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The Mule is a box truck that appeared in every game after Grand Theft Auto III, with the exception of Grand Theft Auto Advance and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. It is manufactured by Maibatsu in the HD Universe.
Influence[]
3D Universe[]
Between Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, the Mule remained invariably the same, being a small truck with a large box on the rear and a single metallic curtain door on the rear end, closely resembling a 1989 or 1990 Ford E-350 cube van.
HD Universe[]
The Mule resembles a fifth-generation 1985–1987 Mitsubishi Fuso Canter, more specifically the FB433 model, as evident by the double, circular headlights, ridge on the doors following the headlights, and overall appearance, as well as the 1990s Mitsubishi Fuso Fighter/FM series, with some additional styling cues from the fifth-generation Isuzu Elf N-Series and the fourth-generation Hino Ranger.
Design[]
3D Universe[]
Each model of the Mule has different features, which depend of the game's settings.
- The Liberty City models have design cues with the Pony for the cabin (albeit with tweaked headlights), tail lights on the rear bumper and a straighter box shape. In Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, the headlights are moved slightly upwards. In Grand Theft Auto III, the vehicle assigns a primary color for the body and a secondary color for the front bumper and lower fuel tanks, while in GTA Liberty City Stories, the secondary color is assigned to the box, while the front bumper and lower fuel tanks are permanently black.
- The Vice City and San Andreas models are of an entirely unique cabin design, with the turn signals moved to below the headlights, removed bumper lights in favor of marker lights around the top of the box's rear and a rounded upper front section on the box. In Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, the upper front section of the box is more angular. The vehicle comes in a variety of single colors for the cabin and the box.
- The San Andreas model is mostly similar to the Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, but has a slightly smaller bumper, a different grille, straighter front wheel arches, slanted front section of the box and amber marker lights around the top of the box's rear. Again, it comes with a variety of single colors for the cabin and the box.
In all renditions, the cargo hold does not normally open, but can be exposed when the door is removed – the truck will contain various items of cargo in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
The Mule is depicted as a light box truck with a cab-over-engine layout. Its front resembles the 1989 Mitsubishi Fuso Canter, with the headlights similar to the 1980 Canter. The front end features a grey bumper with the license plate on the center, a small grille with four horizontal separations and a set of circular and rectangular light units, with the outer ones being turn signals. The cabin is rather large and features large windows, rectangular mirrors and bulky front arches fitted with rear mudguards, with the corresponding badges above the grille and on the doors.
The rear section mainly consists of the cargo box, which features various marker lights on the front and rear ends and black protruding strips along the sides, as well as mudguards for the rear wheels. The rear end has two large cargo doors and an extended platform with side access ladders, also featuring turn signals and a red/white warning strip on it. The tail lights and the license plate are mounted on a rear guard seen below the truck. The Mule also has dedicated badges on the rear mudguards and cargo doors, with the former displaying the vehicle's name.
The Mule comes with various company names and graffiti painted on the sides, as well as a version with no markings. The truck spawns with a primary color for the body (being two shades of white) and a secondary color for the grille separations and the details of the box, being the outer borders on the front and on top, as well as the rivets on the lower side (being two tones of grey). It uses a set of industrial wheels similar to trucks like the Phantom and the Flatbed.
Again, the cargo hold does not open, unless the player damages the rear enough to open the doors. Said cargo hold has wooden floor and lower borders, but does not seem to carry items on the back outside of scripted scenarios.
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
In Grand Theft Auto V, the Mule remains the same as its previous iteration, but the grille has five black separations and the cargo box has permanent silver/chrome details around, while the black strips on the sides were removed. The cargo hold allows for four passengers sitting on the rear wheel wells (which is only possible if the cabin seats are occupied). It is possible for other players to enter the box if the rear doors are opened or removed.
The truck can be seen either blank or with company liveries on the sides of the box. It spawns in a limited variety of primary colors for the cabin and the box, with two shades of black secondary colors for the grille separations. It retains the industrial wheels from the GTA IV iteration.
The Mule is fitted with a CB radio, and occasional trucker chatter can be heard regardless of whether the main radio is turned on or off. The chatter will only play if playing as Trevor and in Blaine County.
Performance[]
3D Universe[]
The Mule serves as a mid-size truck that is a step below the Yankee, thus being smaller in size (in actuality being narrower) and lighter. As a result, the Mule fares better in speed and acceleration, but still possesses average-to-poor cornering. In addition, the high center of gravity of the truck may also result in easier rollovers and an inability to return upright in many occasions. The small wheels on the Mule also relate to this problem.
