Flat tires on M35A3

[Hooper]

I am going to be buying a M35A3 from Government Liquidation very soon and will be driving it home. I am nervous about many of them with flat tires, from those who know these trucks, will most flat tires on these tricks air up by just letting them run?

 

[Ferroequinologist]

Only if the CTIS is working

I picked up a A3 for Headwizard (still have it) and the tires had to be filled manually- and 4 of them would go flat in 2-6hrs. The other two have stayed up for months.

 

[KsM715]

Caution: I have heard rumors that the tires on the A3's can be dangerous if they are left to sit flat for a long time. If it has sat flat for awhile (months or years, I dont know) it could come apart on the trip home.

Just something to keep in mind if your recovery drive is very long.

 

[WillWagner]

Caution: I have heard rumors that the tires on the A3's can be dangerous if they are left to sit flat for a long time. If it has sat flat for awhile (months or years, I dont know) it could come apart on the trip home.

Just something to keep in mind if your recovery drive is very long.

ANY tire left flat with the wt of the vehicle on it can have a sidewall failure. You should be careful.

 

[ryker725]

I would definitely buy a glad connector air hose for the ride home. Plug it in to the truck air system and use it to air up the tires.. I bought one off of ebay and it works great. Check the tires regularly on the trip home. I know a guy who drove an A3 400+ miles after sitting flat on 3 tires at the base and the tires held up. Those tires are also expensive to replace. If possible, secure a few tires before the recovery and bring them along just in case.

 

[Hooper]

Thanks everyone, that helps me decide which way I am going to go.

 

[M35A2-AZ]

I would definitely buy a glad connector air hose for the ride home. Plug it in to the truck air system and use it to air up the tires.. I bought one off of ebay and it works great. Check the tires regularly on the trip home. I know a guy who drove an A3 400+ miles after sitting flat on 3 tires at the base and the tires held up. Those tires are also expensive to replace. If possible, secure a few tires before the recovery and bring them along just in case.

They work great!!

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Typically, if tires on the M35A3 are found to be flat, you might have LEAKS in the very system intended to maitain/adjust the tire pressure. (CTIS= Centeral Tire Inflation System)

Such leakage can be very minor and simply allow a slow release of air pressure that the compressor can overcome.

HOWEVER, such leakage can also be indicative of a MAJOR MALFUNCTION in the system that could be impossible for the system to "self-fix".

This is why MANY M35A3's have the CTIS disabled, both by the Military AND by MANY Volunteer Fire Departments that acquired these trucks for that "wonderful" feature - handy on BrushFire Fire Trucks that run over cactus, thorns, sharp rocks, and debris. Many civilian owners have also given up on maintaining the CTIS and have simply disabled it.

Be sure to do you homework before attempting a drive-home recovery, and be prepared to have it hauled home.

 

[BKubu]

I recommend the non-sexy, but safe, approach...get it shipped. Eat the cost of shipping and add it to what you will have in the truck.

 

[KsM715]

ANY tire left flat with the wt of the vehicle on it can have a sidewall failure. You should be careful.

Well yes I knew that, I just thought I would point out to the OP that the a3's seem to go flat more than most of the other trucks being surplussed out right now because of the CTIS system.

 

[AceHigh]

I picked up mine, aired all the tires with the glad hand. Took one hour (10 minutes per tire). Every once in a while the CTIS will dump a tire overnight, but if I air it up the next day or so it will stay. Go figure.

 

[lonegunman]

If you bought a truck that starts and runs, ask the GL guys to fire it up and power up the CTIS system and let it air up the tires. If it works it will air them up a bit. If not bring a glad handle air hose with you and air them yourself.

My primary concern would be steer tires as they can cause you to lose control of the truck if they blow. If you have doubts, stop at the nearest tire shop or call a tire service truck and swap them for the two best tires.

 

[Hooper]

What about this 925 instead, (one soft tire). I would be driving it back to Mi...

 

[mktopside]

What about this 925 instead, (one soft tire). I would be driving it back to Mi...

Nice...... Thanks for the link!! I think I'm going to bid on that.

 

[Hooper]

Nice...... Thanks for the link!! I think I'm going to bid on that.

LOL, if you want it go for it. It's a thing a beauty.

 

[Hooper]

If you bought a truck that starts and runs, ask the GL guys to fire it up and power up the CTIS system and let it air up the tires. If it works it will air them up a bit. If not bring a glad handle air hose with you and air them yourself.

My primary concern would be steer tires as they can cause you to lose control of the truck if they blow. If you have doubts, stop at the nearest tire shop or call a tire service truck and swap them for the two best tires.

I didn't think they would do that?

 

[mktopside]

LOL, if you want it go for it. It's a thing a beauty.

I wasn't being serious. But I had to get it in before someone harped on you for breaking the rules by posting an active auction.




If I had the space I'd want one though.

 

[Hooper]

I wasn't being serious. But I had to get it in before someone harped on you for breaking the rules by posting an active auction.




If I had the space I'd want one though.

Oh, oops.

 

[Hooper]

I wasn't being serious. But I had to get it in before someone harped on you for breaking the rules by posting an active auction.




If I had the space I'd want one though.

some lucky bastard out bid me and picked it up for 7000. I guess there always next week.....

 

[73m819]

Auction is closed, went for $7000 and change