- Seller: John M (Contact)
- Location: East Haddam, Connecticut
- Mileage: 30,000 Shown
- Chassis #: T24510740 80054635
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 6-cylinder
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
We all like to think that we’re free thinkers, but I’m definitely not alone in saying that I’m suggestible; I once bought a Corvair because my mom mentioned that she thought they were cute. Well, it didn’t hurt that I had been thinking about it for a few months before that, but sometimes we just need that bit of a nudge, and perhaps that nudge for you is a Barn Finds Auction. I for one have never owned a military vehicle, but every once in a while I’ll see one and be intrigued. What’s that all about? Who built it? Where do I get one? It’s a dangerous game, being a car lover. This is a 1953 Dodge V41, which is a variant of the M37 that was designed to be a “telephone maintenance vehicle,” according to truck-encyclopedia.com. The working 30-foot mechanical ladder verifies that assertion, so if you need a working collectible for trimming trees, painting your house, or any number of odd jobs, maybe this is the military vehicle for you. It’s located in East Haddam, Connecticut, and is open for bids now.
The V41 (and all M37 variants) used the 230-cubic-inch Dodge T-245 flathead inline six, which made 78 horsepower. When combined with a weight (with winch, which this truck has) of almost three tons and 5.83:1 axle ratios, you’d better leave plenty early in the morning for work; top speed was about 55 miles per hour, and a comfortable cruising speed would be lower than that. Still, the ability to climb steep grades and then hoist the ladder to climb steeper ones rewards you for your patience in getting there. Does this truck run? Currently, the owner has it running on starting fluid, because it’s been sitting for the last 15 years (of 30 that he’s owned it), so it will need some fuel system maintenance.
The owner has given us this information about the truck: The V41 has a 30-foot mechanical ladder that raises when the operator’s foot is on the first rung; you can lock it at the desired height, then the side winch extends the fly section and the side crank rotates the turret. This would make a good truck for tree workers because the ladders are a truss type and are self-supporting, which means that you don’t need to lean the ladder against something. A common place for these to rot is on the fenders at the headlights, and there is very little on this truck; the only real rust is on the bed floor where the ladder base is mounted. It is flat diamond plate tin and looks easy to replace.
In addition to the goodies listed above, the V41 has, like all M37-based trucks, a two-speed New Process transfer case and a 24-volt waterproof electrical system, so it’s basically the perfect setup for getting though anything, slowly. Therefore, if anything in this auction has provoked your sense of suggestibility, bid now!
Bid On This Auction
To old love vettes bid $1,800.00 2025-09-09 13:30:44
Lyn bid $1,500.00 2025-09-09 12:08:05- To old love vettes bid $1,000.00 2025-09-09 10:16:36
When I saw the first photo from the side, my mind went “catapult?”
The extending ladder is an add on (perhaps after delivery to a branch of the military or after released as surplus). A stock V-41 essentially had a utility body on the longer wheelbase chassis of the M-43 ambulance. I wonder how stable this ladder is without outriggers. I believe that it has been repainted and lettered (the unit number lettering looks to have an error). Hardtops are available to fit this (or canvas). This would be great for a collector for fun or on a piece of rural property- I met a guy who built a house with one of these with an A frame attachment. Not great for frequent and/or long distance “high speed” driving. These are fairly rare (as is the R2 crash rescue variant) compared to the more common M-37. I had an M-43 ambulance years ago. Every journey was an experience.
This is the problem: I don’t need it, I have no use for it, I have no idea what I’d do with it, and yet, I WANT IT!
LOVE this TOY!!! Sign me UP !!
I took a class once from world renown sheet metal fabricator, Fay Butler. During the class he mentioned that he could pretty closely identify the year of a vehicle by the treatment of the fenders–the earliest models evolving from flat sheet metal to the voluminous torpedo curves and final body integration. This 1940 truck breaks that observation completely. One would think that this truck is from the early 1920’s on a quick glance.
My M-37 has a top speed of about 40MPH-which is plenty considering the drum brakes need about 1000 feet to stop at that speed. But you can sure pull the stumps out after you cut your trees down. Like the k-9 security pic. Cool find, Thanks
That fella might not let you get too close to inspect his ride!
If only this very cool rig was on the Left coast.
like any vehicle with utility (beyond commute) I’d love to see it owned by some one who’d work it. Plenty round here could use it. Few might buy it due to the private ‘collector’s” jacks on price. All ways a loosing war for the rig I think.
I can still hope though~