Join MAFCA
Join MAFCA

 

Gallery - Model A Trailers

The classic trailer for a Model A could be one of the Mullins Trailers that were made in the 1930s (and are reproduced today.) However, our members have seen some nice examples of creativity pulled behind Model A Fords.

If you have a photograph of a trailer that might be suitable to be pulled behind a Model A Ford, please send a copy of it along with a description to webmaster @ mafca.com.

Silver Trailer submitted by Robert Hesselmann, Urbana, Illinois, who writes:

"The included links show trailers I pull with my 28 Roadster. The first picture is of the roadster and silver teardrop. It was a hand built teardrop trailer we crafted for a special father/son camping trip. My son had just turned 16. We took the car and trailer on a two week, 1500 mile, 4 state camping trip. It has since been sold to a lady who takes her children camping in it.
Updated 01/06/20

Woody Trailer The second picture is of the woody trailer. It is also hand built. It was fashioned to look like an original 1947 Fleet Cabin Car, a commercially available trailer. While it appears very similar, it has many extras the originals did not, like shower, hot water, flat screen and DVD, full galley, air conditioning, etc. It was designed for regular camping trips, as well as multiple day stays at facility free events like swap meets and hill climbs, where there are no "camper" facilities. It is fully self contained, and functions just as well in the middle of a pasture, as it does in a campground. Click here to see a group of photos showing the construction of this trailer.
Posted 09/10/07
1932 Trailer submitted by Tom Sage of Mt. Sage, Florida, who writes: "Proof that an A can really pull. This is a restored 1930 coupe with it's custom-built trailer that a Tampa Florida man had built in 1932. He loaded the trailer with fishing and marine supplies and traveled up and down both Florida coasts and around the Gulf all the way to New Orleans selling wholesale equipment.

The coupe has 2 generators, one of which supplies power just to the trailer. Note the large artillery rear wheels. The rear spring will not even move without the trailer attached. It has a custom gooseneck type hitch that rides in the center of a horizontal tire which acts as a shock absorber. Trailer brakes are vacuum operated from the engine and the rig stops really well. Trailer axle is from a Model T truck.

Many Model A interior parts and trim were used inside the trailer. The trailer weighs over 2500 pounds. I have driven this one of a kind rig which belongs to and was restored by Skip Sampson in Miami. It rolls along nice on level ground at about 35 mph. However I think he must have gone through a lot of clutches."
Posted 7/21/05

"Mullins" owned by Al Downs of Oak Creek, WI who writes: Here are some pictures of the trailer I made. It is styled after the Mullins. The shell is fiberglass and is available unfinished. Inside I have two folding panels that can be raised to make it into three compartments.

I used a torsion axle and 16 inch wheels. It has electric brakes that can work on both 6 and 12 volts. The fenders are fiberglass for 32 Ford. I have used it several times and it works very well. Pulling behind my 31Tudor, you don't even know it is there.
Posted 2/12/03

Covered Trailer owned by George & Donna Beyers
of Benton AR, who writes:
"Attending Car Shows with a driver tends to be a real chore. With a 76A 1928 Open Cab Roadster Pickup, it was necessary to continually load up spare parts (in case of break down), tools and detailing supplies. When you get to the show location, it is necessary to unload everything and after the show load it all up again and, again, unload it all when you get home. Well, seeing some of the street rodders and motorcycle guys having a small utility trailer to carry all of that stuff, I got to thinking how convent it would be to have one.

That was the simple part - thinking of what to do. Where to find a small trailer light enough to pull - yet big enough to handle the necessities - that was the real problem.

I looked and looked. The closest thing I found was a car top carrier with wheels offered by J.C. Whitney for $585. It just did not look sturdy enough nor large enough. I checked out some of the street rodders. The really nice ones were a cut down version of their car. I looked at a few trailers made from modern pickup beds. That got me thinking. Why not a trailer made from a Model A Pickup bed? Well, again, that was the easy part. Have you looked for a descent Model A pickup bed lately? Hens teeth would be an easier find.

Since the local Model A Club offered free want ads in the newsletter I decided I'd give it a try. Several months passed after my ad was published. Finally a Club member from Eastern Arkansas called and said he had a pickup bed he wanted to sell. If fact, he said, at one time it was mounted on a custom frame as a trailer. He indicated that it was in excellent condition - no rust, no dents and complete with the wood floor, fenders, light, top cover and was in excellent condition. I told him (not asking the price) it was mine. It was NOT cheap - but well worth the price.

Time passed for another month or so. Then one evening I got a call from another fellow about 50 miles from me. He said that he had a frame that at one time had a Model A pickup bed mounted on it. He said it was complete with rusty wheels & bad tires. To keep it light, the builder had used 1" square tubing and a Model A front axle and welded the spindles to run straight. That was a real novel idea - and it works. Again, I told the seller that the frame was mine and would retrieve it soon.

I started recruiting friends with pickups that were willing to assist my voyage to retrieve the purchases. Within a couple of weeks I had everything back at home with the assistance of my friend Earl Cloud. Wouldn't you know it - the frame and bed belonged together. The original builder told me that it was fabricated in 1985 and pulled 25 miles one time behind a Bronco just to get it home. The original owner made the weather proof top, covered it with Model A Sedan Vinyl material and used a Model A door handle as a latch. The color was a dark brown (that matched the Coupe or the original owner) and I needed it to be black to match my pickup. I found a local painter that picked up all the pieces, put them together and painted it 2002 Ford Explorer Black (that matches both my cars). We sand blasted the wheels, painted them straw to match the pickup and installed new matching Firestone tires. I had a local welder custom fabricate a draw bar on the pickup so I could use a standard 2" bar & ball and interchange with my Explorer.

Now, you ain't never seen anything better. This thing is great and does exactly what I wanted. I would really hate to see more of these since I like to have things no one else has, but if you have similar needs - this is it!! The center of gravity is forward and has 0 tongue weight so I use a 6" drop down hitch. It does get a little loose above 50 m.p.h. - but I don't drive any faster than that anyway. As if my pickup alone didn't draw a crowd, now with the trailer it's awesome!! I hope you enjoy my story.
Posted 10/3/02


Last Updated: 01/06/2020
image