Alvis 1-ton Special Purpose Trailers

     Notes: These one-axle, two-wheeled trailers share a common chassis and load platform, but are fitted out for different roles.  They all feature a strong off-road suspension, hydraulic overrun brakes, and a mechanical parking handbrake. They are used by several countries and may be used by any NATO-compatible vehicle.  Options for the trailers include strengthening for airdropping and retractable support legs.

     The FV2411 Missile Resupply Trailer carries containerized spare missiles for the Rapier SAM system in special racks.  The FV2412 Cargo Trailer is normally used for carrying specialist equipment for the Rapier system, but may also be used for general cargo purposes, and has a box cargo body.  The FV2413 and FV2415 are platform-type trailers used to carry specialist equipment for various weapon systems or large pieces of equipment such as generators.  The two trailers differ primarily in that the FV2415 has a longer, raised towbar to allow it to be towed by larger vehicles with higher tow pintles.  The FV2420 Air-Portable Bridge Trailer is used specifically for carrying sections of the Class 16 air-portable bridging system.  The suspension of this trailer may be lowered to provide a smaller cross-section for loading in aircraft, and there are numerous lashing and special attachment points for the bridge sections on the flat platform.  The FV2420 is little more than a chassis fitted with a special framework and its utility for carrying other cargo is limited.  The FV2421 is a platform trailer designed specifically for carrying a 24kW or 16 kW generator for use with Electronic Repair Vehicles, but is also useful for transporting virtually any sort of cargo that fits, and can also mount a water tank.  The suspension is uprated to allow it to carry more weight.  The FV2425 was designed specifically for carrying the THORN EMI Cymbeline mortar counterbattery radar.  The suspension is adjustable to assist in aiming the radar, and there are also four retractable legs at the corners of the platform.  Alternatively, the trailer may carry small shelter bodies or containers.

Alvis High-Mobility Trailer

     Notes: Though designed specifically for towing behind the MCRV version of the Warrior, this flatbed trailer is suitable for towing behind virtually any heavy vehicle with a NATO-compatible tow hook.  It is normally used to carry major end items such as complete powerpacks or transmission assemblies for armored vehicles, but can also be used to carry heavy weapons and ammunition, radars, bridging equipment, or general cargo.  The suspension features a heavy-duty off-road suspension with two axles and four huge tires, and the suspension can traverse up to 40-degree side slopes with its flexible towing system.  The High-Mobility Trailer is designed to not impair the performance of the towing vehicle in any way.  When not connected to a vehicle (or when stationary), four jacks are lowered which automatically maintain a level platform regardless of the cargo distribution on the trailer.  This means that the trailer may also be used as a safe working platform.  The trailer is equipped with an umbilical winch to aid in mating to the towing vehicle, and a small motor to power this winch and the automatic jacks (powered by a battery). 

Reynolds Boughton AVRE/CRARRV Trailer

     Notes: This Reynolds Boughton-built trailer originated as the AVRE trailer; it was specifically designed to be towed by the Chieftain AVRE, but can also be towed by other tracked and wheeled vehicles of at least 14 tons in size.  It is a two-axle trailer with four massive run-flat tires and a high, flexible independent suspension allowing it excellent off-road mobility.  It is generally meant for engineer equipment, such as mine pallets and/or dispensers, Class 60 trackways, fascine rolls, etc., but it is also useful for general cargo and is used for such by heavy trucks and DROPS vehicles.  The entire trailer is of high-strength steel and the wheels all have airbrakes (with an integral compressor).

     When the idea to carry Challenger powerpacks on top of the CR ARRAV (the Challenger Armored Repair and Recovery Vehicle) proved impractical, the AVRE trailer was modified into the CRARRV trailer to carry these huge powerpacks.  24 of these modifications were done, ending in 2000.  The CRARRV trailer has a special cradle for the powerpack, but is otherwise identical to the AVRE trailer.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The AVRE trailer is rather rare; the CRARRV trailer does not exist as such, though the AVRE trailer is sometimes used in this role, with field modifications.

