Avoid potential injury or loss of life by reading and heeding this article
Crewmen,
Be aware that your M113-series carrier can safely tow only up to 14,500 pounds using the pintle and tow bar. In other words, don’t attempt to tow another M113-series vehicle using the pintle and tow bar. That can get Soldiers hurt and damage vehicles.
In a recent incident, an M577A3 command post carrier used a tow bar to tow a disabled M113A3 down a steep slope. The end result was that the vehicles jack-knifed and two Soldiers were ejected from one of the carriers as it rolled over. One Soldier was pinned underneath the vehicle and lost part of his leg!
There’s a very high chance that using an M113-series carrier to tow a disabled carrier with the pintle and tow bar will end badly.
Instead, use tow cables in an X pattern. The towing vehicle must be the same size or larger than the disabled carrier. And only attempt towing with cables on a flat surface. If the disabled carrier requires towing over surfaces with varying grades, use an M88-series recovery vehicle.
The towing speed should not exceed of 3-5 mph. That speed allows the towed carrier to perform limited braking and steering as long as it has no transmission damage.
Eyeball the towing procedures in TM 9-2350-277-10 (Mar 12, w/Ch 1, Dec 13) and TM 9-2350-366-10 (Mar 12). Also, refer to ATP 4-31/MCRP 4-11.4 for recovery and battle damage assessment and repair (BDAR) guidance.
Check out TACOM Ground Safety Action Message 20-006 for more info: