McGrath trailer refurb

I like the Thompson Bros 7 Series Dodge.

Love the pics.
44's we've all used them, would have been a flash trailer to have landing legs or even a QRTT.
Spare tyre up on the strap, that was so bad for the back.
I note the 3" RSJ cross members, she's done well to survive with them still straight.
The tail light frame was from the VW bar era, everyone was coming up with new ideas. That looks great.
Overnite the single drive plus widespread combination was very load efficient, and cheap !!

Bobby Addison and his old man worked for Mcgraths before WW2,they had sandpits and sandpumps in the swamps around Melbourne....He was a Yank,and the Yanks set up the trailer factory on Mc grath land in 1942...after the war,he went to the US ,pulled a few strings and got the lot for no outlay....Addison used to tell the story of him and his old man building a fence on Mc Grath land,they shortcut a swamp area,losing about 400 acres.....afterwards the neighbour put in an "Adverse Possession" claim on the land,and the Addisons got sacked. And came to Qld.

Yes, like that one!
Imagine trying to get away with even attempting something like that today!

Yes Overnite & Jeffo, the Dodge & spread trailer is a smart unit. Full crate would be heavy on the single drive.
Early crates on bogie and spread trailers were usually 2-1/2 decks sheep & 1-1/2 decks cattle for single drives.
Crates with 3 decks sheep & 2 decks cattle like the Thompsons one were usually on bogie drive prime movers.
The spread axle trailers stood up better in corners with livestock than the closed bogie.
When Metric measures allowed 2.5 m trailer width, some operators widened their old trailers & crates to fit
a few more bodies on. A lot of work!
Quite a few general carriers pulled spread trailers with single drives. Often a dolly axle made from a steer
axle was fitted to the prime mover to give similar payload to a bogie drive. Ok on good ground but risky
in & out of farms turning through gateways etc. All good gear at the time. Paul.

PaulFH said "Full crate would be heavy on the single drive."

PaulFH, it would have taken it no worries. It was a Dodge after all. What our paper trucks and overnighters went through was amazing. As the ads of the day said "Dependable Dodge".

Yes Overnite, the Dodges were a good solid truck. Drove an AT4 760 towing a 38 ft spread
trailer on general freight. Was well loaded up sometimes. The drive overload springs did
their job well. Had been C160 Cummins but repowered with 3208 Cat, NA at 170 HP.
The Thompson's one might have had a C160 or some had the V8 motor.
Just saying that care needed to avoid being sprung with too much on the drive axle.
Fun days. Paul.