Crane-Fruehauf Mk 1B

     Notes: This tank transporter semi-trailer is not used by the British Army, but has been exported to several Middle Eastern and African countries, including Jordan, Kuwait, Kenya, and Libya.  It is a basic sort of tank transporter, with all-steel construction for the frame, chassis, and deck.  The suspension is heavy-duty, but this is more to support great weight rather than for any sort of off-road capability (off-road performance of the Mk 1B is mediocre).  The axles are, however, split and independently mounted to allow a bit more flex for the bogies, and there are stops to make sure that the tires do not hit the fenders.  The Mk 1B is equipped with airbrakes, and if the towing vehicle cannot power these brakes, the Mk 1B becomes rather dangerous, since there are no other brakes other than a manual handbrake acting only on the rearmost wheels.  The loading ramps are manually operated, and the Mk 1B has the standard sort of equipment for this type of trailer.

King DB18/2CC-17.5

     Notes: This flatbed trailer is designed primarily for use by the Royal Engineers for the moving of large engineer vehicles such as earthmoving and construction vehicles, and other large pieces of machinery.  It may also be used as a general cargo trailer, and has a variety of tie-down and lash-down points, as well as the necessary tools and accessories for the securing of vehicles and equipment.  It has been designed to be towed by other large engineer vehicles such dump trucks, but may be towed by any vehicle with suitable towing capability.  It is a two-axle, eight-wheel trailer, with the axle set placed about two-thirds of the way to the rear of the trailer.  The wheels have brakes and there is a handbrake.  At the rear of the trailer are adjustable spring-loaded loading ramps.  The trailer is constructed largely from steel, but the cargo deck is of treated hardwood over a sheet of steel; construction is quite heavy and strong, and the floor of the trailer has the equivalent of AV 2.  The DB18/CC-17.5 also includes several equipment bins and a recovery winch with a capacity of 5 tons (hand-cranked). 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This trailer does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

DB-20/2-19.5

     Notes: This is a large flatbed DROPS-type trailer designed for the towing of heavy loads, primarily by very large trucks.  The DB-20/2-19.5 is primarily meant to carry NATO-standard ISO containers, palletized loads, ammunition racks, and other such heavy loads.  The trailer uses a heavy-duty suspension with two axles (one at each end) and eight large tires.  The wheels initially had simple hydraulic brakes, but these were upgraded starting in 2000 to antilock brakes.  In addition, 16 of these trailers were upgraded at the same time for use by the Royal Marines to be able to ford up to 1.5 meters of water or surf.  The trailers are otherwise of high-strength steel construction; they also have the novel feature of having two adjustable power-operated giant clamps to hold cargo, in addition to normal tie down/lash down points and lockdown points.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Antilock brakes were never fitted in the Twilight 2000 timeline, though the modifications for the Royal Marines were made during the war.

Reynolds Boughton FV2381

     Notes: This light trailer, designed specifically for military use, is a one-axle two-wheel trailer of all-steel construction.  The wheels have overrun brakes, and there is also a mechanical parking brake.  The FV2381 has excellent off-road performance, and can also ford to a depth of 0.76 meters (though only to 0.61 meters without water overrunning the sides of the trailer).  The FV2381 has lashing points for cargo and can be equipped with bows and a canvas tilt.  Another version, the FV2380, is a simple chassis with a platform, allowing it to carry small containers, pallets, or generators, or be fitted with a tank body.  Another version, the FV2361 uses the same chassis, but the cargo box is longer and narrower.  The FV2361 is still in use by the British military, but has not been in production since the mid-1980s.

