The Barracks (formerly known as "Barracks OL") is a military truck featured in both 3D Universe and HD Universe. It is manufactured by HVY in Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online.
Design
3D Universe
The Barracks OL is evidently based on the M939 "5 ton" truck, namely the M923A1 Cargo version, albeit featuring an extra set of lights beside the grille.
The Barracks OL is depicted as a 6-wheeled truck intended for transportation of cargo/infantry, featuring an utility cab with room with two occupants.
- In Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, the vehicle is visually identical to the GTA III rendition of the Flatbed, only differing in its modified bed design with additional fencing. It also retains the mesh grille design, which in turn is similar to the one on the Bus, albeit slightly smaller. The vehicle is depicted with an open cabin and may spawn with an open bed, a set of support frames or with a full cover. It spawns in a green color.
- In Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, the Barracks retain the same design, but the grille is depicted with five vertical bars, a body-colored front bumper, and grey rear-view mirrors. Again, the vehicle is depicted with an open cabin and may spawn with the same extras. It spawns in a green color.
- The Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas rendition, while identical in shape and layout to the Vice City renditions, features an enclosed cabin. The design is largely similar to the Flatbed from the same game, although the grille design is unique. It may spawn either with a tarpaulin, a set of frames with camouflage netting (revealing boxes on the bed), and, although very rare, an invisible cover that resembles a Flatbed. Some of the details, like the lights and the mirrors, were changed. It spawns in a red/desert tan color.
- The Grand Theft Auto Advance rendition retain the enclosed cabin, although it spawns in a green body color and is depicted with a brown bed cover.
From GTA Vice City onwards, Vigilante missions can be activated from the Barracks OL. In GTA San Andreas, the Barracks even features a siren without strobe lights, which, like other sirens, will force traffic in front of the truck to move out of the way.
Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online
The Barracks in Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online assumes a more modern design, resembling a Oshkosh MTVR, albeit bulkier in appearance.
The front of the truck is predominated by the reinforced utility bumper, featuring two hooks and warning stripes on the outer sides. A winch can also be seen behind the same bumper. The cab appears (like many other heavy duty vehicles) to have some resemblance to the Securicar, but has circular headlamps and protective frames in front of the grille, along with a separation on the windshield and access steps on the sides. Behind the cab, there is a spare tire and the exhaust stack on the passenger side.
The rear of the truck is occupied by the large truck bed, featuring sectioned walls and upper frames with a canvas on top. Some of the vital components, such as the oil tanks and the fuel tanks, can be seen beneath the bed, next to the rear wheels. The wheels themselves have a set of mudguards. The rear end is basically the tailgate of the bed and a small bumper, holding two panels housing the circular tail lights.
The Barracks spawns with a military desert camo livery with the corresponding star emblems. The truck itself appears to have a slightly worn appearance, denoting its utilitarian design. It uses high-profile tires with black plain steel rims.
Current Design Gallery
Version History Gallery
Performance
3D Universe
Although it is one of the heaviest vehicles in the games, it is faster than the much lighter Flatbed; due to its length and its two rear axles, however, it suffers from understeer at higher speeds. Its ramming power is impressive; it can easily penetrate a SWAT roadblock. The Barracks OL has all-wheel drive, but, because of its size and weight, it can easily get stuck in off-road terrain. Despite its size, the Barracks will explode if it collides with a Rhino tank, just as other vehicles do. The Barracks OL has an average top speed but the acceleration leaves much to be desired.
In San Andreas, the Barracks is a formidable threat to the player on a six star wanted level - Combined with the Rhino, the Military will use the Barracks to actively ram the player off the road or box them in, and can easily overtake less powerful vehicles.
All renditions of the Barracks are powered by a diesel engine, coupled to a 5-speed gearbox in an AWD layout.
3D Universe Overview
| Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh) |
Gears | Engine | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) |
Mass (kg / lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 112 / 180 | 5 | Diesel | AWD | 10500 / 23149 |
| N/A | N/A | 5 | N/A | AWD | Cannot be observed |
Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online
The Barracks is extremely competent for off-roading, thanks to the raised suspension and the large wheels. Its brute force can become a threat to any light vehicle and small trucks, like the Mule, and can withstand several crashes before the front axle is deformed. The overall vehicle can withstand several bullets before it starts to smoke. Driving backwards, it can actually drive all the way over any car, just like a tank. A flat tire makes a minimal difference to handling. The Barracks appears to be lighter than in the 3D Universe, but is still a difficult vehicle to drive. Its acceleration is rather low and, due to its large profile, the handling is very rigid.
