Towing question with M35.....

[alwayskaos]

OK, Id like to purchase an M35 and convert to Bobbed. Question is: How do they tow? I dont go far, but I tow a 20K LBS, 40Ft wide load boat. Can the Duece do it at freewat speeds (55)? Also, does it have enough low end torque to get this boat out of the water on a launch ramp?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.....

 

[Crackerjax]

i beleave a duece would pull that out of the water in 6x6 mode low but i dont know about bobbed also the stock ndts arnt that great wet but i think she will do it fine

 

[Flea]

I assume you mean 40 ft. long? 20K is a bit much, especially for a bobbed deuce with one less braking axle. Best look at a 5 ton or better.

 

[Nonotagain]

OK, Id like to purchase an M35 and convert to Bobbed. Question is: How do they tow? I dont go far, but I tow a 20K LBS, 40Ft wide load boat. Can the Duece do it at freewat speeds (55)? Also, does it have enough low end torque to get this boat out of the water on a launch ramp?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.....

If Dodge, Ford, and GM can rate their dually pickup trucks to tow a trailer in excess 17,000 lbs there should be no reason that a "bobbed deuce" can't do the same.

As for driving down the highway at 55 mph towing the same load, no way with the standard LDT-465 engine and 5 speed transmission.

The newer diesel pickup trucks have 300+ hp while the deuce has 140 hp.

 

[clinto]

I think Flea is right, an 809 series 5 ton will probably suit your needs a little better.

 

[alwayskaos]

I tow this boat from coast to coast with a standard 1 ton Dually. So a 2.5 ton M35 might have a problem with the weight? I've never had a ticket for driving too slow, and I don't want to start NOW! I wouldn't use it for long hauls, only short trips. Anyone have anything large they tow for comparison? I'm worried about steep launch ramps trying to pull this boat out of the water. My Cummins MegaCab even gets strained, but the low gear is not that low.

I found one, and I'm ready to buy one this weekend if it would work out for me...

 

[randyscycle]

Just keep in mind that you need to STOP that boat as well........

 

[alwayskaos]

One last thing. I'm new to Duece's, but I'm not at all afraid of conversions and mods. Should I swap it with a Cummins/Auto. I have an 06 Dually drivetrain that needs a home too. Maybe I'll post another thread about that one.
Hard to believe that a military truck rated at 2.5 times that of an everyday 1-ton grocery getter can't tow worth a "Blank" without getting a ticket for driving too slow!!

 

[clinto]

Hard to believe that a military truck rated at 2.5 times that of an everyday 1-ton grocery getter can't tow worth a "Blank" without getting a ticket for driving too slow!!

That is an apples to oranges comparison.

When the military spec'd out the Deuce over 50 years ago, they really planned on them running 30 or 40 miles an hour down the road in convoys or crawling through the woods at 2 mph. They didn't envision a nation of interstates where everyone was going 80 and even if they had, they wouldn't have cared because they were designing the deuce to fit their needs, not the needs of civilian or commercial users.

 

[alwayskaos]

I hear ya, but would I be able to get it up and out of a launch ramp? Is the low gear REALLY LOW?

Basically what I'm trying to do is this. I want to get rid of my new Dodge Dually (too expensive) get an M35 for very short trips to the lake, and get a more econimical daily driver.
Sounds like I would need to do the cummins drivetrain swap?

 

[rivired]

it is really low but ur talking about alot of weight to be pulled out.. but if a dodge truck will pull it out..the deuce probly would too.

And as far as the highway speed issue..i dont think theres ANY way a deuce could pull that much weight even on a flat surface at 55..most of em take awhile to get up to that speed empty.

as far as cummins...thatd be a big project but ud have an amazing end result if done right!

 

[clinto]

I hear ya, but would I be able to get it up and out of a launch ramp? Is the low gear REALLY LOW?

Basically what I'm trying to do is this. I want to get rid of my new Dodge Dually (too expensive) get an M35 for very short trips to the lake, and get a more econimical daily driver.
Sounds like I would need to do the cummins drivetrain swap?

Hmmm...............

Ok, compound low (first gear in tranny, low gear in transfer) is really slow. Like at redline the speedo needle barely moves at all. I think the manual says the truck can go 2mph in compund low at redline. So getting up and out of the launch ramp is in no way or shape an issue. Deuces can do amazing stuff in compund low.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YCzY4XPKnY[/media]

Now, so far as trips. I don't think you are gonna pull 20K lbs at 50+ mph with one of these things. It's a power issue-134 hp. Yeah, sure, you can repower one with a Cummins and throw 400hp at it, but now you've got a drivetrain (axles, driveshafts, u-joints, etc.) that is designed for 134hp that is now seeing a 200-300% increase. I've towbar'd plenty of deuces with my truck and it struggles to hold 50 on flat ground and the hills kill it. And my truck is one of the stronger ones I have driven.

A bigger problem is brakes. I'd say is getting the thing stopped is gonna be an issue with the brakes. You'll absolutely have to have a good brake controller. The Deuce is rated to pull 10K lbs, but these things are notoriously underrated and that rating might have something to do with capability to pull a trailer offroad.

