Ex Army No 5 trailer - Unique 4x4 Episode 5

In this episode of Unique 4x4, Geoff shows the ex-Australian Army No.5 trailer and shows you some of the unique history, engineering which has gone into the longest servicing piece of equipment in the Australian Army.
In order to find out more about this trailer be sure to check out REMLR, by clicking on the link below:
www.remlr.com/
In order to pick up your adaptor for you No.5 trailer from the 24 pin nato plug to you standard trailer plug be sure to check out;
www.designdeve...
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Best of luck with your projects and adventures, thanks for watching.

[@MegaRyan123456]

Give me this classic over some fancy modern stuff any day

[@DaveMuller]

Thank you for this video. I just bought an Ex-#5 that was apparently a troopy and has flat panels over the wheel arch running down the side all the way up to the back where there is a gap, and now it makes sense the jerry cans went there.

[@Reaper4367]

real handy piece of kit. Easy to load, tow and man handle. When moving the weekly stores delivery that came in to FFBS at Tully from townsville, a series 3 and No5 was allways the order of the day.er. Cheers for sharing. Great stuff cobb

[@seriouslyseriesaustralia]

Sounds like you are moving in style. Cheers

[@rosshanley8398]

The axle width was the same as that of the series 2a and series 3, using rims from either, so the fitment of Defender rims doesn’t marry up the track and that’s why the trailer is bouncing around behind the Perentie offroad. You can see clear evidence of this in the video at the start of the show. When towed behind a series 2a or 3, with 2a or 3 rims/tyres, the track is matched perfectly and you get no waddling effect and you have to actually keep in mind that you have a trailer attached as you can’t tell it’s back there. The inclusion of side mounted jerry can holders gives dual purpose in that you can use those as guides when reversing along tight bush tracks and if used in such a way, you’re going to find that you have quite an exact performer. I had a number 5 behind my 109 GS and used it for cutting firewood on some really tight little tracks and nothing got close to performing as well as that combination. Addendum, you cannot use the Defender rims on the number 5 with a standard track 2a or 3, lest your trailer tyre footprint sits outside the tracks made by the vehicle and acts as a plow, creating a bit more drag as the tyres can’t follow in the wheel tracks made by the tow vehicle. It’s common sense really, match the track and you’re laughing.

[@lastknownlocation8760]

I loved it You say obviously a lot!

[@jasonwooler801]

great vid but yeah, inappropriate use that word is a pet hate of mine. Its not obvious at all.

[@dx80cruiser]

I'm sure you know but when putting the jockey stand up, you rotate it, the stand has a notch that fits into a groove, and hence doest only rely on the bolt to hold itself up

[@seriouslyseriesaustralia]

Just found that out the other day, you never stop learning. Thanks for the info. Cheers Geoff

[@alasdairmccleery9374]

Really good video Geoff. I own one of these too. Mine was bought from Perth auctions in 2017 and sat in the shed for 3 years but finally registered this month. As you say the wheel arches are an issue. Having watched your video I was pre warned and asked my partner to weld on a 1/2 in shs extension around both sides which she did and problem solved. With that and mudflaps sailed through rego. Enjoy all your videos although I am all 70 series Toyota. Trailer follows any of Toyota BJ70, BJ74, HZJ75 depending on dow. When demonstrating the trailer leg - far better than a jockey wheel i agree - you did not show the locking mechanism. REMLR was also a good source of information about these trailers as you pointed out. Mine was $909 hammer price. With all the costs to modify (I rewired for 12/24v 7 pin plus led tail lights) and register etc I reckon around $1,300 for a rock solid off road trailer.

[@seriouslyseriesaustralia]

They are great value for a offroad going trailer. Glad to hear it is being towed by a proper Land Cruiser and sounds like you have a very nice fleet. Glad you enjoyed the video. Kind regards, Geoff

[@greatsouthernoverland]

Excellent episode!! I just bought a 750kg army trailer and its brilliant :D the canvas canopy has a woven para cord latching system that I will use on other builds. I am running the NATO plug and bought the reciever from Ultimate Mogs in QLD. Love this trailer!! Cheers Fella

[@ianduncan7189]

Good video. In the UK they have the same type of trailer, originally called Sankey, now made by Penman engineering. I just bought an ex Army Penman general service trailer to tow behind my 90 Td5 Defender for use on farm and offroad work. So far, excellent bit of kit for delivering feed to cattle on a hill. The newer type wide track Sankey and Penman trailers have a tail gate which makes them so much more useable. The tow hook...we call a NATO Hitch.

[@seriouslyseriesaustralia]

That is great to hear Ian that another trailer has been saved, I hope you have a few adventures already planned for it. Cheers Geoff

[@johndiaz7240]

Thanks

[@seriouslyseriesaustralia]

No worries John, glad you enjoyed the video.

