Towing an M818

[Lorax]

Howdy. My M818 EUC should be clearing sometime in another week or 2, and I'm thinking of having it towed home due to a fuel issue. It's about 60 miles away. Reading through posts, I've seen people say to remove the front drive shaft, remove the rear rear shaft, lift the front onto the wrecker, or flat tow it.

I'm confused as to which way to go, but figure at least to lift the front, or remove the front shaft at least. Is it overkill to do anything other that hooking up and letting the wrecker tow it, or should I remove shafts and lift the front for the 60 miles tow?

 

[Offroadfabworks]

IF you are lifting the front up so only the rear tandems are on the ground. just pull the rear shaft and go. the front will be in the air so the t-case wont be spinning.

 

[Irv]

I towed a M52, a M818, and a M52A2 all flat, no problem. Towed behind a 5t cargo truck with mil towbars. Didn't remove any shafts at all. Did speed limit on freeway. Felt stable. Never felt funny. No heat build up on any hubs, transfer case, etc. Didn't have to run a bungee to steering wheels. One rig had frozen steering mechanism, so I disconnected the Pittman arm and let it float free. Never saw any damage at all from towing.

 

[beaubeau]

If U flat tow, no Problems as it is. I towed my M818 500 miles behind my Deuce and No problems. Just make sure all drive train is good, Ujoints, drive shafts not bent and tires inflated to Specs. Good luck, Phil

 

[DaveP]

If your lift towing why not pull the shaft at the front drive? just pull the one end and tie it up. only takes 5 mins. takes a lot of worry out of things. 60 miles? i would make the fuel issue workable if possible and drive it!