Dolly K-83

jds15151 · Post by **jds15151** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 11:11 pm

Is this a war time trailer? It says for use with Trailer K-78-A. Just wondering what it was and what it was used for? Thanks

jds15151 · Post by **jds15151** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 6:14 pm

OK, I bought the dolly. Now I'm still looking for info, pics, uses for this combination. Also looking for leads on the "Trailer K-78-A", any help appreciated.

Bill_Wolf · Post by **Bill_Wolf** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 7:14 pm

I have TM 9-2800, September 1943.

No K-83 was listed.

It does however list a K-78

"Semi-Trailer 13 ton Gross K-78"

Made by Fruehauf

Van Body 237 1/2 inches long, 96" wide, 900x20 Tires, Single Rear Axle.

Used by Signal Corps.

Notes: No picture available at time of printing.

Bill

Nick Bombini · Post by **Nick Bombini** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 7:57 pm

I believe Steve Greenberg has a K-83 dolly or something simliar. You may try emailing him for info.

--Nick

Bill_Wolf · Post by **Bill_Wolf** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 11:46 pm

Pictures of Jeff's Dolly...Nice find.

dr deuce · Post by **dr deuce** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 8:59 pm

I have seen pix of dollies like this in (maybe later) TM9-2800. There were a bunch of them. This is a bigger one because it has a landing wheel.

Bill_Wolf · Post by **Bill_Wolf** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 9:44 pm

I believe the good Doctor is correct.

I think it is in the 1953 version of the TM 9-2800 (I am not sure it is called that but it is the same type of thing as the WWII version). I just can't find my book right now...I went searching but it is MIA.

Bill

Nick Bombini · Post by **Nick Bombini** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:26 pm

Here is the info I have found using the Standard Catalog.

Fruehauf built these dollies for the signal corps. They were used to convert model K78A and K78B Signal Corps semi-trailers into full trailers. This allowed the trailers to be towed by any adequately sized vehicle with a pintle hook, rather than solely by truck tractors. These unusual dollies had their support leg under the rear, rather than the usual position under the drawbar. Also, the drawbar is hinged but lockable so that it can be repositioned for various pintle hook heights.

General Data
Model K83 & k83A
Weight 3,000 lbs.
Length 147
Width 94
Height 53.5
Tire no.
& Size 4 9.00-20
Track 72
Brakes none
Electrical yes

Overall dimensions listed in inches.

All of that info is straight out of the Standard Catalog. I'm not sure if you have seen this info but if you haven't, I hope it helps.

--Nick

jds15151 · Post by **jds15151** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:40 am

Nick,

Thanks, I hadn't seen that yet. Steve's is very similar to mine but has a flat bed trailer he says was Army Air Corps. He also said it was listed in a late 44 or 45 TM 9-2800. I'll have to get a copy. Who knows if I'll ever find the trailer, but I didn't want to see it scrapped. Thanks again, Jeff

jds15151 · Post by **jds15151** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 6:58 pm

While browsing the internet, I came across some webpages on American radar development during WWII. One of these was the SCR-584 radar. First used at Anzio and in England to detect incoming buzz bombs. The radar trailer was built into the K-78 trailer. Several nice pics were also on the site. So now I have at least one specific use for my new dolly. Now to find one of those trailers! Thanks for all of you'alls inputs, I'll keep you updated on my search and progress.

jds15151 · Post by **jds15151** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 7:00 pm

While browsing the internet, I came across some webpages on American radar development during WWII. One of these was the SCR-584 radar. First used at Anzio and in England to detect incoming buzz bombs. The radar trailer was built into the K-78 trailer. Several nice pics were also on the site. So now I have at least one specific use for my new dolly. Now to find one of those trailers! Thanks for all of you'alls inputs, I'll keep you updated on my search and progress.

dr deuce · Post by **dr deuce** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 7:11 pm

might I ask for the URL. Might be interesting...

brian · Post by **brian** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:23 pm

http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/htmls/wea01233.htm

evedently this is a k-78 trailer
i guess the radar guys just call it a SCR-584
guess it needs outriggers to counteract the radar dish swinging around.
BB

http://www.hamhud.net/darts/scr584.html

this guy has pics of an original as well as links to people who use em.

brian · Post by **brian** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 2:34 pm

wow I had no idea this was a dodge
http://www.allpar.com/history/military/radar.html

BB

brian · Post by **brian** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 12:17 am

just learned there was a anphib model called the K-84 /SCR-784

BB

Cobrahistorian · Post by **Cobrahistorian** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 11:43 pm

Hey guys,

I've been looking for a K78 trailer for a year now. The K-83 dolly converted the K-78 series trailers to dual axle so they could be pulled by 4 and 6 ton prime movers instead of a tractor. There are a number of radar/trailer combinations that were used in WWII and believe it or not, the Army has none of them in the entire museum collection! So I'm in the process of trying to locate a SCR-584/K-78 trailer set and piecemeal it together.

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd greatly appreciate it!

v/r

Jonathan Bernstein
Director
US Army Air Defense Artillery Museum

The GMC CCKW

Dolly K-83

Dolly K-83

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K-78 Trailer used for SCR-584 Radar!

K-78 Trailer used for SCR-584 Radar!

Re: Dolly K-83