What trucks were used by the United States in the Vietnam War?

Answer 1

The US Army utilized the 1/4 ton (jeep), 3/4 ton (it looked like a old styled pick-up truck), 2 1/2 ton (cargo truck, called the "deuce and a half"), 5 ton (cargo truck, which looked like the deuce an a half, but had an air cleaner on the front fender), and some tractor trailor rigs. All painted OD (Olive Drab) of course.

Squadron Signal publications and/or Osprey books, at one time published a book titled Vietnam War "GUN TRUCKS". These were 2 1/2 and 5 ton trucks that had their rear cargo areas welded with steel armor sides, and had quad .50 caliber machinguns mounted on the rears so they could shoot back, when ambushed, when escorting wheeled vehicle convoys. The "Gun Trucks" were decorated with "art work" on the armored sides, usually with Cartoons and a slogan, such as "VC Undertaker", etc.

ANSWER

There was a variety of trucks used by the American forces in Vietnam, and with American ingenuity, even some of the basic trucks that were brought over to Vietnam were modified in the field to perform duties that needed to be done on the spot.

However, the basic heavy duty trucks used were as follows

The M35 Series 2 ½ ton 6 by 6 - informally known as the deuce and a half. This large cargo and troop carrier is the truck that most people think of when they think of American trucks in war. It came in a variety of setups, notably-troop carrier, wrecker, dump truck, crane, fuel truck (tanker), and semi (tractor). It was the work horse of the Vietnam war. It was manufactured by Reo and came with a variety of engine types, from gasoline to dieisel.

The M39 series 5 ton 6 by 6 - informally known as the 5-ton. Looking very much like the M35 series, these trucks were produced by International Harvester, Diamond T and Mack in the beginning, and later by Kaiser. The main difference between these and the M35 series was the horsepower. These trucks were much more powerful. These trucks also came in a variety of functionalities, but one of their biggest uses was as a tractor trailer hauling heavy equipment.

The M123 truck, tractor, 10 ton 6 by 6. A larger and more powerful tractor to haul heavy equipment, this truck was the precursor to the Dragon Wagon. It was used to haul heavy tanks, and helicopters.

Today in Vietnam, 3/4 ton Army trucks have been converted into busses. M35 trucks haul freight and produce. Interestingly, radiators are not available for these vehicles in Vietnam, so they mount 55-gallon drums above the cab, and water simply runs through the engine to cool it, then the heated water drains out along the roadway.

SOME TRUCK CLASIFICATIONS USED IN VIETNAM

TRUCKS: 2 ½ ton 6 by 6 M35 Series

TRUCKS: 5-TON, 6X6, M39 SERIES CHASS TRUCK,

DUMP: M51, M51A1,M51A2;

TRUCK, TRACTOR: M52, M52A1, M52 TRUCK, USED FOR LINEHAUL, FOR BOTH CARGO, FLAT BED AND 5000 GAL FUEL TRAILERS

5 TON CARGO: M54, M54A1, ...

Answer 2

The US used the M48A3 Patton tank, M551 Sheridan tank, M113 APC/ACAV, M42 Duster (mounting twin 40mm cannons), V-100 Armored Cars, Gun Trucks, and 155mm Self Propelled Guns. The ARVN used the M41 Walker Bulldog Light Tanks, and the Australians used the Centurion medium tank which mounted an 84mm gun (20 pounder).

Answer 3

During the Viet War, the US Army used 1/4 tons (jeeps), 3/4 tons (Dodge Pick-up trucks with 1930's vintage fenders), 2 1/2 tons (deuce an a halfs), 5 tons, and tractor trailer rigs. After the war the Jeeps & Dodge's were replaced by the Humvees. The "Deuces and a half's" and 5 ton cargo trucks were often used as "Gun Trucks." Back in the late 20th century Squadron Signal Publications had published a photograph filled book on the "Gun Trucks" of Vietnam. They were often armed with Quad .50 caliber machineguns in the back, and the sides were 1/4" steel armor plated. Cartoons (Artwork) were painted on nearly all of them; in the tradition of WW2 "nose artwork" on bombers and fighter planes. The front hood would often be painted with words (such as "Mud, Sweat, and Tears", or "Blood, Sweat, and Tears"), while the armored sides of the truck had the cartoons painted on them...such a "VC Undertaker", etc. The "Gun Trucks" were primarily manned by MP's, with additional M-60 machineguns in the foreward corners over-hanging the cab. The primary mission of the Gun Trucks were convoy escorts, which supplemented the US Army's ARMORED CAR, the V-100; covering mainly 99% paved roads. Wheeled traffic would stay OFF of dirt roads when they could; dirt roads was the domain of the "tracks" (M-48 Patton tanks, M-551 Sheridan tanks, M-42 Dusters, M-113 ACAVs, M-88 VTR's (tank tow-trucks/Vehicle Track Retriever), M-41 Walker Bulldog Light Tanks (ARVN Army), etc.