| SAMIL 20 2-ton 4x4 Truck | |
| Origin: | South Africa |
| Type: | 2-ton 4x4 truck |
| Is Vehicle: | yes |
| Designer: | Armscor |
| Production Date: | In production up to early 1990s. |
| Variants: | Cargo (as in photo) Cargo with mine protected cab Rhino: Light armour protected troop carrier Valkiri 127mm multiple rocket launcher Light repair workshop 20' Container carrier Ambulance |
| Spec Label: | SAMIL 20 Cargo |
| Weight: | 4580kg (10,100lb) (empty) |
| Length: | 5.34m (17.52feet) |
| Width: | 2.3m (07.5feet) |
| Height: | 2.69m (08.83feet) |
| Engine: | Atlantis Diesel Engines (ADE) 352N 6 cylinder diesel[1] |
| Engine Power: | 106hp |
| Transmission: | 5 speed x 2 range |
| Suspension: | Telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers on leaf springs |
| Crew: | 2 |
| Passengers: | 10 |
The SAMIL 20 is a 2-ton cargo vehicle produced in South Africa in the mid-1980s and was used as the primary light cargo carrier of the South African National Defence Force. The vehicle design is based on the German Mercedes Unimog chassis and Mark I of this vehicle was based on the Magirus Deutz 130M7FAL 4x4 truck. In Mark II, the engine was replaced with an upgraded South African built water cooled diesel engine. The vehicle is still in use with the SANDF.[1]
The SAMIL 20 is a light utility 4x4 military truck designed and built in South Africa for the South African Military forces. The chassis provide the basis for a wide range of cross-country vehicles. It has a forward control cab with a canvas roof and removable side windows. The cargo area is made of pressed steel with low steel sides and may be covered with a canvas top carried on a removable steel frame. A removable bank of back-to-back outward facing seats is fitted on the cargo centre-line accommodating ten seated troops. These seats may be removed and carried on the sides of the cargo area when the vehicle is used for general cargo purposes. The cargo area has four container locking ports to permit 20' containers to be carried. The spare wheel is mounted between the cab and cargo area and a manual light crane is fitted to allow wheel changes by a single operator.
The vehicle has differential locking facilities on both front and rear axles as well as on the transfer box. It has a short wheelbase with a ground clearance of 460mm and permanent 4-wheel drive. The initial Mk I vehicle was powered by a 6-cylinder air-cooled Magirus Deutz engines.[2] This engine was not suited to the heat and dust associated with military use in South West Africa, which lead to the development of the Mk II.[1]
Data are based on SAMIL 20 cargo version:[2]
Book: Jane's. Jane's Military Vehicles and Ground Support Equipment . 1985 . Jane's Publishing Company Ltd. London . 0-7106-0811-X .