This video goes through the main features of a 1947 T3-C (civilian) trailer with description of the key differences between the T3-C and its military counterparts -- the Willys MB-T and the Bantam T3 G-529 trailers.

The biggest difference is the introduction of a tail-gate. The original military trailers were considered "amphibious" -- that is they could go through water (even float) because the tub was water tight. The MB-T and T3 had a drain plug near the left rear corner of the tub which the T3-C does not have.

The tailgate introduced structural weaknesses to the tub design which had to be compensated for with the addition of side gusset supports to the left and right of the tail gate. These gussets are not present on the military trailers.

The next major difference is the absence of a hand brake on the civilian models. Military trailers have a brake handle located at the front of the trailer and accompanying brake drums, cables, and other hardware that are not found on the T3-C.

The MB-T and T3 trailers used a lunette eye ring coupler, and most T3-C trailers are found with a civilian type fulton ball hitch coupler. The trailer in this video has been retro-fitted with the lunette eye coupler for being pulled behind a Jeep.

More subtle differences such as the number of rope hooks/tie-down hooks on the side of the tub (3 on each side for T3-C vs 4 on each side for military) and the small data plate with serial number found on the T3-C also can be used to identify military vs civilian trailers.