Overall, the Mule has good durability, but not as good as any other truck. However, the truck has a good top speed, and an acceptable acceleration, capable of getting to a decent speed without causing too much oversteer. The brakes of the truck are its main downside, as they seem to take a while to make the Mule come to a complete stop, and when they do, it usually results in a crash, or the truck taking a while to regain speed, making it a bad choice for a getaway vehicle.
3D Universe Overview[]
| Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh) |
Gears | Engine | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) |
Mass (kg / lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 87 / 140 | 5 | Diesel | RWD | 3500 / 7716 |
| N/A | N/A | 5 | N/A | RWD | Cannot be observed |
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
The Mule returns as a much more durable and acceptable vehicle, as it can reach high speeds at a better time, and its top speed is also higher. Over steer is not as common, but can still happen, and, if steering is performed too quickly, it will result in the vehicle to tipple over, but usually does not fall onto its side, which is unusual for a vehicle of its size, but is still slow.
The Mule has a 3-litre diesel engine, according to the badges and rear-wheel drive, as indicated in the handling files and in-game. The truck does not include a visible engine model, however. Its sound is somewhat similar to a diesel, high-revving engine with a significantly smooth engine sound, shared with the Benson, the Yankee and the Securicar. The truck has Four Wheel Rotation System badges, suggesting it uses differential devices or transmission system.
GTA IV Overview[]
| Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh) |
Gears | Engines | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) |
Mass (kg / lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 62 / 100 | 6 | N/A | RWD | 5500 / 12125 |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | 3000cc (3.0L) (Badging) | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | 6 | FR | RWD | Cannot be observed |
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
- Standard
The Mule remains mostly unchanged compared to its iteration in GTA IV. The suspension is much better, being stiffer due to GTA V's revamped handling physics. The stiffer suspension improves handling response, which further improves braking and acceleration rates. However, its heavy weight still causes problems regarding acceleration.
Again, the truck does not include a visible engine model, and its sound is identical to its previous iteration. It is still a rear-wheel drive vehicle.
- Heist
The heist version performs differently over the standard model, as it has slightly improved acceleration and top speed, but no overall change in braking or handling. The main difference between the two is ramming power, where the Heist version has similar ramming capabilities to the Insurgent, as it can ram vehicles at a high speed without losing too much speed itself, and move vehicles smaller than it with little to no wheel-spin, both something the standard Mule cannot do (mostly due to the increased mass, being a little more than twice the regular Mule's weight). Because of the side barriers, the heist Mule is less prone to pass over small vehicles stuck in between the wheels.
GTA V and 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 | 62 / 100 | 5 | N/A | RWD | 5500 / 12125 | 65 |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | 3000cc (3.0L) (Badging) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 10.32 Seconds | 82 / 132 | 5 | FR | RWD | Cannot be observed | Cannot be observed |
Liveries[]
Grand Theft Auto III[]
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City[]
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[]
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories[]
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories[]
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
Gallery[]
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
Grand Theft Auto V[]
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
Design[]
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Version History[]
Variants[]
| Image | Vehicle | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 The Triad Fish Van in Grand Theft Auto III. |
Triad Fish Van | The gang version of the Mule used by the Triads. The Triad Fish Van is essentially a box truck distinguishable only by its Belly-Up Fish & Seafood Processing Plant name visible on the sides and front of the truck's cargo compartment. | |
 The Mr. Wongs in Grand Theft Auto III |
Mr. Wongs | A Mule-based laundry van, evidently named after the company that uses these, Mr. Wong's Laundrette. | |
 The Spand Express in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. |
Spand Express | A delivery truck based on the Mule, with noticeable differences in the front fascia and a Spand Express livery. | |
 The Mule Custom in Grand Theft Auto Online. |
Mule Custom | Custom variant of the Heist Mule used for Nightclub Sell Missions, featuring highly-advanced modifications and Gunrunning liveries. | Added with the After Hours update in Grand Theft Auto Online. |
