TM9-2330-358-14&P
d.
Towing
the Semitrailer.
When towing the semitrailer with the M818, the fifth
wheel wedges on the M818 are to be in the locked-in
(pushed in) mode for highway and secondary road use,
and in the locked-out (pulled out) mode for cross
country operation.
Extreme caution shall be exercised in all turns,
curves, -and highway cloverleafs when towing a high
center of gravity containerized payload.
Under no circumstances shall speeds exceed the
following:
Highway
55 mph/88 km/h
Gravel/Dirt
20 mph/32 km/h
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 mph/16 km/h
Failure to observe the above warnings may result in
personnel injury and damage to equipment.
(1) Driving. When driving the towing vehicle and semitrailer, the overall
length of the unit must be kept in mind when passing other vehicles and
when turning. Because the unit is hinged in the middle, backing is also
affected. The semitrailer's payload will affect stopping and off-road
maneuverability.
(2) Turning. When turning corners, allow for the semitrailer wheels turning
inside the radius of the towing vehicle. Make a right turn by driving the
towing vehicle about halfway into the intersection and then cutting sharply
to the right. This will keep the semitrailer off the curb (fig. 2-20).
(3) Stopping. The brakes of the towing vehicle and the semitrailer are applied
at the same time in normal operation when the driver steps on the brake
pedal. Brake pressure should be applied gradually and smoothly. The
semitrailer brakes may be applied separately by using the semitrailer
handbrake control lever on the steering column. On steep downgrades or
slippery surfaces~ the semitrailer brakes should be slowly applied before
the towing vehicle brakes. This will reduce the possibility of jack-
knifing the semitrailer.
(4) Parking. When the towing vehicle and the semitrailer are to be parked and
left unattended, set the parking brake on the towing vehicle and apply the
brakes on the semitrailer. Turn off the towing vehicle's engine before
leaving the cab. Block the semitrailer wheels with chock blocks.
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