Defense Acquisitions: Army Purchased Truck Trailers That Cannot Be Used as Planned.

摘要

In 1987, the Army decided it needed a new companion trailer for the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle to provide improved off road mobility and carry heavier loads compared to the then current M1Ol series 3A-ton military trailer. The Army found that the M1Ol series trailer lacked stability because its wheels did not have the same tire track width as the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle and its suspension was not adequate. As a result, the trailer had a tendency to overturn, even at low speeds, in soft soil and rough terrain. The new trailer (see fig. 1) was designed to be compatible with both the light and heavy High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles. Differences in the two trucks required that two cargo versions of the trailers be produced. The light cargo trailer was to carry at least 1,500 pounds and the heavy cargo trailer was to carry at least 2,500 pounds. The new trailers also included a chassis version that was to carry at least 2,700 pounds. The Army required the trailers to have the same track width and tires as the truck and inertia brakes, called surge brakes, which are actuated by forces between the tow hitch of the truck and the drawbar of the trailer. The trailer was to be capable of being towed at speeds up to 20 miles per hour cross-country, 35 miles per hour on secondary roads, and 55 miles per hour on primary roads.