ballcock Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 Having recently purchased a 4 wheel car transporter trailer from the Bay of E, I am looking for some information about it. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261179645302?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 Whilst stripping the drums off to check the brake mechanisms I found the name of Bradford Trailers Ltd. cast into the drum. Having done a Google search I failed to find any info. on them. I was hoping a member on here might be able to help me with a few queries. I am trying to establish a safe maximum gross weight. Looking at the design and construction I would assume it should be quite substantial but would prefer to clarify it correctly if possible. The wheels are my other concern they are possibly off a Bedford CF van they have a 152mm Pcd with 5 1/2 j 1183 12c stamped on the rim. although the wheels are serviceable with only a re-furb I would like to get a newer set or at least a spare. any help on these would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 looks a bit of a homemade trailer to me, never heard of bradford trailers, is there any makers info stamped on the axle/suspension units ? as that will determine the carrying capacity not the brakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 Are you sure it's BRADFORD and not BRADLEY ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 That is one tightly packed grave yard in those pictures ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landy-Novice Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 i agree with Ralph, it does look rather homemade. That is one tightly packed grave yard in those pictures ..... wtf?! why would you have so many gravestones like that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballcock Posted April 6, 2013 Author Share Posted April 6, 2013 Having re-checked the photos of the drum that I took it's actually Barford Trailers Ltd. not bradford. That comes of reading it upside down. But this still gives no return in Google. Western As stated the manufactures name is cast into the brake drums and also the initials stamped into the bearing covers although there is no plate on the chassis the pictures don't really do it justice as it is solidly made. It may be that the axles are off a different trailer but it all looks as if built as a professional job. I think the grave stones are a stone masons yard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 just found this on google http://company-stockport.co.uk/company/Barford+Trailers+Ltd./182250 no idea if they are one & the same or if they are still currently trading on this site it shows as a dissolved company http://ukdata.com/company/01012659/BARFORD-TRAILERS-LIMITED Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballcock Posted April 6, 2013 Author Share Posted April 6, 2013 Thanks Western that looks like it could be them I shall see what else turns up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 You may be able to get an idea of the trailer capacity by checking the load rating of the tyres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtydiesel Posted April 7, 2013 Share Posted April 7, 2013 It looks home made to me. The axles could be off an old horse box, I've worked on a few that have had similar large wheels and tyres makes for a better ride for the horses apparently. Most car trailers use smaller wheels, 12" and 13" are most common, some brenderups have 14" and 15" but they are on a much smaller pcd than yours 5x112 I think. Its hard to tell in the pics but is it on indespension type axles? If so the size of the axle tube and the thickness of the swing arm will give you a good indication of capacity. Post up a few pics of the axles and swing arms with some measurements and I'll compare them for you to what I have on my trailers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballcock Posted April 7, 2013 Author Share Posted April 7, 2013 It has two box section axles supported on multi leaves sharing a centre box section pivot. The only wheels I can find with the same pcd are off a Bedford cf according to an on line pcd chart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtydiesel Posted April 7, 2013 Share Posted April 7, 2013 The spring shackle looks very home made! The shoes look about the right size for a 3.5 ton but the stub axle looks a bit small. The box section axles might not be box, they look to have a very small radius on the corners, small radius corners are usually an indication of thin wall thickness, not a good property for axle tubes so they might be solid bar! That and the rod operated brakes points to them being very old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted April 7, 2013 Share Posted April 7, 2013 My new axle is a solid bar. It came from Peak Trailers www.peaktrailers.com What width and length are the spring leaves. Peak are worth asking. The swinging shackle could be home made or looking at the age a small manufacture. As for the wheels, again ask Peak. IIRC Bedford CF wheels were often offered at what looks like the time the trailer was built. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted April 7, 2013 Share Posted April 7, 2013 Just looked in my Indepension Trailer Manual. Those 14 inch wheels with five stud pitch center are available. Max weight per axle 1800kg. Part number WRO13. PCD 152.4mm HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballcock Posted April 8, 2013 Author Share Posted April 8, 2013 Thanks mmgemini. I have since found a manufacturers plate under the tow hitch covered in paint which when scraped back shows the manufacturer as Atlas Trailer Company of Hull. Unfortunately having started trading in January 1972 they were dissolved in 2007. The axles are 45mm solid bar supported on 2" X 28" triple leaf springs. The whole trailer is made of solid metal in box or channel of at least 5mm thick sections. It appears more than capable of handling most vehicles but would be nice to clarify the manufactures design weight. If only to keep plod happy if stopped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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