Thread: Registering ex military trailer.

Originally Posted by UncleHo

G'day Brian Hjelm

I have a No5 regoed in Qld and it is listed as: 1966 Ordanance Factory chassis no**** due date 5th month 2012,

But

It used to be listed as Ordanance Factory Maribyrnong as the manufacturer, but I gather the Transport Dept Operator could not understand or spell Maribyrnong so left it off


cheers

Often plated as the "Government Ordinance Factory, Maribyrnong" (GOF), which became "Australian Defence Industries" Maribyrnong.

The fact that NSW RTA use the ADI identity is better that having a hand made No. 5

Diana

Interesting vibes I'm getting in this thread. As owners of Land Rovers we tend to be different and passionate about our pride and joy and setting up a no. 5 is really no different.

I was lucky enough to pick up a no. 5 earlier this year for $1200. It was in parts, but the work done to the workshop chassis alone (to me) was worth it. The tub on the other hand, well, see my add in markets if you want it but I don't have the skills to repair via welding etc, and the cost to repair it was high so I had a fabricator make me another tub the same as the old 1962 tub for $1500. The 12 wire cabling was not worth retaining so I spent $25 on 7 core trailer wire, $100 on two near new matching 235/85/16 tyres for the Defender rims that came with the trailer, $260 on a 2" receiver plate for the 5tn pintle hook (from Pedders Suspension who stock Hayman Reece parts including pintle hooks), $77 on LED inidcator brake light combo ( the original lights just didn't do it for me), $57 on etch primer, $110 on a few liters of arctic white made up to match our 110, $14 on reflectors and $300 for the inspection and registration.
That, to me is a $3,629 trailer that I am now happy to take with me and my family to those places our cars are built to go and see.
Having this with us has now enticed the War Office and I to investigate a camper top being made to suit. Early indications are that this will cost us around $6000 and is only for a custom built lid for the trailer and a queen size bed covered by an Australian made, quick, one person set up that will allow us to park and get a good nights sleep easily. This plus costs so far is still under $10,000 for a camper trailer that is licensed to GVM of 999kg unbraked.
To buy an Australian made camper trailer that has only the basic features starts at $15,000.
Reversing the trailer I don't have any problems - what's the rush, use the mirrors and all is good.
If you want it, get it, and you'd have to ask yourself, if it isn't capable to go off road as a camper trailer, why has the ADF used this trailer for so long. If it wasn't versatile, strong and reliable, I'm sure they wouldve done something long ago.

Like our cars, our camper trailers are also a personal thing.....

Now if I figure out how to get photos up here,I'll post our trailer up here for your perusal... and there is still an old no 5 tub going begging.....and it looks like the War Office is planning on it becoming a tomato plantation......

There were a dungload of ex military trailers up for auction earlier this month, most were passed in with no bids, they wanted 600 for the smaller ones and 900 -1000 for the bigger ones.

Is it fair to say... that providing a No. 5 is brought up to proper Military operating spec that it would be considered roadworthy (in VIC)? After all the Army tow them around everywhere on road.

Also, any ideas about where to source genuine or OEM parts like reflectors, lenses and lights (esp. indicators)?

Any comments/direction appreciated.

Dave

Originally Posted by DT-P38

Is it fair to say... that providing a No. 5 is brought up to proper Military operating spec that it would be considered roadworthy (in VIC)? After all the Army tow them around everywhere on road.

Also, any ideas about where to source genuine or OEM parts like reflectors, lenses and lights (esp. indicators)?

Any comments/direction appreciated.

Dave

Dave,

I have original indicators that I won't be using, along with the main red reflector (as well as some workshop chassis parts) if you're interested. I'm in the west - shouldnt cost too much via post.

Regards

Martin

Hi Martin,

Original bit's would be lovely.... can you PM me a price would like and we'll take it from there.

Thanks heaps.

Dave

Hey Martin, Price plus post sounds reasonable to me. PM system says you opted not to receive them... My e-mail address for photo's is djjij@three.com.au do you have a paypal account? Regards, Dave

I thought I would update the registration of no5 trailer in Queensland. The first problem I had is the 4 digit chassis number that was stamped into the right hand side of chassis it was used on 7 other vehicles so if one of those hade been reported stolen I think there would be a massive problem. I would say get a new vin, I was lucky and they just added it to the list. Second problem was the manufacturer, there was no government ordinance factory or ADI so they added it to their system for me. I think I paved the way for others so its not so painful. I do have to live with a crappy half size plate but I didn't have to take the trailer down to be inspected.