Bridge Plate question

Jim Branson · Post by **Jim Branson** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 4:39 am

Did all trucks have a bridge plate at one time or did it depend on where it was deployed? My M201B1 had US ARMY, HAWAII on the drivers side bed door thinking maybe it never had one. Thanks for any guidance!

Jim

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 5:21 am

To answer your question, no...not all trucks had bridge plates. The AF did not use them. The Army and Marine Corps used them. I'm not sure about the Navy.

Jim Branson · Post by **Jim Branson** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 6:52 am

Thanks Lifer, would you say all the US Army trucks used bridge plates then? I will put one on mine if there was one before, but if a truck never left the states why would they need one?

Jim

Rusty S. · Post by **Rusty S.** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 9:05 am

If they were deployed where a tactical bridge was being used they would need one. They did (do) drills and practiced with placement of bridges ect on manuvers in the US, so the bridge plate was needed.

Also, just because a truck was in a unit in the US doesnt mean it wouldnt get shipped overseas with the unit if called up. Most units take their vehicles with them when they ship out. The armory near me is pretty much devoid of vehicles since the unit is in Iraq.

The weight stickers(or painted circles) on the doors were mostly placed on the passenger side as the MP or whoever was keeping track of the weight on the bridge was on the right side of the approaches from what I understand...

RS

uglyranger · Post by **uglyranger** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 2:15 pm

Jim: Not all m37s had bridge plates. In Vietnam 1970-71 I was assigned to a transportation company that ran the roads from Qui Nhon to Khe Sahn. None of our trucks had bridge plates. I guess it would depend on where you were, and what time period.

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 3:47 am

Nice period pics, 'ranger!

That was "my" war. Well...my first one, anyway.

Jim Branson · Post by **Jim Branson** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 3:44 pm

Thanks for the replies! There is a good chance it may have never had one even though it does look cool. I'll put that at the bottom of my to do list. Thanks again!

Jim

Post by **Cal_Gary** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 5:59 am

Hi Jim,
My unit at Fort Ord in the 1970's had an M201 and yes, it had the bridge sign kit. I remember to this day having to put a rear diff in it even though it was assigned to a buddy of mine.
Gary

vtdeucedriver · Post by **vtdeucedriver** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 2:37 pm

uglyranger wrote:Jim: Not all m37s had bridge plates. In Vietnam 1970-71 I was assigned to a transportation company that ran the roads from Qui Nhon to Khe Sahn. None of our trucks had bridge plates. I guess it would depend on where you were, and what time period.

Hey ugly,
I believe your trucks, because you were a Trans unit, your M37s ran with the convoys and the other trucks were much heavier so the smaller 3/4 would not be a problem if it did not have a bridge plate where your LineHaul trucks did! Now if it was a 3/4 that was in a Medical unit and would run the smaller roads, it would have the bridge plate. What is funny is that all the collectors put them on the jeeps and the TO said that it was to be installed on 3/4 tons and up.

rixm37 · Post by **rixm37** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 7:11 am

Ugly Ranger You got a great bunch of truck pictures!!!! I thought only the gun trucks had the yellow nose. Now you post a great pic of just a regular M37 with the yellow on the hood. Can you tell me more about this?
thanks

vtdeucedriver · Post by **vtdeucedriver** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 11:39 am

May 69, orders came down for ALL 8th GP trucks to have their noses painted Yellow. This was so commanders in the air could watch their drivers while in convoy.

My M52A2

rixm37 · Post by **rixm37** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 4:03 pm

Now that is one nice tractor!!!! SO all 8GP trucks had the yellow nose stripe after may 69 ? Nice.

vtdeucedriver · Post by **vtdeucedriver** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 5:22 pm

Yep!!

Not as nice as mine but a worker!!

vtdeucedriver · Post by **vtdeucedriver** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 5:27 pm

Thought I would post one more!!!

For those in New England, come to our Vermont MV rally in July. I am giving a presentation on the LINEHAUL in RVN. Lots of pictures and info.

rixm37 · Post by **rixm37** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 6:48 pm

Vtdueceddriver really nice pictures. Thanks for sharing them and the yellow nose! You and Uglyranger have posted some great pictures recently that are great reference shots of trucks in the Vietnam era. I wish I lived near you I would go to the show. Prehaps you could share some of your presetation here on the forum for those of us who can't make it to see it in person.