This travel trailer was built in
Michigan by the Aerocar Company of
Detroit. These trailers were
manufactured commercially at several
locations in the U.S.A. at facilities
that were licensed by the Aerocar
Corporation.
This style of travel trailer was
invented in about 1927 by Glenn Curtiss,
a leading American aircraft designer. By
using airplane principles he felt that
he could build a trailer that was
lightweight, but strong enough to travel
over country roads.
The trailers' long streamlined bodies
had a framework made of vertical oak
struts and horizontal longerons that
were connected by diagonally crossed
nickel steel airplane truss wires. These
wires had tumbl,lckles that were used to
"tune" them to maximum tension, thus
giving rigidity to the structure.
Because of this design, the trailers had
no actual chassis.
The wheels on the trailers were placed
at the extreme rear end and the front
had a long, curved, V-shaped prow with a
hitch that rested in the rear deck of a
coupe or roadster. The hitcri utilized a
"Glenn Curtiss Aero
Coupler", which consisted of an airplane
tire and wheel mounted horizontally.
This arrangement was an effective
cushion against road shock.
The trailers were covered on the outside
with fabric which was stretched tightly
over tempered Masonite panels. All
Curtiss Aerocar trailers were custom
made, one at a time, according to the
customer's specific requirements. This
221 trailer was built for Wm. Gray, a
Canadian, whose father Robt. Gray had
pioneered the production of Gray-Dort
automobiles in Chatham, Ontario.
In the late 1930'5, a model such as this
one would sell for about $5,000.
Owned and restored by:
Ken and Lana Hindley
Union, Ontario, Canada
1938 Tow Vehicle
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This custom-made, one of a kind vehicle
was built exclusively for the purpose of
towing this Aerocar trailer. Initially
the trailer was pulled by a 1936
Plymouth coupe, but it soon proved to be
somewhat underpowered. In order to
realize the full benefits of this travel
trailer, the owner commissioned the
International Truck Plant in Chatham,
Ontario to custom design and build this
unique little workhorse.
A 1938 custom D-Une cab and chassis with
a shortened wheelbase was chosen as the
basic unit. A four-speed transmission
gets the power to the dual rear wheels
through a two-speed rear end. Powering
up the unit is an International Green
Diamond (GRD-233) six-cylinder, L-head
engine. Bore, 3-5/161'; Stroke, 4-1/21';
Piston displacement, 232.65 cu. in.;
Compression pressure, 110-120 Ibs.;
Horsepower, 93 @ 3400 R.P.M.; Maximum
torque, 181 ft. Ibs. @ 1000 R.P.M.
The body was custom fabricated in
Brantford, Ontario by Brantford Coach.
Moulded steel panels were fastened to
hardwood framing members.
Since this travel unit was chauffeur
driven, it was self-contained, even
without the trailer. It would seat seven
persons; the windows had pull- down
blinds, and the six-foot long rear seat
opened out to form a double bed. Storage
compartments were provided for the
heavy-duty batteries, the delco
generator, and even a swing-out sink for
the chauffeur. An intercom system
connected the two units.
At the rear deck, a roll-down covering
exposes the "Glenn Curtiss Aero
Coupler".
The coupled length of the combined unit
is 35 feet and it weighs in at
approximately 5 tons.
Owned and restored by:
Ken and Lana Hindley
Union, Ontario, Canada
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