Fort Lewis Recovery - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

NEWFDAD · 01-17-2009, 18:25

Well I finally won a big truck from GL (an M813) and am looking forward to getting it home once the EUC clears.My plan was to have it shipped the 550 miles to me here in Western Montana. The problem now is that my wife
just got laid off and we have had some unexpected medical bills. I know that the cheapest way might be for me to drive my M1009 the 550 miles out to Fort Lewis, hope that the truck is roadworthy ( or at least easily made so),
and flat tow my blazer back to Montana. I know this might be a bad idea especially considering the fact that I don't have any experience with the big trucks.
Any help, ideas, or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Keith

BKubu · 01-17-2009, 18:29

Keith, maybe someone in that area can do a pre-inspection to see if the truck could be made roadworthy. I know your mechanic skills...you will be fine.

NEWFDAD · 01-17-2009, 18:37

Bruce, that would be ideal. I figure I should post some pics. So here it goes.(first time with the pic posting)

wsucougarx · 01-17-2009, 19:13

I'd inspect the truck for you but I know nothing about 818's only '35's. Probably the same nonetheless. I can head up on Tuesday and look the truck over for you. PM me if you want me to

kurtkds · 01-17-2009, 19:21

I can help also, with inspection and off GL site storage if you need it.

Kurt

pilot · 01-17-2009, 19:26

We picked up 5 M818s and 2 M813s this summer,and the partial list of defects to look for would be low tires, low brake fluid, low coolant, dead batteries, inop windshield wipers, inop or missing heaters,one differential needed a gallon of lube. One M813 blew an oil cooler about 40 miles down the road so that one we towbared it the last 50 miles behind the other M813. The military towbar, short air hoses and a magnetic towlight kit (I made one that plugs into the military trailer receptacle) could come in handy. If you are going to make or modify a civilian towbar keep in mind the M813 needs the large lunette ring. Also there is the possibility of legal requirement or actual use of tire chains on the mountain passes. I am sure there are other people on this site that can help more but this is what we have encountered.

Greg Blanchfield Devils Lake, North Dakota

NEWFDAD · 01-17-2009, 21:08

Thanks for the replies guys.

wsucougarx- that would be great, I will PM you.

kurtkds- the inspection would be great and the off site storage would be a fantastic option if I had to do any repairs that required more time than would be reasonable on the GL lot, or if I had to order any parts. I will PM you also.

pilot- Thanks for the list of things to expect. I do have the military small and medium tow bars.

This is what the listing said:
MILITARY M818 5 TON TRACTOR TRUCK, 6X6, MFG/ YR UNK, ID# C124-10006-05A01470, ODOMETER READS 00477. 4, HOUR GAGE READS 0005. 0, SOFT TOP, HAS 6 CYL CUMMINS DIESEL MOTOR, MOTOR WILL NOT TRUN OVER ON IT'S OWN

kurtkds · 01-17-2009, 21:44

That is about what the description said about my Deuce from Ft Lewis. It started right up when I got there... Ya never know...

MilitaryRestoration · 01-18-2009, 00:57

Was just there today and got my 818, wish knew you needed yours inspected... I've got an acre avail for storage as well and it's 4 hrs closer to where you live if that helps out. We have two 818's and many 35's and between my father and I many years experience with trucks and especially with the cummins 250/father. He grew up on them. Let me know if I can help out... Also have a wrecker unit for the 5ton tractor of mine and towbars as well, thats what I just did today, towbar'd mine home... -Todd

pilot · 01-18-2009, 10:56

I was looking at the pictures and did not see any heater or heater controls, but I could not enlarge them so maybe I missed some details. I bought a propane camp heater to put in the cabs for temporary heat and defrost. Looks like a nice truck.

Greg