I'm in the need of a cheap (being a realtive term) tow rig for hauling hay, lumber, logs, future trail rig, etc around the house and the g/f's family farm. I've been looking at 3/4 and 1 ton trucks but for the price i can afford (roughly $5-6,000) they are just completely wore out. On occasion i see the duece and half for about my price range in alright shape and i was wondering how this thing would do for these tasks. I'm not looking at taking cross country trips, i guess 3-400 miles one way on the longest trips from the house but 98% of the use will be within a 50 mile radius of my home. Other than the poor brakes, bad understeer, slow speed (wouldn't be a bad thing for me :D ) and lack of comfort what other problems would i encounter using this type of truck for a tow rig? Also are there any other options for tread type besides the NDT (?) type military tires?
Thanks for the help

LR

they are very loud. plan on wearing earplugs at highway speeds.
there are other tire options, yhou could run Michelin XLs, or other tires if you go with super singles. you could also run convertional "big rig" tires, like on regular transport trucks.

actually i think a "stealth duece" with some shiny, paint, chrome, and regualr tires would be kind of cool.

www.steelsoldiers.com is your new best friend.

good luck, post pics if you get one.:)

A friend of mine just picked one up today in Anchorage for $5k. There is a plack in the cab that states "hearing protection is required for driver and co-driver", the thing redlines right around 60mph, gets 8mpg, and is rated for 10k payload.

Sounds like it would meet your needs except as a tow rig, unless you're willing to put up with it's downsides.

I have done exactly what your thinking about doing. The above posts are right on about everything.

Go to the steelsoldiers web site and search a little and most of your questions will be answered. The deuce can be made quiet with a muffler available at NAPA( can't think of the part# off hand).

I just got my trailer - M200A1 - to haul my 88 MJ around. The deuce can go about 62-65 mph tops with the bigger tires 11.00 x 20 and the fuel turned up a little. I just drove mine 800 miles from California to NM and it took about 18 hours.

They can be had for $2.5k up to $10k depending on what you want to fix.
Good luck and let me know if you need to know anything else.
Make sure you get a multifuel version and not a gasser(their kinda rare but their out there).
Not sure which the M34A2 is but the M35A2 will be a multifuel.
Wade

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j218/wadelang/deuce1.jpg

Thanks for the info. I'm checking out steelsoldiers.com.....great website

mywillys how did you do your insurance for the truck? It seems to be hit or miss depending on the company.

LR

Thanks for the info. I'm checking out steelsoldiers.com.....great website

mywillys how did you do your insurance for the truck? It seems to be hit or miss depending on the company.

LR


I got lucky, my insurance is with Allstate(cars and home) and my agent is pretty good although I have found out "less is more" when it comes to information. Answer yes or no and do NOT be descriptive when it comes to the question " What is it?" Answer a military cargo truck and thats it.

I just have liability right now so they dont' queston me too much.


Wade

P.S. Steelsoldiers is a great place, much more friendly and willing to help you out.

Kinda off topic but............ Kick Ass house.

Kinda off topic but............ Kick Ass house.


thanks, my first time in a Southwest style house.


Back on topic: another thing to think about with a deuce, is the height of the bed, I think its about 4' tall so loading and unloading takes some thinking.

I am gonna build some heavy duty ramps for my kids go kart and anything else i can drive up in there. My trail truck is just a little too long to fit but a Jeep would make it ok.