644 miles on a towbar!

[BobM]

Yep, from Ft Mead to Indiana on a towbar! I'm glad I did because my driveshaft has the obligatory forklift divots in it! The "little" mountains were interesting, but my Silverado handled them pretty well. If the driver had of been better, the trip would have been a breeze.
Here are a couple of pics from Mead to home.

 

[dm22630]

LUCKY YOU!!! I was @ Ft Meade doing the same thing....in pouring rain!

Nice truck & Nice pictures! Glad it went good for you. Let us know how it drives!

 

[BobM]

I just drove it a couple of miles and that divot in the driveshaft sure makes itself felt!

 

[kcimb]

New vs old

 

[ssgtwright-usmc]

Man, Id love to get a job at DRMO.

 

[hedelta]

It was good meeting you. Im glad u made it home alright.

 

[319]

That's a long distance for a tow bar, did you take the Interstate/Turnpike and what speed were you able to tow at?
I think that some enterprising GL employees could make a fortune selling reconditioned or new driveshafts for CUCVs. What a racket that could be, bend them, then sell the customer a new one!

 

[tlm47201]

Bob, sounds like the tow bar deal worked foryou. A bit less expensive than the mil tow bar, and more universal. Glad the trip went well. Get that truck running, and I'll bring my M1009 over and buy ya a cup of java.

 

[aboonski]

Where'd you buy the towbar? That's exactly what I need for my M1008!

 

[BobM]

Where'd you buy the towbar? That's exactly what I need for my M1008!

I bought a standard Reese towbar from AutoZ and then bought two 2"X 6" recievers from TSC (Harbour F has them cheaper but longer). Then I used the info from tlm47201 to make the adapters to fit on the lifting lugs. The thread where I found all this is at
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/cucv/24660-civy-tow-bars-2.html#post255247
The only peoblem I had was that the left hole in the lifting lug was just a smidgeon off and I could have filed my hole out a little or I just threaded a 1" bolt thru the hole, which I did. Tlm mentions this and I had a file with me, but was running out of time before the GL people went to lunch.
I can't remember if I included this photo so...

 

[aboonski]

Thank you so much for the info! Half of the work is already done with the CUCV having the lifting lugs in place so modifying a good towbar is all that's left to do. Hope you enjoy your M1008 as much as I enjoy mine!

 

[BobM]

That's a long distance for a tow bar, did you take the Interstate/Turnpike and what speed were you able to tow at?
I think that some enterprising GL employees could make a fortune selling reconditioned or new driveshafts for CUCVs. What a racket that could be, bend them, then sell the customer a new one!

I agree. I'm already looking for a driveshaft.
We took interstate all the way. I towed at about 60 mph to start with, but got up to 65 or so after I lost my newbie jitters!
Of course in the mountain passes I slowed a little to take it easy on my Silverado. I COULD have gone faster, but I hate to hear a motor strain more than is needed. The real limit IMHO is the braking. It takes longer to stop, of course, but some of the other idiots on the highway won't let you! I had no real close calls, but I did feel my pedal pulsing like warped rotors a couple of times.
I drove the truck with the dinged driveshaft a couple of miles last night (Just HAD to!). Above 35 or so, the driveshaft vibrated pretty bad. I HATE to just let it sit!

 

[Cigarjoe]

I bought a standard Reese towbar from AutoZ and then bought two 2"X 6" recievers from TSC (Harbour F has them cheaper but longer). Then I used the info from tlm47201 to make the adapters to fit on the lifting lugs. The thread where I found all this is at
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=25729&highlight=civy+towbars
The only peoblem I had was that the left hole in the lifting lug was just a smidgeon off and I could have filed my hole out a little or I just threaded a 1" bolt thru the hole, which I did. Tlm mentions this and I had a file with me, but was running out of time before the GL people went to lunch.
I can't remember if I included this photo so...

That link isn't working for me.

 

[woodyNla]

That link isn't working for me.

Me either. I attempted to do a search in the CUCV forum and did not find it there.

 

[jbingvtx]

I always wondered why so many of the CUCV's said "bent driveshaft" in the description. Forklift??? Seems really careless.

 

[BobM]

Here is a better link (I hope!) http://www.steelsoldiers.com/cucv/24660-civy-tow-bars-2.html#post255247

 

[kassim503]

I was wondering, what was your towbar rated for? (vehicle weight)

 

[oldmechanic]

I still have some drive shafts if anyone is interested let me know $125 shipped

 

[kenny]

Looks great and I am glade you made it safe.

Did you take the bent drive shaft off before you towed it ?