Towing a M105a2 w/ civilian Pick Up ?

[Scrounger]

When Slate revived this thread, his question was about recovering an empty trailer with a pickup. There seems to be a some “incorrect” knowledge on this topic going around. An empty M105 weighs 2750 lbs. Trailer brakes are only required for trailers that weigh over 3000 lbs. My suggestion was to use a lifted hitch to have the trailer ride more level. I don’t have a picture of my setup; however, this is an image of the kind that I use. It is rated for 10,000 lbs. One of the reasons for having a hitch that is close to the level of the pintle hook is for coupling. It is a lot safer when the pintle hook and pintle ring are similar in height and one isn’t trying to horse the thing around. I have safely recovered quite a few M105s with a 1-ton pickup instead of taking a 5-ton cargo truck to save fuel costs. The most important thing to remember is to operate the vehicle appropriately to what one is driving.

 

[tobyS]

Learned something. I thought it was single axle exempt, but the weight limit in Indiana is also 3000# to be exempt. The spec I have says they weigh 2650#.

 

[porkysplace]

When Slate revived this thread, his question was about recovering an empty trailer with a pickup. There seems to be a some “incorrect” knowledge on this topic going around. An empty M105 weighs 2750 lbs. Trailer brakes are only required for trailers that weigh over 3000 lbs. My suggestion was to use a lifted hitch to have the trailer ride more level. I don’t have a picture of my setup; however, this is an image of the kind that I use. It is rated for 10,000 lbs. One of the reasons for having a hitch that is close to the level of the pintle hook is for coupling. It is a lot safer when the pintle hook and pintle ring are similar in height and one isn’t trying to horse the thing around. I have safely recovered quite a few M105s with a 1-ton pickup instead of taking a 5-ton cargo truck to save fuel costs. The most important thing to remember is to operate the vehicle appropriately to what one is driving.

View attachment 770666

In michigan anything with a GVW of #3000 or above needs brakes , they don't care about empty weight.

 

[tobyS]

In michigan anything with a GVW of #3000 or above needs brakes , they don't care about empty weight.

So you are saying that in Michigan they can arrest or cite you for being over and not having brakes without ever getting out a scale, ...all done from the tag?

We learn something new every day.

 

[tylercodydale]

Dexter axle (under-slung with electric brakes) and hummer tires bring it down a bit. Here is my version (under construction).

What was your Hub face to Hub face measurement on your axle if you don’t mind