pdk9
Member
Just for fun: Since we all know there are a few dozen apparatus manufacturers out there, I was curious what manufacturer you’d buy your next fire apparatus from based solely on quality and reliability/dependability (not constrained by budget like 99% of us are lol). It can be any fire apparatus manufacturer ranging from those that build complete chassis and body (ie Pierce, KME, Seagrave, Rosenbauer) to those that build on pre-build chassis (ie 4 Guys on a Spartan). SOOOOO, tell us which chassis & body manufacturer would you choose and why. Also, if any, tell us which ones you’d avoid at all costs + why
I’d go with a Pierce Velocity or Quantum with a Cummins. I don’t know of any manufacturer here that won’t receive at least one complaint, but I think they’re hands down the highest quality apparatus, lots of cab space, and the TAK4 gives the smoothest ride. If you have an air leak, it’s obviously annoying to have pneumatic steps, but I really do like the large “staircase” type of steps on the quantum when dismounting in full gear, and I’m interested in trying the electric ones on the velocity/impel. I used to work for a busy city (each rig averaged 4,000 runs a year and would be kept on the front lines for 15 yrs), and the Pierces really held up!
My current department has Sutphens and they have a lot of mechanical issues with them. The ride is smoothe but their cab is ugly and doesn’t look like it’s ever changed. I don’t love them, and I don’t think they’ve done anything to upgrade their cabs or their aerial construction design (which I dislike). We have old ferraras on FL-80 chassis as reserves and those (although beaten up and a rougher ride) are tanks.
My experience with E-One and KME has been mediocre. I love their chassis but I’ve had issues where we had to send both back to their manufacturers within 5 months of delivery/being put in service.
I’ve heard good things about Seagrave have no personal experience with them and just know they’re expensive. Like Sutphen, I think their aerial design is long overdue for some upgrades/advances
I’d go with a Pierce Velocity or Quantum with a Cummins. I don’t know of any manufacturer here that won’t receive at least one complaint, but I think they’re hands down the highest quality apparatus, lots of cab space, and the TAK4 gives the smoothest ride. If you have an air leak, it’s obviously annoying to have pneumatic steps, but I really do like the large “staircase” type of steps on the quantum when dismounting in full gear, and I’m interested in trying the electric ones on the velocity/impel. I used to work for a busy city (each rig averaged 4,000 runs a year and would be kept on the front lines for 15 yrs), and the Pierces really held up!
My current department has Sutphens and they have a lot of mechanical issues with them. The ride is smoothe but their cab is ugly and doesn’t look like it’s ever changed. I don’t love them, and I don’t think they’ve done anything to upgrade their cabs or their aerial construction design (which I dislike). We have old ferraras on FL-80 chassis as reserves and those (although beaten up and a rougher ride) are tanks.
My experience with E-One and KME has been mediocre. I love their chassis but I’ve had issues where we had to send both back to their manufacturers within 5 months of delivery/being put in service.
I’ve heard good things about Seagrave have no personal experience with them and just know they’re expensive. Like Sutphen, I think their aerial design is long overdue for some upgrades/advances