Towing an AT gun

[dr deuce]

I had an "experience" today towing the 37mm AT gun. I have towed this many times with both the deuce, and more appropiately with the 42 Ford Jeep.

I was leaving my friends house where it had been for a couple months or so. Everything was all set; flag, light, safety chains, lunette closed and locked (as well as those cheap sheetmatel WW2 ones close and lock...)

I started off and periodically checked the side mirror on the jeep to see that it was tracking OK. I cannot see it at all in the windshield rear view.

I rounded a corner and looked. NO GUN IN VIEW! Sheet..............!!!!!!!!!!

So I did what any person would do and stepped on the brakes. And suddenly it appeared trying to pass me!

What had happened was that the trail lock had come undone. It locks the 2 trail arms together. When locked, it forms a rigid triangle The other end of the arms is attached to the axle of the gun with a pin so it can pivot. WIthout the locked triangle, I was towing the gun with one arm that could pivot on the axle so when I was pulling it, it tried to get onto the sidewalk. When I slowed down, it tried to come up beside me.

Soooo in addition to checking the chains etc, I now will check the trail lock to see that it is not unlocked!

I was lucky....

[abn CCKW]

I m sure you will , That must have been a Heart Stopper the instant you had that happening, all the possable outcomes and results all at once flashing thru your mind! Glad that nothing was damaged