Need help with a 5 ton tow from N Tampa to Deltona (Central Florida)

[TacticalDoc]

Hi everyone. I'm towing an M925 (runs but over heats due to the water pump) with an M923 and medium tow bars from the N Tampa area to Deltona on I-4 (approx. 150 miles). This will be my first 5 ton tow experience and I don't want to mess anything up. I'm also new to 5 tons in general and am reading up on the TM. I plan on doing it some time after labor day....that week after Labor Day since I have off that week. So, I can pick it up an time day or night. After the trip we can have lunch/beer on me.

 

[wheelspinner]

I've done a few now. First, double check everything. Second, for some reason right turns tend to be harder for the wheels to "fall in line" so be careful on those. Cross your safety chains, and air hoses.

A quick vid of a tow on I-81. I keep it around 50, and I used the middle lane as there were alot of entrance ramps and those can get kind of hairy. Wish I could be there to help, I enjoyed every one so far!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-x7Bi_1vPk

 

[Tow4]

You have already received some good advice TacticalDoc. I would add; make sure you air up the front tires to max. pressure and the tow bar legs should be all the way in (short) if towing from the bumper shackle mounts. There is a TM for the tow bar that you can review if you haven't used one before.

I live in Orlando if you get in a bind and need some help.

Good luck.

 

[fasttruck]

Transfer case in neutral and you will have to deal with keeping the parking brake released when then engine is not running; eitgher suopoly air from the towing vehicle or cage the brake chambers on the rear axles of the towing vehicle.

 

[fasttruck]

above: cage brakes on towed vehicle.

 

[jwesley74]

You have already received some good advice TacticalDoc. I would add; make sure you air up the front tires to max. pressure and the tow bar legs should be all the way in (short) if towing from the bumper shackle mounts. There is a TM for the tow bar that you can review if you haven't used one before.

I live in Orlando if you get in a bind and need some help.

Good luck.

We test towed our M923A2 with M925 with this tow bar and problem we had it didn't want to track real well and tires wanted to roll over nearly off the rim.

This tow bar was said to be medium duty for our trucks but with spreader bar (as shown in picture) it was to wide to hook up to the shackles. We had to leave the spreader out to hook up. It's a shorter tow bar than the A-frame style I've seen up for sale. Before I bought this tow bar I told the guy the application M923 towing M925 and he said it was for it. We found feet that would work but still need 1" pins longer to fit the feet on the shackles. Any suggestions? I read your post to run legs short from bumper shackle mounts. The M923A2 had 60 PSI in the front tires. Should we run higher PSI? I realize it's not going to be graceful on turns but will it be okay for straight runs? Our setup is for emergencies or break downs in the event we HAVE TO tow one or the other truck. We go off roading at Redneck Yacht Club and River Ranch. So just a backup plan so were not stuck with a $1000 wrecker bill driving them to/from our playgrounds.

 

[73m819]

We test towed our M923A2 with M925 with this tow bar and problem we had it didn't want to track real well and tires wanted to roll over nearly off the rim. View attachment 448229

This tow bar was said to be medium duty for our trucks but with spreader bar (as shown in picture) it was to wide to hook up to the shackles. We had to leave the spreader out to hook up. It's a shorter tow bar than the A-frame style I've seen up for sale. Before I bought this tow bar I told the guy the application M923 towing M925 and he said it was for it. We found feet that would work but still need 1" pins longer to fit the feet on the shackles. Any suggestions? I read your post to run legs short from bumper shackle mounts. The M923A2 had 60 PSI in the front tires. Should we run higher PSI? I realize it's not going to be graceful on turns but will it be okay for straight runs? Our setup is for emergencies or break downs in the event we HAVE TO tow one or the other truck. We go off roading at Redneck Yacht Club and River Ranch. So just a backup plan so were not stuck with a $1000 wrecker bill driving them to/from our playgrounds.

That tow bar is for the mk48s

 

[Tow4]

We test towed our M923A2 with M925 with this tow bar and problem we had it didn't want to track real well and tires wanted to roll over nearly off the rim. View attachment 448229

This tow bar was said to be medium duty for our trucks but with spreader bar (as shown in picture) it was to wide to hook up to the shackles. We had to leave the spreader out to hook up. It's a shorter tow bar than the A-frame style I've seen up for sale. Before I bought this tow bar I told the guy the application M923 towing M925 and he said it was for it. We found feet that would work but still need 1" pins longer to fit the feet on the shackles. Any suggestions? I read your post to run legs short from bumper shackle mounts. The M923A2 had 60 PSI in the front tires. Should we run higher PSI? I realize it's not going to be graceful on turns but will it be okay for straight runs? Our setup is for emergencies or break downs in the event we HAVE TO tow one or the other truck. We go off roading at Redneck Yacht Club and River Ranch. So just a backup plan so were not stuck with a $1000 wrecker bill driving them to/from our playgrounds.

That tow bar should work if you have the proper feet to attach to the shackle mounts on the towed vehicle. You don't need the spreader bar. I don't know where you can get the 1" pins.

Running the front tire pressure up to maximum is supposed to help the towed vehicle track better. If the tires were trying to roll off the rim, they were turning opposite to the direction of travel during or after a turn. If it does this just making a slight turn or while going straight, you may have to tie the steering wheel to limit how much it can turn.

 

[TacticalDoc]

I'll be using medium USGI tow bars

 

[pctrans]

Is everyone missing the a key factor here?? Don't cage the towed vehicle brakes. Use the air lines so you have maximum braking power. After all, the 925 weighs more than the 923.

 

[TacticalDoc]

Is everyone missing the a key factor here?? Don't cage the towed vehicle brakes. Use the air lines so you have maximum braking power. After all, the 925 weighs more than the 923.

I will be using the air lines to the tow truck and chais. This is my first tow and if anyone is available in the area let me know.

 

[wheelspinner]

Is everyone missing the a key factor here?? Don't cage the towed vehicle brakes. Use the air lines so you have maximum braking power. After all, the 925 weighs more than the 923.

Caging the brakes has no effect on the service brakes. If there is an air leak in the towed vehicle you have to cage the spring brakes. The only thing this does is keep the emergency spring off the brakes. If you tow a vehicle which has the ability to be aired, then no reason to waste time caging, but it has zero effect on using the service brakes.

 

[TacticalDoc]

just wondering...but if you cant hook up the air hose cant you just start the truck and let the motor run

 

[Captaincarrier]

just wondering...but if you cant hook up the air hose cant you just start the truck and let the motor run

The reason they are towing is the water pump is not working.....

 

[TacticalDoc]

The reason they are towing is the water pump is not working.....

I know but this is a question if the water pump was working ... not asking in this case because it would over heat

 

[TacticalDoc]

will be back in town this week

 

[TacticalDoc]

update...the SS member who sent the tow bars didn't secure the pins when he mailed it and one pins is lost. So, I cant make the tow this month/ I don't think the truck will be around until I get the replacement pin.

BTW if you're going to send parts in the mail secure the pins or lose parts. also make sure the pins are properly set.