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Comment by Harry Willis on August 29, 2010 at 9:48am

We definately plan on taking our time. Would like it up and operating by 2012 when the rail yard is supposed to open. Were either of your units tandem or single axles. Would like it as big as possible but have to keep maneuverability in consideration. I like the removable winch with a receiver on 4 sides. Also like the idea of a small water supply and pump on board possibly with foam. Seems like a never ending box of options. Ultimately the "check book" will prevail. Thanks

Comment by Kevin Schulz on August 28, 2010 at 7:35pm

First and most importantly take your time. I have been on two design and spec teams for large heavy rescue projects. The first one we learned our lesson and and didn't take the time to research exactly what we needed or wanted and to the appraoch bigger is better and will just make it all fit. Wrong! Take the time to design each compartment for what its purpose is. If you want a large tool box in a comartment have it designed that was so it fits and its secure. If you plan on placing a lot ot timber cribbing inside then design a compartment near the wheels to hold the weight. Take the time and don't let a salesman push you into a vehicle that doesn't fit your needs. We researched many companies and met with more then 10 manufactures and there are two companys I would recommend. Both companies build great trucks and take the time to design exactly what you want. My first reconmendation would be SVI trucks based out of Loveland Co. These guys took the time to meet with us and design every aspect of our truck. They told us when our ideas just werent going to work and helped us find a way to make it work to achive the same result. I can't say enough about them. There trucks are built with amayzingly high standards and there was not a detail forgotten. The second company that I recommend is Hackey Rescue Trucks. They built our haz-mat truck and it is also wonderful, granted it is built for a different purpose but once again they designed it step by step and took the time to make sure it was correct. We also asked about the Knuckle Crain Ideas and not a single person recommends them, the maintence is not worth the cost and the return on ivestment vs amount of use does not justify using them. The knuckle craing also take a lot of interior space for bracing and internal componets. LAFD got away from using them on their heavy squad and actually purchased heavy duty tow wreckers to sever that purpose. Good luck the links for SVI and Hackey are listed below. Have fun in designing your new truck.

http://www.svitrucks.com/apparatus.asp http://www.rescueleader.com/