Medium Towbar identification & Q's

[clinto]

ok, apologies in advance. I know this has probably been covered at some point, but I got crosseyed reading all the towbar threads for the last 4 hours.

So I am making the problem worse with another thread!

Saturday I am going to buy a medium towbar, with feet and probably a set of axle clamps as well.

Several questions:

I need to know how to positively identify a medium towbar…………. Will it have a part # cast/stamped onto it, or am I at the mercy of a sticker that might not be present/readable? How about diameters…is that a foolproof way to identify? Measurements?

What if all the seller has is bars without the MWO collars welded on? Should I pass? How important are they?

Which feet do I need? I want to be able to pull Deuces, 5 tons (not with my Deuce obviously), CUCV's, M151's, Jeeps, etc. I think I need the 3/4" and the 1", correct? In the end, I want to be able to drag anything home.

Is there only size of axle clamps (with the chains)? If not, which size would I need?


Lastly, if the seller does not have all the pins, are replacement military models available anywhere? Austin Aviation says there is a pin shortage on his eBay auctions. If mil-spec pins aren't available, are the farm implement type pins at tractor Supply sufficiently strong? Safety is more important than correctness here.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

C

 

[Floyd]

RE: Medium Towbar identification & Q

Clinto: Make sure you have all the pins, they are a PITA to locate. I guess you can use heavy bolts if it doesn't have them. 3/4" for the shackle brackets on the 151

Floyd

 

[Recovry4x4]

RE: Medium Towbar identification & Q

The overall length of the short bar of my medium is about 49". Outer tube diameter is about 2.9". There isa smaller bar and mangus has one if you want details. I would not pass up a bar without the MWO. You could easily add that at a later date. As far as axle clamps there are 2 that I know of. One with a single chain and one with a double row chain. Obviously the double chain ones are stronger. If you want to tow anything youwill need adapters with 3/4" pins and 1" pins as well as M715 adapters and M880 adapters. You can skirt the 3/4" adapters by buying a set of 3/4" pins and coming up with bushings for the 1" adapters. I doubt that you find any significant numbers stamped into the towbar. If I found even a small towbar for $200 I'd buy it.

 

[gimpyrobb]

RE: Medium Towbar identification & Q

Clinto, I have pics I can email tonight if you need. The "correct" pins are hard to find, but you can get the correct size pins from tractor supply. DO NOT USE BOLTS! They screw up the pin holes. 1" to 1" crows feet is what you need for pulling a deuce. The axle clamps are nice, but not needed for most M.V.s.

 

[clinto]

RE: Medium Towbar identification & Q

The overall length of the short bar of my medium is about 49"

The bar that pins to the other that has the lunette on it, right? Just wanna make sure we are on the same page.


Gimpy, pics would be awesome. Mucho thanks.

Ok, Deuce is 1", that must mean CUCV is 3/4"?

I think I can live without M880 and M715 adapters, those are uncommon vehicles I do not encounter much.

 

[oilcan]

RE: Medium Towbar identification & Q

CUCV's use the 1" pins, too.

 

[gimpyrobb]

4th post by m1075 is a medium towbar with the reinforcement mod.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/index....pic&t=15029&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=40

 

[M1075]

Here are some more pics to compare a medium with and without the mod.

 

[M1075]

Here is a shot of M880 adapters

 

[m.walker]

I thought the ones for the jeep were considered the small ones , so these are the small ones then ?

 

[gimpyrobb]

Mwalker, there is actually2 versions of the medium towbar. If the pins opposite the lunette(sp?) are 1" it is still considered a medium towbar.

 

[sermis]

I have a set of chain strapes for $120.00 shipped. From time to time I can find the pins. 3/4 pins are harder to find than 1" for me. I have some 1" X 3/4" feet and some ?? 1 1/4 X ( 3/4 and 1") on other end.

 

[sermis]

I need some M715 feet if someone is in the trading mood.

 

[jatonka]

Try this for ID on tow bars: You can carry easily=Light tow bar. You can't carry alone very far=Medium tow bar. You wouldn't even think about carrying alone=Heavy towbar JT out.

 

[73m819]

i made some of my pins for me tb, thay look military, my tb does not have the mwo and handled the xm977 just fine, even a multi point turn around which included backing the 977 up a faily steep slope next to the road

 

[Armada]

I need some M715 feet if someone is in the trading mood.

And if someone has 2 sets of M715 adaptors, I'll take the second.

 

[gimpyrobb]

I might have a set of 715 adapters. Let me check.

 

[Armada]

 

[mangus580]

Try this for ID on tow bars: You can carry easily=Light tow bar. You can't carry alone very far=Medium tow bar. You wouldn't even think about carrying alone=Heavy towbar JT out.

Saying it this way, means mine is a Light. But I thought the light didnt use 1" pins for the feet, or extend? (I could be smoking crack)

 

[citizensoldier]

Try this for ID on tow bars: You can carry easily=Light tow bar. You can't carry alone very far=Medium tow bar. You wouldn't even think about carrying alone=Heavy towbar JT out.

Saying it this way, means mine is a Light. But I thought the light didnt use 1" pins for the feet, or extend? (I could be smoking crack)

Bad way to figure it.. Not everyone has your super power strength mangus.. You probably can carry a big tow bar like nothing. lol
I hope your not smoking crack.. We cant have our leader in re-hab...
Uh oh.. would this be a Aceism?