| Abstract |
The U.S. Army Defense Ammunition Center (DAC), Validation Engineering Division, (SOSAC-DEV), was tasked by the Program Manager, Medium Tactical Vehicles to conduct transportability testing on the M871A3 Tactical Trailer, 22. 5-Ton Payload Capacity. The M871A3 was tested in accordance with TP-94-01, Transportability Testing Procedures. Based on our review and testing, the M871A3 trailer, as designed and tested, is adequate but not ideal for transport of ammunition. The following items were discovered during initial evaluation and testing of the M871A3 trailer: (a) Tie-down anchor ring spacing (longitudinal) - Current spacing is 24 inches center to center. This spacing creates situations where only 1 strap per row of pallets can be used to secure the load to the trailer. Recommended spacing is 18 inches. (b) Tie-down anchor ring spacing (lateral) - Current lateral spacing is 79 inches, side to side. This spacing makes securing many two-pallet-wide and three-pallet-Wide loads difficult or impossible, since load widths can be near trailer width or approximately 96 inches wide. (c) Recessed deck channel - The trailer has a full-length recessed channel on each side that allows for mounting of the tie-down rings so that they are fiat and flush with the trailer deck. This open channel will preclude many pallet units from being positioned property on the trailer, will cause damage to the pallets, and/or inhibit the proper securement of the load. Recommend that the area between the rings be filled in or that the full-length recessed channel be eliminated. (d) Side panel stake storage area. The rear panel where the stakes are stored bowed outward during transport. This allowed the stakes to become wedged in the bottom of the storage area. Recommend that the securement provisions on the rear panel be changed to prevent this from occurring in the future. |
