My buddy just found an old truck on his property,it was buried.He said the tailgate has a big piece of stainless or aluminum trim on it and it says trailer special.Any body ever seen or heard of one????1970 ish

 

Hmm. Nope, just camper specials. Unless its a dealer ''special", as in, the dealer had the badge made and added different trim or whatnot.

 

Yeah, there was. It was 70's to early 80's from what I am gathering. Also on the Bronco. It was a little red rectangle that says, "Trailer Special." It came with a 460 and all sorts of convenient options that helped towing then. Now those are standard on trucks, like power steering, brakes, etc. Also it probably had a good towing package for the day. Look up "Ford Trailer Special."

Now that I think about it, I believe my great-grandpa's 150 XLT Explorer Ranger also had a "Trailer Special" badge or the "Camper Special" badge. I can't remember.

 

I have seen Camper specials,but never trailer specials.We are going out next wekend to take pictures

 

Ok, sounds cool. Post them up!

 

^^^^ definately!! ^^^^

 

Ive had a "Trailer Special" badge hanging on my wall for years.

 

Very common package on older pickups. You didn't hit the gold mine. Relax.

They still offer such packages - they only quit advertising it on your truck. Times were/are different.

 

Fifth generation (1967–1972)

<table class="infobox" style="width: 22em; text-align: left; font-size: 88%; line-height: 1.5em;" cellspacing="5"> <caption class="" style="font-size: 125%; font-weight: bold;">Fifth generation</caption> <tbody><tr> <td colspan="2" class="" style="text-align: center;"></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="">Production start</th> <td class="" style="">1967</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="">Production end</th> <td class="" style="">1972</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="">Assembly</th> <td class="" style="">Cuautitlan, Mexico
Dearborn, Michigan, USA
Edison, New Jersey, USA
Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Long Beach, California, USA
Norfolk, Virginia, USA
St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
General Pacheco, Argentina
Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil
Hapeville, Georgia, USA
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
San Jose, California, USA
Wayne, Michigan, USA
Oakville, Ontario, Canada</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="">Body style(s)</th> <td class="" style="">2-door pickup
4-door pickup</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="">Engine(s)</th> <td class="" style="">240 CID (3.9 L) I6
300 CID (4.9 L) I6
352 CID (5.8 L) FE V8}
360 CID (5.9 L) FE V8}
390 CID (6.4 L) FE V8}
302 CID (4.9 L) Windsor V8</td> </tr> </tbody></table> Another refresh came in 1967 along with a familiar name: the upscale Ranger trim line in addition to the base and Custom Cab trim levels. In 1968, federal regulations required all automotive manufacturers to add side marker reflectors or lights, so Ford redesigned the hood emblems to incorporate reflectors.<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference">[3]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference">[4]</sup> The same year the trucks received larger versions of Ford's FE engine family with the introduction of the 360 and 390 cubic inch engines. Also changed for 1968 were the heater controls, arm rests, interior door handles and window cranks, and the upper trim moulding on models so equipped. Rear side marker reflectors were also added to the lower bed side panels in 1968, per government regulations. The 302 V8 became an option in late '69. The top trim for 1970 was now named Ranger XLT with Ranger, Sport Custom and Custom rounding off the rest of the line. The fifth generation bodies were noted for durability and simplicity of design making them a favorite for restoration.
Some trucks came with an outer flush mounted bed side compartment/tool box on the passenger side only. Trucks from the Fifth Generation can be identified as to year model by their year specific grille arrangements.
After the 1968 models, Ford discontinued the "Low GVWR" versions.
Still available was the Camper Special option, along with the new Explorer Special (a trim package), Contractor's Special(including a behind the seat toolbox and 3/4 ton (F-250) suspension), Farm and Ranch Special, and Heavy-Duty Special. Most of these "specials" from 1967-72 were made in relatively low numbers and are now becoming increasingly difficult to locate.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact">[citation needed]</sup>
The fifth-generation F-series was introduced in Brazil in 1971, which remained in production until circa 1992 <sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference">[5]</sup> with a slight redesign and changes in its motorizations.
Models:

• F-100: 1/2 ton (5,600 GVWR max)
• F-110: 1/2 ton (4X4)(4,200 GVWR max)
• F-250: 3/4 ton (7,500 GVWR max)
• F-260: 3/4 ton (4X4)(4,800 GVWR max)
• F-350: 1 ton (10,000 GVWR max)
• F-360: 1 ton (4X4)(6,000 GVWR max)

Engines:
<table class="wikitable"> <tbody><tr> <th>Engine</th> <th>Years</th> <th>Power</th> </tr> <tr> <td>240 CID Straight-6</td> <td>1967-72</td> <td>150 hp (112 kW)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>300 CID Straight-6</td> <td>1967-72</td> <td>170 hp (137 kW)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>352 CID FE V8</td> <td>1967</td> <td>208 hp (155 kW)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>360 CID FE V8</td> <td>1968-72</td> <td>215 hp (160 kW)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>390 CID FE V8</td> <td>1968-72</td> <td>255 hp (189 kW)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>302 CID Windsor V8</td> <td>1969-72</td> <td>205 hp (153 kW)</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

You know your a redneck when you grow trucks other then vegetables. LOL I think the contractors special would be cool with the built in tool box.

 

ive seen many camper specials, a couple of trailer specials, but thats been about it. wow, 170 hp out of the 300? i only recall it making about 145. course the pollution garbage had alot to do with mid-70's ratings. weird though that a 352 made only 3 hp more than a 302, wonder if it had more torque though? never heard or seen of a f-110, f-26- or a f-360. my favorite series was the '73-79 with the '77 specifically with the 400/C6/4.10's with full-time 4wd. 8 mpg sure, but what a snow-pushing beast!

 

They are not too rare. I have a '78 F-250 2WD with the "Trailer Special" package. The package consisted of heavy rear suspension, rear wireing for trailer brakes, X-tra cooling radiator, additional trans cooler, bigger mirrors, dual piston front calipers, wider rear drums, wireing under dash for brake controller, and other little doo dads.
If I remember right the badge on the tailgate was in the shape of the continental U.S. or a rectangle, not sure though.
It was avaliable on Bronco, 150, 250 and 350

 

Looks like it had a front sway bar on it too.

 

There's nothing really rare about the Trailer Special Package.
Wanna see a rare truck,look at mine.

 

In 1969 Ford had a Contractors Special with Tool boxes And they had a Farm & Ranch Special .I ordered a Farm & Ranch special in 1969. I had to go to Army so I had sale it. In 1971 I come home and brought a new 1971 .