Towing 2 M35's behind a 915

[4XDesign]

I'd like to flat tow two M35's behind my civilian version of a 915. The truck is a clone she is 430 horse Cummins. I'm thinking of adding a weight over the fifth wheel. I think I know the answer but, can the air over hydraulic brakes work in reverse? Long and short is if I supply air to the service side on the m35 will the brakes apply with use of tractor brakes.

The other option would to lift tow using fifth wheel wrecker on front truck then flat tow the rear truck. Give me your thoughts and advice. I have towed many times just a little different situation this time. Thanks

Proposed tow vehicle

Hitch I built with 50 ton pintle hitch

 

[porkysplace]

I would say 2 trucks on tow bars is just asking for trouble with 2 steer axles on the ground. It seems a whole lot more practical and safe to just rent a step deck trailer with a st of ramps.

 

[simp5782]

Go add a big Ecology block from a concrete place or some type of weight to the rear of it. Otherwise they will push you around. Double flat towing is nothing but a truck with no weight on the back of it will get pushed a lot. Ecology blocks weigh 3600 to 5500lbs.

Yes the brakes will work just like a trailer would. the only issue is that they aren't as powerful as the brakes on the tractor being air over hydraulic. They will have a delay as with air but you won't feel the rear truck brakes grab like you would like towing a M939 series.

I would want to use a Medium Heavy or Heavy bar on the front truck to give you more clearance on the truck and on turns. As well as the medium bar on the second truck at full extension.

 

[wreckerman893]

Check into using a saddle setup like the guys that deliver Class 8 trucks use.

Basically you attach the steering axle to the 5th wheel of the towing truck. You can do this multiple times.

Check it out: http://www.whitemuleco.com/saddles.html

 

[simp5782]

I bet that is one unhappy LMTV//cloud.tapatalk.com/s/593df5e0c829b/Screenshot_20170611-210005.png?


Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

 

[gimpyrobb]

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?23611-Airpack-modification-for-towing&highlight=

 

[4XDesign]

Go add a big Ecology block from a concrete place or some type of weight to the rear of it. Otherwise they will push you around. Double flat towing is nothing but a truck with no weight on the back of it will get pushed a lot. Ecology blocks weigh 3600 to 5500lbs.

Yes the brakes will work just like a trailer would. the only issue is that they aren't as powerful as the brakes on the tractor being air over hydraulic. They will have a delay as with air but you won't feel the rear truck brakes grab like you would like towing a M939 series.

I would want to use a Medium Heavy or Heavy bar on the front truck to give you more clearance on the truck and on turns. As well as the medium bar on the second truck at full extension.

Yes I'm thinking a block, or a box that I could fill with dirt or water tank and could add water to. I do have two medium tow bars. I have 4 trucks to move so two trips. I am working on a lowboy that will have a winch it can haul 2 m35's but it's a long way from complete. I do not have the fifth wheel wrecker I mentioned I'd have to purchase it so I'm trying to figure a safe way to move the trucks. So I will most likely add weight add get brakes functioning on the rear towed truck. I will also take the advice on to bar lenghs.

 

[4XDesign]

Check into using a saddle setup like the guys that deliver Class 8 trucks use.

Basically you attach the steering axle to the 5th wheel of the towing truck. You can do this multiple times.

Check it out: http://www.whitemuleco.com/saddles.html

i will not have access to equipment to load onto the fifth wheel. I would love to have one truck up like you mentioned but just not sure how I could work it out.

 

[gimpyrobb]

The longer the towbar, the more torque on the front of the truck, easier to steer. But you can really put a strain on the bar. Usually, I have the TB with 3 holes showing when using a medium. I prefer the 83000lbs oshkosh bar though.

 

[4XDesign]

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?23611-Airpack-modification-for-towing&highlight=

Thanks I'll put it to use if the towing makes the most sense.

 

[simp5782]

Never use water tanks. The sloshing can cause lots of fun especially on wet roads

Trucks also seem to towbar better if you pull the front hub flanges off. I guess that internal movement gives alot more resistance than you would think. I did it when i towed an m816. I left em on and it towed typical of a heavy dual tire truck. Trying to buck and push itsself along with the lane grooves. Removed the hubs for some desplines and i didnt know it was even back there. Then again i made sure i outweighed that wrecker by 3200lbs.
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

 

[4XDesign]

Never use water tanks. The sloshing can cause lots of fun especially on wet roads

Trucks also seem to towbar better if you pull the front hub flanges off. I guess that internal movement gives alot more resistance than you would think. I did it when i towed an m816. I left em on and it towed typical of a heavy dual tire truck. Trying to buck and push itsself along with the lane grooves. Removed the hubs for some desplines and i didnt know it was even back there. Then again i made sure i outweighed that wrecker by 3200lbs.
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

I was thinking a tank that has no air space left so water can not slosh around. The main reason I thought about a tank would be for ease of moving it around empty. I will probably try to track down a concrete block though. I saw in another tread someone suggested disconnecting the draglink as well. I may fab some spline free hubs on my Cnc plasma.

 

[4XDesign]

I'm just going to use my new tow truck... not really mine but the new owner of my old truck sent it to me.
That's one bad rig!