pump305

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Posts posted by pump305


  1. More and more depts are running Paramedic engines. With that said you need a bigger cab as the medical cabnet usual sits in the rear crew area. Also some depts have a small refrigerator for drugs that need to stay cool. That's were a custom cab comes in handy. Among many other reasons. According to NFPA.. it's $10,000.00 more to equip a commercial cab than a custom cab with the new requirements.

    TheNewLadder32 likes this

  2. Again... Training Training Training. I jhave seen Engine Co as long as a tanker many times. But thats not really the issue. A dept who operates Tankers needs to have assigned Engineers to them period. Take a driving course if availible learn how it feels empty, full and half full. Learn the braking distance and even proper accleration. Very Very important is slow and steady turning. If the Tanker has a Jake Brake use it. Be careful in rainy or snow conditions. Also off road conditions like down hill or a slope with a turn. Can you safely make this turn with out flipping? A tanker is only as big as the design from the dept. Lower the tank the better. You do not want a short stubby tanker thats a whole other issue.The tanker i drove was 37ft long. Thats only 4ft longer than most engine co. The operator also needs to be tested for air brakes and tanker. Its no different than asking a F/F to drive a tiller or eng. If he or she has never or very little drive time you are asking for trouble. Training!!

    grumpyff likes this

  3. I was a Water tender (Tanker) trainer and operator. I will disagree about Tankers responding Code3 any size. It all comes down to training the operators on driving abilitys. On loads full or half is a whole different way of driving. Most accidents are from non trained operators. You can not put who ever shows up first if a vollie dept or have any F/F drive a tanker. The bottom line is TRAINING period. As for custom over commercial cabs on a tanker i agree you do not need a custom rig. A conventional is usual safer with the motor ahead and not under or behind you. You can have the same specs as a custom with less dollars. As for turning radious again a conventional with a set back front axle will turn as sharp if not sharper then a cabover.Its all about the foot print.