Help picking up an LMTV in Abilene, KS

[astacey1403]

Hello everyone!

I am a new member to this forum and a new owner of an LMTV. I have been trying to find the best solution to pick up this truck and its been difficult to say the least. I have sourced 2 different gooseneck trailers from some close friends but the trucks they use to pull said trailers are out of commission at the moment. I am out of Leadville Colorado and need to have this truck picked up by Thursday this week. I have considered taking a trip down to the pick up location and attempt to get the truck running but not sure if this is even feasible with tires in a rotted condition. I may have a friend with a truck but it needs a gooseneck adapter for the fifth wheel set up he currently has.

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for me or a good direction to point me in. As a new member of this forum I apologize this is the first post of mine, but I am not sure what else to do....

Thanks for your time,

 

[98G]

I'm out of reach this week and probably won't be back in KS until the weekend.

I sent a nudge to a buddy there to see if he can do anything for you.

Can the LMTV be towed? Are the tires good enough for an hour on the road?

I've got a place about an hour north of Abilene if you need extended storage. However, in similar circumstances I have paid local towing services to tow trucks to RV storage until such time as I can get things lined up to go get them. This takes the urgency out of it. Towing is typically $350ish and storage is $50ish per month. This is frequently the best choice.

 

[astacey1403]

98G thanks for the reply!

The tires do not look to bad. I'll add some pictures here of the tires. The towing company and RV storage is a great idea! I was not sure if a towing company could deal with this truck or not. I'll try and make some phone calls tomorrow.

Thank you so much for the info!

 

[astacey1403]

So, I have a bit of an update on the truck!

I was able to contact Kiddco Storage in Abilene and he will store the truck for $50 per month (dead on with that suggestion 98G). After looking at the tires a bit more I think they will be fine for a 10 min trip to this rv storage location. I am still trying to find a local towing company that will get the truck moved, however the gentlemen at Kiddco hinted at the local prices going through the roof.

With that said, I think this truck will run. In the auction listing for this truck, it said the engine was not complete. However, in looking at the pictures of this engine there is nothing missing. The one thing they noted as missing/incomplete was a fuel line fitting on the gas tank witch I believe to be a fuel tank vent valve. With this part missing they did not start the truck and listed it in the inspection report as engine incomplete. Now short of batteries (not sure if there are any with the truck) if the truck was to get jump started, I think it would make the 10-minute drive from the pickup location to the Kiddco storage lot. Granted this would mean I would need someone willing to go to the pickup location and drive it to the storage lot.

I am going to try and contact the holding location and see what else I can find out about the truck from someone that is at the facility.

 

[98G]

John's Wrecker Service (785-263-4444) That is in Abilene. I have no first hand experience with them

 

[astacey1403]

John's Wrecker Service (785-263-4444) That is in Abilene. I have no first hand experience with them

I got a hold of john and he quoted me $350 to start so I may end up using him.

 

[astacey1403]

John's Wrecker Service (785-263-4444) That is in Abilene. I have no first hand experience with them

Hey 98G,

thanks for all your help on this truck. I do have another question for you though. I finally got towing set up for this truck and an RV lot for it to go. johns towing has a truck down right now so they will not be able to. I will be using Palmer Towing out of Salina. Thay wanted to know if it could be lifted and towed. I told them it was an AWD vehicle. when looking at the manual for the truck it looks like you can lift, and tow just not recommended for fully loaded trucks. with that it will only be going about a mile maybe a little more. will the rear shafts need to be pulled with this short of distance?

 

[Mullaney]

Hey 98G,

thanks for all your help on this truck. I do have another question for you though. I finally got towing set up for this truck and an RV lot for it to go. johns towing has a truck down right now so they will not be able to. I will be using Palmer Towing out of Salina. Thay wanted to know if it could be lifted and towed. I told them it was an AWD vehicle. when looking at the manual for the truck it looks like you can lift, and tow just not recommended for fully loaded trucks. with that it will only be going about a mile maybe a little more. will the rear shafts need to be pulled with this short of distance?

.
For a one mile trip - it should be safe to tow without removing the driveshafts. Will need to either have a truck that can supply air for the brake system - or cage the rear brakes.

@98G might want to comment as well.

 

[wheelspinner]

Hey 98G,

thanks for all your help on this truck. I do have another question for you though. I finally got towing set up for this truck and an RV lot for it to go. johns towing has a truck down right now so they will not be able to. I will be using Palmer Towing out of Salina. Thay wanted to know if it could be lifted and towed. I told them it was an AWD vehicle. when looking at the manual for the truck it looks like you can lift, and tow just not recommended for fully loaded trucks. with that it will only be going about a mile maybe a little more. will the rear shafts need to be pulled with this short of distance?

