hosebed covers?

[TaskForce]

Hey-

Our department is a full paid urban/suburban setup. We have 4 stations, housing 4 wagons (1 of which is a rescue/engine), 3 ALS medics, and a platform tower. We're getting a new engine to replace a 1988 model; won't mention location or manufacturer unless necessary....

I'm wondering about the different type of hosebed covers...I've seen mostly aluminum/steel covers here, if at all. How do the tarp covers work? Are there any advantages/disadvantages to each?

[11927]

If you choose tarp, go with the bungee fasteners, not the snaps. The snaps do not allow lee way like the bungees do.

[fireslayer]

one problem with tarps though is if there is no weight in the rear of it it will blow around but i think most of them come with chains sewed into them. With bungies after they get like 5-6 years the rubber in them drys out and they break easy speeking from expereance, but they are nice to have (bungies i meen)


any ideas on how to clean the white letters on the tarps by the way?

[Deuce Engine]

If you can afford it, I would definately go with an aluminum/diamond plate hosebed cover. We have the the "tarp" style at both work on the volunteer house. It does fine at the VFD where the engine only runs 30 calls a month. However, at work, the engine is averaging about 175 calls/month, crusies at interstate speed, and drops 5" at least every other day. Under those environments, we're replacing our cover about every 18 months.

Factoid - California engines that are under agreement with CDF (CA Dept of Forestry) to run mutual-aid wildland calls are required to have diamond plate covers to keep embers from lighting the hosebed on fire.

[Tool Fool]

We just use 3ft of tarp at the front of the hose bed, primarly to keep the 5in. from flippin' up and catchin' wind. Nothing like layin' out a mile or so before you get there!

[deputy37]

The aluminum covers are indeed the best but somewhat expensive. We currently use the tarp type and had them custom made. We had it seamed at the very end of the hosebed before the bend downward. Then added approximately 3 feet for the drop down with gromets. By having the seam here, when the end gets tattered all you have to replace is from the seam down not the whole cover. At the upper step/ledge, we placed 1/4-20 eyebolts into the diamond plate under this step/ledge. Then placed a looped bungee in the gromet and slide the loop over the eye. This seems to work on preventing the flapping in the breeze and also when laying out just flip the bungee off the eye or the hose will flip it off for you.

On cleaning the white letters. A good industrial cleaner usually works, spray nine, bleachwhite etc. If they are really dirty, an sos or brillo soap pads used gently will also work...but you have to keep it real wet as you scrub.

[Vulcan]

We purchased 2 new engines a short time ago and they were spec'd with the diamond plate covers. Since then all our engines have been refitted with them. They are definately lower maintaince when compared to the vinal/poly.
However they are more expensive. We could have purchased a thermal imager or two from the overall cost.
They can cause difficulty reloading hose in station due to low ceiling height.
We recently purchased a new load of LDH supply. This repalced a similar amount but required more bed space. As a result, There is an occasional problem laying off supply. The vinal offered more 'play'.
Diamond plate construction may require cross members for support (when closed) that may be a further obstical for hose deployment.
When using seamless synthetic or woven synthetic hose there may be little or no need for a bed cover. Need to contact hose manufacturer to determine what is necessary.
The diamond plate cover offers a substantial platform to walk on, albeit without handrails.
Diamond plate is heavy and requires lift struts to assist.

I would honestly recommend trying to opt to not spec the diamond plate and purchase equipment instead. If your hose will stand up to the elements.

John Lemley
Morgantown Fire Department

[2EngTrk3]

Westley's Bleachewhite for cleaning the letters, just make sure you rinse all of it off. works great on the tires too.

[BP1]

We had a hose bed cover on our rescue engine, and we took it off. I think hose bed covers get the way when the hose comes off the apparatus, and is a pain in the ass when you go to rack the hose after an incident.

When we speced out our new engine. The hose bed cover wasn't even thaught of.

Save your money. Don't purchase a hose bed cover.

[somefireguy]

we have diamond plate hose bed cover on our rescue engine. it's great when accessing the coffin compartments on the top. but when laying 5" if not loaded properly the couplings will catch and we all know where that leaves us. also loading can be a task. i personally like the tarp, much cheaper and more giving when laying out hose.

[chilliwilli]

We run in both a suburban and rural area and also major highway and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

For years we would do with vinyl hose bed covers, until we realize how much the dept was spending on new covers, either from new eyelets, new chains sewn in the back, seemd nothing would work. I do agree they were best for laying out.

We now have diamond plate hose bed covers that fold up from the center and run entire hose bed. As mentioned before about LDH, it is a hinderance if racked just "off". We were running with 1500 ft of 5" but reduced to 1200 ft one the 3 pieces that have the 5". This hasnt solved all the problems, but it has seemed to make laying out alot better. as far as racking, the bitch is to feed it under the crossbar. Also with the doors up we have found problems in our rural areas with over hanging tree branches and such, bad enough your engines hit limbs going going, now imagine an extra 2 ft up. backing up as you rack 5".

To back up a minute. We even tried running with out covers, well, the first time we laid 1500 ft of 5" down the hwy with it about 20 degrees out, we should have learned, well we figured a few ropes tied across the hose would keep it down, did i ever tell you how nice it looked on the road laid out ? hahaha, we learned the hard way.

