I am a really big American LaFrance fan . The one on my pics is a 2001 American LaFrance Eagle Series Rescue/Engine . My second favorite would ba a Pierce Dash
Ward LaFrance, now there was a great truck. That Detroit sound is the way a fire engine should sound. Everyone in town knew when that truck left the station. We had a 1975, which we got rid of about 3 years ago. Best damn truck we ever had according to the old timers.
Sorry y'all, but the best is Sutphen. I have been drving Sutphen aerials for over 20 years and the just keep going. In my volunteer dept., we have recently purchased 2 Sutphen pumpers to go with our Sutphen 70' platform. Not only do they fly, but they pump great. They are more expensive than most of the other apparatus, but you get what you pay for!
I love KME! My current department does not have any, but as a former Air Force firefighter I worked with them daily, and they are not only as you mentioned, but also rugged and very dependable rigs. I'd go into battle any day with a KME. And they're made in my home state of PA! I don't believe many from around the U.S. are familiar with KME unless they're from the northeast or have been exposed to military or DOD firefighting.
Everything in out in the bay is made by Ferrara Fire Apparatus in Louisiana.
We have two on GM chassis one is a 91 and the 94, an 04 custom pumper, and an 07 aerial quint. Never had any major mechanical probs with any of em, and the custom took a tbone to the side and held up very well.
Jacob,
If ALF was so great they wouldn't be seeking bankruptcy. When a company seeks bankruptcy there isn't demand for their product, and if theres no demand for the product..... Well you get the point.
At one time ALF was a great force in the fire service, but it appears as though it will become a part of history if things continue the way they do. Never sacrifice quality with quantity. Quality will bring them back everytime