Towbar
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- First Lieutenant
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Towbar
What kind of towbar did they use for the cckw? There must of been some way to self recover a broken down vehicle and tow it besides chains or ropes that did not require someone to steer and break for the dead vehicle, besides the use of a tow truck. And as there is no shackles on the bumper only tow hooks how did the bars bolt or clamp to the frame or bumper? Just wondering.
ATW,
Doc Britton.
1945 353-B2 W/W with 1943 Trackson Co. M-36 Gun Mount
1944 Ford M-20 Armored Car
1943 Steel body Ben Hur trailer
1944 MB w/GPW engine (project) On hold M-20 restoration has OPERATIONAL PRIORITY
Active Duty Paratrooper 82nd Abn. Div.
2nd BDE. 325 A.I.R.
3rd BCT 2-505 P.I.R
407th BSB Trauma Team SGT/Leader
Combat Medic
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14 years in the 82nd. Americas Guard of Honor
Doc Britton.
1945 353-B2 W/W with 1943 Trackson Co. M-36 Gun Mount
1944 Ford M-20 Armored Car
1943 Steel body Ben Hur trailer
1944 MB w/GPW engine (project) On hold M-20 restoration has OPERATIONAL PRIORITY
Active Duty Paratrooper 82nd Abn. Div.
2nd BDE. 325 A.I.R.
3rd BCT 2-505 P.I.R
407th BSB Trauma Team SGT/Leader
Combat Medic
Fmr. Combat Engr. 307th Engr. Bn. Abn.
14 years in the 82nd. Americas Guard of Honor
- retro-roco
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- Location: Bloomington, IL, USA
Tow bar
there was a special tow bar that was shaped something like a banana. It bolted to the front axle of the truck being towed, and had a lunette eye at the other end. You don't see them available very often...
Item Co., 23rd Inf. Regt., 2nd Div. WWII HRS
(Retro-Roco)
Bloomington, IL
_________________
1942 Chevy 1-1/2 ton cargo w/ winch
194? Ben Hur water trailer
(Retro-Roco)
Bloomington, IL
_________________
1942 Chevy 1-1/2 ton cargo w/ winch
194? Ben Hur water trailer
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- Brigadier General
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Doc,
I believe that towbar was standard equipment on the Diamond T wrecker. It was usually attached to the side of the wrecker body.
Picture is from a quick google search. Used without permission.
It had 2 pieces of angle iron that bolted together to form a box around the axle and then fastened to the draw bar.
I will see if I can find better pics.
Bill
I believe that towbar was standard equipment on the Diamond T wrecker. It was usually attached to the side of the wrecker body.
Picture is from a quick google search. Used without permission.
It had 2 pieces of angle iron that bolted together to form a box around the axle and then fastened to the draw bar.
I will see if I can find better pics.
Bill
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Man, that is a lot of truck there. Thanks for the photo Bill.
52 M38 Willy's
Former owner and restorer of CCKW353 " Betty Boop"
proud father of a career Army officer/Blackhawk pilot/ War in Iraq veteran
Retired high school history teacher at Lt. Colonel Robert G. Cole CMH High School, Fort Sam Houston Texas
proud great grandson of four Confederate soldiers.
great great grandson of a War of 1812 veteran
great great great grandson of 2 American Revolutionary war veterans
Former owner and restorer of CCKW353 " Betty Boop"
proud father of a career Army officer/Blackhawk pilot/ War in Iraq veteran
Retired high school history teacher at Lt. Colonel Robert G. Cole CMH High School, Fort Sam Houston Texas
proud great grandson of four Confederate soldiers.
great great grandson of a War of 1812 veteran
great great great grandson of 2 American Revolutionary war veterans
- Cat Man
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CCWK Tow Bars
Hi Doc,
There are actually two different tow bars that were carried on the 4 Ton Wrecker either one can be used to tow a CCKW or other truck.
One is the "straight" or Banana shaped one and the other is called the Vee Tow Bar. The Vee Type is chained to the CCKW bumper in front of the tow hooks.
Here is a picture of the wrecker gear on the 4 Ton showing both types. The vee bar is item K. Note the clamp (item AC) next to the Banana Bar Item AE. The other photo is from a 1943 Ord School text booklet - "Notes on Recovery". It shows the Vee type chained to an AFKWX bumper.