Yes. All they have to do is pull the rear axle shafts. Easy peasy

 

[astacey1403]

.
For a one mile trip - it should be safe to tow without removing the driveshafts. Will need to either have a truck that can supply air for the brake system - or cage the rear brakes.

@98G might want to comment as well.

I believe the brakes are caged

 

[98G]

I don't know LMTVs well enough to know if you need to pull driveshafts.

Looks like the storage place you mentioned is about 6 miles from the GP lot.

 

[astacey1403]

I don't know LMTVs well enough to know if you need to pull driveshafts.

Looks like the storage place you mentioned is about 6 miles from the GP lot.

So, after hours of phone work this past week I could not find any one to retrieve the truck for me and get it moved to an RV lot. However, the gentlemen at the pickup location has been kind enough to let me keep the truck there for the time being. I will be driving out to the location in the next week or two in the attempt to get her running and road worthy for the trip home to Leadville Colorado. I wanted to thank all of you for your help and suggestions in how to get the lmtv moved.

 

[Mullaney]

So, after hours of phone work this past week I could not find any one to retrieve the truck for me and get it moved to an RV lot. However, the gentlemen at the pickup location has been kind enough to let me keep the truck there for the time being. I will be driving out to the location in the next week or two in the attempt to get her running and road worthy for the trip home to Leadville Colorado. I wanted to thank all of you for your help and suggestions in how to get the lmtv moved.

.
Keep talking to the guy if your time table changes.
He is going "above and beyond" what is normal - so be sure you stay in contact with him.

It is really great that he is willing to be helpful!

 

[od1984]

Hello everyone!

I am a new member to this forum and a new owner of an LMTV. I have been trying to find the best solution to pick up this truck and its been difficult to say the least. I have sourced 2 different gooseneck trailers from some close friends but the trucks they use to pull said trailers are out of commission at the moment. I am out of Leadville Colorado and need to have this truck picked up by Thursday this week. I have considered taking a trip down to the pick up location and attempt to get the truck running but not sure if this is even feasible with tires in a rotted condition. I may have a friend with a truck but it needs a gooseneck adapter for the fifth wheel set up he currently has.

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for me or a good direction to point me in. As a new member of this forum I apologize this is the first post of mine, but I am not sure what else to do....

Thanks for your time,

Hello sir,
My friend 98G told me about your situation last week and I passed the information for the towing service along to him. I live an hour north of the Govplanet site and certainly know about the frustration that comes along with buying something a long ways from home. I also work with a guy that lives close to Abilene, so I have some resources available to help. I and 98G will be making a trip down there this coming week to pick up some things, if we can help you with anything, please give me a call and we will try and help you out. The manager there, (Chris) , is always willing to help us out, all you have to do is ask.
My number is (785-630-0079), feel free to call, i'm available anytime. Thanks, Robert

 

[98G]

Looks like we're going to be there Wednesday. I'm willing to bring a couple batteries and attempt to get it running and take it to your storage place....

If you haven't already got a resolution in place.

 

[astacey1403]

Looks like we're going to be there Wednesday. I'm willing to bring a couple batteries and attempt to get it running and take it to your storage place....

If you haven't already got a resolution in place.

Hey 98G,

I got a hold of Robert! Thanks again for all your guys help I'll be in Abilene in about 3 hours. I have 2 batteries I hope to make work for the time being. He mentioned he won't be in Abilene till Thursday. Not sure if that's the case for you as well. I wish I would have seen the post sooner but had little to no time as a buddy and I left Leadville right after work trying to get everything together. Here is my personal number in the case you maybe in the area!

(720) 621-0444 Andrew

 

[98G]

Hey 98G,

I got a hold of Robert! Thanks again for all your guys help I'll be in Abilene in about 3 hours. I have 2 batteries I hope to make work for the time being. He mentioned he won't be in Abilene till Thursday. Not sure if that's the case for you as well. I wish I would have seen the post sooner but had little to no time as a buddy and I left Leadville right after work trying to get everything together. Here is my personal number in the case you maybe in the area!

(720) 621-0444 Andrew

Our trip to Abilene has been delayed until Thursday. I'll send you a text so you have my number.

 

[aghumvee]

Any luck on getting it running?

 

[98G]

Got it to RV storage

 

[astacey1403]

Any luck on getting it running?

Unfortunately no. I was going with high expectations and was not able to make any head way. The truck was missing an extremely crucial part. Right behind the spare tire there is a voltage management box or field box that was missing. I was getting power up to the cab, but I could not get the starter to fire. Also, the hydraulic cab lock was leaking and the hand pump for cab tilt lost its prime, so tracing any of the harnesses was near impossible at the time. However thanks to 98G and od1984 the truck is now at an RV storage lot! I will be heading out in the next few weeks to work on the truck some more while I wait for my title for GovPlanet.