CMP Tailgate

[Chris Johnson]

I'm looking for a good image showing how a CMP tailgate is fastened closed.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

Chris

[Grant Bowker]

I won't be able to get you a photo for another week or so, but in the meantime I suggest you tell us which body you are looking for information on as the 2B1 on early 15cwts is very different than the bodies on later 60cwts. Hopefully someone else will be able to give you an answer before I will be able to.

[Ganmain Tony]

What Grant said Chris
Which body and model truck?
I am working on a 2C1 gate at the moment.
Jordan Bakers restoration thread shows superb examples of his work on a tailgate.

[Jordan Baker]

Chris

Hope this helps you out.

[Chris Johnson]

Thanks Jordan, and to everyone else who reponded. That photo will help a lot.

I realize now that I should've mentioned the vehicle involved. Unfortunately, it's the prototype CMP 6x6 FAT that I'm building a model of and the only reference photo I have (thanks to Jordan) doesn't show the latching style, as per the attached. The vehicle was based on the C60x chassis though, if that makes a difference in body style from what Jordan has posted.

One further question. Did these drop tailgates drop all the way open or were there chains or something similar to hold them open on the horizontal, much like pickup truck tailgates?


https://i.imgur.com/NxYUsrt.jpg

[David Dunlop]

Interesting photo, Chris.

Can anyone confirm the location of the tail lamps? Vertical cutouts, either upper edge below the tarp, perhaps? One lamp left side, two on the right? This would provide visibility with a gun under tow.

David

[Grant Bowker]

I agree with David about the tail lamp location.
There were no chains on either the tailgate style shown by Jordan or the earlier 15cwt bodies. I will need to look at the 60cwt body to see whether the chains would hold the tailgate level or at an odd angle. Those on the 15cwt trailer do an odd angle (a bit above level with the floor).
I am also unsure whether the lack of cargo containment with the part open gate would be considered suitable.

[Grant Bowker]

I realize this isn't directly to your question about the artillery tractor tailgate but may reflect whether using tailgate chains to hold the tailgate level with the floor was commonly planned (I don't think it was). The body in the photos was bought to provide either its tailgate for other projects or to provide a tailgate as a pattern for replication for the other projects (or both). The body is a bolt-together GS body for LWB CMP, I believe a 5W1, that been converted to a trailer on an unknown chassis and used by a farmer as part of his woodcutting operation. Maybe I should have said abused as it is seriously rusted and has fatigue cracks in places as well. There aren't visible signs of the 5W1 body having been modified. The smaller body sitting in the 5W1 is a 15cwt trailer body that has been replicated as it was in pretty poor condition - rusted almost to the point of falling apart along the joint floor to sides.


Photos show that if the hooks on the chains are placed in the securing plates, the tailgate is below the plane of the floor. If the hooks are pushed into the securing plates (or brackets), the tailgate is much closer to level with the floor - but, I don't see this as a stable configuration as the hooks and brackets are being loaded sideways and if subject to bouncing would probably work their way to the extended position.

[Chris Johnson]

Thanks very much for this information Grant.

[Harry Moon]

I shortened my chain a few links to hold the tailgate level, works great. Also for my second C60L I am missing a tailgate..... hmmm, would that one be for sale?

[Grant Bowker]

Originally Posted by Harry Moon

hmmm, would that one be for sale?

I'm afraid not, there are at least two CMP at Hammond that need such a tailgate.

I haven't checked by trial fitting, only by measurement but it looks like the same tailgate also fits the 2 or 3 ton four wheeled trailers.

[Harry Moon]

At least I have a good tailgate on the one truck to copy.

[Jordan Baker]

Chris. I suspect this picture will help you.