Today in WW II: 16 Aug 1944 Canadian troops secure Falaise, still 15 miles north of US XV Corps, a gap that permitted large numbers of German troops to escape to the east from the Battle of the Falaise Pocket.   

M-127 Semitrailer, Stake, 12-ton, 4-wheel (G750)

Semitrailer, Stake, 12-ton, 4-wheel M127 at the US Marine Corps Mechanized Museum, Camp Pendleton, CA
Semitrailer, Stake, 12-ton, 4-wheel M127 at the US Marine Corps Mechanized Museum, Camp Pendleton, CA.

The M-127 Semitrailer, Stake, 12-ton, 4-wheel is intended for use in transporting military supplies and general cargo. The M127 Semitrailer was designed to be towed by an M52 5-ton, 6x6 truck tractor or similar vehicle equipped with fifth wheel, air supply, and a 24-volt electrical system. If a 24-volt electrical system is not available, an alternate towing vehicle with a 12-volt electrical system may be used with the M127. The towing vehicle supplies brake air pressure and control of brakes.

The M127 semitrailer is based on the M126 semitrailer chassis. The chassis frame is welded into a single integral unit, with an upper fifth wheel plate and king pin coupling at front. The two rear axles are on leaf-spring suspension. Two foot-type retractable landing legs are provided for front end support when the semitrailer is not attached to a truck tractor.

The 12-ton payload can be carried by the M127 semitrailer at 50 mph on a highway or cross-country at 20 mph.

The base model M127 semitrailer has these features that vary in other models of the M127-series:

  • Straight air brake
  • Timken 36,000 lb tandem bogie suspension with leaf springs
  • Thomas or Westran landing gear
  • Structural weldment frame
  • 24-volt lamps and wiring
  • 4-wheel internal brakes are located within the brake drums and consist of S-cam, 2 shoe, double-anchor expanding-type wheel brake assemblies

There are three additional vairants, with these differences from the M127 and each other::

  • Model M127A1
    • Air-over-hydraulic brakes
    • Military standard axles, hub and drum, air chamber (bogie assembly and brakes)
    • 24-volt electricaI system
    • Military lights, service, tail and stop
    • Military type blackout lights
    • 4-wheel internal brakes located within brake drum, consists of 4-hydraulic operated self-centering FR2S-type wheel brake assemblies
    • Equipped with chains which support the panels and lifting rings for hoisting the semitrailer
  • Model M127A1C
    • 24-volt electrical system and a separate 12-volt lighting system
    • All features of M127A1
  • Model M127A2C
    • Later design of bogie assembly and service brakes (axle, spring seat, “U" bolts, torque rods, hardware and brakes)
    • Two tail, stop, turn and marker lights in each voltage, 12-volt and 24-volt

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the M127 Semitrailer at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup.

M-127 Semitrailer, Stake, 12-ton, 4-wheel Characteristics

Overall length 28 ft 8-1/4 in.
Width 8 ft 3/4 in.
Height, loaded 8 ft 9-1/2 in
Loading height, empty 5 ft. 3/4 in
Payload 24,000 Ibs
Weight M127 13,500 Ibs
Weight M127A1 14,400 Ibs
Weight M127A1C 14,240 Ibs
Electrical system 24v only (M127, M127A1) or dual 24v/12v
Tires Eight 11.00x20 Military NDCC
Brakes Air-over-hydraulic except M127 air only
Blackout lights Yes
Departure angle, loaded 50°

Table data is basaed on the M127 Semitrailer, from TM9-2330-207-14.

Manuals for the M-127 Semitrailer, Low Bed. 12-ton will be in the TM 9-2330-207-xx series, where the xx represents the maintenance level. The first parts list is ORD 9 SNL G-750, dated 13 April 1953. The NSNs for the M127 variants are:

Model NSN
M127 2330-00-797-9207
M127A1 2330-00-048-7743
M127A1C 2330-00-752-9750
M127A2C 2330-00-788-6299