Questions on M796 Bolster Trailer

[bbbang]

I saw what was described as a M796 Bolster Trailer for sale. It was tandem axle, with pintle and was kind of odd looking. I was wondering what the Army used or uses this trailer for? Thank you.

 

[maddawg308]

The bolster trailers, I believe, are used to haul long items, such as telephone poles, pipes, etc. They should be towed behind the deuce bolster truck (I forget what model), but they are fine behind a standard deuce as well.

 

[No.2Diesel]

Its actually meant for the 5ton M815 Bolster truck. The tongue is teloscopic.

 

[wreckerman893]

I bought one from Lavinia, Tenn, a while back. It is a cool trailer and I plan to mount my 280 shelter on it and take it to rallys.
When I removed the bed from the deuce parts truck I just hooked up to it and rolled the bed off of the truck onto the trailers.
I'll post some pics tonight.

 

[beaubeau]

I have 2 Bolster trls and there is no end of the immagination to what U can do with it. I use one for Logs, the other I may turn into a Low Bed trl. They have the same axels as an M105 11/2 ton trl, But they have I beleive 12.00 16.5, maybe 14.00 16.5 wheels and tires You can put these wheels on a Deuce, if U want a LOW RIDER!!That would be Different . They are also Heavy. Phil

 

[Mike_Pop]

The bolster trailers are very similar to the M1061 5ton trailer. Same wheels and tires. However, because of the telescoping tongue, I would imagine that you would have less "fish tailing" when towing a load. I had my M1061 loaded with a Unimog and over 60mph, it swerved all over the place. Very scary. The tongue is way too short for such a heavy trailer. Empty, they came in at 5,000 lbs.

 

[CGarbee]

Tire size on the M796A1 bolster trailers at Bragg is 12x16.5 on a six lug rim that looks to have a 9" bolt center (assuming that I remembered correctly how to measure a six lug pattern... ).

As Mike Pop says, they are the same as on the M1061 trailer, and I am in the market for one wheel/tire combination. I still need a spare for my tag trailer...

 

[Mike_Pop]

Cabell,

The guy that I sold my other M1061 was able to locate a spare for his. I'll try to get the info and pass it along to you.

 

[CGarbee]

Thanks Mike. I'm leary of pulling it with a load very far without one...

 

[ARMYMAN30YearsPlus]

I love my bolster trailer it hauls logs like get out and never even was worked hard with a big load of oak. I got mine for less than $400 and it looks good with the super singles. The Army used them in Engineer units and they were used to haul pipe and sometimes wooden telephone poles. It tows very nicely behind a deuce although it would amost surely love being behind a five ton.

 

[Mike_Pop]

Cabell,

Info for a spare from Mark Mitchell in San Diego:
Yes, I bought a wheel. Had it made by Marsh Racing Wheels: 1-800-643-3625 or check on-line. My trailer has Rockwell hubs, "R4" with 6.5" back set. 9.75x16.5. Sears advertises the same Goodyear tires that are on it, for about $400 each.

Hope this helps.

 

[ARMYMAN30YearsPlus]

Here's my M969

This is the one I bought.

The plywood was a last minute effort to pass inspection in Maryland. It was at the inspectors and he was going to fail it but I asked him if I could make on the spot corrections if it would pass he said OK so I took out a sheet of plywood and my cordless saw and drill and mounted those to get the nod. Really going to weld up some real ones when the Army is done with me.

 

[gmayor]

RE: Here

Being an old Combat Engineer, each squad had a bolster trailer that they towed behind their 5ton Dump Truck, the M51, then when the 800 series came out we switched to them. We used them to haul BOM (Bill of Materials). If we were building a timber bridge, logs to build road blocks, concertina wire, or whatever the project, we used the M796. In Korea in 78-79 we built big buildings on them and used heaters and while in the field each squad lived out of theirs.One problem I remember was the pindle hitch, it is suppose to tilt back and forth, for making turns, if not lubed they rust up and cause problems when towing. I have been watching to get one, but then would want a dump truck to pull it. You guys know how it goes.

 

[gmayor]

RE: Here

Being an old Combat Engineer, each squad had a bolster trailer that they towed behind their 5ton Dump Truck, the M51, then when the 800 series came out we switched to them. We used them to haul BOM (Bill of Materials). If we were building a timber bridge, logs to build road blocks, concertina wire, or whatever the project, we used the M796. In Korea in 78-79 we built big buildings on them and used heaters and while in the field each squad lived out of theirs.One problem I remember was the pindle hitch, it is suppose to tilt back and forth, for making turns, if not lubed they rust up and cause problems when towing. I have been watching to get one, but then would want a dump truck to pull it. You guys know how it goes.

 

[emmado22]

CGarbee,

PM me with the specs on the tire/rim. I remember seeing one that might still be availible...

 

[jeli]

Re: RE: Here

Being an old Combat Engineer, each squad had a bolster trailer that they towed behind their 5ton Dump Truck, the M51, then when the 800 series came out we switched to them. We used them to haul BOM (Bill of Materials). If we were building a timber bridge, logs to build road blocks, concertina wire, or whatever the project, we used the M796. In Korea in 78-79 we built big buildings on them and used heaters and while in the field each squad lived out of theirs.One problem I remember was the pindle hitch, it is suppose to tilt back and forth, for making turns, if not lubed they rust up and cause problems when towing. I have been watching to get one, but then would want a dump truck to pull it. You guys know how it goes.

What he said. My squad had an 8' wide, 8' tall, and 12' long hooch built on ours. We had brackets on the front for concertina and J hooks all down one side to hang an extra tarp off. Our whole squad could sleep inside and under the tarp. If you have a truck with singles on it you could always put 9x20 or 11x20's on to raise the trailer.

 

[Aggie_90]

M796 "Lunette" set up

I have just recieved my Bolster trailer and it is awesome. It was refurbished, new paint and new tires. It also has all the hardware with it. I extended the tongue but could not make heads or tails of the bracing system or "lunette". Anyone know where an instruction manual or drawing of this is???

Any help would be appreciated.

Chris.

 

[rosco]

Where are the pictures?.........

 

[Aggie_90]

Sorry, was my first post. Here is a couple of pics of my trailer.

 

[wreckerman893]

I have one and I love it...hauled some long metal on it the other day and it did very well.

This fall I plan to try it out with a few loads of popular logs I will be cutting down.

You need to locate a Technical Manual (TM) for it.

That will give you all the info you need and help put you to sleep if you read it at night.