[@runesteinsnnkristoffersen5641]

I have a british Ex.Mil Sankey-trailer here in Norway, and it is pretty match like the australien No.5 Total unuseless for all others , but after and with the Defender / Disco 1 , it`s a masterpiece :-) Good video , and keep up the good work :-) Hi , from Norway !

[@seriouslyseriesaustralia]

All I can say is "well said". Great stuff

[@tatankacleary]

Nice trailer ... the hitch is called a nato hitch used by all nato forces. Have one on my civy defender 90. Check out sankey 3/4 ton trailer if you like over engineered there the English version of this I have one myself ... they were replaced by the penman trailer which are stainless steel

[@seriouslyseriesaustralia]

The 3/4 ton trailer is a great trailer, and is a must for any Landy nut.

[@classicfords8171]

Great video as usual mate! Loved it

[@seriouslyseriesaustralia]

Cheers as always Classic Ford.

[@phillipjohnson7583]

I absolutely love the design of this trailer. I can't get one where I live so, I going to build a close approximation of one.

[@seriouslyseriesaustralia]

It is a great design. They are starting to get sold for some silly prices at the moment. Though I am sure you will be able to build and create a much better version. Kind regards, Geoff

[@c10196]

thanks Geoff been waiting for this since you reviewed the perentie

[@seriouslyseriesaustralia]

Hi C10. Some people buy clothes to accessorize, others buy a No.5 trailer. Glad to hear you enjoyed the video. Cheers

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Great video Geoff. I didn't realise the trailers had been around for so long. I wouldn't mind getting one for those long term camping trips where I know the touring and terrain is easy.. just worried trying to maneuver something like that alone.

[@seriouslyseriesaustralia]

That is a good question Brett. I have a few adventures coming up were I will be traveling alone with the No.5. So I'll let you know when I have some of the answers. Though I think a No.5 would complete the picture behind your Defender nicely. Cheers Geoff

[@lukehill3108]

Make sure you twist the stand when you raise it. there is a notch that locks it in place. if you dont the stand can fall down if you dont tighten it enough! that's why most of them are bent!

[@seriouslyseriesaustralia]

Hi Luke. Thank you for sharing that top tip. I am sure that will make many new owners of these trailers life much easier.

[@aussiebloke2998]

Love the trailer and the tow vehicle. I have a kaiser Jeep M35A2C and a M105A2 trailer. Your right, these pieces of kit are well OVER engineered. Aussie.

[@seriouslyseriesaustralia]

Hi Aussie Booker. That sounds a very nice set up, I have soft spot for the Jeep M35A2C, great vehicle. They are differently over engineered, though that means they last forever. Cheers Geoff

[@buzzofftoxicblog791]

TUFF WELL MADE A GOOD FUTURE #BUZZOFFTOXIC

[@seriouslyseriesaustralia]

No worries, #BUZZOFFTOXIC.

[@maki_n70]

Roamlife ?

[@Paul-45-70]

Hi Geoff, I know it’s a long shot that you’ll even see my comment on an old video but I’ve just purchased a No5 trailer that needs a bit of loving I was wondering whether you could tell me how wide your new mud guards are please as I’ll have to get some pressed up so I can weld them on. Thanks Paul.

[@seriouslyseriesaustralia]

Hi Paul. Not to freak you out, but read all the comments on all the videos. I am currently out on the road doing the film tour fir Road to Ruin. I’ll measure up the guards once I am back. If you would like some close up pics let us know and send us a message through the Seriously Series Facebook page. Cheers Geoff

[@Paul-45-70]

@@seriouslyseriesaustralia thanks Geoff that would be great, I’ll get my wife to look up your Facebook page.

[@edenliu5139]

Nice video , I watched 3 times:) do you have a link about that plug adapter? Thanks

[@seriouslyseriesaustralia]

Hi Eden Liu. thanks for the views, there is more information and websites about the trailer in the content section of the video along with a link to where you can purchase an adapter. I have placed this link down below; www.designdevelopmenteng.co.uk/store/7-Pin-to-12-Pin-NATO-Plug-Adapter-p123811002 Glad to hear you enjoyed the vid. Cheers Geoff

[@hennerschmidt5964]

Hi Geoff, a great video again. The pintle looks like a Dixon Bate Nato hitch ( for 76mm diameter eyes). I wonder, what 24 pins are for? My ex-mod 109 Series 3 and ex-mod Trailers (both serviced at the British Army in Germany) came with a 12 pin plug System. I swapped this for a 13 pin civilian type plug system. Bouncing around may be caused by the lack of shock absorbers. I appreciate my Sankey Trailer (1967) 3/4 ton NT (narrow track), despite they are heavy ( about 400kg). They are fitted with shock-absorbers and with (drum-) brakes ( overrun and parking brake). Standard series 3 (2a) rims and tyres (7.50-16) fit without changes ( genuine fit is 6.00-16 on 5.0-16 rims). PCD is the same, while the studs on elderly Trailers are imperial and the 27mm spanner will not fit on the nuts. (I changed the nuts for SW27, but left the studs as they are). The Series 2 and 3 trailer are wider and are designed with a tailgate. The track matches all coil-spring 90/100s. Is there only on bar for the hood on the No 5?

