Wreck waiting to happen M944A1 recovery - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

sermis · 11-10-2008, 16:13

Well I took on the task of a M944A1 recover for reb87 from Ft. Hood. The pic’s on GL showed drivers fender damage. The GL guy said that they used a forklift to unload and we assumed the damage was caused by that. I get there and discover the damage was from a front end wreck. Kind of looks like a tow bar accident. Well we scoured the lot and found a couple bolts to put into the drivers side bumper on the bottom. I could not get one of the ¾” pin back into the tow bar due to the bumper being twisted so I used a line up bar and black tape to hold it in. The bumper and brackets were loose. My neighbor went with me so I had him ride in the truck and steer just incase. Hooked up the air lines and the brakes released. Pulled it off of GL’s lot and checked fluids and away we went at a land speed record of 30 down hill. I can saw it out weighed my deuce by 20,000 and it was all the little truck could do to pull. About half way home the front right brake started getting hot. Discovered that the emergency and service line are crossed on the front of the truck. Reconnected the hoses and it would only build 60 psi. made it home. I have a tight turn in front of my barn and that is where the bumper let go the rest of the way. With only two bolts on each side I guess we were lucky to make it this far.

bulldog_mack13 · 11-10-2008, 16:32

Nice truck lol

Sounds like one of my adventures but glad it all went ok

DanMartin · 11-10-2008, 16:54

Yikes! Well, glad you made it home safe.

Aside from the damage, how is the truck in general? What equipment did it come with under the shell?

reb87 · 11-10-2008, 17:16

Good thing I said a few prayers for you this morning. Glad you made it home. Looking forward to more pics. Thanks, Ross

M1075 · 11-10-2008, 17:25

Wow, I wanna see pics of the deuce towing it!

MilitaryRestoration · 11-10-2008, 18:32

can't believe a deuce pulled it and made it

little engine who could hehe

sermis · 11-10-2008, 20:24

When we left the base the ruts on the service road was making the 33,000 pound truck move side to side. That is when I let Charlie, my neighbor, steer the truck. On the First turn at the red light after leaving the base the truck started pushing me straight while I wanted to turn left. PUCKER FACTOR 500%. My neighbor then realized how much he needed to turn it to make it follow. No other issues on the trip except for 800 degree front right brake drum about half way home. That is when I realized the air lines were crossed. Bumper incident was here at the house. I got all the fluids filled here at the house and put power to it to see if it would turn over. Lots of sparks from the cables. I only have one set of batteries in the truck. It never turned over but acted like it would if it had enough juice. Got dark and had to stop. Truck has a welder, lath, generator, vice, and a few other items. Doors open with the hydro pump.

More to follow.

ARMYMAN30YearsPlus · 11-10-2008, 20:28

Wow that is a great truck and ditto on the prayers helping. Can't wait to see more pictures of the truck and tow. Almost sounds like when you towed the duece home with your little truck.

sermis · 11-10-2008, 20:31

I would have had PIC's but my wifes camera battery was dead. I did not have enough sence to change out the battery with the spare that was in the bag. SHE TOLD ME ABOUT THE EXTRA BATTERY WHEN SHE GOT HOME.

54reo · 11-10-2008, 23:29

Gotta get some shots of the equipment in the back!