Cascade trailer questions

[Firetacoma1]

We're going to be trying to get a grant for a cascade this year and I was discussing the pros and cons of trailer mounted versus a station mounted setup with my chief. One major questions came up, can a mobile cascade (with compressor) be stored outside (in Colorado type weather)? We definately don't have a bay to spare just for a trailer. Any input/experiences would be appreciated!

[pkfd7505]

I would not recommend storing any apparatus or equipment outside, expecially when it comes to air supply equipment. My main concerns would be condensation build-up and possible sensor damage/calibration issues due to extreme cold. Just my 2 cents.

[sublimecharger6]

I would think you might be able to get away with storing Air Bottles outside in a trailer in Colorado. but I don't think that I would want a compressor outside in those conditions due to the cold would play havoc with some of the compressor settings.

just my thoughts on it.

[Firetacoma1]

Hmmmmmm, that's kinda what I was affraid of... thanks for the input!

[Tann3100]

We have mobile and station. The coldest it gets here is like 9 degrees but we leave our mobile but it is in fully boxed in trailer outside year round and have had no problems. But I dont know how cold it gets in your neck of the woods. You could contact a company called Breathing Air Systems they could tell you.

[Dalmatian190]

"Hey Beavis...hehehe"

"Yeah Butthead..."

"Wouldn't that make a cool mobile methlab?"

"hehehehe...hey, dumbass, help me with this trailer hitch!"

Pet peeve of mine...I don't like fire department stuff stored outside. Keep them inside warm and dry.

I'd especially not like air supply units for reasons of tampering and contamination.

[Tann3100]

Hey bro tell that to the city manager weve tryed maybe he will listen to you :)

[Firetacoma1]

I'm not saying that it couldn't happen here, but we are a rural mountain department and the station is located in a dead end neighborhood... we don't get many people passing through and have a pretty active neighborhood watch sort of program. Plus, trailers are easy enough to lock up... either through the hitch or with a boot.

[BFDLT32]

If you are going to get this unit with a grant why not buy it mounted to a vehicle. I understand that space is a premium in your station, but trailers can sometimes be a pain in the +++. We ran a trailer w/o compressor for several years and had the problem of running out of air. We now have a truck mounted unit and do not have that problem anymore. In addition we have rehab supplies on the unit and it responds to all working incidents in our city and surrounding cities. Speaking of the surrounding cities, do you work regulary with other departments? If so, a regional approach may be the way to go. It will be good for all parties involved and can possibly be housed at another departments station.

[Tann3100]

BFDLT32 is correct when he says trailers are a pain in the arse. We use to have a van that was set up w/o compressor and they bought the trailer which has the compressor but its not as versatile as something that has its own motor.

[Ladder215]

We have a trailer with compressor and are very happy. It is much more mobile, and not not use the resources of an entire truck. We have multiple vehicles capable of getting it to the scene. Plus, we are able to place it in better locations compared to a vehicle. Just my 2 cents.

[allineedisu]

Trailers are a pain to pull and to back, if the driver of the tow vehicle is not well verse in this activity. You and the department would be better off, and operate functionally better if the cascade system was mounted on a motorize vehicle. If you have a pumper that the pump is shot and thinking about selling or junking, have the shops remove every thing back from the cab of the pumper and have the cascade system installed on the truck frame. You already have probably functional lights and siren on the cab, so all you need to add is lights at the side and rear of the box on the rear.

You can even install a generator if the pumper didn’t have one and then you can procure some quick raise light and portable lights to use on the scene.