Jumped in over my head but gettin good at treading

[lumberjack2]

Just over a week ago my wife and I arrived at a wrecker service in Kansas where a fella named Jerry asked "do you know how to start it?" With a smile I replied, "no sir." This was my introduction to the world of MVs with my 1985 M925A1. **** THIS TRUCK IS AWESOME!!! Never in my life have I had to fight so hard to keep from making a hard right from the interstate into the cornfields I was driving past. Everything about this truck screams 'run something over.' While I have managed to keep from running anything over, I couldn't help myself when My wife told me that small tree in our front yard looks ugly. The winch didn't even hesitate, that little tree was not worthy.

Now to the point, I have six kids, which I believe helps me justify a troop carrier, and I want to be able to take my 5 ton camping without having to take two vehicles, but my favorite camping destination is about 2 hours away. Can anyone here tell me about any GA laws that would prohibit the kids riding in the back?

Not only do I want to be legal but, more importantly, i want them all to be safe. So, I'm also looking for suggestions on modifications that would allow for safer rear passengers.

I have seen some trucks that were "crew cabbed" but even that would not provide enough seating for my family. Would adding a third cab be too ridiculous?

I also thought about getting some sort of intercom system with headsets, cause this beast is loud and if my rear passengers need something I would never know without it.

Also I would like to replace whatever tools are and hardware originally came on the truck. The air hose that clips into the truck for filling tires and the winch that lowers the spare tire are the two that i can recognize. there are some other straps and brackets that look like they once had a specific purpose, passenger side on top of the tool box, but i don't know what went there

A special thanks to my wife. Somewhere in the midst of her calling a deuce impractical and exclaiming we had nowhere to put one, she decided that a 5 ton would suit us just fine. Now i have one less tree at the back of my driveway and one **** of a truck!

I hope these pictures show up, I will try to get some more in the thread later

 

[wheelspinner]

Nice truck! Its nice to have the wife involved and supportive of your new addiction, and yes it is an addiction......you have been warned!

 

[mcmullag]

I think you have a M925A2 there. You may possibly be able to bolt in some seats with seatbelts back there to make it legal for passengers. If you keep the top on and put the kids forward, nobody will see them back there except unloading at McDonald's. The thing on top of the toolbox is probably a pioneer tool set rack for the shovel, axe and pick on tactical vehicles. Mine does not have that rack but I have seen it installed there on USMC trucks of this series. I did a community parade yesterday and a Lt Col from the CO national guard road along and brought his own sign magnets.

 

[tbone1004]

Georgia law says anyone under 18 can't ride in the bed on the highway.
http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/seat-belt-laws/
Very bottom of the page.

With it being covered brings up some questions, but if you have a buddy that's a state trooper or even if you just go to the closest barracks and ask they'll be able to help you out. Bolting some seats with seatbelts in the bed is a pretty good idea.

 

[Warthog]

Please, Please, Please download and read (at least familiarize yourself) the Operations manual for your truck. It is like the Operator manual you get in a new car. It is available for free on this site.

 

[73m819]

Just over a week ago my wife and I arrived at a wrecker service in Kansas where a fella named Jerry asked "do you know how to start it?" With a smile I replied, "no sir." This was my introduction to the world of MVs with my 1985 M925A1.

Just WOMDERING why you DID NOT READ the -10 (operators manual) BEFORE you went and got the truck and drove it home, it seems that you would want to know how to start, where to check fluids, proper shut down, how the light switch works so you have brake/turn lights, ect., ect.
And I see you drove all the way to Tucker Ga. WITHOUT knowing a darn thing about the truck except it is big and makes you want to run over something.

One finger typing while the HOG was typing & posting=SLOW

 

[Triple C]

Welcome to the site! I think it's great that you are asking the questions so please don't be offended by my answer. Considering that you didn't even know how to start the truck I would suggest you don't carry the kids any time soon. As I hope you have discovered, driving this truck isn't the same as driving a car only bigger. You need some experience before you carry such precious cargo. Spend some time in the truck in a variety of weather and traffic situations. I think the first time you encounter a "Panic" stop you will probably have different perspective on putting your kids in the back - at least a better informed one. One of the things we seem to discuss often here (to everyone's benefit I think) is what can we do and what SHOULD we do.

 

[marchplumber]

Welcome aboard! Nice truck! I don't believe that they have "roll-over" protection though. So,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,my children were the most precious gifts God ever shared with me, along with my wife. I would not risk them unnecessarily. Two vehicles camping wouldn't be a problem to keep 'em safe and sound. Many here have done/will do silly things. I know I have. Ain't proud of it. So, suggest like others, ya read the TM's. Youtube has some military training videos that give a BASIC understanding of the M939 series truck. These are MASSIVE machines and with massive machines comes the possibility of massive damage. Damage not only to yourself, but to others, family and strangers alike. We ALL like our trucks. They are FUN! Most use them responsibly and safely. It is strongly suggested.

ENOUGH lecture! Read, learn, ask questions, take your time, think AHEAD of what COULD happen, not what will happen! Steelsoldiers is the BEST place for info, help, and some darn good mentors!

WELCOME ABOARD!