The little manual says that when using the straight-bar type, steering gear clamps are to be installed on the tie rods or a driver must remain in the towed vehicle.
Hope we never need to rig one on your CCKW!
Cat Man
There are actually two different tow bars that were carried on the 4 Ton Wrecker either one can be used to tow a CCKW or other truck.
One is the "straight" or Banana shaped one and the other is called the Vee Tow Bar. The Vee Type is chained to the CCKW bumper in front of the tow hooks.
Here is a picture of the wrecker gear on the 4 Ton showing both types. The vee bar is item K. Note the clamp (item AC) next to the Banana Bar Item AE. The other photo is from a 1943 Ord School text booklet - "Notes on Recovery". It shows the Vee type chained to an AFKWX bumper.
The little manual says that when using the straight-bar type, steering gear clamps are to be installed on the tie rods or a driver must remain in the towed vehicle.
Hope we never need to rig one on your CCKW!
Cat Man
40 Years An Engine Guy
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Still Learning Every Day
30 Years A Caterpillar Guy
Still Learning Every Day
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>>>Hmm...is there a message in that?<<<
Well it does have my favorite split axles....
BTW: It almost takes 2 mean and a bulldog to lift the towbar!
Well it does have my favorite split axles....
BTW: It almost takes 2 mean and a bulldog to lift the towbar!
Dr Deuce Over 50,000 driven miles in a CCKW
1942 CCKW closed cab shopvan
1943 CCKW closed cab cargo w/M32 MG mount
1944 CCKW open cab LeRoi Kompressor
1944 CCKW open cab F1 Aircraft fueler tanker
1945 CCKW open cab cargo w/artic cab
1942 Chev cargo
1942 Chev K51 Panel
1944 Chev M6 Bomb Truck
1942 GPW Jeep
http://home.comcast.net/~cckw/wsb/html/ ... 59870.html
1942 CCKW closed cab shopvan
1943 CCKW closed cab cargo w/M32 MG mount
1944 CCKW open cab LeRoi Kompressor
1944 CCKW open cab F1 Aircraft fueler tanker
1945 CCKW open cab cargo w/artic cab
1942 Chev cargo
1942 Chev K51 Panel
1944 Chev M6 Bomb Truck
1942 GPW Jeep
http://home.comcast.net/~cckw/wsb/html/ ... 59870.html
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That is real MAN stuff there. No weaklings need apply here. T
Great information and photos. Thanks.
Great information and photos. Thanks.
52 M38 Willy's
Former owner and restorer of CCKW353 " Betty Boop"
proud father of a career Army officer/Blackhawk pilot/ War in Iraq veteran
Retired high school history teacher at Lt. Colonel Robert G. Cole CMH High School, Fort Sam Houston Texas
proud great grandson of four Confederate soldiers.
great great grandson of a War of 1812 veteran
great great great grandson of 2 American Revolutionary war veterans
Former owner and restorer of CCKW353 " Betty Boop"
proud father of a career Army officer/Blackhawk pilot/ War in Iraq veteran
Retired high school history teacher at Lt. Colonel Robert G. Cole CMH High School, Fort Sam Houston Texas
proud great grandson of four Confederate soldiers.
great great grandson of a War of 1812 veteran
great great great grandson of 2 American Revolutionary war veterans
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picture of vee towbar (catman posted it)
Catman is it possible to post the picture of the vee tow bar again
I read the toppic just want to see how it looks like.
catman wrote:
Here is a picture of the wrecker gear on the 4 Ton showing both types. The vee bar is item K. Note the clamp (item AC) next to the Banana Bar Item AE. The other photo is from a 1943 Ord School text booklet - "Notes on Recovery". It shows the Vee type chained to an AFKWX bumper.
thanks in advance,
Rik
I read the toppic just want to see how it looks like.
catman wrote:
Here is a picture of the wrecker gear on the 4 Ton showing both types. The vee bar is item K. Note the clamp (item AC) next to the Banana Bar Item AE. The other photo is from a 1943 Ord School text booklet - "Notes on Recovery". It shows the Vee type chained to an AFKWX bumper.
thanks in advance,
Rik
We have our truck since 2002 and have taken it completly apart and put it together in 2 years. See our website for the adventures.
http://home.hetnet.nl/~gerards_j/
http://home.hetnet.nl/~gerards_j/
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I made one years ago out of a 30kw mil genset trailer drawbar. The drawbar is a braced A frame that pivots on the wide end. I made a hinge on a big piece of angle iron so I could attach it and it could still go up and down. When I use it, I bring the bottom horizontal angle of this up to the bottom of the bumper with the vertical part up against the bumper. Then I wrap chains around the bumper and tow hooks so that It can't slide sideways.
