Commercial Garbage

[TRUDAROOF]

Im trying to gather some horror stories about any newer commercial apparatus especially International. Most of us know that these things suck for any department especially with a larger call volume in elevated terrain. There is honestly nothing positive I can say about these vehicles accept that they keep mechanics employed. I would love to hear what others have to say and share a few stories. Have we hit rock bottom in the Fire Service when the Coca Cola guy, the Budweiser Guy and the Firefighters are all driving the same trucks at work? Whats next...a delivery truck with a 100' stick? Im sure that would be real safe!!

[38-3]

My dept runs two Freightliner FL-80's, and we haven't had any problems with them. But then again, we don't run near the volume of calls that most do on here. Mechanically they are just as good as any other apparatus in our area. Actually in our rural area we can get them in places that other customs can't.

[TRUDAROOF]

My dept runs two Freightliner FL-80's, and we haven't had any problems with them. But then again, we don't run near the volume of calls that most do on here. Mechanically they are just as good as any other apparatus in our area. Actually in our rural area we can get them in places that other customs can't.


Without a doubt a commercial pumper will work for some departments. Im glad to hear they are working for you and your not in the same situation as our dept. is. Unfortunately my bitterness it directed toward the manufacturer when it should be directed toward the sales rep and the Captain who spec'd them. Our response area is exactly the opposite of yours. A densly populated urban area with steep hills and tight streets. Our reserve custom engines, (which are frontline most of the time due to the commercials being OOS) and newer model ladders are more navigable for us in close quarters. Most of this was never considered during purchase of the 2001 batch of commercials. They just wanted something shiny and cheaper and didnt consider our call load and topography in our area. Lessons learned by those responsible...NOTHING!!!

[38-3]

Ok, I see what your saying. They just work out for us here, so I thought I'd throw my opinion in. As far as the turning radius...yes customs are better, but it also has a lot to do with the driver. We've been to a couple places where we've made the turn and others can't w/out a few tries.

[TRUDAROOF]

Ok, I see what your saying. They just work out for us here, so I thought I'd throw my opinion in. As far as the turning radius...yes customs are better, but it also has a lot to do with the driver. We've been to a couple places where we've made the turn and others can't w/out a few tries.


Im always glad to hear someone elses opinion especially when it is differnt than mine. That to me is the best learning experience of all. As far as the commercial pumpers, what about brakes. We have a hard time getting these things to stop. The brakes have been adjusted, adjusted, adjusted and it never seems to help very much. The guys at fleet maintenance say thats the best they can do because the truck is not designed to carry constant load at higher speeds. Have you had this problem too?

[38-3]

Nope, no problems there. We have a Telma retarder system on both. It has 4 lights on the dash, as you start to apply the brakes, the lights will come on one at a time, depending on how hard you apply the brakes. You don't even actually use your truck brakes unless you have all 4 lights activated. If you've ever been down this way, you'd know why we need good brakes! Mountains everywhere. :cool:

Your right, this is great to actually have a good conversation, without someone making some kind of smart ass comments.

[TRUDAROOF]

That sounds like a good system although Im not familiar with it but I will definitely look into it with our spec guys. Hopefully we will be purchasing a few new pieces in the near future. Our Internationals are equipped with a low budget engine brake that has its share of problems although when it is turned off there is a substantial difference. Any type of retarding system is a plus and a must if you know what I mean. Customs in our houses have the ever popular "Jake Brake" which work almost too well. Once again I do appreciate the good faith. Thanks!!

[38-3]

No problem! Thats what this is for, to help others, share ideas, and just have a good time. Jakes are nice, just not my preference. When we bought our 1995 Freightliner, we test drove an international, and back then it didn't handle anything like the freightliner, but it sounds like things have impoved for the newer int's. What type of commercials do you run?

[TRUDAROOF]

I'll take your word for it on the Freightliners because they cant ride any worse than the International 4600's that we are running. The operator is the only one remotely comfortable due to the air ride. On the positive side everyone wears their seatbelt religiously because its the only way to remain seated during normal driving. To answer your question we are running the International 4600 chassis with a Pierce box. They have a s.s. Waterous 1500/1250 pumps with the usual bells and whistles. The Freightliners I havent heard anything about, good or bad. The International are a whole different story. Columbus Fire was running a bunch of them what the guys called "phone booth" engines. They too got into the maintenance problem with the Internationals. Last I heard the boys were trading in their "phone booths" to city fleet for their old 80's Sutphen custom war wagons in the reserve fleet. They also have a batch of Freightliner/Sutphens that to the best of my knowledge are still in service. Check em' out!!![URL=http://columbusfire.8m.com/home.html]

Behold!!!! The "Phone Booth" Engine

[pgtick20]

we have a govt spec'ed intertrashional here at work, has no room, runs like poop, turns like a yacht and feels like we are in a state roads truck. the only good thing is that is has a lil speed over flat land, but dont try and climb a hill.

[TRUDAROOF]

Well it appears that you have no sympathy for the Internationals either. Your right, you do get a little speed over flat land but thats a bit of a problem seeing as how you have to stand on the brakes to make em' stop. They should build them like airplane cockpits. They already got the size of the cab smaller than a cockpit so they just need to add a brake pedal on the Officers side to assist in stopping.

[38-3]

For braking, I'd check out the Telma Retarder. As for Columbus's units, I've never been a big fan of the enclosed pump panel...seems like it would be top heavy.