I have read and seen pics of a hid-a-way hose bed that litterally rolls out the back, much like ladders do. Maybe thats an option for your dept.

Anyways pros-cons about everything....

Be and Stay safe

[bushpuller]

At my Vol. house we have tarp covers, at career station we don't have any. I myself don't believe you need a complete hose bed cover. If your running with LDH you need a cover at least over the couplings, to keep the wind from unloading your hose bed. As far as looks, protecting hose from weather etc.. it's not needed. It does just get in way when your loading and off loading your hose. Besides the expense of upkeep or replacement of the cover.

[Pluggy]

FDNY Style "WAGON COVER" seems to be the best way to go.

It is rather inexpensive, very practical, and can be removed if needed.

I understand modern engine companies are being built with higher hosebeds, but as long as you are building a standard engine you should be OK with it.

BE SAFE

[PierceEngine8]

We use a 3 foot vinyl cover at the front of the hosebed to keep the wind from lifting and / or possibly unloading the "yellow brick road" of 5" in the hose bed. Ours is held on with velcro, and so far has worked very well. We are in a rural area, so not too much highway speed and not as many runs or hose laying as metro departments have, but this was an experiment for us..... so far so good!

[PUNCHY]

Our dept here in texas (40+ engines) doesnt use hose bed covers at all. In 12 yrs have only had a few rookie drivers leave their hose on the street but it hasnt warranted the dept buying hose bed covers. We load the bed with the ldh connections offset (of course) and then have the free end of the ldh and hydrant wrench strapped to what use to be the main handrail for those of you that remember riding on the back.

[5Engine]

Hose bed covers - good or bad ?

For some states it is required to have them. DMV rules apply for that.

From my volunteer days in Upstate NY, we didn't have em in the company I ran with.

As far as they go .... nice to keep the hose from turning a crusty - green like substance .... especially if your hauling butt for 175 - 200 runs a month.

Never had experience with metal covers ..... or the bungie. Only the tarp ... and can say that the snaps tend to go just as quick as the tarp at the end of the hose bed.

Either way ...... dropping 5" with smoke & fire showing is a job, right ? Whether you have tarps or metal covering the supply line.

Be safe .... and make sure you don't have the nob stolen from ya by another company .... !!

[poe26a]

Originally posted by 5Engine
Hose bed covers - good or bad ?

For some states it is required to have them. DMV rules apply for that.

From my volunteer days in Upstate NY, we didn't have em in the company I ran with.

As far as they go .... nice to keep the hose from turning a crusty - green like substance .... especially if your hauling butt for 175 - 200 runs a month.

Never had experience with metal covers ..... or the bungie. Only the tarp ... and can say that the snaps tend to go just as quick as the tarp at the end of the hose bed.

Either way ...... dropping 5" with smoke & fire showing is a job, right ? Whether you have tarps or metal covering the supply line.

Be safe .... and make sure you don't have the nob stolen from ya by another company .... !!

If you are running 175 to 200 runs a month when does your hose get a chance to get " Crusty"? With the polyester jacketed hose and the rubber jacketed hose mold and mildew are not a issue.

[5Engine]

In response to your question ...

I apologize ..... it was a figure of speech for one .... and I was ref to my old vollie days which our engines had no hosebed covers. My old vollie company ran approx 200 calls a year, while my career company does that at least monthly. I should have explain myself better.

Your right about mildew and etc not being a concern. But the rubber jackets had a "film" for lack of a better term. I guess I should have used a better description. I apologize for that.

Be safe ....

[poe26a]

Originally posted by 5Engine
In response to your question ...

I apologize ..... it was a figure of speech for one .... and I was ref to my old vollie days which our engines had no hosebed covers. My old vollie company ran approx 200 calls a year, while my career company does that at least monthly. I should have explain myself better.

Your right about mildew and etc not being a concern. But the rubber jackets had a "film" for lack of a better term. I guess I should have used a better description. I apologize for that.

Be safe ....

You are right. The LDH we have on our Engine does get a little slimey at times.

[5Engine]

Originally posted by poe26a
You are right. The LDH we have on our Engine does get a little slimey at times.

NO probs :) ..... glad to see that my "slim" word defined it better. I know what you mean .... it tends to be a tad slimy without the cover, lucky the hosebed cover prevents that.

Be safe ....

Which house you run out of ? Truckie ? Engine ? Rescue ?

[Smell My Coat !]

35 years in the fire service, never had hosebed covers. Never had an accidental layout due to wind in the hose. Of course years ago it was cotton jacketed 2 1/2 or 3 inch. But several years ago when we went with LDH, STILL never had a problem. Did over 4,000 runs last year with 3 engines and a heavy rescue. Also have one of the largest first dues in the area, including 28 miles of interstate highway. What hosebed cover ?

[ENGINEDUDELT]

Layen' the hose out frequently will keep it worked in nice and not slimy, but an additional thought is that it make the apparatus look that much more sharp. That is the only thing that I can think of, because we lay the shit in the street and pick it up often. I am sure someone here can tell us the real theory behind these things. Any real old timers?????????

[Grumpyoldman]

Originaly to keep the cotton from rottin", hopefully. Didn't really work, if you didn't use the hose all the time it still smelled of rot and milldew.