Max towing capacity of a M35?

[halftrack]

Hey Gents,

What is the max trailer load i can tow with a M35 without tearing apart my truck. I would like to tow my halftrack (about 21,000lbs not including trailer) with my M35 but am afraid of killing the truck. Just about all the towing is flat with no change in grades. Any info would be appreciated.

 

[emmado22]

6,000 pounds as per the TM. Can you go more, I bet you can, but stopping will be a problem....

 

[mangus580]

I would suggest a 5 ton for this purpose. A deuce is rated for 10k towing. I have towed between 15-18k with mine (not sure what my dozer weighs) and I would not suggest it. There is a severe lack of power, and about the same on braking.

 

[mangus580]

6,000 pounds as per the TM. Can you go more, I bet you can, but stopping will be a problem....

What TM? Dash plate says 10k

 

[Desert Deuce]

Well, I would rely on the data plate:

Cross Country 6,000 lbs (off road)
Highway 10,000 lbs

I know others have probably had MUCH more behind them with no problem. The main concern should be safety. The ability to stop and control the vehicle.

With some states looking very closely at Historic MV's, let's not give anyone cause by opperating outside of deisgn guidelines (deisign buffer or not). Accidents happen, no matter who's fault. 21,000 lbs behind a deuce would not be safe for you or those around you. Just my opinion.

 

[emmado22]

the 361-10 TM, AUG 2006.

6K or 10K, which ever you belive, but 21K is way too much....

 

[Blythewoodjoe]

Set you truck up with a 5th wheel and get a real trailer with air brakes. Of course you can find 5 ton trucks cheap enough now to justify getting one. I have a fixable old air force Ford F600 road tractor that would make a great truck for such a purpose.

 

[Desert Deuce]

M35A2 w/w data plate. I guess you have to believe whether you're driving Higway or Cross Country .

 

[houdel]

NOT a good idea to 21,000 pounds with a Deuce. With a converter dolly and trailer with air brakes, maybe for short trips, but a 5 ton would be a much better choice!

 

[kcimb]

FWIW.... on Doug's heavy metal there's a 2 1/2 ton wrecker towing a Grant ww2 tank in Australia...speed was very slow, obviously, but it could be done....

 

[jwaller]

I know some locals here in sc have towed a bofers 40m anti AA gnu with the deuce and that thing weights 30k lbs. not even close to safe and I was told they couldnt get it up to min highway speed.

 

[halftrack]

thanks gents,

i knew someone on the board has done the impossible with deuces before and that's what i needed to know. i will resume pulling the halftrack with the m816 & the tractor for means of transportation of the halftrack. by the way, the super singles that i got from sermis are the best thing ever for 5 tons. the truck no longer vibrates, and it is a much smoother ride.

 

[ARMYMAN30YearsPlus]

This was 17,000

My Deuce worked hard hauling this combination and it was not close to your proposed load I also recommend a tractor trailer combination for your hauling the halftrack

 

[Recovry4x4]

RE: This was 17,000

Don't ask Westfolk, you will be stunned. I've towed 25,000# before with my deuce tractor but some of that weight was on the 5th plate.

 

[cbvet]

RE: This was 17,000

Towed a 1942 Cletrac tractor on a lowboy trailer with a dolly converter. Probably a little over 20,000 lbs.
Thought there must be something seriously wrong with my M35A2!
Nope. Just too heavy a load.
Going down the paved road was hard enough on the truck, but when I pulled of into the dirt it was really tough.
The guy that owns the Cletrac now tows it with a 5 ton bridge truck. No problem.
Eric
CBVET

 

[jwaller]

RE: This was 17,000

I was told that the guys here that flat towed 30k with a deuce busted a couple Ring and pinions before getting a 5T for the job.

 

[houdel]

RE: This was 17,000

Halftrack - Awesome trailer! Tell me more about it, I am looking for something just like that. Make, capacity, etc.

 

[kcimb]

RE: This was 17,000

SO I guess an 33692 lb FV432 is out of the question for a 5 ton?

(yeah, also want to know about the trailer)

 

[BKubu]

RE: This was 17,000

I've spoken to John Winslow, who sells trucks to loggers. They won't touch any deuce tractors because they just can't handle the loads. A deuce seems like a stout truck...and it is to a degree...but it is really not THAT big of a truck. It seems that way because most of us were used to driving civilian cars, SUVs, and vans. Once you are around a deuce for a while, they are not that big anymore.

 

[No.2Diesel]

Hi halftrack,

Sure you can. Screw the TM. I have towed this and similar combinations on many occaisions with no problems and looks to be around 25K+. Stopping is not a concern as the trailer brakes working with the truck brakes do a fine job. I can still do 55 out on the highways (though it takes a couple miles getting up to speed.)