Hard to believe the Navy wouldn't provide a tug, but then it would take a second truck for paperwork.

Like Mark said, gearing is the key, low range in 2wd. I have moved larger aircraft with a Cj5 Jeep short distances on flat ground, the 250 will do fine if geared right.

 

As I HAVE pulled these aircraft with tugs in the 20 years I was in the Navy I believe that you CAN pull both these suckers (pun intended) from Andrews to Annapolis. You obviously plan the route to be along 495 to Rt 50 to Annapolis. Is travel to be done in daylight or dark? You will also have Maryland State Police escort, right? Or federal?
Again, as I am familiar with both the aircraft and the route, I believe that it can be done with the aforementioned truck. I hope the hydraulic system for braking is operational in the A/C.(Just re-read your post...ummm, no brakes on A//C) That certainly would have helped for emergency stopping. You prob won't be going much more than 10 MPH. I hope the truck has a diesel engine !

I'd almost volunteer for this project... I have the F250 diesel and pull my 30' fifth wheel with it. Take plenty of photos!

BTW, to show my age, I have towed an F8U from NAS Jax to NAS Cecil Field in my younger days!

 

Diesel isn't important. There is enough gear reduction in low range that a 5.4L won't work all that hard to tow this.

 

You're going to move this at 5 to 10 miles per hour down a public road?

Is the state patrol even going to permit this? The safe bet will be, they'll tell you to put it on a trailer and haul it that way.

 

No way you're gonna put an F14 on a trailer!! Much less an EA6. As he said, the logistics have already been made. Route has multi-lane roads, no problem.

 

"No way you're gonna put an F14 on a trailer!!"

Ben has moved both current and past military aircraft inventory, large and small.

https://www.worldwideaircraft.com/about.html

 

CDR,
Just my opinion; however, there is too much liability in towing an aircraft down civilian roads with a less than an ideal setup in the hopes of saving a few dollars. If something goes wrong, the amount of monetary loss will pale in comparison to what you are trying to save. Contact the nearest NAS to your location and I am sure they would assist you in doing this safely. Too many moving parts and getting all the permits alone is going to be difficult as you will be tying up the roads for at least six hours for the EA-6B and that is if everything goes right. The best bet may be to break them down for the trip.

Historic Navy Aircraft Makes Big Move - NBC 7 San Diego


Good luck with the move. And on a side note, I was the CPO that ran the midshipman through their flight physicals when they would all come down to San Diego back in the 1990s

 

I seriously doubt the city and local LE have agreed to anything without identifying exactly how these aircraft will be transported. Sounds like they are still in the rough planning stages and looking for options before they formulate their final proposal.

 

I could pull that with my DRW. I am in Frederick. I am rated for 21K...and it will do more.

 

If you have all the legalities taken care of as far as the traveling is concerned then hook up and go. If you feel or whoever you have driving feels like they can do it, then you will be fine. That truck or similar would more than do it. Pulled that weight plenty of times. Just my $0.02.

Baatzy

 

As much as I hate to say....
...if a politician was involved as a "think of how the voters would love it", that may help paperwork along and ease restrictions.

 

Sure would be nice to hear again from Commander Mark Mhley to see what, when are where this is going to happen. For myself, I am close enough to want to meet this happening somewhere along the route to photograph it for purely personal reasons.

 

BLUF: No.

As I am reading this, the requirements are:
- Use a 1 ton light pickup.
- Tow the load on its own landing gear.
- Attach the truck to the load using a tow bar.

Unless I am missing something, the load itself is not road worthy unless somebody puts it onto an appropriate trailer with brakes. So while this is possibly physically possible from the truck's powertrain standpoint, there is no commentary on how the load and truck's brake systems are going to work together.

Another consideration is that the Prowler will probably need to get licensed as a trailer and pass inspection for road-use.

Do agree with the comment about adding weight to the truck but from a different perspective. This is a 0% tongue weight setup where the F350 will get no additional help for pulling the load from the load. So, the additional weight is necessary for traction.

In circling back to the BLUF, am going to break with the commentary from better experts about physical capability and go with: No, the F350 towing the Prowler on its own landing gear is not going to work. Also, it will likely not get the USNA good press if attempting to do it this way. Also, beg to differ about the original comment regarding no significant hills from start to end as I happen to know that turf very well and there are plenty of 2 - 3% grades that will come into play Another factor is the only time of day that might be safe enough is before o-dark hundred as there are plenty of aggressive / ignorant drivers that will not care whether or not the load has proper braking. And given the load, I would consider a tow vehicle and trailer with air brakes.

In doing the mental math, the weight combination might take this into CDL territory.

Also, the Prowler while riding with the gear down will likely not clear all of the overpasses and power lines from start to destination anyway unless the total height is less than all of these which IIRC is 14'.

Do agree with the commentary to reach out to either Maryland for limitations or a commercial tow for better expertise.

 

Here is a thought . . .

Get the Prowler over to Bolling, find a barge, and float it up the Bay. Am sure a YP can handle that

 

Admittedly, I'm not a military guy...but I still find it hard to believe that a Naval Officer wouldn't be able to get ahold of something like a M35 to pull this off much safer than a 3/4 ton pickup...