Rubery Owen FV2406

     Notes: These two trailers use a common chassis (the FV2405 Mk 2), but different cargo bodies or platforms.  The chassis is a one-axle two-wheel design, with a retractable dolly wheel in front.  It is off-road rated, and has airbrakes as well as a mechanical parking brake.  At the rear under the cargo body or platform is a spare tire.  The FV2406 Flat Platform Trailer is designed to carry a variety of specialist equipment and bodies, including tank bodies, weapon or ammunition racks, generators, air conditioning units, and suchlike.  This trailer is comprised mainly of steel components, but the floor of the platform is of weatherproofed plywood.  The trailer has three stabilizing jacks, one at the front and two at the rear corners.  The FV2407 Cargo Trailer is a basic cargo carrier with steel sides, a hinged tailgate, and a weatherproof plywood floor. 

Reynolds Boughton FV2408

     Notes: This is a general-purpose cargo trailer designed to be towed behind a vide variety of vehicles, both wheeled and tracked.  It is a one-axle, two-wheeled trailer with an off-road suspension, hydraulic overrun brakes (with an onboard master cylinder) and a parking brake, and a spare tire under the cargo body at the rear.  Construction is largely of welded sheet steel, with a chassis of steel bars; however, the floor of the cargo body is of treated plywood.  The trailer has a hinged tailgate and removable sides, as well as numerous lashing and tie-down points.  The cargo body may be removed and the resulting platform used for a tank body, weapons or ammunition racks, or other large cargo within the limits of the payload capacity.

Rubery Owen FV2842 MGB Trailer

     Notes: Designed specifically to carry sections of the Williams Fairey Medium Girder Bridge, this flatbed trailer can also be used to carry other palletized loads, containers, or general cargo, and it has plenty of tie-down/lash-down and lock-down points for such cargo.  The FV2842 is a single-axle trailer with two wheels and a so-so off-road suspension.  The chassis is of high-strength tubular steel, covered with a corrugated aluminum cargo deck.  The wheels have airbrakes and a mechanical parking brake.  The trailer was not meant for fast towing; maximum speed on roads is 56 kmh (Com Mov 78) and off-roads it is 24 kmh (Com Mov 33).

Crane-Fruehauf FV3541A

     Notes: This semi-trailer, also known as the Engineer Plant Semi-Trailer, can be used to move light armored vehicles, but its primary role is to move engineer equipment and vehicles.  The rear deck is in fact a flatbed with loading ramps, with a narrow foredeck taken up by tool and equipment lockers.  The main chassis is comprised of high-strength steel cross-members, with the load deck made from steel and the loading ramps made from hardwood over a steel framework.  The trailer has two axles each with four wheels and tires, and the front of the trailer has supports cranked down by hand, along with rear supports deployed in the same manner.  As with most such trailers, the FV3541A comes with the required tools and materials for securing loads to the cargo deck.  In the British Army, this trailer is normally towed by a version of the Scammell Crusader, though other semi-tractors may also tow it.

King GTS100/6 and GTS110/7

     Notes: This tank transporter semi-trailer was still looking for customers as of 2003, but was being extensively tested by the US at the time, and it is compatible with virtually all NATO military semi-tractors and US, Canadian, and European civilian semi-tractors.  It is designed primarily for hard roads, and has limited off-road capabilities, but it has the capacity to carry pretty much any main battle tank in service today.  The length of the load deck also allows the transportation of two smaller armored vehicles such as IFVs.  The suspension and gooseneck allow for automatic load leveling over bumpy roads or dirt roads, and to a limited extent off-road.  The trailer has a total of six axles and twelve tires, each with airbrakes, and the trailer is able to continue to travel at highway speeds even with both tires on one axle being blown out.  The axles may also be fitted with special wide wheels and tires for softer surfaces, and this also improves off-road performance (but slightly penalizes on-road speeds).  Construction is of heavy-duty steel throughout, and the deck is thick enough to provide an AV of 2, as are the loading ramps.  The loading ramps themselves are power operated via hydraulics, and are adjustable for the width of the vehicle being loaded.  Adjustable track guides and stops are standard, as are the standard assortment of tools and accessories for securing the vehicles.  At the corners of the trailer, outriggers may be lowered to stabilize the trailer during loading and unloading.

