailers came with street tread 4 ply car tires. I left it full resolution but you can also Download it from here: http://bantamt3c.com/images/bantamt3c/jeeptrailer/converto/Converto%20Trailer%20Ad%20Gimbles%20The%20Philadelphia%20Inquirer%20Sun%2021Apr46.jpg Edited by 48cj2a - 30 Apr. 2020 at 8:50am |
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Art C USAF (Retired)
47 CJ2A #134955 Project 48 CJ2A #206759 62 L6226 Station Wagon #58167 10900 45 T3-C #191 Project http://www.bantamt3c.com http://www.48cj2a.com |
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19Cargo42
Member Joined: 23 Apr. 2018 Location: Western Mass. Status: Offline Points: 570 |
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Thanks for that link, Art.
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