How much can it tow?

[Recovry4x4]

<font color="green"><font face="Comic Sans MS">When I pulled out of the driveway at Wayne Harris' house 2 weeks ago the first impression I got was "It's going to be a long ride." The trailer data plate put the shipping weight close to 23,000#. Now granted, some equipment was removed but its still heavy. Also in the back were 4 MEP-016C gensets at 290# each. By second gear I knew I was in trouble. As it turned out, getting up to speed was slow but 55 was never a problem, neither was 60. Being a glutton for punishment I decided to add a little weight today and give it another try. I added an M105 trailer at 2850#, another MEP-026C at 290# a MEP-015 at 120# and lastly a MEP-018 at 870#. That's a little over 4100# tacked onto the back of an already heavy rig. Estimated total weight is just shy of 40,000#. I headed out to a flat straight country road. Much to my surprise I was able to get up to 55 pretty easy. Took over a mile but hey, can't complain. I could only imagine what fuel consumption was! See pic!</font id="Comic Sans MS"></font id="green">

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[Monster Man]

you SURE you don't need a CDL for that? <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_approve.gif" alt="Approve">

surprisingly I think you only need an endorsement for length to do that in NV

anyhow, I'm impressed, that's quite a load and a testament to the overengineering put into these trucks- seeing as how it's a "mere" 2 1/2 ton rating <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_big.gif" alt="Big Smile">

 

[Recovry4x4]

I probaly do need a CDL but I use my "Fitzall" license for most things. It runs so nice. My M275A2 with the semi trailer would probably outrun my former M35A2 with an empty M105. As for the "Fitzall" don't ask!!!!!

 

[Loose Deuce]

You think a M35A2 in good shape, with a Herc.134 hp engine could pull another M35 with out any big problems? Other than the expected slow to get up to top speed and maybe some brake issues.

How did your test do on Braking with all that weight? I guess you probably had air breaks on the big trailer?<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_big.gif" alt="Big Smile">

 

[Desert Rat]

Ken;
Beautiful set-up! I'm going to something a little different but with the same basic effect. Y'all will just have to wait, I'm working on it!

 

[Recovry4x4]

LD, shouldn't be a problem pulling another deuce. Stopping is an issue and if you were going any distance, I would rig up brakes on the towed truck. Are you using the medium towbar? Hey DR, I got what you need! A converter dolly and an M146 semi trailer which looks just like a big shop van. WooHoo. I just won the M146 from GL today!

 

[Desert Rat]

R 4X4;
Is your trailer longer than 20 feet? By the way, check your inbox for some questions and links I sent you. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

 

[Loose Deuce]

No I dont have a tow bar yet, I didnt know there were different sizes, I thought they were all heavy Ba***rds. Where can I get one thats not so expensive?

On useing a tow bar, Do you have to do anything with the steering wheel? I cant remember if anything special was done or not.<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_dork.gif" alt="Dork">

 

[Recovry4x4]

Don't let anybody con you into the heavy tow bar. Takes a wrecker to lift it. The medium is the wheeled vehicle standard on wreckers. There is also a light one thats non adjustable. The NSN for the medium end in 7094. Try dkelone@aol.com I bought mine from him several years ago and he had tons of them. Some advocate tying off the wheel. I never do. On right turns it almost always fights you. If doing in town driving, take an extra driver or be well versed ant jumping out and correcting the wheel on rights. I've got over 2000 miles on deuce towing with the towbar.

 

[big mike]

Originally posted by Loose Deuce

You think a M35A2 in good shape, with a Herc.134 hp engine could pull another M35 with out any big problems? Other than the expected slow to get up to top speed and maybe some brake issues.

How did your test do on Braking with all that weight? I guess you probably had air breaks on the big trailer?<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_big.gif" alt="Big Smile">

the last guy who had my truck towed an M211 with it on a towbar. he said besides the take off and braking he did 55 all day long. the rears locked up on the M211 and he had to drag it in low range off the road. he said it was no problem. the truck did it no sweat!!

 

[Loose Deuce]

Hey Recovery 4x4, That guy still has the tow bars, and asking $200.00 without the attachments. Is that about right for the price? I dont know anything about what one would cost, but I bet those attachments are not cheap either?<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_help.gif" alt="Help">

 

[Recovry4x4]

$200 is about right! I paid that but got one set of adapters. There is a seller on Ebay that sells the 3/4 inch adapters starting at $24.99 a set. Could probably be drilled to 1". A complete drawbar with all attachments could run up over $500. i'm lucky, over the years I've put together a complete bar set. Also check with my buddy Wayne Harris in GA. papercu@hotmail.com
He has a bunch of towbars too but no adapters.

 

[Loose Deuce]

Dang, why are most of the adapters always seperate? are there several sizes that will fit the bar??????<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_nuts.gif" alt="Nuts">

 

[Recovry4x4]

There are 3 different sets of adapters. The first and most useful are bored for the 1" pin. The second one is nearly identical but is bored for the 3/4" pin. Saturn has the pins and I think the 3/4 adapters. The 3rd adapter is the combo. It has 1" hole and a 3/4" hole. Some are out there still but the gov't got rid of them because they are prone to breaking. I think the M37 and maybe the HMMWV use the 3/4" pins. I have a friend who made bushings and bought 3/4" pins and just uses that one set of adapters. Also not considered adpaters but there are towbar brackets that can be added to the M880. Another thing needed for lift towing is the axle clamps. These have a huge chain and clamp onto the front axle and the adapters hook to this. This is done then the whiffletree is attached to the lift plates on the bumpers. The axle clamps can also be used around some bumpers. Sounds like towbar 101.

 

[big daddy]

Boy am I jealous!Thats what setup I want,minus the little trailer.<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_cool.gif" alt="Cool">

 

[Recovry4x4]

Yanno Mark, I was just thinking! Wonder if you could put an 8' comm shelter right behind the cab and bob off all the rear overhang and pit a 5th plate? Be like a tractor with a lounge box on it. Hmmm? There's a bridge truck minus the bed on Ebay. Its in OH with a starting of $2900.