M816 5 ton 6x6 Wrecker

The M-816 Truck, Wrecker, Medium, 5-Ton, 6x6 is part of the G-908 (or M-809) series of 5 ton 6x6 trucks. Details of the history, model numbers, and configurations of the M809-series of trucks are on the linked page.

The M816 Wrecker is part of the M809 series of 5 ton 6x6 trucks that started production in 1970. The chassis consists of two rail beams with six reinforced cross members. The M816 is equipped with a revolving hydraulic crane that has a self-supporting, extensible boom. Outriggers provide stabilization when the boom is used, providing lift capacity of 7000 lb.

The 17-ton M816 is powered by a Cummins model NHC-250 6 cyl. diesel engine that can provide a 50 mph road speed at a fuel consumption rate of 5-6 mpg. Towing capacity is 14 tons on road or 10 tons cross country.

M816 Truck, Tractor, 6x6 Wrecker, 5 ton, w/winch
M816 Truck, Tractor, 6x6 Wrecker, 5 ton, w/winch. Photo: Government Liquidation.com

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M816 Truck, Wrecker, Medium, 5-Ton, 6x6, w/winch

M816 Wrecker crossing a ribbon bridge constructed by members of the 1457th Engineers, 7th Army Training Command, 8 July 1978
M816 Wrecker crossing a ribbon bridge constructed by members of the 1457th Engineers, 7th Army Training Command, 8 July 1978.

Marine beachmasters prepare to load an M816 Wrecker onto a utility landing craft during a multinational peacekeeping operation, 24 November 1983
Marine beachmasters prepare to load an M816 Wrecker onto a utility landing craft during a multinational peacekeeping operation, 24 November 1983.

An M-816 Truck, Wrecker, Medium, 5-Ton, 6x6 used to lift an AGM-109 Tomahawk air-launched cruise missile during recovery operations after impact, 20 April 1979.
An M-816 Truck, Wrecker, Medium, 5-Ton, 6x6 used to lift an AGM-109 Tomahawk air-launched cruise missile during recovery operations after impact, 20 April 1979.

Marine Service Support Group 24 (MSSG-24) using an M-816 Wrecker to move equipment at a water purification site, northern Iraq, 26 April 1991.
Marine Service Support Group 24 (MSSG-24) using an M-816 Wrecker to move equipment at a water purification site, northern Iraq, 26 April 1991.

M816A2 Truck, Wrecker, Medium, 5-Ton, 6x6, w/winch
M816A2 Truck, Wrecker, Medium, 5-Ton, 6x6, w/winch. Photo courtesy of Eastern Surplus & Equipment Company.

M816A2 Truck, Wrecker, Medium, 5-Ton, 6x6, w/winch
M816A2 M816 Truck, Wrecker, Medium, 5-Ton, 6x6, w/winch. Photo courtesy of Eastern Surplus & Equipment Company.

M816 Truck, Wrecker, Medium, 5-Ton, 6x6, w/winch at 4th Infantry Division Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005
M816 Truck, Wrecker, Medium, 5-Ton, 6x6, w/winch at 4th Infantry Division Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit.