MLVW sightings

Cornholio · #1 22-02-11, 20:35

I didn't have time to write anything down as I was driving 110 km in the opposite direction.

Mark W. Tonner · #2 22-02-11, 22:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornholio

. . . as I was driving 110 km in the opposite direction.

. . . speeding . . .

Cheers

Ed Storey · #3 23-02-11, 00:26

I have heard that no more MLVWs will be offered for sale to the public, can anyone confirm this?

Cornholio · #4 23-02-11, 03:46

The last pair I saw back in the summer were sold as scrap/salvage. They were not in horrible shape but it was made clear in the listed that they could not be registered for road use.

Jon Skagfeld · #5 23-02-11, 16:13

I'm puzzled about this apparent restriction for civilian use.

I've either driven or been an in-cab instructor for 10000s of km and not had a single brake failure, nor have I heard of any such failures, (unlike the LSVW!)

Page 9 of the Official MTO Air Brake Handbook describes air over hydraulic braking systems, which the MLVW has, so why the "illegality" of civilian use?

Pity, 'cause many farmers in this area pester me about getting one when they get released. Of course they can do what they like on their own property and that 8.2 liter fuel pincher engine would be a shame to have to scrap.

rob love · #6 23-02-11, 16:28

It may not simply be the vulnerability of the single master cylinder system, but rather that the trucks did not meet the regulations in effect at the time they were built. Besides the single cylinder, it seems to me that the noise level in the cabs was also above the standard. Back then they lowered this by installing the rubber mats, and later these were removed to slow down the corrosion. Seems to me the decibal rating was up around 89. There were other shortcomings as well. The lighting is not SAE certified, although there are modern replacements that are, like the LED version of the M series tail lamps.

I will be sorry if they do not sell them to the public. Even with the "no road" status I would have liked to buy my old MRT, along with a hiab truck. They would have been fine for going into the forest for firewood, and a good all around yard truck.

There were some Bombardier MLVWs sold from Shilo almost 2 decades ago. These were made on a late contract for the German Army in Shilo, and used as range fire trucks. Apparently the weight of the fire fighting systems was too much for the chassis to handle, so they were disposed of. I know the fellow who bought them, and as far as I know, they made it onto the road as farm trucks.

Ed Storey · #7 23-02-11, 17:33

From a historical point of view, not allowing this series of vehicles to go out for public purchase means that few will be saved by collectors. This will be a significant loss of our military automotive history to future generations.

I have heard that the M113 series, the M577s, AVGP series and the M109s that are being disposed of will also not be sold to the public.