Rather than make a new thread, I figure I'd add on to this one -
In the M870 trailer TM, under 2-8. PREPARATION FOR USE, it states that "An adaptation kit must be installed on the M916 towing vehicle before it can be used with the semitrailer. Failure to do so will result In damage to the equipment."
Furthermore, under 1-12. EQUIPMENT CHARACTERISTICS, CAPABILITIES, AND FEATURES, it states "The M870 and M870A1 semitrailers are used to transport construction equipment and materiel and are towed by an M920 truck tractor. Either semitrailer can also be towed by an M916 truck tractor using the adaptation kit listed in TM 9-2320-270-34P."
That 270-34P TM is the -34 for the M911 C-HET and none of my searches can bring anything up. Thinking that maybe its a typo and the M915 series trucks are the 2320-273 vs the 2320-270 TMs, I looked in all the 915 TMs and was unable to find anything.
In the M870 TM, it does list an "adaption kit," (fig. 33) which I've attached a pic of. It lists part #10 as a "cable support frame," #1 as an "approach plate center extension," and #6 is a "hang up plate."
The codes in the kit part numbers reference only using it with the M870 and M870 Marine version, but not the M870A1.
Does anybody have any idea what this thing is? Heres my guess - The angle that the winch line comes out could be different in terms of how it passes over the fifth wheel on a M916 vs a M920. Maybe this thing is to keep the winch cable off of the 5th wheel on a M916?