     The GTS110/7 is basically a higher-capacity, more-advanced version of the GTS100/6.  This version has seven axles instead of six, improved off-road performance, and a manual override for the loading ramps.  The GTS110/7 is currently in production for the British Army.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: These trailers do not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

King 35-ton HET Trailer

     Notes: This is a heavy equipment transporter (HET) semi-trailer designed for transporting vehicles such as APCs, IFVs, and other light armored vehicles, large wheeled vehicles, and heavy equipment such as engineer vehicles, machinery, generators, etc.  It can also be used to carry large ISO containers, palletized loads, and suchlike, and includes lockdown points for these, as well as track guides for vehicles.  The frame and chassis is made from steel; the load deck is also steel, and can be had in two widths (2.5 and 3 meters).  The trailer has spring-loaded ramps at the rear for loading vehicles and cargo.  The three axles (with two tires each) are normally not steerable, but versions of this trailer can be had with steerable wheels.

Lolode 8-ton Recovery Transporter

     Notes: This trailer was designed primarily for the recovery of forklift vehicles and other light servicing vehicles and wheeled machinery with low suspensions.  To this end, the Lolode’s suspension can “kneel” – it lowers between the wheel wells until the load bed almost touches the ground, at which point a large loading ramp is lowered to load the vehicle or cargo.  The suspension lowering/raising system is hydraulic and powered by a small gasoline engine at the front of the trailer, and has a hand-crank backup.  Automatic locking pins engage when the load bed is raised and the trailer is carrying a load.  The trailer is also equipped with a manual winch that has a 2-ton capacity, a toolbox with a small selection of tools (equivalent to basic tools), and a spare tire and wheel.  Construction of the trailer is largely of high-strength aluminum, but the load deck is of wood with three aluminum tread plates. 

Reynolds Boughton GP Trailers

     Notes: These are general purpose cargo trailers.  Most may be fitted with bows and a canvas tarpaulin cover, and use a two-wheel suspension with simple mechanical overrun and parking brakes. They have rugged suspensions, but for the most part, not true off-road suspensions. 

     The 750-kg-capacity versions include the Bushranger 750 kg, which is light and simple in construction, with simple sheet steel sides and a tailgate which does not hinge down, but is removable.  The Military Model L uses a beefier suspension, a hinged tailgate, heavier gauge steel, and actual Land Rover wheels and tires.

     In the 1-ton range, these trailers include the Bushmaster 1-ton, which is simply a larger version of the Bushranger 750- kg above.  The GP Model 1 is an even simpler trailer, basically a chassis with a steel cargo box mounted on it; neither the sides nor the rear can be dropped or removed, and it has no provision for bows or a cover.  The GP Model 2 is basically the same trailer with brakes and provisions for bows and a canvas cover, as well as a dropping tailgate.

     The 1500-kg and 2000-kg trailers are basically larger versions of GP series, more sturdily built to handle the larger load and large in dimensions.  Cargo boxes are of heavy-gauge sheet steel with vertical and diagonal reinforcement.  They come, of course, with larger wheels and tires; the wheels may be made with six, eight, or ten-bolt fastenings to allow interchanging with most medium Bedford or Mercedes-built trucks.  The brakes may be of the mechanical overrun type, or the trailers may be supplied with airbrakes, with air supplied by the towing vehicle’s air system (if present).  Suspension is also more robust, with good off-road performance.  The cargo box may be used with bows and a canvas cover.  At the buyer’s request, the trailers may be supplied with different wheels, tires, and/or axles.  The two trailers are basically identical, except for some additional frame reinforcement for the heavier model along with a somewhat beefed-up suspension.

     The 1750-kg trailer is designed primarily for general cargo use, but may also be used for other purposes.  It is a physically larger trailer than the 1500 and 2000-kg trailers. Like some of the above Reynolds Boughton trailers, it is designed primarily for towing behind Land Rover-series vehicles, and uses Land Rover wheels and tires.  The single-axle trailer uses an off-road suspension with hydraulic overrun brakes and mechanical parking brakes.  The cargo body is largely of sheet steel with reinforcing ribs and a hinged tailgate.  A framework for a canvas tilt may also be fitted.  A variant of this trailer mounts a small workshop; this version is basically a platform with lockers for tools, a foldout bench, a davit, working lights, and electrical controls.  The power is provided by the towing vehicle.  The workshop trailer is provided with a canvas awning to expand the working space and provide protection against the weather.

