RESEARCH REQUEST on Dovetail and Wedge Haulers from 1960s

[Ramblin Randy]

Needing your research help on “DOVETAIL & WEDGE HAULERS” of the 1960s to help round out my documentary on open haulers. I have the greatest respect for modelers as your photo archives have always proved to be second to none. I’ll bring up how the Hodges Bed Company name comes to mind first, but turns out they didn’t begin to make beds commercially until the early 1980s. Can you list a few names of companies who were building dovetail beds back in the day…? Any accompanying history tidbits welcomed. One tidbit of history on Hodges is that they made their first race car bed for their personal car in the 1960’s and we have to assume most of these haulers from that era were for the most part home fabricated.

[Bainford]

What is a 'dovetail' hauler?

I think your comment regarding many being home built is on the money. Almost anything running around this area in the 60s or 70s was home built, or built-to-order from some local welder/fabricator. Nonetheless, I am interested in haulers of that era so I'll be watching this topic to see what I can glean. 

Edited Wednesday at 02:00 PM by Bainford

[stitchdup]

I'd try some of the smaller tow truck manufacturers. The dovetails would fit their product lines and could be considered the fore runners to modern car haulers with tilt n drop trays

[Ramblin Randy]

37 minutes ago, Bainford said:

What is a 'dovetail' hauler?

 

The dovetail hauler is 75% flat... with the tail end fluted at angle.  The wedge hauler is a straight shot ramp that sometimes could be a extreme angle.  Personally I'd prefer a flat trailer so the car could be worked on and accessed easily.  Some of the drag teams used wedge bodies that were quite steep and getting the car tied down safely seemed like a dangerous addition to an already dangerous sport.  Pictured is what I call a "wedge" body... like a wedge of cheddar cheese.

Edited Wednesday at 02:37 PM by Ramblin Randy

[mikemodeler]

Many of the early haulers I remember from the late 60's and up were mostly custom fabricated / homemade units. Look at what many of the NASCAR teams had for haulers back in the day.

Now when you go to the local tracks you see guys with elaborate set-ups that are easy 6 figures. There are still guys with open trailers and pickups, but not like it used to be.

 

[Ramblin Randy]

Mike.... Every picture tells a story.  JD McDuffie's hauler in the center.  

Edited Wednesday at 03:45 PM by Ramblin Randy

[Shark]

On shorttrackmodels.com there is a hauler section, don't know how helpful it would be.

On the old (now gone) Randy Ayers website there was a long thread with photos of actual haulers. May be in some archive or something.

[Brian Austin]

I've known the term to be beavertail.