God bless,
Tony

 

[EMD567]

Come to the Ga rally, and learn a whole lot more about your truck.

 

[wreckerman893]

Come to the Ga rally, and learn a whole lot more about your truck.

Welcome to the Green Iron Laughing Academy Yes, yes, yes......come to the GA Rally in Oct. It is a family friendly event and you will meet the nicest bunch of folks there are in the MV collector hobby. There is a link in the "Upcoming Events" thread that gives all the details. Concerning carrying passengers in the 5 ton, the military does it all the time but usually just on bases. For longer trips they use busses for comfort and safety. That being said you could bolt some tour bus type seats with three point seat belts in the bed and be safer that just letting them ride loose in the bed or sitting in the troop seats. Another option would be a commo shelter but there are a lot of logistics in buying and installing them (you need a wrecker or boom truck to load/unload them) and they are not strong enough to survive a roll over. You also lose the ability to use it as a big pickup truck with a shelter in the bed.

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

I think you have a M925A2 there. You may possibly be able to bolt in some seats with seatbelts back there to make it legal for passengers. If you keep the top on and put the kids forward, nobody will see them back there except unloading at McDonald's. The thing on top of the toolbox is probably a pioneer tool set rack for the shovel, axe and pick on tactical vehicles. Mine does not have that rack but I have seen it installed there on USMC trucks of this series. I did a community View attachment 446617parade yesterday and a Lt Col from the CO national guard road along and brought his own sign magnets.

No CTIS, A1. Congrats Lumberjack2!!!! Wish I had a 925! None of my vehicles have a winch. What did you pay for it if you don't mind?

 

[Squirt-Truck]

Lumberjack2, welcome to the site from one of the grumpy old guys.
You should consider it as a requirement that you come the Georgia Rally, a great place to learn the truck and meet good people.
Secure and read the -10 for that truck.
You will need the approprate drivers liscense for that truck in Georgia, not a CDL but a Class E (heavy truck and trailer over 10K) or F (heavy truck and trailer less than 10K).
Again ,
Welcome

 

[ichudov]

Congratulations with a new purchase! Take a good care of it!

 

[lumberjack2]

While i agree this may not have been my best idea, can we also agree that from time to time we have all been known to make less than stellar decisions? In my defense, I have driven trucks this size and feel comfortable on the road with them. I just hadn't driven one of these trucks before. Besides, decisions like this have a habit of creating great stories!

wheelspinner, how many times a day do you have to check the auctions before it becomes an addiction? i thought having one in my driveway would calm the beast a little but it has only succeeded in fueling the fire. then i get on this forum and see all the MVs listed at the bottom of everyones posts and i figure "gotta keep up with the Jones" right? My bank account and lack of space should keep my purchases in check...for now.

mcmullag, thanks for the heads up on the toolboxes, i think i will put something up on the GA rally thread and see what i can find. also, it is a M925A1. while i am sure someone on this site can better inform you, the main difference that i know of is the engine. My A1 has a NHC250 Cummins with no turbo while your A2 has...uh...something Cummins with a turbo.

tbone1004, thanks for the legal tip, i'll see if i can contact someone local for more clarification. for the time being i plan on keeping the kids out of the back whenever we're on the road.

warthog and 73m819, while i recognize it should have been done prior to picking up the truck, i have since discovered the TM section of this site and spend a little time each day learning more about these trucks

Triple C, i've already had to make a panic stop. i will never understand why people see the extra space i'm allowing as their private turn lane. without having six wheels on the ground that dude might have found himself in a very displeasing position. instead all he got was the horn and one of those unexplainable laughs that often follow "holy crap" moments. that being say, i am looking for a safer way for us all to travel before the youngins get to ride in back

EMD567 and wreckerman893, i am already making arrangements to come to the GA rally, hope to see you there

Thank you all for the encouragement, advice and even the criticism, i welcome it all and look forward to the adventures i'll get to share with you in the future

 

[73m819]

FROM the SITE rules that you just read and AGREED TO,

From the SITE rules,

"• Do not post in all CAPS or in giant run-on sentences without punctuation. Do not post as if texting and do avoid the use of texting abbreviations. We are not the grammar police but we want everyone to easily read your post in at least 8th grade English. It is extra work to post proper sentences from a smartphone but the result will be greatly appreciated. Please do your best to use capitalization, proper spelling and punctuation. It makes it easier for everyone to read."

 

[wreckerman893]

EMD567 and wreckerman893, i am already making arrangements to come to the GA rally, hope to see you there

Come by the MKT (Mess hall) and I'll buy you a sweet tea.

 

[EMD567]

I am the guy with the M814 cargo truck. You can tell it's me, as I have to wear two watches(the end of the truck is in another time zone). Come by, and I will give you a water...........

 

[lumberjack2]

Sorry, 73m819, I haven't had a paper graded in some time now, I'll work on it.

 

[clinto]

Tucker? I worked in Tucker for the past 10 years.

Welcome to the madness. You can not miss the rally, we had 106 trucks last year. It's one of the biggest MV events in the Country. Your head will explode.

 

[juanprado]

Welcome to the green or tan madness