Thinking about getting a M275 have some questions.

[71DeuceAK]

Looks like a fun project! As it is, is it drivable/roadworthy enough to drive home under its own power?

 

[MuleMac01]

I wont drive it home need to make sure it's safe. going to winch it on the trailer. but as far as I know it was running when he parked it years ago.

 

[71DeuceAK]

Funny thing, I just saw an old M275 today! Or at least what I think is one, could be an M35A2 sans bed. It's in rough shape sitting in a graveyard of other abandoned trucks but if I get a good, running Deuce (planning on it!) I'd consider trying to pick it up, for a parts truck if nothing else. Thoughts? Are the M275s really rare? If so I'd consider it for the additional possibility of finding a more loving, caring home for it for what it really is.

 

[mhassett]

I have a 1967 M275A2 and really like the truck.
Very easy to drive. Good visibility.

 

[MuleMac01]

Funny thing, I just saw an old M275 today! Or at least what I think is one, could be an M35A2 sans bed. It's in rough shape sitting in a graveyard of other abandoned trucks but if I get a good, running Deuce (planning on it!) I'd consider trying to pick it up, for a parts truck if nothing else. Thoughts? Are the M275s really rare? If so I'd consider it for the additional possibility of finding a more loving, caring home for it for what it really is.

Yes they are rare

 

[71DeuceAK]

Makes me want to "save" it now!

 

[DavidWymore]

So the 275 is really rated to tow 36,000 as opposed to the std deuce at 10k?

Thanks

 

[sandcobra164]

If the TM says it, so be it. I'm sure they made the decision based upon functioning brakes on tractor and trailer. The military didn't really worry too much on speed or time to get up to speed back when these trucks were built. Trailer weight is factored in to the total "towed load" as well. The heaviest load I ever pulled with my deuce was an MK-18 trailer that I installed a MK-14 towbar on. Truck and trailer combined weighed roughly 36,000 pounds and it was a pig through the gears. The brakes on the trailer worked so well that I doubt my trucks brake shoes ever contacted the drums. I was able to get to 55 mph on flat ground and would slow to 45 mph on slight grades. The truck had 11R20's at the time but that 7.8L Multi was doing all it could even with the fuel screw conservatively turned up.

 

[rustystud]

So the 275 is really rated to tow 36,000 as opposed to the std deuce at 10k?

Thanks

Remember the M275 is a "Fifth Wheel" hauler. The standard Deuce is "Towing" a standard trailer. Totally different animals especially in handling. With my Old M1028 dually CUCV I've trailered a 27ft RV with a class 5 hitch and then later Towed a Fifth Wheel trailer over 35ft long with my in bed fifth wheel . The 35ft fifth wheel towed like it wasn't even there, while the 27ft RV would whip me at times like crazy !!! Especially going over "Snoqualmie Pass" . Sometimes it got down right scary !!!
Also consider when the Deuce is towing a trailer it is towing from a distance of over 5ft from the center of the rear differential. That "distance" acts like a giant lever when towing anything. While the M275 is towing from the center of the differential.

 

[jasonjc]

Plus you don't have a load "in/on" the truck just the trailer.

 

[Recovry4x4]

I've towed 36,000# with my old M275A2 and after a trip around the block, changed my mind. Chassis is capable, multifuel, not so much. I did piggyback my M108 (just under 20,000#) from Lake City to West Palm Beach FL with the same M275A2. 55MPH was no problem,

 

[MuleMac01]

My data plate says 36,000 towed but with the OA-331 gas engine but I won't take it over 15,000 (trailer and cargo).

 

[NDT]

I've towed 36,000# with my old M275A2 and after a trip around the block, changed my mind. Chassis is capable, multifuel, not so much. I did piggyback my M108 (just under 20,000#) from Lake City to West Palm Beach FL with the same M275A2. 55MPH was no problem,

I tried the 36,000 trailer with the A2 as well, even with LDS power, the axles, transmission and transfer were red hot after a few miles. Soon thereafter a 915 joined the fleet for this kind of work.

 

[johan77]

SO it's official. I got the green light in 3 weeks or sooner I will pick this baby up here are pictures...View attachment 649160View attachment 649161View attachment 649162View attachment 649165View attachment 649163View attachment 649164View attachment 649166View attachment 649167View attachment 649168View attachment 649169

what's the diffrence with the trucks headlights ? my 275 has the headlights high, in place of the blackout lights (and the blackout lights are were the headlights are)

 

[tommys2patrick]

My take is that in the time of these vehicles, if it had no winch on the front, the headlights were mounted low and the upper position was for an electric horn on the right side with the small military " low light output" lamp on the upper left side. If it did have a winch, which was somewhat rare for a tractor, then the headlights were mounted in the upper position. all four mounting holes are sized to allow for this re-position. similarly, it was rare to have a bridge plate on the front of a tractor. Mostly because you could have a wide range of loads to be hauled. More so than a standard deuce and a half.

 

[Evil Dr. Porkchop]

I believe right around 1966 was the last year for the reversible headlight panels and low headlights on non winch trucks. Unlike the later trucks with the rubber isolators on the headlight buckets the gassers and early multifuels had rubber isolators on the mounting panel which can be rotated for high or low headlights.