Commercial vs. Custom Fire Apparatus

[Bunkers 0]

Aside from the obvious appearance, what are the differences between a custom rig and a commercial rig?

[mfc2257 464]

Since just about any box can be mounted to a custom or commercial chassis.... The big differences that I've seen as a former committee member are:

Commercial: Much cheaper, shorter build time, more people will service the mechanical componants (ie; local Frieghtliner dealer can do an emergency service call if there is an engine, brake, tranny, rearend etc. problem when the dealer may have a day/week wait time) they're built to take an over the road beating, they're are millions of them out there so parts are cheaper and easy to get.

Custom: Much more room in the passenger compartment, raised roof options, command center options, FF's typically ride backwards = safer in frontal inpact, better turning radius, better ride, better visability, better bumper mounted options like discharges, intakes, tools, etc. more space above the cab to mount A/C, suction, light tower, etc.

[Guest]

It depends what you are using the rig for. A medium duty rescue would be an example of using a commercial cab. A rural type pumper that only needs to cary a small amount of personell would be a good use of a commercial cab. If you need more room order a crew cab. This will make the rig longer, with the engine being up front on most models. A front mounted pump will work well on a comercial cab with the engine in front. A cab over engine commercial will shorten up a rig considerably. I've seen them used on Rescues, pumpers, tankers, and aerials. To add additional crew seating the cab can be extended and enclosed. When this is done the cost of doing this gets close to that of a custom cab. A big advantage commercial cabs have is the quick avalibilty of replacement parts, and repair facilities. A good example is using the same truck chassis as your towns DPW. Each type of appartus when built to suit the needs of the community and the budget allowed can work well.

[dadbo46 50]

What's the biggest difference ? That's easy......$$$$$ !

[Guest]

Yeah, you can sometimes buy two commercials for one custom.

Edited December 4, 2007 by roofsopen

[IzzyEng4 427]

If you area going one source custom chassis and cabs made by say ALF, Pierce, Sutphen, ect. your going to pay more. If you decide to go commercial using a heavy duty business class chassis al la Frieghtlines, Streling, Mack then you can save money. Another option is using a cab abd chassis made by Spartan or HME for example (technically a custom commercial cab).

When designing a truck, using a engine-forward commercial chassis adds to the length of the vehicle and also greatly extends the wheel base and effects the turning radius greatly. Having a custom cab forward or commercial cab-over (ei the Mack MR chassis) engine style reduces the wheel base greatly and improves the turning radius of the truck.

[Guest]

ONE SHOULD ALWAYS RIDE IN A FIRE ENGINE NOT A GARBAGE TRUCK WITH A FIRE TRUCK BACK-END

[Guest EFFP411]

ONE SHOULD ALWAYS RIDE IN A FIRE ENGINE NOT A GARBAGE TRUCK WITH A FIRE TRUCK BACK-END

HAHAHA sorry, but that is funny. wrong, but funny........

[IzzyEng4 427]

ONE SHOULD ALWAYS RIDE IN A FIRE ENGINE NOT A GARBAGE TRUCK WITH A FIRE TRUCK BACK-END

Well at least you can ride the rear step of a garbage truck!! <joking>

[Guest]

IZZYENG4 BRINGS UP AN INTERESTING POINT HOW IN THIS DAY AND AGE CAN GARBAGEMEN RIDE ON A STEP ABOUT 4INCHES SQUARE AT CRAZY SPEEDS OR WHILE THE DRIVER BACKS UP FASTER THAN HE GOES FORWARD, JUST WONDERING .

[IzzyEng4 427]

IZZYENG4 BRINGS UP AN INTERESTING POINT HOW IN THIS DAY AND AGE CAN GARBAGEMEN RIDE ON A STEP ABOUT 4INCHES SQUARE AT CRAZY SPEEDS OR WHILE THE DRIVER BACKS UP FASTER THAN HE GOES FORWARD, JUST WONDERING .

Hey Snotty lets bring this up in another discussion. I'll start the topic. Here's the link to it.

http://emtbravo.net/index.php?showtopic=21930