GM's Trailabout Trailer

[ToonMan]

THE '48 -PHANTOM- TRAILABOUT

Have you ever heard of the GMC Trailabout??? The original & very rare GMC Trailabout was built from 1937-39, and from all accounts, none of them have survived. I had decided to build my own version of the Trailabout using a '48 GM Pickup Box that I obtained. (It has no tailgate so I refer to it as a GM rather than a Chevy or a GMC.) Being a '48, that actually makes my Trailabout a 'Phantom' model, one not really made. The Trailabout was originally built as a Factory made utility trailer, using a GMC Pickup Box as the base. The purpose of the Trailabout was to provide a way for people to haul stuff, when they might not have a truck. It's downfall was due to the fact that most people, during the Depression, would just build their own trailer from a wrecked truck's bed, instead of buying the factory model. Now, the Trailabout is just a small piece of GM history, kept alive by trailer buffs like myself and others.
For several years I drove by a neighbors house, noticing that they had a '47-'53 GM Truck Box Trailer sitting in their front yard. Then one day, I recieved a magazine in the mail. In it was an article about the GMC Trailabout!!! I was pumped!!!!! I love stuff like this!!! It then dawned on me, was the trailer up the street a Trailabout???? Once I actually read the article, I realized it couldn't be. It was too new. But then I thought, maybe I could make my own Trailabout. Now that was an Idea!!!!! But, when I thought that, I had no idea that I would own that particular trailer before long.
But, Since The Trailabout was a real model made by GM, do you think you could consider any pickup box trailer an off spring of the Trailabout??? I have just purchased a '67 GMC pickup box trailer to restore and pull behind my Lowered and Skirted '78 Chevy Short Fleetside, and was wondering if it should be called a Trailabout as well??? What do you think???

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

[yelton57]

I'm trying to find info on these too. I'm about 99% positive that I have one. I got it for free. too, anybody have any ics of them?

[Rednek13x]

Google Images works wonders....

[oldcouple]

http://photobucket.com/images/GMC+Trailabout+Trailer/

[ToonMan]

Nice Pics!!!

[G&R's57GMC]

So timely, I'm in the process of rebuilding my trailer. Now I just might have to brand it Trailabout.

[NEWFISHER]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

So timely, I'm in the process of rebuilding my trailer. Now I just might have to brand it Trailabout.

WOW! that's the nicest trailer I have ever seen!

[G&R's57GMC]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

WOW! that's the nicest trailer I have ever seen!

Thank you ! It a match for my Tahoe and looks good with the SSR.

[G&R's57GMC]

This matches my Tahoe. I was looking for a 9' TF bed but to no avail.

[sweet70beast]

I have a 52 Chev pickup shortbox trailer that I pull behind my 50. It looks cool with the two of them hooked up.

[my55chevie]

Call me twisted, but I have an old ford bed trailer. I want to restore it and across the bottom of the tail gate, right under the FORD lettering, put "all they were good for!!"
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[ToonMan]

Here are a few real ones, and the 'Phantom Trailabout I built out of a 48 Chevy Bed.

[1project2many]

I found some pictures claiming to be an original Trailabout. For many years my grandfather has had a trailer he used to haul around the yard behind his Cub Cadet and I always assumed it was a homemade unit. It's the same GM bed as what's pictured with a front axle mounted underneath but there are no fenders. As I remember it, there are tie rods attached to the spindle at one end and the axle at the other. Any chance you know how GM set up spindles on the original trailers?

[ToonMan]

I've not seen one in person, but maybe someone up here has!!!

[G&R's57GMC]

I thought I'd add a few pic's of my Modern Trailabout on its first outing back in May of 2012.

About the frame, (RED) its a 1969 Datsun P.U. cut just ahead of the front cab mounts and 4' 2"x4" tube grafted on with a coupler and jack.
The original Datsun rear axle has the ring and pinion gears removed, just the carrier remains.
The brakes are intact sans hydraulic lines.
The Park Brake cables are activated by a Vega P.B. lever mounted to the left side frame rail near the coupler. All the original P.B. cables were used.

The (BLACK) subframe is hinged at the rear and the bumper is also mounted to it. The subframe rests on rubber snubbers from a 1985 International S series Truck tilt hood.
The subframe is latched to the frame with a hood latch from a 70's Dodge Dart.
And no I haven't added a method to lift the bed, I just don't need to dump enough to warrant the expense.

If any of you have built a "trailabout" go ahead and add them to this thread.

[MARTINSR]

I never knew that "Trailabout" existed, that is so damn cool it's crazy! I never knew that!

This is mine that built from a 55 Ford F100. It was from my dad's truck that be bought in 1966. When my brother restored the truck (it's now much better than it ever was) he bought a new bed and fenders. He also replaced the frame being it had been cut up for a Buick engine swap by my dad's friend. It still has the Buick but it's done nicely now. Anyway the frame with the bed was sitting out behind his shop and I just couldn't let it go. So in just a few hours the frame was made into a trailer and wham, we both got half of dad's old truck. I made a dropped axle to bolt spindles to and even run the Chrysler wheels dad had on the truck all those years I drove it to school. It's still hauling Martin Family Christmas trees!

But it ain't no "Trailabout" that's for sure! Man do I dig the idea that GM sold those, very cool!

Brian

[Highsider]

First I have heard of it.
Awesome the stuff a guy can learn on here!