| Special variants | |||
| "Barrels" Mule | A stock Mule with barrels on the back, appearing in Grand Theft Auto IV. Used during the chase in Search and Delete where Lyle scrapes the side of the truck to make it drop barrels from the cargo hold and difficult the chase. | Can be obtained in either Search and Delete or in one of the possible scenarios in Exotic Exports missions for Brucie. For the first mission, the player must kill Lyle Rivas around the Francis International Airport area, where the truck appears, and later intercept it. For the second mission, the player may to take the truck and drive away, failing the mission. The barrels are not solid, and thus they will not slide off the truck. However, they cannot be saved, as the barrels will disappear from the cargo hold upon returning to the safehouse's parking lot. | |
 The all-black Mule in Grand Theft Auto Online. |
All-black Mule | An all-black Mule appears is used in two Lester Crest Contact Missions, Search and Delete and Truck Off. | |
 The ramp-door Mule in Grand Theft Auto Online. |
Ramp-door Mule | A variant of the mule Mule that replaces the dual rear doors with a single ramp door that folds down. Lacks a rear platform step, CB radio, and benches in the cargo hold. It has the same set of liveries as its base model. | First appears in Grand Theft Auto V as an unused variant. First used with the Gunrunning update in Grand Theft Auto Online, during a Supplies Steal Mission involving destroying a rival competition. |
 The "heist" Mule in Grand Theft Auto Online. |
"Heist" Mule | A variant of the Mule used during the Series A Funding heist. Removes the traditional bumper in favour of a protective bull-bar, and features a metal undercarriage barriers intended to prevent other vehicles from getting stuck in-between the wheels. The details on the cargo box are finished in a color instead of in silver/chrome. | Added with the Heists update in Grand Theft Auto Online. |
 The Short Trips Mule in Grand Theft Auto Online. |
Short Trips Mule | A variant of the Heists Mule with added extra invisible "seats", used for an on-rails shootout during Short Trip - Seed Capital. | Added with The Contract update in Grand Theft Auto Online. |
Prominent Appearances in Gameplay[]
Grand Theft Auto III[]
- Import/Export – The Mule is one of the 23 vehicles wanted for the Portland Island portion of the Import/Export side mission.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[]
- Robbing Uncle Sam – The Mule is the truck chosen by CJ and Ryder to carry the crates from army depot in Ocean Docks. It's explosion-proof.
- Gray Imports – Two Mules can be found parked outside the warehouse only in this mission. They are heavily damaged, as there is smoke coming out from their engines.
- Ran Fa Li – Some Mules are used to block the airport parking lot passages and the airport main road.
- Test Drive – Parked on a sidewalk in Downtown.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories[]
- Farewell To Arms – The Sharks use a Mule as part of their roadblock in an attempt to prevent Gonzalez from reaching the airport. It must be destroyed to continue the mission.
- Smuggling – Used as the transport vehicle after collecting the crates.
- Civil Asset Forfeiture Impound – The Mule is one of the 32 vehicles wanted by the Civil Asset Forfeiture Impound in the side-mission of the same name. Placed on the second list.
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
- Search and Delete – A Mule appears on the airport area during the chase, where Lyle scrapes the side of the truck to make it drop barrels from the cargo hold and difficult the chase.
- Truck Hustle – Niko Bellic has to steal a Mule full of heroin for Phil Bell.
- If the Price is Right – A Mule appears as the vehicle Niko and Phil must intercept to retrieve the money from Dimitri's goons. It is loaded with barrels that will ocassionally drop to difficult the chase.
- Exotic Exports – One of the possible scenarios involve the target car located behind a Mule, which is guarded by three goons.
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
After Hours[]
- Two Nightclub Management missions
- Deliver supplies – The player has to collect a Mule filled with bottles of champagne and carefully deliver it to their Nightclub.
- Recover supplies – The player must return a Mule with alcohol stolen by a rival gang.
The Diamond Casino & Resort[]
- Casino Work: Damage Control – Having taken the truck for a "test drive" while drunk, the protagonist needs to return it to the Casino.
Locations[]
Grand Theft Auto III[]
- Garage 7 in Portland Harbor, Portland.
- Parking area of Portland Harbor, Portland.
- Liberty City Memorial Stadium in Belleville Park, Staunton Island.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City[]
- Spawns in Viceport.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[]
- Driving at all industrial places around the state: Ocean Docks, Willowfield and around Los Santos Airport, Los Santos; Fallen Tree and Easter Bay Chemicals, Flint County; Easter Basin and Easter Bay Airport, San Fierro; Fort Carson, Octane Springs and around Hunter Quarry, Bone County; LVA Freight Depot and Spinybed, Las Venturas.
