Fruehauf Trailer 1984 - 42 foot tri-axle

[harrybarbon]

Old Fruehauf flat top trailers are scarce to buy here in Australia. I was looking for a while to find a good one. I drive about 400 miles to inspect another similar Fruehauf 40 foot tri-axle, which was beat up, had 3 non OEM axles and owner was asking a ridiculus over the top price. Then 2 days later, by luck, I found this 1984 Fruehauf trailer. The vendor, an owner driver, bought it when it 12 months old from the first owner and in excellent condition. He was very protective, he watched and supervised every fork driver to prevent them hitting and damaging the side combing. The trailer is totally original, solid, some minor rust, it was good Australian steel back in 1984, it has a sliding tri-axle. The axles and hubs are original. There are no dints, it is straight, has the original camber, the original timber floor is rotten because he left it outside and uncovered. It has been sitting for 18 years because he was planning to restore his trailer, but time and age has won out. The side gates are original, he never used them because he carted bricks interstate and timber packs return loads. The gates have remained tied with 1 rope to the back hurdle since the day he bought the trailer in 1985.  I plan to restore it and fit a steel checker plate floor. I have thought about replacing the timber floor, but practically and cost wise finding and placing quality durable timber flooring is not worthwhile. Plus, I plan to use it for casual work, so if it is a polished timber floor, working it would damage the timber floor. The owner also gave me the trailer's original canvas cap tarp, which he stored and never used it.

Does anyone recall if Fruehauf USA and Canada fit the same side combing as on my trailer?