dzl_damon

Hey guys,

Just wondering if you fellahs have a ballpark of what one of these Aircraft tugs are worth from 1990. Looking at it for the engine, and the forward body parts mostly. Of course a pintle hitch (or 5) will be taken off along with some mirrors and other not so valuable stuff for the fleet I got around here!

Just wondering what I should really pay. It has over 50,000 miles on it, so it's up there in mileage for these old low geared beasts. I have yet to look at it since I'm in the southern Indian Ocean... but I'll be checkin it out soon!

Thanks for any help.

-Luke

Jer12377

I have been looking at those for a while on the government auction. They usually go for between $2500 and $5000. For me they have all been west, Ohio is the closest. So even if I were to drive out and pick it up I would have to add at least $300 in fuel. I just think that's a lot of money just for some parts you can buy for less aftermarket and they'd be new. If I could get one for under $2000 I would go for it though, then I think it would be worth it. Just my $.02.

KD93

Southern Indian ocean? You somewhere near Australia then? What in tarnation are you doing out there?! I'd say somewhere around $1,500 - $2,500 for the truck, depending on condition.

SORTIE

dzl Damon, if you're serving in the Navy, thank you sir!

KD93

I did a trip across that ocean when I was in the Navy. That darned 15 foot swell got awful annoying on the beam for 4 weeks straight, let me tell you.

Trebor

The last time that I followed a few on GL auction sites they ended up around the $2000 range average. Also note to check the accuracy of the elapsed time meter & speedometer; miles divided by hours should be around 12. Also the ACCURATE hour meters readings that have not been replaced multiplied by 45 equals a representation of driven highway miles in a normal truck. If these factors do not compute adjust the value accordingly. Do NOT base your value based on the odometer or you could end up paying a lot more than what it's really worth.

Jer12377

I for got about this.......
When I did the math on most of these trucks they had a minimum of 350k on them. I know these engines go forever but to me the engine should be considered a core at that point and just consider your self lucky when its a good runner. Most say not running under their condition anyway. I need body parts for my truck so the engine is just a core to me when I have been looking.

zack_76401

We still drive em...they dont TOW USAF A/C thoughs..the only ones I seen authorized to tow A/C are the 94-97 Dodge bobtails. The earlier 1st gen Bobtails are used to Tow AGE equipment and Munitions trailers. I work in Munitions and tose trucks sometimes tow 30.000 lbs of munitions plus the weigth of two trailers. We WORK them and put em up wet.

GIT-R-DONE

All you are buying is basically the drivetrain. I wouldnt want one just because of the auto in them...but thats just my .02.

The motor would be the only valuable thing....and I wouldnt pay anything over 1200-1500 for one of those.

The other thing I wouldnt trust is the hour meter. I bet there was a lot of idleing time on those....and I know from prior experience, getting things as small as the hour meter fixed at the motorpool.....I doubt they are even close to being correct.

jesussaves

i think it would be better just to find an ol first gen to take the motor out. for the price everyone has said they seen them go for you can buy a first gen and then part out the rest to make back you money

Richie O

He is a merchant marine engineer.


As far as the tug, its not worth what a truck would go for. I would pay no more then 1500 for a mint one. Like you said 50,000 miles on 7.17 gears plus all the idle time, plus the fact it has had hundreds of ( young ) drivers beating the snot out of them. You get my point.

dzl_damon

Thanks for the input gents. I'll probably let it go and let Jer12377 take it since I"m sure he's looking at the same one. I wanted some fenders, wheels, maybe bumpers/hitches/mirrors. I was considering the engine to swap into my M1031, but we'll see. Good body parts are hard to find in Maine.

BTW,I'm approaching Cape of Good Hope and like Richie said, I'm a merchant marine not Navy. Even though there are plenty of retired navy boys onboard.

Subliminal

Merchant Marines, eh? Good work, man! My grandfather, who I took care of for 10+ years until he passed away last year, was in the MM. His best stories are from the Murmansk run, where they used to paint telephone poles grey and hang them over the sides of the ships to deter the *****. I think he went to Russia about 10 or 15 years ago to be honored for those trips...apparently they were pretty dang dangerous.

And luckily a few years back they granted them all veterans status.

Keep it up, other-damon.

KD93

A little off topic but yeah, those merchies got torpedoed left and right on the Nova Scotia to Murmansk run. At least until '43 or so, after America had joined the war and pounded heck out of German industry. Glad your Grandad made it back alive.

Jer12377

Hey dzl damon,
That truck is already up to $1500. That's to rich for a fender, a cab and, a wiring harness for me. I'm not bidding on it so good luck. If you get it and don't want the cab let me know?