Ford GPT 1/4 ton cargo trailer drawings published by TheHenryFord.org

Quarter-ton trailer series, Wanted, USED PARTS FOR SALE NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES., and Knowledge Base
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Ford GPT 1/4 ton cargo trailer drawings published by TheHenryFord.org

Post by YLG80 » Sun Jan 28, 2018 2:02 am

I guess that these drawings are offering a quite rare view of a WWII Ford 1/4-ton Cargo Trailer with straight frame. :shock: .
I cannot find any information or picture of that trailer made by Ford.
Steve Statham in his book "Jeep colors history" mentions a 1943 Willys GPT trailer
It looks like there was an article in Army Motors about the "GPT Story, The Trailer Designed for the GPW" in April 2007 #120.

It was likely an abandoned prototype project by Ford.
I have had to thoroughly enhance these two layout drawings from the original THF scans.
Sheet #1
THF404254_GPT_LAYOUT.jpg
THF404254_GPT_LAYOUT.jpg (211.51 KiB) Viewed 1813 times
Sheet #2
THF404257_GPT_Trailer # 2 - Straight Frame_Sheet #2_WEB,.jpg
THF404257_GPT_Trailer # 2 - Straight Frame_Sheet #2_WEB,.jpg (81.21 KiB) Viewed 1813 times
As far as I can read the date on the drawing sheet #1, it's dated from 01-22-1942.
Ford_GPT_trailer_1942_project.png
Ford_GPT_trailer_1942_project.png (156.75 KiB) Viewed 1812 times
Yves
Last edited by YLG80 on Sun Jan 28, 2018 7:15 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Ford GPT 1/4 ton cargo trailer drawings published by TheHenryFord.org

Post by Bill H. » Sun Jan 28, 2018 6:38 am

That is really cool! Thank you for sharing with us. Now we need to locate one. Is there any idea of how many prototypes were produced?
Bill H.

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Re: Ford GPT 1/4 ton cargo trailer drawings published by TheHenryFord.org

Post by 70th Division » Sun Jan 28, 2018 9:09 am

Hello ,

Thanks for posting, very interesting.
It looks like it was to have bench seats in it.
I wonder if it was a take on the BRITISH AIRBORNE trailers
that appear to carry troopers in as they advance to collection areas ?

It would make great sense to have seats there to efficiently and comfortably load troops in jeep trailers for rapid movements.


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Re: Ford GPT 1/4 ton cargo trailer drawings published by TheHenryFord.org

Post by gpwmke » Sun Jan 28, 2018 11:17 pm

Thanks for sharing. A rare piece of Ford Military history indeed.

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Re: Ford GPT 1/4 ton cargo trailer drawings published by TheHenryFord.org

Post by Bill M » Sun Jan 28, 2018 11:36 pm

Bill H. wrote:
Sun Jan 28, 2018 6:38 am
That is really cool! Thank you for sharing with us. Now we need to locate one. Is there any idea of how many prototypes were produced?
Lloyd White documented 8 in his GPW book.
5 cargo and 3 flat bed. They were returned to the Experimental Garage at the Rouge plant after testing.
cheers
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Re: Ford GPT 1/4 ton cargo trailer drawings published by TheHenryFord.org

Post by YLG80 » Mon Jan 29, 2018 1:54 am

@Bill :
You have good sources :D !
8 samples only :o !
That's indeed very rare, and I'm wondering if any one has survived ?
We would be happy with only a photo of that trailer :) !
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Re: Ford GPT 1/4 ton cargo trailer drawings published by TheHenryFord.org

Post by Bill M » Mon Jan 29, 2018 2:55 am

An image courtesy of Lloyd White's Ford builds the 1/4 ton Truck.
Yes it would be a major coup to find one :)
cheers
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Re: Ford GPT 1/4 ton cargo trailer drawings published by TheHenryFord.org

Post by Zack Magnusson » Mon Jan 29, 2018 3:43 am

Wow!


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Re: Ford GPT 1/4 ton cargo trailer drawings published by TheHenryFord.org

Post by YLG80 » Mon Jan 29, 2018 7:06 am

Thank you for the picture.
That's nice to see the unknown and invisible "beast" !
Thanks to that picture, if one survivor appears and is for sale, a G503 user will jump on the opportunity :D .
Yves
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Re: Ford GPT 1/4 ton cargo trailer drawings published by TheHenryFord.org

Post by YLG80 » Mon Jan 29, 2018 8:01 am

Interesting detail on the right side of drawing sheet # 1.
It's written "Alu made" ! Difficult to read, though.
GPT_TRAILER_detail-right_ALU_MADE.png
GPT_TRAILER_detail-right_ALU_MADE.png (171.4 KiB) Viewed 1716 times
THF40425detail-right-magnifier.jpg
THF40425detail-right-magnifier.jpg (25.7 KiB) Viewed 1716 times
Really a modern design, but if I'm not wrong the aluminum was allocated first to the aviation industry during the war.
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Re: Ford GPT 1/4 ton cargo trailer drawings published by TheHenryFord.org

Post by Remko » Mon Mar 15, 2021 6:33 am

YLG80 wrote:
Sun Jan 28, 2018 2:02 am
I guess that these drawings are offering a quite rare view of a WWII Ford 1/4-ton Cargo Trailer with straight frame. :shock: .
I cannot find any information or picture of that trailer made by Ford.
Steve Statham in his book "Jeep colors history" mentions a 1943 Willys GPT trailer
It looks like there was an article in Army Motors about the "GPT Story, The Trailer Designed for the GPW" in April 2007 #120.

It was likely an abandoned prototype project by Ford.
I have had to thoroughly enhance these two layout drawings from the original THF scans.
Although Ford Motors Company constructed two experimental models of the GPT trailer for use with the GPW Ford jeep, and shipped them to Camp Holabird for testing, they lost the contract. A government contract for trailers was awarded to Willys-Overland and the Ford trailers were returned to the Rouge Plant.