Reynolds Boughton Light Flatbed Trailers

     Notes: These three trailers are of similar design and construction, and differ primarily in size and cargo-carrying capacity.  They are platform-type trailers with off-road suspensions having one axle and two tires of the same type as on a Land Rover.  The trailers are constructed of a rolled steel chassis and thick sheet steel platform deck.  They are largely designed to carry outsize or unusual loads such as generators, tank bodies, radar systems, weapons or ammunition racks, or even small pallets, containers, or shelters.  The trailers may also be used as general cargo trailers when fitted with the optional side, front, and rear panels.

Reynolds Boughton Military 1000-kg/1250-kg Trailers

     Notes: These trailers are designed specifically to be towed behind Land Rovers (and even have Land Rover Wheels and tires), but may be towed behind other vehicles.  The trailer bodies are of sheet steel with reinforcing ribs, and the chassis of welded steel; they have physically large dimensions, though they have only modest cargo capacities.  The tailgates are both hinged and removable.  The one-axle suspensions are very effective off-road.  The wheels have overrun brakes and parking brakes.  Both trailers may have overhead frameworks mounted for use with a canvas tarpaulin cover.

Reynolds Boughton Mobile Servicing/Workshop Trailer

     Notes: These two trailers, built on a common chassis and platform, are (as most Reynolds Boughton light trailers) equipped with one axle and two wheels and tires common to those on the Land Rover series.  They have chassis of rolled steel and platforms of sheet steel.  They have a small dolly wheel at the front and four retractable supports, one on each corner of the trailers.  They are equipped with a tubular framework in order to use a canvas tilt, and outer support poles to expand the tilt into a tent when the trailer is stationary. 

     The Mobile Servicing Trailer is primarily for the lubrication and oiling of vehicles.  In this role, the trailer has equipment powered by a compressor with a gasoline engine.  This powers the grease pump, two oil pumps, a tire inflation device, a penetrating oil sprayer, an air/water sprayer, and a spark plug cleaner.  The trailer carries a gas-powered compressor with 12 liters of fuel for it, a 30-liter oil tank, a 6-liter grease tank, and a small selection of tools.

     The Workshop Trailer has a 6kW generator which powers the rest of the setup and is fueled by diesel fuel.  The trailer can recharge batteries as well as start vehicles and equipment with dead batteries, and has two slave receptacles and seven electrical outlets.  Equipment carried by the trailer includes a heavy-duty drill, heavy-duty grinder, a bench grinder and polisher, a pillar drill stand, an arc-welding set, an air compressor, two vises, and an extension cable for electrical tools 9.14 meters long.

Reynolds Boughton Tank Trailers

     Notes: These are, as the name indicates, trailers fitted with tank bodies for the transport of water (primarily drinking water).  They are, like many of Reynolds Boughton’s smaller trailers, designed specifically for towing by Land Rovers, and the wheels and tires are the same as used on Land Rovers (they have one axle and two tires).  The designs of all three below are basically the same except for dimensions and capacity, and have excellent off-road capabilities.  They are made from steel, with a large manhole on top for filling, a 40mm gate valve at the rear, four 12.5mm taps, and a 25mm tap.  The trailers are also provided with a hand pump and 15 meters of hose for filling radiators of vehicles, water cans, etc.  The 1350-liter tank has a water purification filter as standard, and this is optional on the other tank trailers.

