Today in WW II: 16 Aug 1944 Canadian troops secure Falaise, still 15 miles north of US XV Corps, a gap that permitted large numbers of German troops to escape to the east from the Battle of the Falaise Pocket.   

US Marine Corps Logistics Vehicle System (LVS) Mk-14 Rear Body Unit (RBU)

The MK14 RBU combines with the MK48 Front Power Unit to form the container hauler variant of the Logistics Vehicle System (LVS). The MK14 is a tandem axle, all metal, rear body unit coupled to the MK48 by an articulation joint to form an integrated, fully articulated wheeled vehicle. The MK14’s primary mission is to transport International Standards Organization/American National Standards Institute (ISO/ANSI) containers, standardized cargo, shelters and functional modules from the beach to unit supply points. It is capable of accommodating up to six empty or four full fuel or water modules and one pump unit from the SIXCON system. The trailer is equipped with a towing pintle for towing other trailers and howitzers.

The full nomenclature of the Mk14 Rear Body Unit is Trailer, Powered, 22-1/4 Ton, Container Hauler, 4x4, MK14, MOD 0, NSN 2320-01-176-0469.

Tabulated data for the LVS Mk-14 Rear Body Unit:

Length 238.5 in
Width 96 in
Height 50 in
Square 159 sq ft
Cube 667 cu ft
Curb weight 16,000 lbs
Wheel base MK48/14 259 in
Ground clearance 23 in
Fording depth 60 in w/o prep
Electrical 24 v, neg gd, powered by FPU
Brakes Air, linked to FPU

The Mk-14 RBU has a 239x96 inch deck (160 sq ft), with load capacity of 25,000 lbs cross-country, 45,000 lbs highway. Variant Mk-14A1 has small improvements.

Source: Marine Corps publication TM 11240-15/4B, August 1994.

Trailer, Powered, 22-1/4 Ton, Container Hauler, 4x4, MK14, MOD 0. From TM 11240-15/4C, Figure 3-2, Page 3-4
Trailer, Powered, 22-1/4 Ton, Container Hauler, 4x4, MK14, MOD 0. From TM 11240-15/4C, Figure 3-2, Page 3-4.

A container from aviation logistic ship USNS Wright (T-AVB 3) is lowered onto an LVS Mk-14 trailer, Exercise Ocean Venture '88, NAS, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, 30 March 1988
A container from aviation logistic ship USNS Wright (T-AVB 3) is lowered onto an LVS Mk-14 trailer, Exercise Ocean Venture '88, NAS, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, 30 March 1988.

LVS Mk-48 trucks with Mk-14 container trailers alongside aviation logistic ship USNS Wright (T-AVB 3), Exercise Ocean Venture '88, NAS, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, 30 March 1988
LVS Mk-48 trucks with Mk-14 container trailers alongside aviation logistic ship USNS Wright (T-AVB 3), Exercise Ocean Venture '88, NAS, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, 30 March 1988.

LVS Mk-48 truck with Mk-14 container trailer, Operation Desert Storm, 24 February 1991
LVS Mk-48 truck with Mk-14 container trailer, Operation Desert Storm, 24 February 1991.

LVS Mk48 truck with two Mk-14 container trailers in tow rolls off USNS REGULUS (AKR 292), Auckland Port, Gladstone, Australia, 17 Septwmber 1999
LVS Mk48 truck with two Mk-14 container trailers in tow rolls off USNS REGULUS (AKR 292), Auckland Port, Gladstone, Australia, 17 Septwmber 1999.

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