CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the  incorporation by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K
of Oshkosh Truck  Corporation  of our report dated October 30, 1998,  except for
Note 11, as to which the date is December  8, 1998,  included in the 1998 Annual
Report to Shareholders of Oshkosh Truck Corporation.

Our audits also  included  the  financial  statement  schedule of Oshkosh  Truck
Corporation  listed in Item 14(a).  This schedule is the  responsibility  of the
company's  management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our
audits. In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when
considered  in  relation  to the basic  financial  statements  taken as a whole,
presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form  S-8 No.  33-38822  and No.  33-62687)  pertaining  to the  Oshkosh  Truck
Corporation  1990  Incentive  Stock Plan of our report  dated  October 30, 1998,
except for Note 11, as to which the date is  December 8, 1998,  with  respect to
the consolidated  financial statements and schedule of Oshkosh Truck Corporation
included in or  incorporated  by reference in the Annual  Report (Form 10-K) for
the year ended September 30, 1998.

                                         Ernst & Young LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
December 17, 1998