Towing a commercial trailer with an M-series 5-Ton

[historyfanatics]

I am contemplating buying a 5-Ton Tractor, but am not sure which series to get - 809 or 939.

Also, I need the capability to haul a commercial lowboy trailer with my other vehciles lashed down to it. Any recommendations on how to do this?

I looked at the M-series lowboy, but I can't fit a deuce and an M151 on it. Plus, it doesn't have folding ramps.

And, the straight trailer (I don't remember the numbers) puts the gun mount on the deuce too high.

I can get a commercial lowboy for a pretty decent price. It comes with either air-assist ramps or hydraulic ramps. Plus, it's got decent ground clearance, as well as being low-enough that all my stuff clears most overhead obstructions.

 

[BKubu]

Go with an M915A1. They make much better road tractors.

 

[Ferroequinologist]

I've hauled lots of stuff with my m818. Check out this thread: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/milita...got-drive-1-600-miles-1-5-miles-railroad.html You are not going anywhere fast and hills will drag you down. You can tow a civilian trailer with one. Just remember the 5th wheel is about 10in higher than a civy rig. You can change the lights to 24v bulbs, or omnivolt LEDs.

But I would highly recommend a M915 or m916 as a much better military tractor.

 

[EMD567]

After just doing 285 miles in ferros 818, I agree. The 818 WILL get you there-but it also beats the tar out of you. Get a 915,916 or 920.

 

[Old Lincoln County Iron]

Go with the M915, M915A1, M916, or a M920 tractor. Faster, better ride, Plenty of power, engine brake, and you can tow either military or civilian type trailers as they have 12 volt 7pin connection as well as 12 pin 24 volt military.

 

[M1075]

As a note, the M916 and M920 tractors will not pull civilian trailers without fifth wheel or kingping modifications.

 

[Old Lincoln County Iron]

Good Point James! I Forgot to mention that!

 

[319]

As a note, the M916 and M920 tractors will not pull civilian trailers without fifth wheel or kingping modifications.

I'm not into tractors yet, so what are the differences?

 

[Ferroequinologist]

2in kingpin and 3in kingpin

 

[Old Lincoln County Iron]

The M915, M915A1 use standard king pin size fifth wheel plates, The M916, and M920's use a larger king pin size (if I remember correctly its 3.5") 5th wheel plates. You have to switch 5th wheel plates on the larger M916 and m920 tractors to the smaller standard king pin plate, or use and adapter on the the smaller king pin to "size it up" for the larger plates.

 

[M1075]

Basically-

Buy a M818 if you want off-road capability or want the "tactical look"
Buy a M915 if you want to go fast on the highway
Buy a M915A1 if you want something easy to drive

 

[Wildchild467]

Im not really looking into buying a tractor (yet), but these are all good useful specs. it does make me want to get one though!! Thanks guys!

 

[historyfanatics]

Basically-

Buy a M818 if you want off-road capability or want the "tactical look"
Buy a M915 if you want to go fast on the highway
Buy a M915A1 if you want something easy to drive

Is the M915/M915A1 the freightliner tractor? Basically, a 6x4? I have seen them on the GL site, but don't know much about them.

I went to J A Tonka's website, and downloaded the operator manuals for each. I'll look through them when I get a chance.

Thanks!

 

[M1075]

Is the M915/M915A1 the freightliner tractor? Basically, a 6x4? I have seen them on the GL site, but don't know much about them.

I went to J A Tonka's website, and downloaded the operator manuals for each. I'll look through them when I get a chance.

Thanks!

The M915/M915A1 were built by AM General with CCC cab. The M915A2 was built by Freightliner, but there aren't many of those in private hands yet.

 

[docfarmall]

Reb87 has a place to get the 3" to 2" addaptors he posted awhile back on them I like my M915 . Much faster than my M818 and quieter too

 

[R Racing]

The M915 m916 m920 Have insulated cabs and mor comfortable to drive. I love my M813 and M816 but I can use my blue tooth and have conversations without yelling in the M920 also roomier cab and 12v outlet for my gps !!!

 

[Bighurt]

The M915 m916 m920 Have a 12v outlet for my gps !!!

Might want to be careful with that. I hear it's a gamble on how it's actually wired. Turns out not a lot of 12 volt accessory options in the early 80's... I'd be willing to be a lot of the earlier trucks or those that never got re-worked are wired 24v...

After all the cigarette doesn't care...

Being a former Stereo guy I wonder how well I can make a head unit mount...and add some speakers...Hmmmm

 

[rosco]

I don't want to steel the thread, but my Garmin GPS cigarette lighter adapter input is 10 to 30 DCV. Output is 5 DCV. A 24V lighter socket works great!

 

[historyfanatics]

Thanks to everybody for the info. I never considered the 915/A1 series of trucks. Actually, I didn't even know about them. I plan on lchecking them out to see if that will work for me. Sounds like it will. Especially if I don't have to convert military to civilian/commercial.

 

[wreckerman893]

The M915 is a lot lighter than the M916/M920 due to lack of transfer case and front drive axle. It also gets a little better fuel milage.

The M915 came with the 15 speed Cat tranny or the 5 speed Allison. While I lke the Cat the Allison is cheaper to repair and easier to get parts for.