The German heavy-transport trailer is used primarily for transporting tanks and similar automotive equipment. It is capable of carrying a load of 60 tons.
The trailer consists of front and rear bogies with a load platform suspended between them. The platform is constructed of two main I-beams and two secondary I-beams parallel to each other. The platform is attached to the bogies by securing the two fingers of the bogie section in rectangular slots of the primary I-beam by means of large pins. The front bogie attachment is semipermanent while the rear bogie attachment is removable, providing a low ramp angle.
Each bogie assembly consists of two axles carrying four single pneumatic-tired wheels independently sprung on leaf-type springs 4 feet in length. The size of the 16 ply tires is 13.50 x 20. All four wheels of the front bogie assembly steer by means of a drawbar attached to the prime mover. Rear bogie wheels are steered by the trailer driver who operates a steering wheel. When the trailer is under full load the driver is aided in steering by a double-acting air piston tied into the linkage so that power is exerted whenever the wheel is turned. The air for the steering and for the air-brakes is furnished by the towing vehicle. Four air-reservoir tanks are provided, one on the front bogie for the front air-brakes and three on the rear bogie, one used for rear air-brakes and two for steering. When aided by rear steering the turning radius of the trailer is approximately 58 feet. The driver on the rear bogie is provided with a steering-indicator dial on the steering-wheel column. On either side of this dial are two small indicator-lamps used to indicate steering instructions from the driver of the prime mover.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Total weight, unloaded | 31,810 lb. | |
| Front bogie section weight | 9,560 lb. | |
| Platform weight | 10,850 lb. | |
| Rear bogie section weight | 11,400 lb. | |
| Load-carrying capacity | 60 tons (est.) | |
| Length | 38 ft., 10 1/2 ins. | |
| Width | 8 ft., 3 1/2 ins. (tire centers) | |
| Ground clearance | 22 ins. | |
| Ground to platform top | 27 ins. | |
| Platform size | 19 ft., 1 in. x 9 ft., 10 1/2 ins. | |
| Front bogie section length | 9 ft., 9 ins. | |
| Rear bogie section length | 9 ft., 7 ins. | |
| Drawbar length | 5 ft., 4 ins. | |
| Wheelbase (front bogie to rear bogie) | 28 ft., 8 ins. | |
| Wheelbase (within bogie) | 4 ft., 6 ins. |
German: p. 62
German nomenclature: Tiefladeanhänger für Panzerkampfwagen (Bs. Ah. 642).