Specifications

GENERAL DATA
Manufacturer:
Dimensions
	Overall Length	145 1/2 inches
	Width	71 1/8 inches
	Height	73 in with canvas top
Empty Weight	1300 lbs
Max weight:	4300 lbs (on road) 2300 lb off-road
Brakes	hand, parking only

History

The ‘Ben Hur’ 1-ton WWII U.S. Army trailer was produced by many manufacturers during the WWII. It was produced with a wood body from mid-1942 but later was changed back to steel construction. This trailer was towed by most trucks in the range of 1 1/2 ton or larger but often by armored personal carriers and halftracks as well. Its primary purpose was to transport general cargo, but the Signal Corps modified it to carry several different types of generators.

The Ben Hur trailer was nicknamed after its major manufacturer, the Ben Hur Mfg. Co., although there were many other companies that produced it between 1941 and 1945. Its primary purpose was to transport general cargo; the Signal Corps modified it to carry several different generators.

The G518 One-Ton cargo trailer known as the "Ben Hur" trailer was made to tow behind 2.5 ton trucks but during the war could be found being towed behind 1 ton to 7.5 ton trucks and even some Armored Vehicles.

The trailer consisted of a 8 foot long x 4 foot wide steel or wood box mounted on a single axle trailer. Usually the trailer was covered with a frame and tarpaulin (anybody have one they want to sell).

Variations of the trailer were used to haul fire pumps, mobile kitchens, generators, and other goods. These trailers were built from 1941 to 1945.

G518 Trailers were made by the following companies: American Bantam, Ben Hur, Century Boat Works, Checker, Dorsey, Gertenslager, Henney, Hercules Body, Highland Body & Trailer, Hobbs, Hyde, Mifflinburg Body, Naburs, Nash Kelvinator, Omaha Standard Body, Pke, Queen City, Redman, Steel Products, Strick, Transportation Equipment Corp, Truck Engineering Corporation, Willys Overland, Winter Weiss, Baker, Covered Wagon Co., Keystone, And Streich. These trailers were built from 1941 to 1945.

Payload and gross weight vary with caliber of ammunition carried.