Unlike the 3D Universe rendition, the Barracks is capable of carrying the driver and nine passengers (one in the cab and eight in the truck bed), which in Grand Theft Auto Online can be a useful and deadly ground transport. The only problem, however, is that flipping the truck will eject and harm all occupants of the bed, potentially killing them in the process. Considering the vehicle, size and speed, it can be an easy target for any explosive weapon, especially RPGs and Grenade Launcher.
The Barracks is powered by a four-cylinder turbocharged engine laid longitudinally, coupled to a 5-speed gearbox in a RWD layout.
GTA V/GTA Online Overview
| Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh) |
Gears | Engine | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) |
Mass (kg / lbs) |
Fuel Tank Size (litres) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 68 / 110 | 5 | N/A | RWD | 9000 / 19842 | 120 |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 21.57 Seconds | 83.4 / 134.2 | 5 | F6 Inline-4 Turbocharged (In-game model) | RWD | Cannot be observed | Cannot be observed |
 |
Speed | 59.020649% | ||||
| Acceleration | 27.5% | |||||
| Braking | 10% | |||||
| Traction | 50% | |||||
Variants
Barracks SemiGrand Theft Auto V & Grand Theft Auto Online |
 (Rear quarter view) |
The Barracks Semi is a semi-truck variant of the Barracks, with the rear adapted to attach trailers. |
Special Variants
Grand Theft Auto Online
- A second variant appears in the Heists Update for Grand Theft Auto Online. It is distinguished from the base model by having a much shorter roof canvas. The rear area lacks the extra canvas that is seen waving with the wind and when the truck is moving. Other than aesthetics in the canvas, the truck performs the same. This variant is only featured during Pacific Standard - Convoy heist preparation, as the main target to be stolen and delivered.
Image Gallery
3D Universe
HD Universe
-GTAV.jpg "Barracks OL (Front&Side)-GTAV.jpg (23 KB)")
Prominent Appearances in Missions
Grand Theft Auto III
- Import/Export - The Barracks OL is one of the 23 vehicles wanted for the Portland Island portion of the Import/Export side mission.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
- Sir, Yes Sir! - Two Barracks are part of the convoy that escorts the tank, one in front of and another behind the armored vehicle. Soldiers are seen in the bed.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
- Munitions Dump - The two Barracks, owned by the Forellis and loaded with weapons, must be destroyed in this mission.
- More Deadly Than the Male - Phil Cassidy appears in the end of the mission going away with his Barracks after getting the stolen weapons from Toni.
- AWOL Angel - Used by the targets as a getaway vehicle after destroying the ninth target, with three gunners in the back.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
- Soldier - A Barracks OL transporting Victor Vance arrives at the Fort Baxter Air Base after he joins the military.
- Truck Stop - Vic, Phil and two other accomplices intercept a Barracks OL loaded with weapons in the back. Later, Phil takes control of the truck and drives it back to his depot.
- From Zero to Hero - Vic, Lance and two other accomplices steal two Barracks OLs containing the cocaine and escape to the eastern part of the city.
- Skywolf - Several Barracks OL are required to be destroyed by the Hunter.
Grand Theft Auto V
- Monkey Business - One can be seen outside the Humane Labs and Research, likely being the transportation vehicle for the Military that shows up at the storage area.
- Derailed - Briefly seen in the station where the Freight Train is supposed to stop.
- Military Hardware - The player is tasked to steal a Barracks from a convoy escorted by two Crusaders, carrying the hardware for the heist.
- Arms Trafficking Air - Some of the drop locations may have a Barracks waiting for the Cuban 800 carrying the cargo. Several of them also appear in the fifth mission, where they must be destroyed.
Grand Theft Auto Online
- Pacific Standard - Convoy - The short-canvas variant appears in the heist setup, where it is used by Merryweather to transport some Thermal Charges. Players are required to eliminate the escort and bring back the truck in one piece.
- Arms Embargo - Seen inside Fort Zancudo as the main targets and as roadblock vehicles.
- Some are seen during Resupply jobs for Gunrunning.
- Used by attacking enemies in the Zancudo Survival, Project 4808A: Terminal, Project 4808C: Grapeseed, Project 4808E: Arena, Project 4808F: Pillbox, and Project 4808G: Zancudo survivals.
Locations
Grand Theft Auto III
- Phil's Army Surplus, in north Rockford, Staunton Island Bulletproof version during the mission Arms Shortage.
- Spawns at roadblocks at 6-star wanted level.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
- Fort Baxter Air Base. At least two of them may spawn parked, one near the building and another on the opposite side, near the fences.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Area 69, Bone County - Parked next of the entrance in the easternmost division with other military vehicles. Attempting to steal it from here is very difficult as the player will receive a 5-star wanted level when they enter the base.
- Easter Basin Naval Station, San Fierro - Behind the main building.
- Once the player reaches a 6-star wanted level, replacing FBI Ranchers, road blocks will consist of these, along with Rhinos pursuing the player.