Tecalemit SM-6001

     Notes: Designed to service vehicles and heavy equipment, this trailer is a mobile lubrication unit.  It is a single-axle two-wheel trailer with decent, if unspectacular off-road performance.  The wheels have overrun brakes and a mechanical parking brake.  The frame is of steel, and the load deck is also of steel of the same gauge with additional reinforcement.  The frame is strong enough to allow the trailer to be lifted whole and loaded by forklifts.  The front of the trailer has a dolly wheel, and each corner is also provided with extendible support struts.  The trailer’s equipment is powered by a diesel-fueled air compressor.  This air compressor powers lubrication pumps, a tire inflation compressor, a high-pressure grease dispenser, three low-pressure oil pumps, a transfer pump to allow oil drums to be filled, a coolant pump, and a hand-held penetrating oil sprayer.  Other equipment includes a fire extinguisher, four 7.6-meter hoses, and a canvas canopy with zipper panels.  The trailer is further provided with a 50-liter oil drum, a 10-liter grease tank, a 20-liter diesel tank, a 150-liter coolant tank, and a toolbox with basic, wheeled vehicle, and tracked vehicle tools.

Supacat FLPT

     Notes: The FLPT (Fork-Lift Pallet Trailer) was designed specifically for towing behind the Supacat light all-terrain vehicle, but it can be towed behind vehicles of a similar size and towing capacity.  The trailer is essentially a steel chassis upon which a load platform of a steel framework is placed, and has two wheels and one axle.  The load platform, however, tilts backwards through 90 degrees and has folding forklift forks, allowing pallets or containers of cargo to be easily loaded onto the platform, then tilted back to the towing position.  The towbar can also be retracted and the suspension lowered, allowing it to be easily stowed for storage or air transport (or even placed aboard a Supacat itself!).  The FLPT also has its own tow hook in the rear, allowing trains of trailers or even items such as a heavy mortar or 105mm Light Gun to be towed behind the trailer itself.  Corner posts and ratchet straps may be added, allowing the FLPT to carry more conventional loads, and the FLPT may also be fitted out to carry a water tank or three stretchers.  There is also a smaller version of the FLPT; this has about one-third the load-carrying ability, and is suitably smaller, but is otherwise of similar design.

Stead and Williams SWAM II/SWAM-90

     Notes: The SWAM (Stead and Williams Ammunition Mover) is ammunition trailer was designed specifically for towing behind self-propelled howitzers to carry extra ammunition for them, generally in the form of NATO ULC (Unit Load Containers), which carry seventeen 155mm rounds and charges, and generally weigh 1.32 tons apiece when loaded.  The SWAM II is basically an off-road flatbed frame-type trailer made of structural steel.  The towbar is hydraulically dampened, has a handbrake for the four wheels, and has an emergency breakaway mechanism which may be activated from inside the towing howitzer.  The wheels all have overrun brakes and auto-reversing hubs.  The SWAM II comes with lashing points and straps necessary to secure the ULCs; these straps and lashing points have a breaking point of 3 tons per strap, and there are four of them. 

     The SWAM II can also be configured to carry a large water tank (2500 liters), a general-purpose cargo trailer (by the addition of sideboards), or to carry generators, machinery, or shelter bodies.  In 1996, the SWAM II underwent some minor modifications, mostly to make it more compatible with the new AS-90 SP howitzer; at this time, the designation was changed to SWAM-90.

King TT72/3WB-20.5

     Notes: This is a heavy tank transporter capable of transporting virtually any tank in the world today.  Construction is entirely of heavy steel beams and plate; the plate is strong enough to offer a deck AV of 2 and an AV of 2 for anyone hiding behind the raised loading ramps.  The load deck has a checkered surface with adjustable track guides and adjustable stops, as well as numerous tie-down points.  The trailer is equipped with winch rope guides and pulleys to assist in loading the vehicle.  The loading ramps are hand-operated, but are hydraulically-assisted and spring-loaded.  The trailer has three axles and 12 wheels; the tires are normally air-filled, but may be filled with heavy-duty foam or self-sealing fluids to make them run-flat.  The suspension allows for load leveling and decent, if not spectacular off-road performance.  A spare tire is carried on the gooseneck, as well as a davit for unloading and loading the spare tire.  The gooseneck also has a toolbox, a space for a camouflage net, and a small water tank.