The story behind the Ford designed jeep trailers is as follows: the design purpose of the trailer was to help increase the load capacity of the jeep while still providing room for the crew. The US Army decided to experiment with all metal designed trailers having a load capacity of
500 pounds (227 kg). Originally the government wanted them for use with the Signal Corps to haul carrier pigeon cages.

On February 24, 1942, the Ford Motor Company received a telegram from the army at Camp Holabird, Maryland, informally requesting a quotation
for eight trailers to be constructed on a cost-plus, fixed fee basis. The quotation was to be made by the Ford Motor Company on five 1/4-ton cargo trailers and three 1/4-ton flatbed trailers. The bid deadline was March 5,1942.

Meanwhile, working from a Quartermaster Corps blueprint #09220-Z, dated February 20, 1942, and a Ford Motor Company blueprint #1,600,000, company engineers supervised the building of two trailer pilot models. One was an all-welded version and the other a bolted together design. Both were handbuilt at the Engineering Laboratories, in Dearborn, Michigan.

The all-welded trailer was made watertight so that it could be floated across streams. The bolted trailer was constructed so that it could be
knocked down' for export shipping. Ford engineers incorporated changes in their drawings to give the trailers greater strength and durability and to reduce their weight. When the trailers were built, Ford engineers used 4 x 2 x 105 inch 'U' sectioned channel steel for the drawbar body frame
instead of the three inch channel steel suggested by the army. Four cross members were used instead of two.

The Ford-built pilot had a wider, lighter drawbar, a Ford designed lunette eye that was 30% lighter in weight than the army's, and a lighter pedestal support. It incorporated five cross sills and four Hoor reinforcements. The Quartermaster Corps blueprint showed none.

To obtain additional strength, Ford engineers designed a Hoor of eight ribs placed lengthwise. This was designed to facilitate cargo handling and to provide better drainage. The Quartermaster Corps blueprint showed a Hoor of transverse corrugations.

Later the army decided that the all-welded, watertight body might act as a catch basin for rainwater and wanted drain holes and plugs provided. Standard jeep springs and shock absorbers, and a set of mechanical hand-controlled brakes were used. The brake system could not be operated from the jeep acting as the towing unit.

The trailer, given the letters 'GPT' and thus designated as a US Government job, was tested by Ford engineers to see how they would handie behind jeeps traveling at high speeds, over rugged terrain, and how they would affect the tow units. The results were very
satisfactory.

The Ford Motor Company bid mailed March 4, 1942 contained the following price quotations: 5 - trailers (cargo) $487.00 each total $2,435.00
3 - trailers (Hat bed) $487.00 each total $1,461.00 These prices were quoted as F 0 B the Rouge Plant, Dearborn, Michigan. The delivery date was set for six weeks after Ford Motor Company received the contract. Ford estimated the building cost of the trailers to be
$404.19 each; a little less of a mark up than they receive on a new car today.

The pilots were built and sent to Camp Holabird. However, when the government opened the bids, the contract was awarded to Willys-Overland, who had submitted the lowest quotation.

On April 2, 1942, the Ford Motor Company received the following telegram from one of its representatives: "Inform Holabird Award Contract Willys Eight Trailers Lower Price. "The engineers said that in spite of their higher cost the army was pleased with their Ford-built trailers and their operation. Later an attempt was made to sell them to the government, but the sale was never consummated and the pilot trailers were finally returned to the Experimental Garage at the Rouge Plant on May 29, 1942.

Timetable of Events
February 24, 1942 - Ford Motor Company received informal request from the government for a quotation on eight trailers for use with the GPW jeep.
March 4, 1942 - Ford Motor Company submits a bid on the trailers.

March 5, 1942 - US Army opens sealed trailer bids.
April 2, 1942 - Ford Motor Company receives a telegram from representative stating contract on trailers was awarded to Willys-Overland, who was low bidder.

May 29, 1942 - trailers returned to Rouge Plant from Holabird.

(source: Lloyd White)
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Re: Ford GPT 1/4 ton cargo trailer drawings published by TheHenryFord.org

Post by YLG80 » Tue Mar 16, 2021 1:48 pm

That's a very interesting story. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Yves
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Re: Ford GPT 1/4 ton cargo trailer drawings published by TheHenryFord.org

Post by Remko » Wed Mar 17, 2021 11:50 am

Remko

G503 1943 MB
G622 198628 (matching) U.S.N 107917 (04-15-44 Louisville KY)
G529 Bantam T3 B50633 CX 5713957 serial# 20556 d.o.d. 03-01-1943 (est) With original tandem hitch and 10CWT conversion.
G529 Bantam T3 120745
G529 Willys MBT 111984 (sold)

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Re: Ford GPT 1/4 ton cargo trailer drawings published by TheHenryFord.org

Post by gpwmke » Wed Mar 17, 2021 12:29 pm

Is there another way to post this? I do not have an account with google

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Re: Ford GPT 1/4 ton cargo trailer drawings published by TheHenryFord.org

Post by Remko » Wed Mar 17, 2021 12:40 pm

gpwmke wrote:
Wed Mar 17, 2021 12:29 pm
Is there another way to post this? I do not have an account with google
I got your mail adress in from your profile,

i'll mail it to you.
Remko

G503 1943 MB
G622 198628 (matching) U.S.N 107917 (04-15-44 Louisville KY)
G529 Bantam T3 B50633 CX 5713957 serial# 20556 d.o.d. 03-01-1943 (est) With original tandem hitch and 10CWT conversion.
G529 Bantam T3 120745
G529 Willys MBT 111984 (sold)


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