M43 towing question

[zout]

As an M43 ambulance was non combative nor could it display any insignia of country origin (Amerian Flag nor Star)

Why and what use was the pintle hitch on the ambulance installed for ?

It could not be used for towing compative equipment - unless they just did it anyhow - so was there a towing piece of equipment that was used to tow behind the ambulance.

I can find not pictues of anything towed with the existing pintle hitch - and it also has no ouitlet for 24v lighting on the rear.

 

[73m819]

could be just a m37 thing, all had it, maybe something to hook to when stuck or getting someone unstuck

 

[papabear]

Dang..that's a good question.

Maybe to towbar another vehicle...or to tow a trailer in an emergency?

 

[Recovry4x4]

Did they use graves registration trailers during that time era???

 

[73m819]

Did they use graves registration trailers during that time era???

If ment to pull a trailer, it would have a plug????

 

[papabear]

Dern it!! Now this is stuck in my head!! I'm trying to visualize whether my M43 has a trailer connection and OR a pintle hook!

 

[AN/GRC-46]

Apparently, the standard setup with a center mounted step would preclude the addition of a hitch http://www.olive-drab.com/images/id_m43_dodge_375.jpg

 

[Oldfart]

Ghostdriver had the same question, and I have done a bunch of photo searching and cannot find any photos of M43's with pintles. In fact I can't find any military ambulances with a means to tow. On the M43, the fold down seat step would bang into the pintle. Ambulances seem to be single purpose vehicles. TM's that cover the M43 do not show any trailer connection wiring in addition to not showing any pintle ~~ I did not know Ambulances could not display country of origin. It makes sense though.

 

[saquishmike]

Was it added later in life?

 

[zak]

Since the M43 shares most of its parts with the m37, the rear cross members are the same. So the hitches were added by others. And as stated above there is no wiring socket and it get in the way of the step.

 

[zout]

This one clearly has no electrical socket. Plus seeing the crossmembers were universal for the 37 - this evidentually is another "piece" the Civil Defence attached to the unit.

If the fold out step was down - a trailer could be attached - you just would not want to move because that opening in the fold down step is not that large - but it indeed does clear the pintle hitch when it is folded down.

Thanks for the help

 

[Recovry4x4]

If meant to pull a trailer, it would have a plug????

If wreckers were made to fly, they would have wings! What's your point? LOL

 

[papabear]

If wreckers were made to fly, they would have wings! What's your point? LOL

Now that's mean!

 

[Recovry4x4]

Now that's mean!

He drew first blood!

 

[73m819]

If wreckers were made to fly, they would have wings! What's your point? LOL

you need to rethink this, the 819 DOES NOT have wings, but did fly

 

[Recovry4x4]

you need to rethink this, the 819 DOES NOT have wings, but did fly

That is precisely my point. The M43 doesn't have a plug but it will pull a trailer! hehe!

 

[Oldfart]

Looking at Zout's earlier pictures, it appears very proffessionally installed to work with the seat/step or was original. Maybe his unit started life as something more than an ordinary ambulance.

 

[trucknut]

more pictures

Looking at Zout's earlier pictures, it appears very proffessionally installed to work with the seat/step or was original. Maybe his unit started life as something more than an ordinary ambulance.

Here is a photo of a Canadian M43 with hitch installed. The second photo is of a M152 communication truck with a trailer. My experience, although not as vaste as many of you, is I have never seen a tactical military truck without a hitch.

 

[Oldfart]

Here is a photo of a Canadian M43 with hitch installed. The second photo is of a M152 communication truck with a trailer. My experience, although not as vaste as many of you, is I have never seen a tactical military truck without a hitch.

It appears the Canadian M43 may be what Zout has to work with as the step set up looks exactly the same with the notch to fit around the pintle. I note there is a trailer wiring connection as well. I think the rear screen and screen door are really interesting as well. I have never seen anythinhg like that before.

This makes me wonder if the Canadian Tech Manuals are slightly different as well? Makes me wonder if Zout's M43 originally had a 251 engine rather than the Dodge 230? Makes me wonder if it has the sheet metal around the radiator for the longer engine? Makes me wish I had the 251 manifold to put on my 265 Chrysler.

 

[zout]

There is a radiator shroud - I did not show it as it was tucked away with some engine parts when it was first dropped off.

The shroud is a full stamped unit and is roughly 4 inches deep. It is shinny green now along with the transmission cover - front radiator brace top - shifter lever boot plate - fuel filler neck.

I had to giggle a little re looking at the Canadian unit - I am so sick of looking at windows in one of these and the time spent to re-fill them back in so it did not look like a mangled piece of shrapnel on the side and inside.

Appears like I have to send Recovery and Ron to the corners with a bowl of cherries to settle down. Then I bet one of them could get something to fly.