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Springfield, IL road trip-M35A2/Unimog

saddamsnightmare

Well-known member
3,618
80
48
Location
Abilene, Texas
May 19th, 2010.

Well, Gents:

It looks like my M35A2+M105A2 and Unimog S404.114 (Swiss) are all gonna get to earn their keep shortly on two road trips from Paris, Texas to Springfield, Illinois in the next month or so. I figure the M35A2 and M105A2 should be good for 7-1/4 tons on the road payloads, and I should be able to hold 45-50 on the level.... The Unimog is rated for 1-1/2 tons and should be able to slog along at 60KM/PH on the level, but I'm pretty sure she isn't going to be going Interstates......:-? The tri[p will be between 675 and 745 miles, particularly with the Unimog, as it is pretty much imperative to keep off the Interstates as Unimogs of this type generally caan't hold speeds in excess of 60KM/PH ( Approximately 38-40MPH) for any length of time due to the bearings in the transmission and transfer cases (Bronze-not rollers or ball bearings).... In Europe it would be unlikely for any militarty or civillian S404 to cover distances like that on own wheels... Why on own wheels...? I need to move my belongings, and after being unemployed since November 4, 2009.... it's cheaper then paying a mover with money that I don't have on hand right now......!

Now for a real crapgame, as the deuce needs 11 new tire and the trailer 2.. Any good sources for 9:00X20 NDCC's at 95% tread life & solid? Also what size --:00R20's can a deuce mount as dual tandems and still not get into the sidewalls rubbing shtik? I'm looking for good M+S that handle snow and rain really well (EVERYTHING an NDCC can't do) and wears well on pavement (again, a weak spot for the NDCC's)....? Paging SGT. Oddball.......

My next posting is back with the National Park Service at the Abraham Lincoln Home NHS in Springfield,IL, so I hope that our illustrious Illinois brethren would be so kind as to fill me in on the arcana of registering MV's in Illinois as regular pickups/trucks. :confused:The deuce has been rated a 13500/23500 lb pickup here in Texas, as that's how the title came down from Colorado, and the Unimog is merely a Benz 1-1/2 ton pickup truck, 6100/9100 lbs weight..... Ironically the last posting of the M35A2 was with the 88RRC, 300thQMC in Peru, Illinois in 2004/2005, and the Unimog came from Winnetka,IL, so they are both going back home (for them).
I will also need to locate a good Unimog mechanic in that area, and figure out what both trucks will need to fight salt on the road,as only one was ever run in Illinois (M35A2) and it was apparently rustproofed in Arlington, IL according to a sticker on the dashboard. I have heard that neither MB's or M35A2's like rock salt......

Here's hoping something interesting turns up.... and no breakdowns occur (particularly NOT with the Unimog).... It ought to be a unique set of experiences....:jumpin:
 
Last edited:

saddamsnightmare

Well-known member
3,618
80
48
Location
Abilene, Texas
May 19th, 2010.

flyxpl:

I'll be looking around for a new homestead in one of the smaller towns around Springfield (if any such still exist), particularly ones without HOA's or inane regulations on military trucks... I have watched others on here get slammed by the HOA's and cities, so I shall come aware.... Besides, I like the older architecture one meets with in the Midwest and East, I've had enough of ranch houses with no basements and no barns ....
I'll look you up if I (and the Unimog particularly) survive the trip. Mine are working trucks, so now they'll really get to work. I'll also be looking for a cab heater kit later this summer, as I am certain IL winters will be brutal compared to NE Texas ones .:D

Thanks again,
 

NMC_EXP

New member
286
12
0
Location
Raton, New Mexico
Kyle

I am 30 miles N.W. of Peoria IL. My condolences on your relocation to the People's Republic of Illinois.

There are plenty of small towns left in central IL. Pick out some towns near Springfield which look interesting then go to the website city-data.com. You can pull up detailed info on demographics, average housing costs, crime stats, weather & climate for cities and small towns.

Illinois Bigger Cities (over 6000 residents) - Real Estate, Housing, Schools, Residents, Crime, Pollution, Demographics and More

he link should take you to the page for larger cities in IL. There is a drop down box where you can select smaller towns.

Good luck.

