Weird Part - Lunette Extension?

[Storm 51]

I was given this part (really an assembly) today and was told that it is a "lunette extension" for a trailer. It looks weird to me and seems kind of pointless as a trailer lunette extension.

Does anyone recognize it or know what it is and how to use it? Every part of the assembly has a number and it is definitely very heavy duty.


Thanks for any help with this. I thought this might be something for a bigger truck. I just have a little M37/M42 and M101A1 trailer.

 

[Evil Dr. Porkchop]

That is indeed a lunette extension. I've seen it mentioned in P.S. Magazine for towing a trailer with an m113. I can't remember which trailer though; maybe a water buffalo?

 

[Castle Bravo]

If I remember correctly, it is for the PLS trailer (M1076) and used when the PLS has a 20 ft connex on it. The connex sticks off the back and the trailer will strike the connex if this extension is not in place.

 

[Storm 51]

Thanks, guys!

Not having a M1076 (or even knowing what it is) I guess I now have another orphan to find a home for.

I'll put it with the rest of the orphan herd and hope it doesn't get into too much trouble.

Thanks again!

Storm 51

 

[ev2bfree]

I need one of these! Do you still have one?

 

[DrillerSurplus]

PLS Drawbar extension

If I remember correctly, it is for the PLS trailer (M1076) and used when the PLS has a 20 ft connex on it. The connex sticks off the back and the trailer will strike the connex if this extension is not in place.

I had subscribed to this thread a while ago, so an email popped up with the recent post. I'm 99% certain Storm 51's extension is not for the PLS, more along the lines of Evil Dr. Porkchop's post.
There is heavy duty and then there is HEAVY DUTY when the loaded trailer has a GVW of 50,000 pounds. The drawbar extension for the PLST adds three feet and weighs 425 pounds. I made a quick pass through the TM and couldn't find any other extensions mentioned.

. . . . .View attachment TM-9-2330-385-10 re PLS M1076 drawbar extension.pdf

 

[Storm 51]

My extension is certainly a light weight compared to that thing. I just use mine to make my trailer a little easier to steer when backing up. I can measure it, but it certainly isn't 3 feet in length and the clamping parts would never handle 50,000 lbs.

 

[ev2bfree]

I had subscribed to this thread a while ago, so an email popped up with the recent post. I'm 99% certain Storm 51's extension is not for the PLS, more along the lines of Evil Dr. Porkchop's post.
There is heavy duty and then there is HEAVY DUTY when the loaded trailer has a GVW of 50,000 pounds. The drawbar extension for the PLST adds three feet and weighs 425 pounds. I made a quick pass through the TM and couldn't find any other extensions mentioned.

I have 3 PLS trucks and this adapter is used when towing one with another. The tow bar will NOT fit into the "Special" pintle receiver. I also have a MK14 trailer, and that pintle will NOT fit either. The TM does say this is a PLS specific adapter.

 

[Storm 51]

Shipping is going to be a killer on this thing, because I'm in Washington state.

Are you still interested?

 

[ev2bfree]

Yes. I sent contact info via pm

 

[Storm 51]

I just sent you a PM.

 

[DrillerSurplus]

HEAVY DUTY[/B] when the loaded trailer has a GVW of 50,000 pounds. The drawbar extension for the PLST adds three feet and weighs 425 pounds. I made a quick pass through the TM and couldn't find any other extensions mentioned.
I have 3 PLS trucks and this adapter is used when towing one with another. The tow bar will NOT fit into the "Special" pintle receiver. I also have a MK14 trailer, and that pintle will NOT fit either. The TM does say this is a PLS specific adapter.
View attachment 658517

Thanks, learn something every day, one of the great things about this site. I didn't realize the MK14 tow bar lunette wouldn't fit in the self aligning pintle hitch either (or whatever they call it)
I had only looked in the TM for the M1076, what TM has this?

 

[juanprado]

storm51

The one you have I believe is to tow a m105 trailer behind a Bradley M2A2 and originally M113A3. The Engineers needed to tow their equipment and was binding, so they had an extension to move it away. Saw it one of the monthly PS magazines.

http://psmag.radionerds.com/images/d/dc/PS_Magazine_Issue_657_August_2007.pdf

 

[Storm 51]

Thanks, Juan!

It will probably work for both trailers (and maybe a few more). For now it is happily living in the bed of my M101A1. I was planning on attaching it this summer to see if the added length would help make my trailer a little less "active" when I'm backing it up.

At least it is nice to know a little bit of the history of this thing.

 

[DrillerSurplus]

I have 3 PLS trucks and this adapter is used when towing one with another. The tow bar will NOT fit into the "Special" pintle receiver. I also have a MK14 trailer, and that pintle will NOT fit either. The TM does say this is a PLS specific adapter.
View attachment 658517

I'm guessing these adapters are going to be hard to find. I'm wondering if the self-guided feature of the pintle hitch on the PLS is worth the hassle of finding/making an adapter for any trailer other than an M1076. I'm thinking it might be better to change the pintle on the PLS out to a standard heavy duty pintle like what is on the rear of the MK48 rear units.
Anyone on here use these self guided pintles with the shroud while they were in the service? Any thoughts?

 

[gimpyrobb]

According to this, its a tow bar extension.

 

[DrillerSurplus]

According to this, its a tow bar extension.

View attachment 658814
View attachment 658815
View attachment 658816

Yes, it is. It's also needed as a drawbar extension for the M989A1 trailer behind a PLS with one of these "self-guided coupler".
The M1076 drawbar has a longer "neck" on the lunette and so do the Advanced Containment Systems FPU-TS trailers that GP was selling in Ft Polk recently.

. . . . ... . .

 

[Mainsail]

It looks like a great way to adapt a lunette ring to a civie trailer hitch. Lop off that ring on the extension and machine it to allow you to bolt or weld on a ball coupler.

Would let you keep the ring on your mil trailer and swap back and forth between your mil or civ vehicle for towing.