From: DDoyle9570@aol.com
Date: Sat Feb 14 2004 - 10:15:11 PST
I am not familiar with the report Ron referred to regarding the safety of the G-742 (M35-type)trucks, however I am familiar with one critical of the M939. That report can be found at:
http://www.gao.gov/archive/1999/ns99082.pdf
It states that the M939 is 21 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than a M35A2. This reports states that in December 1995, the 939 family was limited to 40 MPH on road, or 35 MPH off-road, pending resolution of hte safety issues.
The trucks, when ordered, were intended to operate off-road 80 % of the time, and the NDT was a good tire for this, given the initial premise of one tire for use in snow, mud, dirt, sand....rather than matching the tire to a known terrain as off-roaders do. However, in practive the trucks on and off-road uses were reversed, and the NDT is NOT a good on-road tire during rain. This is not a new revelation, I have a WWII training film on this subject. Nevertheless, given the increased on-road use of the trucks, it was decided to try new tires. The result of this was the super-single radials.
It was found that a lightly loaded truck, under heavy brake application, had a tendency for wheel lock up, and ENGINE STALL, with inherent loss of power steering, loss of control and roll over. The suggested remedy was a change to the brake proportioning, AS WELL AS the installation of anti lock braking systems. These changes, including tires, were expected to cost $3800 per truck.
At the same time, it was decided to modify the accelerator linkage on M939A2 trucks, and add Roll over Protection as the cabs were replaced during normal maintenance. This was expected to cost about $3600 per truck.
Something that is overlooked in almost every posting about towing trucks is that NONE of us follow the military procedure. By reading the TM that accompanies the military towbar, we find that if we are flat towing another vehicle with the tow bar, there is to be a driver in BOTH vehicles. This solves the steering, lighting, and brake lighting problem. None of us do this, and in most areas it would be illegal for us to do this. And the military, at least in this area, seems to RARELY flat tow anything, rather we always see a wrecker (5 ton or HEMMT) towing with one end of the towed vehicle supported by the wrecker shipper.
With respect to the legality of amber beacons in some states. My position is, the police may stop me, the judge can fine me, but that trucker in Illinois executed these two fellows. I'll take my chances with the fine.
My .02,
David Doyle
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