Regards

Jim
 

Biggles

Member
248
0
16
Location
Pawnee, IL
I live in Pawnee, a small town near springfield, My deuce hasn't caused any problems here. I also know a bunch of the guys that work out at Lincoln's home (I do Civil war re-enacting and such) If you need any help let me know and I'll do what I can........P.S. expect your deuce tog et mistaken for mine often. :)
 

bguy193

Member
174
3
18
Location
Farmersville,IL
I am about 25 min south of Springfield and about 10 min south of BIGGLES in the countryside just North of Farmersville ( If you blink you miss it) In Illinois you will have to get a Class F License plate for trucks 12000#s or greater. When you get close to comming contact me and I will lend you any help I can........................................PM SENT
 

Biggles

Member
248
0
16
Location
Pawnee, IL
Deuces are banned in Chatham (unofficially) that's why I moved to Pawnee. I got pulled over in Chatham for the third time in the same deuce after owning it for several months and it being road legal for almost two, because they thought I had stolen it form camp Lincoln (I only had a front plate on no rear Just like the previous times they had pulled me over) There was 5 squad cars and 7 officers there had me on the side of rte 4 for 30 minutes. Also if you have high School age kids they will have problems driving in Chatham. To prove a point a few years ago when my younger sister was still in high school my dad hopped in her car and just went for a quick drive around town he didn't make it but a few blocks before he got pulled over. He hadn't been pulled over in a really long time and my sister wasn't ever in trouble. They just see that high school parking sticker and go for it.


Sorry for the rant, I'm done now.
 

rwbrown72

Active member
772
33
28
Location
Mt. Vernon, IL
Deuces are banned in Chatham (unofficially) that's why I moved to Pawnee. I got pulled over in Chatham for the third time in the same deuce after owning it for several months and it being road legal for almost two, because they thought I had stolen it form camp Lincoln (I only had a front plate on no rear Just like the previous times they had pulled me over) There was 5 squad cars and 7 officers there had me on the side of rte 4 for 30 minutes. Also if you have high School age kids they will have problems driving in Chatham. To prove a point a few years ago when my younger sister was still in high school my dad hopped in her car and just went for a quick drive around town he didn't make it but a few blocks before he got pulled over. He hadn't been pulled over in a really long time and my sister wasn't ever in trouble. They just see that high school parking sticker and go for it.


Sorry for the rant, I'm done now.
A wise man once said "You can't fix stupid." Good info to know as I have not lived there, just visited friends that live there. It always seemed nice. Kinda sounds like the place they filmed "Footloose".:shock:
 

hughscpa

Member
333
0
16
Location
Coffeen, IL
Good luck on the move. I am located about 60 miles south of Springfield. When it comes to plates, I can't help because I have municipal plates on mine (company owned). If I can help in any way, let me know.
 

swbradley1

Modertator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Steel Soldiers Supporter
14,251
1,702
113
Location
Dayton, OH
I spent a lot of time in Virginia, Il while installing their 911 system and I always thought it was a nice place. Take 125 and head north west about 8-15 miles.

In that area at least you won't have to worry about hills.

I stayed in Beardstown and that place seemed nice as well.

Rant On
Unfortunately you picked one of three states I am pretty sure I could never live in because of their laws regarding the Second Amendment.
Rant Off

Good luck on the trip.
steve
 

flighht2k5

Banned
322
5
0
May 19th, 2010.

Well, Gents:

It looks like my M35A2+M105A2 and Unimog S404.114 (Swiss) are all gonna get to earn their keep shortly on two road trips from Paris, Texas to Springfield, Illinois in the next month or so. I figure the M35A2 and M105A2 should be good for 7-1/4 tons on the road payloads, and I should be able to hold 45-50 on the level.... The Unimog is rated for 1-1/2 tons and should be able to slog along at 60KM/PH on the level, but I'm pretty sure she isn't going to be going Interstates......:-? The tri[p will be between 675 and 745 miles, particularly with the Unimog, as it is pretty much imperative to keep off the Interstates as Unimogs of this type generally caan't hold speeds in excess of 60KM/PH ( Approximately 38-40MPH) for any length of time due to the bearings in the transmission and transfer cases (Bronze-not rollers or ball bearings).... In Europe it would be unlikely for any militarty or civillian S404 to cover distances like that on own wheels... Why on own wheels...? I need to move my belongings, and after being unemployed since November 4, 2009.... it's cheaper then paying a mover with money that I don't have on hand right now......!