[@seriouslyseriesaustralia]

Hi Henner. It may well be or the Dixon Bate NATO hitch is a knock off of the A.D.E pintle hook? We may need to both dig deeper and hopefully find the true answer? As for bouncing around, this is only a real problem behind a coil sprung vehicle as you can't travel as fast in a leaf sprung Series Land Rover. Though that sounds like a great set up you have made out of your trailer and thanks for sharing those top tips. Many thanks, Geoff

[@royblackburn1163]

@@seriouslyseriesaustralia The dixon bate Nato pintle has two positions fixed or swivel, you cannot have both landrover and trailer on swivel they can jam or both on fixed no articulation, my sankey has a swivel lunnet ring so i have my pintle fixed . It was formally known as a 3 inch but is now a 72.6 mm that's progress .

[@royblackburn1163]

Standard Landrover lights are also a straight swap.

[@Nixbizy]

I'm looking at getting one of these to tow behind my defender as it suits it perfectly. Was it hard to get roadworthy in Kalgoorlie? (That's where i currently reside) and is it still worth it moneywise?

[@seriouslyseriesaustralia]

Hi Nick. No, it was pretty easy. There is only one place in Kalgoorlie that can do a road-worthy certificate. It does cost much ( a bit over $100) to get it on the road. Feel free to get in touch via the Seriously Series Facebook page if you get stuck. Best of luck. Cheers Geoff

[@rosshanley8398]

Loved the video by the way, and in no way am I casting aspersions but the reality is, it’s quite impossible to relate all there is to know about a number 5 in a short video. To cover everything about them would take perhaps a day or so. Stuff like the lack of a tailgate and drainage bungs essentially making it into a hull, where if you lashed a decent sized plastic drum to the draw bar for buoyancy, and fitted a long leg outboard to it, you’ve then got a boat, with the underslung wheels acting as quasi sponsons, apparently creating quite a stable platform in calm water. There are reports of these trailers being used in war games by SAS and rumour has it, they wreaked havoc with them.

[@seriouslyseriesaustralia]

Hi Ross. No offence taken. Thank you for sharing that information with us all here. I could have, as you mentioned made an easy three hour long video on the trailer. Though I do not think not many people would be wide awake by the end of it.

[@alwynvanwyk1851]

Ross, you must have had a wild nightmare about SAS or Special Forces using a Nr5 trailer as a boat... One very short boat, at that. Suppose if you are stuck somewhere on a river island, with a Nr5, without a tow vehicle, and you find a sizable drum, and straps and a long whatever outboard motor, and a fuel tank, and fuel, and a fuelpump, it could be possible, especially if you are Chuck Norris or Crocodile Dundee or McIvor.... Bruce Willis and Rambo would not, they only bleed in movies. 🤔🤔🤔

[@rosshanley8398]

@@alwynvanwyk1851 Hi Ross, I put a blurb about the subject at the foot of the No 5 Trailer page 10 years back. ...including the cut n paste from Janes Navy Annual "In summary, the freeboard is adequate, but the draft--and the "Bar Treads" acting like twin keels-- limit performance to less than 15 knots. A recent RAN appraisal of this design created a stir after extensive 'in theatre' trials conducted off Jervis Bay. It concluded that sea use would be hazardous without the mandatory additions to the CES such as navigation lights, bilge pump, EPIRB, life jackets, etc. In another part it said that neither battleship grey or olive drab had showed any comparitive advantage regarding anti-fouling and anti-corrosion of the No 5 hull. The real meat of the report, however, remains classified at ADI. RAN rumours are circulating that the No 5 appraisals off Jervis Bay, conducted with the participation of the majority of the RAN fleet, revealed hitherto unknown advantages of this trailer-dinghy design. Guided "x" class torpedoes were evaded by 7 out of ten of the trial half-ton trailers on the exercise. In addition, the rumour mill has it that in the first month of the trials, a RAN Captain's resignation was hushed up after a Collins class sub blithely surfaced at night under a lone "SAS modded" No 5 and returned to port with it lodged on the comms tower. This was reputedly the "serendipity" incident that explains how the RAN happened onto the advantage of the No 5's low radar profile. Hence covert RAN long-range Orion deployment by parachute would seem to be a likely and obvious outcome of this No 5 development." :) ...and I heard about the outboard "exercise" firsthand from my daughter Kristy or son Scott at Army Cadets. It occurred during an Annual Camp at Singo -- at a lake nearby. (Lake St Clair as I recall).