TreadLite
New member
- 65
- 20
- 0
- Location
- Seattle, WA
I have always wanted a HET since I first laid eyes on them and was excited when they started being surplused. The prices of the M1070’s kept dropping and dropping and I figured I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I decided to sell some other toys (this thread helped push me over the edge - http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showth...t-a-HET-in-life-quot-M1070-Acquisition-thread) and I finally pulled the trigger in January and won a HET out of Ft. Irwin. It had been stored in SoCal for several months until I could make the trip down from Alaska to recover it. I debated between shipping and driving but finally decided on a 45 MPH road trip from California to a friend’s place in Montana. I was fine with the potential risks and costs of breakdowns, additional wear and tear, and the ever present risk of Swift trucks trying to mate with it.
The batteries in the truck were dead but once we got them charged, the truck fired right up and ran perfectly. The truck checked out and other than a couple low tires (even the CTIS worked), it was ready to roll. I even got lucky with the toolboxes and after we cut the locks off, found some treasures including a slave cable, a couple jacks and misc. tools.
Overall the trip went really smooth and the truck is surprisingly comfortable to drive. The trailer had a mysterious shake/wheel bounce between 30-35 MPH but there’s a MK48 thread somewhere that talks about it. Anyways, it’s an awesome machine that gets a lot of double takes.
A special thanks to members 100dollarman (and his son) and M920 who were both very generous and helpful. They were instrumental in making the trip happen in the first place and in making it a success. I’ve only had limited contact with the members on Steel Soldiers but have had nothing but help and concern from those I’ve dealt with. I can’t thank Hundy and son and M920 enough for their help, expertise, and cell phone minutes – thanks guys for making this hobby that much more enjoyable.
Also, a shout out to my Dad who took a personal week off from his busy job to help me on the adventure. He has been by my side for each recovery (wife and God willing there’ll be a few more).
The batteries in the truck were dead but once we got them charged, the truck fired right up and ran perfectly. The truck checked out and other than a couple low tires (even the CTIS worked), it was ready to roll. I even got lucky with the toolboxes and after we cut the locks off, found some treasures including a slave cable, a couple jacks and misc. tools.
Overall the trip went really smooth and the truck is surprisingly comfortable to drive. The trailer had a mysterious shake/wheel bounce between 30-35 MPH but there’s a MK48 thread somewhere that talks about it. Anyways, it’s an awesome machine that gets a lot of double takes.
A special thanks to members 100dollarman (and his son) and M920 who were both very generous and helpful. They were instrumental in making the trip happen in the first place and in making it a success. I’ve only had limited contact with the members on Steel Soldiers but have had nothing but help and concern from those I’ve dealt with. I can’t thank Hundy and son and M920 enough for their help, expertise, and cell phone minutes – thanks guys for making this hobby that much more enjoyable.
Also, a shout out to my Dad who took a personal week off from his busy job to help me on the adventure. He has been by my side for each recovery (wife and God willing there’ll be a few more).
Congrats on the successful (partial) recovery. Good luck on getting it back to Alaska.