Now for a real crapgame, as the deuce needs 11 new tire and the trailer 2.. Any good sources for 9:00X20 NDCC's at 95% tread life & solid? Also what size --:00R20's can a deuce mount as dual tandems and still not get into the sidewalls rubbing shtik? I'm looking for good M+S that handle snow and rain really well (EVERYTHING an NDCC can't do) and wears well on pavement (again, a weak spot for the NDCC's)....? Paging SGT. Oddball.......

My next posting is back with the National Park Service at the Abraham Lincoln Home NHS in Springfield,IL, so I hope that our illustrious Illinois brethren would be so kind as to fill me in on the arcana of registering MV's in Illinois as regular pickups/trucks. :confused:The deuce has been rated a 13500/23500 lb pickup here in Texas, as that's how the title came down from Colorado, and the Unimog is merely a Benz 1-1/2 ton pickup truck, 6100/9100 lbs weight..... Ironically the last posting of the M35A2 was with the 88RRC, 300thQMC in Peru, Illinois in 2004/2005, and the Unimog came from Winnetka,IL, so they are both going back home (for them).
I will also need to locate a good Unimog mechanic in that area, and figure out what both trucks will need to fight salt on the road,as only one was ever run in Illinois (M35A2) and it was apparently rustproofed in Arlington, IL according to a sticker on the dashboard. I have heard that neither MB's or M35A2's like rock salt......

Here's hoping something interesting turns up.... and no breakdowns occur (particularly NOT with the Unimog).... It ought to be a unique set of experiences....:jumpin:
From all of the Unimog experts I have talked to over the years. The tranny (No transfer case in a Unimog) is fine for driving long distance as long as it has the proper gear lube in it.
 

flyxpl

New member
717
9
0
Location
Chatham IL
I prefer no town at all big or small , I like to step out on the back deck and burn off a clip or two out of my AR 15 , just because I can . My neighbors complain , I tell them if they want peace and quiet they need to move into the city . I live close to Chatham , when my dueces arrive I will pay Chatham a visit for some diesel . After I get tittle and plates .
 

Biggles

Member
248
0
16
Location
Pawnee, IL
I prefer no town at all big or small , I like to step out on the back deck and burn off a clip or two out of my AR 15 , just because I can . My neighbors complain , I tell them if they want peace and quiet they need to move into the city . I live close to Chatham , when my dueces arrive I will pay Chatham a visit for some diesel . After I get tittle and plates .

And insurance.....They'll check that. And they seem to be under the mistaken impression that you have to have the windshield folded up when driving on the highway.......You don't as long as the driver is wearing eye protection but they had to call the captain out there and look it up before they would believe me.
 

marchplumber

Well-known member
Steel Soldiers Supporter
3,785
2,791
113
Location
Peoria, Illinois
Hey there!
There are several members in the Chillicothe area. Several more in the surrounding communities. I don't know them all. If there is anything that I may be of assistance with, drop me a line! Hope and pray that your move is fun, and relatively uneventful! Welcome to Illinois. We got our problems, but then again, all states do.
God bless!
Tony:driver:
 

50shooter

Active member
284
10
28
Location
Illinois
I've driven the northern IL to San Antonio many times. Lots of flat terrain in between which should help a bunch. One thought I had was to sell your 105 and buy or rent a trailer to pull the Uni. home. Less wear and tear and then sell the trailer and buy another 105. For the fuel and maint. on the Uni. you could rent a small U-haul to carry what you would have fit in the 105.

Best of luck to you. I've got several reg. and insured in IL and it was not difficult at all. The DMV in my neck of the woods were helpful.

I'd be happy to help if needed but if you get to my part of the state you missed your exit...I'm all the way at the north end.

Good Luck
 

rwbrown72

Active member
772
33
28
Location
Mt. Vernon, IL
I'm near the Southern end.... Any help needed just drop me a PM and I'm on the way!.

P.S. The emails go directly to the Iphone, so I respond quickly!
 
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