The basic cargo version was designed to transport a 5-ton (4,500 kg), 14 ft (4.3 m) long load over all terrain in all weather.

The hood and grille were lengthened to make room for the larger engine and the lighting system was updated to meet new US safety regulations.

Many M809 series were equipped with a front-mounted 20,000 lb (9,100 kg) capacity winch, intended for self-recovery.

A winch weighed 665 lb (302 kg) and added 15+1⁄2 in (39 cm) inches to the length of the truck.

It had hinged doors with roll-up windows, a folding windshield, and a removable canvas roof.

It had a 14 ft (4.3 m) long low sided box with a bottom hinged tailgate.

The truck had a large cab protection rack and both front and mid mounted winches.

A rotating, telescoping, and elevating hydraulic boom could lift a maximum of 20,000 lb (9,100 kg).

Although the truck was not meant to carry a load, the boom could support 7,000 lb (3,200 kg) when towing.

[13] The M817 dump truck was used to haul sand, gravel, dirt, rubble, scrap, and other bulk materials.

It had a 5 cubic yards (3.8 m3) dump body with cab protector and a tailgate that could hinge at either the top or bottom.

They could be equipped with overhead bows, tarpaulin, and troop seats, but the relatively small size of the body limited their passenger or cargo load.

Because of the high empty weight as a semi tractor, oversize 12.00x20 tires were used, this was the only model to have this size.

They had a roller on the rear to help unloading and small winches on the side to secure cargo.

The short M810 chassis was used by Engineer construction units to mount a 1,000 gallon water distributor or an 800 gallon bituminous distributor, while the standard long M809 chassis was used to mount a larger 1,500 gallon bituminous distributor; the extra long M811 chassis was used to mount the so-called "Bat Wing" body Shop Equipment Organizational Repair Truck Mounted (SEORTM), and the Antenna Mast section of Patriot Missile Batteries, while the extra long M812 with oversize 14.00x20 tires was used to carry and launch Improved Ribbon Bridge sections and Bridge Erection Boats.