- Two parked in front of a building in Dillimore, Red County (not available on PC version).
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories[]
- Parking area of Portland Harbor, Portland.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories[]
- Opposite Umberto Robina's house in Little Havana.
- Commonly seen driving around in Viceport.
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
- Located near a terminal on the tarmac at Francis International Airport.
- In the driveway of a run-down house on Aspdin Drive, Berchem, Alderney.
- In Fulcrum Avenue, Tudor, Alderney.
- In Hardtack Avenue, Acter, Alderney.
- It can be seen driving in Industrial.
Grand Theft Auto V[]
The Mule is particularly common around the urban industrial estates of Davis and Strawberry, as well as a common dock, highway and city traffic vehicle.
- Parked outside Foreign & Domestic in Strawberry, Los Santos.
- Parked beside JJ's Forklift Repair in Strawberry, Los Santos.
- Parked behind Franklin's garage on Grove Street in Davis, Los Santos.
- Parked in the parking area of the Davis Mega Mall in Davis, Los Santos.
- Parked at a loading bay at the GoPostal building in Vinewood. Oddly, it can still spawn in a Post OP livery.
- Up to two parked outside Carson Self Storage in Davis, Los Santos.
- Up to six parked around Rimm Paint in Strawberry, Los Santos.
- Up to eight parked in the Strawberry Plaza in Strawberry, Los Santos:
- Up to three in the main parking lot.
- Up to three at the loading bay entrances at the rear of the complex.
- Up to two parked at Suds Law Laundromat's service entrance.
- Seen driving around the Port of Los Santos.
- Like most commercial and industrial vehicles, it is commonly seen on the highways throughout the state.
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
- Can be bought in GTA Online from the Warstock Cache & Carry website for $27,000, available through Pegasus Lifestyle Management.
- Also spawns normally all around the map.
- A Mule is used to transport champagne during a random Nightclub promotion.
- Upon delivery, said Mule will be seen in the Nightclub’s service enterance, although it will not be accessible and serves as decoration.
Radio Stations[]
- In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the Mule plays K-Rose.
- In Grand Theft Auto IV, the default radio stations are grouped by genre. The Mule uses the "Eastern European" group which can play Vladivostok FM.
- In Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City, the default radio stations are grouped by genre. The Mule uses the "Eastern European" group which can play Vladivostok FM.
- In Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition, the default radio stations are grouped by genre. The Mule uses the "Eastern European" group which can play Vladivostok FM.
- In Grand Theft Auto V and Online, the default radio stations are grouped by genre. The Mule uses the "Mexican" group which can play East Los FM.
Trivia[]
General[]
The Mule in Manhunt 2.
- The name Mule is a reference to "drug mule", the term for someone that smuggles drugs for someone else. This is strengthened by the GTA V Warstock Cache and Carry description of the Mule.
- Its name can also refer to the animal of the same name, referencing its purpose as a cargo truck.
- The Grand Theft Auto III rendition of the Mule also appears in Manhunt 2.
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
- Due to its height, the Mule in GTA IV cannot be sold at Stevie's garage, as it will not fit inside.
- The Mule seen in first trailer seems to have a black line of text or graffiti in the front. It is not seen in the final version of the game.
- As seen in an early screenshots, the doors of the cargo area of the Mule looked different. The original beta doors can be found on the Mule of Max Payne 3, with some minor differences like the handle and less details.
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
- When a hostile pedestrian tries to pull the player out of the vehicle to start fighting, they will instead enter the Mule and drive off.
- In the PS3/Xbox 360 versions of the game, Mules from a distance will appear to have bright white wheels, this is most likely a texture glitch. This is most effective at night. This has been fixed in the enhanced version of the game.
- If the player stands on the front end of the cargo-hold's roof while an NPC/another player drives, the truck may randomly "wheelie", causing the player to fall off.
- The cargo space of the vehicle has large wheel well intrusions, even though the wheels do not protrude into the box. This is possibly done on purpose to give passengers a place to sit in the cargo area.
See Also[]
- Luton – A beta model from GTA III based on a Ford Transit.
- Benson and Yankee – Two other box trucks appearing in the Grand Theft Auto series.
- Steed – A light box truck that fills a similar role to the 3D Universe iterations of the Mule, appearing in Grand Theft Auto IV and its episodes.