It works quite well and I have towed a couple CCKW chassis and cabs with it. The ONLY problem is that w/o weight in the back of the towing CCKW, it is difficult to stop the towed rig The towing CCKW tends to lock its wheels and be pushed town the street by the towed one.
I have thought about a better solution of an A frame that would clamp onto the front springs right by the axle and be chained on and the other end naturally have a lunette. The difference in this one would be that it would lift the front bumper and get the front wheels off of the ground so that you would have weight on the towing HMV so you could stop...
It works quite well and I have towed a couple CCKW chassis and cabs with it. The ONLY problem is that w/o weight in the back of the towing CCKW, it is difficult to stop the towed rig The towing CCKW tends to lock its wheels and be pushed town the street by the towed one.
I have thought about a better solution of an A frame that would clamp onto the front springs right by the axle and be chained on and the other end naturally have a lunette. The difference in this one would be that it would lift the front bumper and get the front wheels off of the ground so that you would have weight on the towing HMV so you could stop...
Dr Deuce Over 50,000 driven miles in a CCKW
1942 CCKW closed cab shopvan
1943 CCKW closed cab cargo w/M32 MG mount
1944 CCKW open cab LeRoi Kompressor
1944 CCKW open cab F1 Aircraft fueler tanker
1945 CCKW open cab cargo w/artic cab
1942 Chev cargo
1942 Chev K51 Panel
1944 Chev M6 Bomb Truck
1942 GPW Jeep
http://home.comcast.net/~cckw/wsb/html/ ... 59870.html
1942 CCKW closed cab shopvan
1943 CCKW closed cab cargo w/M32 MG mount
1944 CCKW open cab LeRoi Kompressor
1944 CCKW open cab F1 Aircraft fueler tanker
1945 CCKW open cab cargo w/artic cab
1942 Chev cargo
1942 Chev K51 Panel
1944 Chev M6 Bomb Truck
1942 GPW Jeep
http://home.comcast.net/~cckw/wsb/html/ ... 59870.html
- Cat Man
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Tow Bar
Here are the photos from early WWII Ord School booklet that shows the WWII Vee type tow bar as caried on the 4 Ton Diamond Tee Wreckers.
The other scan is the wrecker equipment that shows both the Vee and I beam type tow bars - both of which were carried on the wrecker.
(Sorry my Photo bucket account "died" a while back and I lost some posts.)
Hope that shows what you were looking for.
Cat Man
The other scan is the wrecker equipment that shows both the Vee and I beam type tow bars - both of which were carried on the wrecker.
(Sorry my Photo bucket account "died" a while back and I lost some posts.)
Hope that shows what you were looking for.
Cat Man
40 Years An Engine Guy
30 Years A Caterpillar Guy
Still Learning Every Day
30 Years A Caterpillar Guy
Still Learning Every Day
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Tow Bar
Here is another way to use a later style US tow bar on the CCKW.
After WWII all the later US "M" series vehicles have nice brackets that easily mate with pins to a universal military tow bar. Jeeps and on up thru a 5 ton models.
I salvaged a set of matching eye brackets from a wrecked M-35 6X6 bumper and keep them loose in the tool box for use with older vehicles like the CCKW.
To flat tow a CCKW I remove the pull hooks and bolt the M series adapters on the CCKW bumper and flat tow the CCKW home. For smaller vehicles, I keep a couple sets of long bolts that allow the M series brackets to be clamped to the top of a Jeep or Dodge bumper as well. Just put them outboard of the pull hooks.
Not official WWII kit, but when you're trying to get off the road and home, it makes the later tow bar quickly adaptable to most early and later military vehicles.
The tow bar is then available for later trucks without modification. And you'll be very popular with your mates who know you have the equipment to help them. Someone is always asking to borrow mine.
REMEMBER: Read the Technical Manual!
Safety first!!! The towing vehicle MUST always be equal to or larger than the vehicle being towed.
WITH TWO - SAME SIZE VEHICLES, THE STOPPING DISTANCE IS TWICE AS MUCH WITH A VEHICLE IN TOW.
