Posted by David Sherman on Tuesday, July 19, 2005 at 3:15AM :
What do you guys think of flat-towing an M37 with a 1/2 ton chevy with a bunch of weight in the back? My M37's just not fit to drive any distance on the highway, and I need to get it moved to Idaho soon. It has a very stout home-made lunette-type tow bar on the front, and I have a pintle hitch on my Chevy that I've used quite a bit to tow a well-loaded 3/4 ton military trailer.
I currently have a full load of machinery in the P/U, weighing 2400 lbs on the front axle and 3400 on the rear (5800 GVW). I could move the weight up a bit to center it. If need be, I could disconnect the drivelines, but one question is would it hurt anything to just tow it with the transfer case and tranny in neutral?
The distance is 400 miles with two pretty good grades in there. I would plan on leaving around 9:00 at night, going slow, and waiting somewhere if I didn't get get to Idaho by daybreak. I'd drive only on dry pavement. I have legal clamp-on trailer lights I'd use for it.
The Chevy's a 2WD 1967 with a 292 and a low-geared 4-speed. I know it won't go fast up a hill, but I don't want to go fast with the M37 on my tail anyway. The P/U tires are a bit soft for my taste (35 psi max), but have good tread.
I know this isn't the ideal way to do it, and I could just barely squeeze it in the back of my M35, but at today's diesel prices, that's over $300 just for fuel to make a trip to the coast and back with the deuce. I'd especially like to hear from anyone who's actually towed an M37 some distance using a 1/2 ton pickup. Also, any advice on whether or not to tie the steering wheel in place? Thanks.
Follow Ups: