Tow Bar for the M-38

dv3468 · Post by **dv3468** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 7:35 pm

Gentlemen: I am thinking of getting a tow bar for my M38 so that I can tow it to events, instead of driving it. Average about 25-30+ miles per trip. Any suggestions for a ready made tow bar that I could possibly attach to the cross bolts on the front lifting shackles. Also, will towing the jeep at 50 mph cause problems with the differentials or transmission.

Thanks in advance, Dennis

Post by **wesk** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:14 pm

The original military 1/4 ton tow bar kit would be the way to go.

Any civvy universal tow bar can be adapted to the front shackle brackets for ease and simplicity of installation.

Flat towing less than 100 miles at 50 MPH or less is no problem. Just put the tranny and transfer in neutral and go. Locking front hubs would add a measure of wear reduction worth the investment. If you want more than a 100 miles per trip and more than 50 MPH then disconnect the drive shafts.

dv3468 · Post by **dv3468** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:12 am

Thanks Wes. Regards, Dennis

Post by **wesk** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:28 am

One other thing you should keep in mind is to keep the tow bar level or slightly front end up to keep the jeep from trying to climb up the back of your tow vehicle in a panic stop. This can be assured by either raising the height of the tow vehicle's hitch ball or lowering the rear centerline of the towbar at it's jeep attach point.

dv3468 · Post by **dv3468** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:36 am

Wes: Do you have a photo of what the M-38 series military tow hitch looks like. Is it similar to the WWII tow bars?

Post by **wesk** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:53 am

It's the same bar with some M38/M38A1 specific brackets in the kit.

It's technically called a Tandem Hitch. The TB for it is loaded on ourt old Yahoo storage web site: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/wil ... %20621%20/