Greetings from the continent

[Greyfur]

Hi all

My name is Conor, I'm an expat living in germany at the moment.

I own a late Series 3 FFR that I have restored twice now (once while I was still a teenager, with copious amounts of welding and a lot of terrible paint, now on a galvanised chassis with the correct paint, attempting to get it back as faithfully as I can to miltiary spec) and one of those rapier resupply trailers.

The trailer is the main reason why I'm here, as there's very little documentation on the web about it, when it comes to spare parts/repairs, and mine has both a completely seized handbrake and is sagging on one side, things I need to fix since trailers in germany need a MoT every 2 years

I hope I'll find some information on here, I've attached a picture of both vehicles

 

[ruxy]

Hi

They are  RARE  ,  I don't recall ever seeing one.

Bit of info. for you  :-

Design is based on the 70's FV2420 bridging trailer (Handbook dated 1970). The The FV2410 series parts catalogue is dated 1980

https://forum.emlra.org/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=11621&hilit=rapier+trailer

You may be able to  £$ buy a first generation copy  Instructions / Parts list  ,   try such as  LR Series  or  Green Machine Surplus.

 

 

[V8bob]

These are not that rare, commonly referred to as Rapier missile trailers. The picture shows the metal bars on the front headboard and where they were on the tailgate. These are to hold the missile boxes in place.

Looks like it has the correct wheels on it to match the Land Rover 127 Rapier.

The handbakes commonly seize. You can get new,  replacement slave cylinders off ebay. Normally a bit of a job to get the drums off though.

The suspension has some pins to hold in place are these ok? Or is it the rubber you need, I was told the big suspension rubbers are the same as on trucks, but not needed any, so I haven’t searched for them.

Search Rapier missile Trailer and you will find some info.

[Greyfur]

14 hours ago, V8bob said:

These are not that rare, commonly referred to as Rapier missile trailers. The picture shows the metal bars on the front headboard and where they were on the tailgate. These are to hold the missile boxes in place.

Looks like it has the correct wheels on it to match the Land Rover 127 Rapier.

The handbakes commonly seize. You can get new,  replacement slave cylinders off ebay. Normally a bit of a job to get the drums off though.

The suspension has some pins to hold in place are these ok? Or is it the rubber you need, I was told the big suspension rubbers are the same as on trucks, but not needed any, so I haven’t searched for them.

Search Rapier missile Trailer and you will find some info.

I also have the thing for the tailgate, it's at the moment lying inside the trailer with the stiffening braces for the tailgate. The previous owner removed those because he was using the trailer to move timber in the forest. That's where some of hte damage comes from (the triangular side braces and the right rear tailgate fastener are damaged), heavy timber dropping ont he side of the trailer. It's a bit scuffed up, but everything's salvageable.

The wheels are not for the 127, originally it had 7.50-16 tyres, but the previous owner ditched those and put these on because he had them flying around in his yard.

As far as I can see it, the brakes themselves, including the slave cylinders work perfectly and do not leak, it seems like the pivot and the brake cables are completely rotten. I've found some information on the hydraulic brake system, but sadly nothing on the handbrakes, once I manage to get the cables off I'm going to ask a few civillian trailer manufacturers if they have anything that'd fit.

I have not looked at the suspension yet, but once at home, will try and open it to lower it and see if that was the problem. It might be the rubber though. At the moment it's not critical and there's only a bit of sag, ultimately, once it gets repainted and fixed up I would want to have that cured, but I think I'll go hunting for new rubber springs so I can simply change them once the tub is off.