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Nick kindly scanned and sent over the Dixon-Bate trailer information shown on righthand side of this page. He had a bunch of old paperwork relating to caravans and trailers of the 1930s, and included amongst them was this catalogue from 1937. It outlines all the different types of motor-car trailer that Dixon-Bate of Chester could supply, and came in it's original D-B liveried envelope. Unlike so many firms mentioned across this site, Dixon-Bate is still very much in business, and operates from a base in Deeside, just down the road from Chester.
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The first page introduces the D-B Super Trailers, a range of trailers designed to be towed behind private cars. They ranged from 4cwt capacity,
through 6cwt, 8cwt, 12cwt and finally the 18cwt model. The page shows a flat-rad Morris with a D-B trailer hitched to the back. Their products were
designed to fulfil a variety of roles. Motoring holidays are mentioned as a popular use for a trailer with the private motorist. Business users haven't
been ignored though, travelling salesmen would, we are assured, find great benefit from using a D-B trailer (over 40 different models were offered
to suit needs ranging from traveller's samples, through to farm produce and livestock). Anyone who was tempted to lash up their own trailer, was
reminded of the following: "D-B Super Trailers comply with all the Road Traffic Regulations, and owners may use them secure with the knowledge
that they will be free from the persecution which is the constant dread of the user of a codged up trailer put together out of discarded car parts".
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The next page introduces the 4cwt and 6cwt light trailers on offer. Cheapest of all was the Model
H.4C, a 4cwt trailer running on spoked wheels and priced at £13.10 ex works. It was designed for
lightweight work such as luggage or garden waste, to be towed behind a 7hp (RAC) car. It measured
5ft x 3ft. The second trailer on this page, shown attached to a Morris 8, is the H.4S Slipstream model which
came with a streamlined waterproof cover. It cost £17.15 in 4cwt form (all these trailers could
also be specified in 6cwt spec). The £22 H.4G was designed to carry camping gear, and could also
accomodate two people inside if needs be. "Ideal for sports cars" D-B suggested.
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Turn over the page and the 8cwt and 12cwt models get an airing. First up is the 12cwt D.12E, which was "quite as spacious as any ordinary
Motor Van. Built of waterproof plywood, glass panels in two doors at rear". These heavier traielrs were supplied with steel artillery wheels,
rather than the spoked wheels seen on the lightweight models. If you needed 12cwt payload capacity but without the top, then perhaps the
D.12C was the model for you. Costing £29.10 it came with detachable "cratches", or "greedy boards", with slide in/out tailboards front and rear.
The 8cwt model cost less at £25.15 but was slightly smaller overall. The D.12H was aimed at decorators and builders, as it could accomodate
long ladders or lengths of timber.
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The final page of this 1937 catalogue discusses the heavy 18cwt models, which both came with automatic trailer brakes as standard. To the left of the
page is the E.18C which could actually carry a load of 20cwt (ie 1 ton), and it was recommended to use a towcar of at least 12hp rating. Ex-works this
model cost £34.10 and came with a 12 month guarantee. The E.18D was "made specially for carrying heavy beasts" which I assume refers to
livestock. It was sturdily made with tall sides and a drop down tailgate cum ramp, and would relieve you of £41 if this was the trailer you needed.
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At the foot of the page is a note that Dixon-Bate were "trailer manufacturers to the India Office, Board of Trade ad
Dutch Government" and were also "on the War Office and Admiralty Lists".
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