A 5-ton has a lot more brake capacity and a lot more power, but they do weigh more. I suspect an M813 cargo truck or an M818 tractor would probably pull and stop a lot better but I am not sure how fast they'd go down the road. The NHC-250 has a really low redline and I am not sure where that puts them on the road.

If there are any deuce or 5-ton owners near you, you should ply them with food or beer to take you for a ride in the truck so you can get an idea of what you are getting into.

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

That is an apples to oranges comparison.

When the military spec'd out the Deuce over 50 years ago, they really planned on them running 30 or 40 miles an hour down the road in convoys or crawling through the woods at 2 mph. They didn't envision a nation of interstates where everyone was going 80 and even if they had, they wouldn't have cared because they were designing the deuce to fit their needs, not the needs of civilian or commercial users.

I appreciate your Apples/Oranges, Clinto, but also consider this....

The Interstate Highway System was first envisioned as a COLD WAR military facility with grand civilan potential. It was designed and is maintained with some very basic military strategy in mind. In wartime and other crisis (Ref Hurricane Katrina) it will readily convert to a MILITARY ONLY transport & logistics system. and as such, 30-40 MPH trafic becomes the norm, rather than the exception.

Some background:
1. All grades and clearances designed with LOADED MV's in mind.
2. Limited Access design means relatively few MPs restrict civilian access and convoys of MVs move without other traffic interferrence.
3. MANY long, level, straight tangents of roadway (coincidently made of VERY thick reinforced CONCRETE (thicker and stronger than standard roadways): aka: RUNWAYS) for battlefield air support.
4. Rest Areas readily convert into camps, bases, depots, etc. and over/underpasses serve as semi-hardened bunkers with roofs already in place.
5. During peacetime, the whole system is funded and maintained with Civilian/Commercial tax dollars. (Motor-Fuel Taxes & State Highway Departments)

And most elected officials and almost ALL of the public has forgotten that Interstates are only on loan to vacationers and truckers, and that it is really just for MV's on OFFICIAL WARTIME DUTY

 

[grizcty]

I hear ya, but would I be able to get it up and out of a launch ramp? Is the low gear REALLY LOW?

Basically what I'm trying to do is this. I want to get rid of my new Dodge Dually (too expensive) get an M35 for very short trips to the lake, and get a more econimical daily driver.
Sounds like I would need to do the cummins drivetrain swap?

Just my

Trade the Dodge (More Obsolete Parts And Restructuring) in for a real truck.
Get a FORD F 450-550 4X4.

Buy the M35 for your daily driver! LOL

 

[gimpyrobb]

You guys are so wrong. A shorty deuce will do what you want just fine. In stock form it will not go that fast because of the gears and tire size. with a shorty you can go with a larger tire to compensate for speed. Get a brake controller to control the brakes on the trailer and you will stop fine. Yes it was designed MANY years ago but it was OVER designed. It has its bad parts and good parts. Its good that you started your research, now if you want to do this, you should do more research and decide if this is your best option. I wouldn't because my trucks are toys, but it can do what you want.

 

[rosco]

A deuce will pull your boat out of the water, upside down, or side ways. Brakes are an issue, but that has just been covered. It will probably pull your outfit at 50 mph on the flats. You get much of a hill, and it will probably fade - probably down to 3rd. You can fix some of that by opening things up some (more fuel). The short version of the deuce will not be as stable, as the three axle version. That's the way I like them - you'll get a lot of waves. Just go for it, and let us know how you like it.

Lee in Alaska

 

[PorscheTech911]

I'd say turn up the fuel, install a pyrometer and see what happens. bet the deuce can handle it. i'll be interested to hear you report on it.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Never tell a deuce it can't do something. One thing I've learned is that if you give them enough time and use some common sense, there is not much a deuce cannot do. I had no problem running 55 with 20,000# in tow with my little "tractor that could"

 

[tm america]

a stock deuce will be pretty stabile with that load but you'lll need to have your trailer brakes hooked up and working for long trips and power is way down .if you turn the fuel up it will help but hills will cause a drop in speed. as far as doing it with a bobbed deuce i wouldnt even think of doing it since short wheelbases arent very stabile while towing nor do they ride very nice.also it wont brake as well as a stock deuce with that kind of load.if you put alot of tongue weight on a bobbed deuce it will try to lift the front tires to a piont it will have problems stopping the load since the wheelbase is so short

 

[PorscheTech911]

a stock deuce will be pretty stabile with that load but you'lll need to have your trailer brakes hooked up and working for long trips and power is way down .if you turn the fuel up it will help but hills will cause a drop in speed. as far as doing it with a bobbed deuce i wouldnt even think of doing it since short wheelbases arent very stabile while towing nor do they ride very nice.also it wont brake as well as a stock deuce with that kind of load.if you put alot of tongue weight on a bobbed deuce it will try to lift the front tires to a piont it will have problems stopping the load since the wheelbase is so short

I agree with this ^