Keep 'em Rolling
Cat Man
After WWII all the later US "M" series vehicles have nice brackets that easily mate with pins to a universal military tow bar. Jeeps and on up thru a 5 ton models.
I salvaged a set of matching eye brackets from a wrecked M-35 6X6 bumper and keep them loose in the tool box for use with older vehicles like the CCKW.
To flat tow a CCKW I remove the pull hooks and bolt the M series adapters on the CCKW bumper and flat tow the CCKW home. For smaller vehicles, I keep a couple sets of long bolts that allow the M series brackets to be clamped to the top of a Jeep or Dodge bumper as well. Just put them outboard of the pull hooks.
Not official WWII kit, but when you're trying to get off the road and home, it makes the later tow bar quickly adaptable to most early and later military vehicles.
The tow bar is then available for later trucks without modification. And you'll be very popular with your mates who know you have the equipment to help them. Someone is always asking to borrow mine.
REMEMBER: Read the Technical Manual!
Safety first!!! The towing vehicle MUST always be equal to or larger than the vehicle being towed.
WITH TWO - SAME SIZE VEHICLES, THE STOPPING DISTANCE IS TWICE AS MUCH WITH A VEHICLE IN TOW.
Keep 'em Rolling
Cat Man
40 Years An Engine Guy
30 Years A Caterpillar Guy
Still Learning Every Day
30 Years A Caterpillar Guy
Still Learning Every Day
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Thanks a lot for placing the pictures again.
We have a v shape towbar like your last picture. I just was wondering how it should be fixed to the hooks on the GMC. Your picture shows that.
Rik
We have a v shape towbar like your last picture. I just was wondering how it should be fixed to the hooks on the GMC. Your picture shows that.
Rik
We have our truck since 2002 and have taken it completly apart and put it together in 2 years. See our website for the adventures.
http://home.hetnet.nl/~gerards_j/
http://home.hetnet.nl/~gerards_j/
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Anyone planning to do any towing with the WW2 v-bar depicted in the above posts should have a close look at the relatively small bolts securing the claw end to the other end.
It is not really designed for towing and is more of a spreader bar designed to stop suspended towed vehicles from swinging back and forward. That's why the Diamond T wrecker came with the banana bar too.
It is not really designed for towing and is more of a spreader bar designed to stop suspended towed vehicles from swinging back and forward. That's why the Diamond T wrecker came with the banana bar too.
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- Cat Man
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Tow Bar Brackets
We were at a surplus yard last weekend and I spotted one of the Big Curved WWII tow bars in the "We don't know what it is" iron pile. It followed me home.
It has the front half of the axle mounting bracket, the Very Hard to find casting part. Can Dr. Deuce provide us with another view of the back side of the axle bracket from the one he has on Annie the crane truck? I think I can fabricate the mating back plate without too much problem but would like to see an original.
Also in a WWII recovery manual I have, it explains how to use the tow bar and it states in two paragraphs "Steering gear clamps are to be installed on the tie rod of the front axle"....
Anyone know what that clamp looks like? It is not shown in the equipment in the Diamond T or Ward LaFrance manuals with the tow bar.
I plan to mount the tow bar on the side of the CCKW box. Just because it looks very big and heavy and is guy stuff. Saw one like that once at a show.
Thanks
Cat Man
It has the front half of the axle mounting bracket, the Very Hard to find casting part. Can Dr. Deuce provide us with another view of the back side of the axle bracket from the one he has on Annie the crane truck? I think I can fabricate the mating back plate without too much problem but would like to see an original.
Also in a WWII recovery manual I have, it explains how to use the tow bar and it states in two paragraphs "Steering gear clamps are to be installed on the tie rod of the front axle"....
Anyone know what that clamp looks like? It is not shown in the equipment in the Diamond T or Ward LaFrance manuals with the tow bar.
I plan to mount the tow bar on the side of the CCKW box. Just because it looks very big and heavy and is guy stuff. Saw one like that once at a show.
Thanks
Cat Man
40 Years An Engine Guy
30 Years A Caterpillar Guy
Still Learning Every Day
30 Years A Caterpillar Guy
Still Learning Every Day
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Tow bar
Bill,
That would be my Diamond T wrecker! Here is a photo of the V tow bar sitting in the bed of the truck.
Steve
That would be my Diamond T wrecker! Here is a photo of the V tow bar sitting in the bed of the truck.
Steve