Grand Theft Auto Advance
- Available in Fort Staunton army base.
- Spawns around when the player has a 6-star Wanted Level.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
- Construction Site, in Hepburn Heights, Portland Island.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
Grand Theft Auto V
- Can be bought for $450,000 from Warstock Cache & Carry, provided the player owns a hangar.
- In the original versions of the game, the truck may spawn in either black, grey or red. Depending on the character, one of these colors may be frequent (i.e. Michael's Barracks will spawn in red color most of the time).
- Found parked or patrolling around Fort Zancudo.
- May spawn outside Fort Zancudo when the player approaches an entrance before turning back to the highway.
- Can be acquired after completing Trevor Philips's fourth Rampage in front of Fort Zancudo, assuming if there is one intact. Though not occuring always, a wanted level may be triggered.
Grand Theft Auto Online
- Occasionally spawns between the mission markers for Top Fun III and Sandy Shores Circus during a session.
- Can spawn on the parking of Paleto Bay's Ammu-Nation.
- Can sometimes spawn on the Western edge of the Grand Senora Desert.
- Can very rarely spawn in the Docks area, right next to where the player delivers vehicles for Simeon.
- Can occasionally be found parked outside the Los Santos Naval Port on Elysian Island.
- Several can be found parked at the Backlot City studio parking lot.
- Frequently spawns at the fuel depot near Harmony, where the mission Fueling the Flames occurs.
- The short-canvas variant can be spawned in Captures by setting it as a respawn vehicle when creating a Capture.
Trivia
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Boxes found on partially covered Barracks in GTA San Andreas appear to be labeled as containing ammunition, but are further labeled humorously with warnings not to eat the boxes' contents ("Do Not Eat!").
- There is a graphical glitch on the Barracks with the camouflage netting in the PS2 version, whereby if the player presses the select button to change the view, changing it to the bumper view and holding the L2 & R2 buttons to look back, the netting will disappear and the only thing one will see is the bed of the truck. Pressing the button again to the full truck view, the netting will return.
- In what is presumed to be a glitch similar in manner to the graffitless Hoods Rumpo XL and lightless Taxi from previous games. After attaining a 6-star wanted level a Barracks can very rarely spawn with its cover invisible. The player can thus jump on top of the bed area and appear as if they are floating in the air and get a clear sight of the ammunition boxes. The best locations to attempt to spawn and obtain them are Verdant Meadows and the street directly south of the Doherty construction site and Doherty Garage.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
- The Barracks OL rendition of GTA LCS cannot be used for Vigilante Missions, despite its use by the Army. Also, the Barracks OL has a radio, which is the only kind in GTA LCS.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
- A bulletproof Barracks OL will appear in the mission Truck Stop. It is difficult to obtain and the truck won't be bulletproof anymore once Phil Cassidy has taken control of the truck, due to the health bar.
- The Barracks OL is the first vehicle seen in GTA Vice City Stories, it appears in the first game cutscene when it is shown Vic entering Fort Baxter with it therefore also being the first chronologically seen in the 3D Universe.
- During the mission Skywolf, the player uses a Hunter to fly through checkpoints and shoot drones. The drones are actually Barracks OL's, but with a different design than the current versions seen in Fort Baxter and have ammo crates in the back. These ones appears to be closely based on the GTA III or GTA LCS rendition. They have different ID numbers than the regular Barracks OL.
- Much like its Liberty City Stories counterpart, the Barracks OL has a radio instead of a dispatcher.
Grand Theft Auto V
- In an advertisement for the Warstock Cache & Carry website and the in-game website prior to the Ill-Gotten Gains Part 1, the Barracks was depicted with a fully-covered bed canvas rather than just on the top. It is possible that the change was to allow passenger to sit in the rear bed.
- The canvas is considered an extra, thus able to be removed through trainers. In addition, the roof canvas is part of the vehicle, meaning it can be damaged by shooting at it.
- Sticking the gun barrel of a Rhino into the back of the Barracks and raising it would cause both the Barracks and the tank to launch several hundred feet into the air. However, this has been patched.
Grand Theft Auto Online
- The second variant, along with the Lost Slamvan and the second variant of the Trashmaster are the only DLC vehicles that are not available for purchase. Unlike the Barracks, however, the others can still be obtained through the Lucky Wheel and Arena Points, respectively.
- The Career Builder incorrectly advertises the Barracks as having 'Armor Options'.
See Also
- Pacifier - A military personal carrier appearing in Grand Theft Auto 2.
- Flatbed - Civilian counterpart, as of the 3D Universe.
- Barracks Semi - Semi-truck variant appearing in Grand Theft Auto V.
- Vetir - A similarly designed, older army truck featured in Grand Theft Auto Online.
