Posted by David Sherman on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 11:02PM :
I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I'm getting ready to tow my M37 about 400 miles and I'd appreciate any advice (other than "rent a trailer"). When I first got it, I towed it about 30 miles with my 1967 1/2-ton chevy. I had removed the drivelines and the tires were low on air. I did not tie the steering wheel. It tracked okay, but I took it slow and easy.
After I fixed it up enough to be driveable, aired up the tires, and put the drivelines back in I went to tow it to the state patrol to get it inspected and it absolutely would not follow. I'd go around a corner and it would just push the tail end of the chevy sideways. I had the transfer case in neutral.
For the long trip, I plan to tow it with my M35, but I'm concerned that if the wheels tend to cock sideways like they did before, I'll drag it down the road sideways until the tires are gone before I notice. I wish I could load it in the back of the M35, but it's about 2' too long.
What I'm wondering is, is it better to tie the steering wheel? If so, should it be blocked rigidly, or tied with nylon rope with some give in it? Should I remove one or both drivelines again? Should low tire pressure actually help it track better? Is there something about M37s that makes them hard to flat-tow? If it does track, is it safe to tow it at 55-60 mph? I'm not really ready to drive it 400 miles; it's not licensed yet, is missing 2 windows and the air cleaner, and the seat is a plywood box with a lawn-chair cushion on it.
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