Sears David Bradley Trailers - Serial Numbers vs. Years

If you have a Sears David Bradley Model 231-246 or 231-417 Trailer that still has the data plate showing the serial number - and particularly if you also know the year it was manufactured (i.e. the year on the title or registration) - please make a quick post below and share that information. If you happen to have a picture of your data plate, please post that as well.

Over time, a fairly good list of model years vs. serial numbers can hopefully be assembled. This will allow those who have only a serial number to determine at least the approximate year their DB trailer was made.

A chart showing approximate time frame vs. serial numbers is below. Because it is based solely on the limited information available to date, in all probability it's not too accurate. It's also based on the assumptions that the serial numbers began with 0001, and that an average of about 2700 units per (full) year were manufactured - though in reality, the number produced in a given year almost certainly varied with Sears' orders for the trailers. Also, although the registration date of a given trailer could of course be a year or more after the trailer's date of manufacture, the registration dates are still the most accurate data we have to work with.

In any case, I will update and adjust this chart as new information surfaces and/or is posted on this thread:


Year.....Approx. highest S/N ..... Actual known Serial Numbers from each Year

1946..................????.....................

1947..................????.....................

1948..................3000....................

1949..................5700....................

1950..................6400....................

1951.................11000...................10552;

1952.................13600...................13580;

1953.................16500...................13649;

1954.................19200...................17906; 19118;

1955.................21900...................

1956.................24600...................

1957.................27300...................

1958..................????....................




Here's the information on my trailer :

Model No. 231-417
S/N: 17415
Year: Unknown (but likely either 1953 or 1954, based on information gathered to date.)

 

Here's another one (not mine):

Model No. 231-417
S/N: 13580
Year: 1952

 

here is mine:

Perivious owners had title that said it was Dunbar manufactured.

Model No. 231-417
S/N: 19118
Year: 1954

 

This DB trailer is owned by Richey L. of South Carolina:

Model No. 231-417
Serial No. 2682
Year: Unknown, but based on the very low s/n, probably late 1948

 

This trailer is owned by Dennis in Arizona. Unlike most others, this data plate is mounted on the vertical lip around the top of the bed in the front and middle, right above the tongue:

Model No. 231-417
S/N; 10552
Year: 1951

 

here's a new one a low # also he doesnt know the year...he's guessing at 1948...by the serial # suggests 1950? what say you Maury


From Plowboy at IH8MUD.com
model 231-417 and the serial is 09811

no vin pic for us...but...here's a pic of the trailer

 

Since Plowboy's serial number is only 741 units earlier than the known 1951 s/n of 10552, I would agree that his trailer is almost certainly a 1950 or 51.

Until we have more known correlations of years vs. s/n's we can't really get any closer than that - but hopefully over time some other guys will post their info as well.

 

This trailer is owned by Gary Davis of California:

Model No.: 231-417
S/N: 16350
Year: Unknown, but likely 1953

 

Here's the information on my trailer :

Model#: 231-417
S/N: 13649
Year: 1953 (From Registration)

 

Owned by Justin Hoopman in Wyoming:

Serial Number 231-246
S/N: 5144
Year: Titled as 1950, but most likely manufactured in 1947-48

 

Hi everyone! I'm new on here . Just saw these trailers and guess what? I've got one! Its a model 231 246 NO 1060 on this same vin plate as above like Justin's in Wyoming. I don't know the year of mine. No reg papers as of yet, but would like to register it. Titles did not come into play here in New York State until 1973. It has the 6 lug 16 inch tires. they are shot as well as the wheels. I did find a couple of 6 hole 15 inch wheels to use temporarily around the yard. I picked this up from a guy for $50.00! He even threw in the full load of rotted leaves and twigs at now charge. I'll get a pic of the vin plate and send it in. Hope any of this can make since. Thanks

 

Here's mine. No registration. 1947?

 

Hello to all. This is my first forum-ever. I'm not sure if I'm doing it right but here goes. I have what I'm hoping is a David Bradley from 1947. It has a round axle, short hinges and round fenders. It has an id tag that appears to have been modified, the number is 22-47. The bottom of the tag that would have said Sears is not there. Looks like that portion was removed before it was installed. Any thoughts? Brief history, my folks bought it used in 1950 to use as a concession trailer at a local race track (I have a pic of that somewhere will post if found). It's been in our family ever since. I want to restore it over the next few months and start using it for hauling camping stuff. Any help is greatly appreciated. Can't seem to get any pics to load. I'll keep trying.

 

Pics..make sure they are not too big file size. That was my issue to begin with. I finally had to email them and iphone asked size where I could say medium. Not sure what your working with but size is probably issue.

 

Mickey, thanks for the reply. This computer stuff is truly a challenge for me. I can't believe my post went through. I'm a lot better with wrenches. So you emailed your pics, to where? I'm using an iPhone 6s which is not my friend yet. My pics are on my phone and I believe I can learn how to email them. Anymore tips? I'm looking forward to sharing my restoration project I just don't want the pics and posting to be a project in itself. Thanks in advance for any help from yourself or anyone else out there in forum land. I hope this reply shows up in the right place.

 

Hi Rattruck 13,

What you actually have is a Ben-Hur trailer made in late 1946 or 1947. The Ben-Hur model 22-46 and 22-47 trailers, though round-fendered, are are more or less identical to the early Sears David Bradleys, which in fact were made by Ben-Hur.

See this thread for much more info on the Ben Hur trailers and their relationship to the David Bradley models of the era.

The Sears David Bradley Trailer

Maury

 

Maury, thanks for the info. It will take me awhile to read it all. I had no idea these trailers had such a following. I'm not sure I can start calling it a Ben-Hur, my folks called it a David Bradley from day one. They actually had two of them, the other was scraped years ago. I'm thinking it was bigger and had welded rings on the sides. As I said in an earlier post I'm having issues with posting pics. Would you mind if I emailed pics to your email? To give you a better idea what I'm working with. After seeing what some of you have done with these trailers I'm itching to get going on mine. First step will be sandblasting.

 

Thanks Maury. This thread has been evening reading for a while and I finally registered to ask for more.
Rediscovered this old trailer rotting under some brush and decided it might be worthy of restoring since the metal was well preserved with copious red lead paint. The plywood (doubt it was original) was mostly gone and some metal was powder but the framing spoke to me. Besides, it is has a storied history on both coasts with myself and the Captain. I thought the Cool was in the Sears name but my spoiler brother had to point out that the badge did not say Sears at all just a bunch of numbers. Only the title and registration have Sears as Manufacturer.
So, I took it apart, repainted, and now am looking to reassemble correctly. What are these extra pieces? What am I missing besides my Jeep to pull it?
OK, enough with the bromance novel.
Numbers while I try to figure out the picture posting.
Maximum load capacity 1500 lbs.
Model number 231.337 Catalogue number 6216
Serial number 1573

Thanks,
Bobby

 

I'll post painted project getting wood next.