Owner: Ron Loos
-As it was trailered Across the Country-
It's 1937 and the Great Depression has affected all households. Sales of new cars and trucks have dropped and most vehicle manufacturers have permanently shut their doors. The struggling GMC truck dealers must add ways to stay above the level of bankruptcy. Some dealers were marketing used cars, farm implements, and doing repairs of all makes of vehicles!
One of General Motors ideas was to increase sales by adding a new product that their GMC dealers could market. This was the Trail-about, an all-purpose small trailer that could be used by both car and truck owners. GMC produced it with little added expense. Most items were already used on their 1/2 ton pickup. The bed, taillights, fenders, wheels, and hubcaps were in stock. The additional GM investment was the light weight metal frame with tongue.
Sales were low during its two year production. It is suspected that the $350.00 price discouraged most buyers. During the Depression people could make a trailer from a salvage yard pickup truck or just build one from used materials. The savings would be great over the Trail-about.
Today, finding a real Trail-about is next to impossible. They were bought for hauling and most were never garaged. Their wood floors were probably gone in less than 20 years.
One of the few Trail-abouts known to exist belonged to Ron Loos. Its life began in 1937 in Atlanta, Georgia. It was trailered to a new home in Independence, Missouri in 1987, then was hauled to Ron's home in California mid-2008. Ron gave it a ground up restoration and pulled it to shows with his almost one of a kind 1938 GMC Canopy Express. It was the talk of any show!
We understand that Ron Loss passed away several years ago. It was then sold to a person named Bob in California.
Pulled by a car. Good advertisement.
The same scalloped wheels as the 1937-38.
As it arrived from Georgia. Same taillight bracket as on the GMC pickup. Needs the proper taillight.
Look at the 89 year old hitch.
Correct GMC Tailgate with circled script.
Even correct taillight bracket. Only needs a GMC taillight.
Great original fender.
The factory ID plate still on the trailer tongue.
One more transfer:
Bob recently sold this Trail-about to Brian Davis in Auburn, CA.
Another Trail-about Just Surfaced!
We were contacted by an owner of another 1937 Trail-about! (There is now at least two in existence.) Steve McCune near Wichita, Kansas called us. After owning it many years he has decided not to restore it due to health issues.
If you want this forgotten part of GMC history call Steve at: 316-640-7400