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US Marine Corps Logistics Vehicle System (LVS) Mk-16 Rear Body Unit (RBU)

The MK16 RBU combines with the MK48 Front Power Unit through an articulation joint to form the fifth wheel semitrailer variant of the Logistics Vehicle System (LVS). The MK16/16A1 is used to transport semitrailers equipped with a 3.5 inch diameter kingpin. The primary mission of the MK16/16A1 is to transport the M870 family of semitrailers; it can also transport any commercial semitrailer that is compatible with the kingpin diameter and fifth wheel height. The MK16/16A1 can also transport towed type full trailers and semitrailers through the use of a towing pintle. A rear winch mounted in front of the fifth wheel is capable of pulling a combat loaded M1 series tank onto a semitrailer without using the tank’s own power. The winch may also be used for recovery of other vehicles; the oscillating fifth wheel can be adjusted for highway and crosscountry use. The MK16/16A1’s cross-country mobility is limited by the mobility of the trailer and equipment it tows.

The full nomenclature of the Mk16 Rear Body Unit is Trailer, Powered, Fifth Wheel Semitrailer, Adapter, 4x4, MK16, MOD 0, NSN 2320-01-176-0467.

Tabulated data for the LVS Mk-16 Rear Body Unit:

Length 198 in
Width 96 in
Height 87 in
Square 132 sq ft
Cube 943 cu ft
Curb weight 16,000 lbs
Wheel base MK48/16 229 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-16 RBU has a maximum payload capacity of 46,000 lbs highway. Variant Mk-16A1 has small improvements.

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

Trailer, Powered, Fifth Wheel Semitrailer, Adapter, 4x4, MK16, MOD 0. From TM 11240-15/4C, Figure 3-4, Page 3-28
Trailer, Powered, Fifth Wheel Semitrailer, Adapter, 4x4, MK16, MOD 0. From TM 11240-15/4C, Figure 3-4, Page 3-28.

LVS Mk-48 truck with Mk-16 Semitrailer Adapter hauling a semitrailer and bulldozer, Exercise Ocean Venture '88, NAS, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, 30 March 1988
LVS Mk-48 truck with Mk-16 Semitrailer Adapter hauling a semitrailer and bulldozer, Exercise Ocean Venture '88, NAS, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, 30 March 1988.

Mk48 LVS FPU with Mk16 Fifth Wheel Semitrailer Adapter and M870 semitrailer, 22 January 2002
Mk48 LVS FPU with Mk16 Fifth Wheel Semitrailer Adapter and M870 semitrailer, 22 January 2002.