Utility Truck Lettering

[FFEMT2159 MembersZone Subscriber Find all posts View Profile Close FFEMT2159]

Our department recently purchased a used utility unit to pull our command trailer and our backcountry equipment to different incidents. Because of financial shortfalls we were unable to spec out a new unit. This used unit has everything we need but it is silver in color. It is a Dodge 3500 dually with a camper shell on top.

We are now looking at lettering and ligthing. We are unsure what colors to use because it is silver and what light configurations to use because we have only dealt with white utility/commond units in thepast. Any suggestions would be appreciated? Also suggestions for what to put on will also be appreciated. We are going to have chevron striping on the back and dept name on the doors at the minimum. Thanks!

[PaladinKnight Forum Member Find all posts View Profile Close PaladinKnight]

Put "Silver Command #1" on the doors and let the old guys drive it.

How about putting a white stripe down the side with the Unit ID on the front Fenders and the Department name on the Doors.

The color doesn't matter... Just ask Harve. He drives trucks that are yellow... real handy for the bus routes and utility issues.

[FWDbuff Forum Member Find all posts View Profile Close FWDbuff]

Some red scotchlite striping would probably look pretty good with the silver....

[fire49 Forum Member Find all posts View Profile Close fire49]

Find a local paint shop that will paint it for price of material!!!

[tree68 MembersZone Subscriber Find all posts View Profile Close tree68]

Red and black might look nice (you can get black Scotchlite) - Take a look at some on-line pictures and some fire service publications for potential designs (unless you already have one).

Lights are lights and the color of the vehicle doesn't really make a lot of difference. In reality, how different is silver from white? (Rhetorical question - no need to answer).

The bigger consideration on lighting is how the vehicle will be used. If it's going to be running "hot", a more extensive package would be suitable. If it's going to be hauling in the "second team," a basic lighting package would be more than adequate. It could even be argued that maybe it doesn't need any lights at all.

[hwoods 63 Years & Still Rolling Find all posts View Profile Close hwoods]

Yeah.........

Tree is correct about the Black Scotchlite, we've used it for many years...... On a Silver Vehicle, I'd look at a Medium to Darker Blue for Striping and Lettering....... Find someone with some "Photoshop" Computer Skills and work out a design that way.....

[Bones42 Forum Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bones42]

If your department is that strapped for funds....is lettering and lightbars REALLY a necessary expense?

[LVFD301 MembersZone Subscriber Find all posts View Profile Close LVFD301]

Get a FP&S grant for a sign machine to make address signs for your residents, and use that to make some nifty graphics for your truck.

Black Scotchlite is awesome.

[LVFD301 MembersZone Subscriber Find all posts View Profile Close LVFD301]

If your department is that strapped for funds....is lettering and lightbars REALLY a necessary expense?

Just because it is a used on and not a new one, does not mean they should not properly identify the rig, and put a lightbar on it....

[monkybrainz Forum Member Find all posts View Profile Close monkybrainz]

Find a local paint shop that will paint it for price of material!!!

a wouldnt that local shop be able to write it off as a donation to a volunteer org.?

[ChiefKN Back In Black Find all posts View Profile Close ChiefKN]

Our department recently purchased a used utility unit to pull our command trailer and our backcountry equipment to different incidents. Because of financial shortfalls we were unable to spec out a new unit. This used unit has everything we need but it is silver in color. It is a Dodge 3500 dually with a camper shell on top.

We are now looking at lettering and ligthing. We are unsure what colors to use because it is silver and what light configurations to use because we have only dealt with white utility/commond units in thepast. Any suggestions would be appreciated? Also suggestions for what to put on will also be appreciated. We are going to have chevron striping on the back and dept name on the doors at the minimum. Thanks!

I've seen many different colors of apparatus. I wouldn't get hung up on it, great that you found a unit that works for your needs!

The black scotchlite sounds nice. Simple lettering would work.

Does the unit respond "hot"? If not, then you could go cheap on the lights and put more into the lettering.

[slackjawedyokel Forum Member Find all posts View Profile Close slackjawedyokel]

Go to the youngstown fire forums and look at the apparatus colors posts. Ever color of the rainbow there.

[DeputyMarshal Forum Member Find all posts View Profile Close DeputyMarshal]

If your department is that strapped for funds....is lettering and lightbars REALLY a necessary expense?

Good point. It's not as if it's going to be pulling a trailer in "emergency mode" anyway...

[RoaddoggAK MembersZone Subscriber Find all posts View Profile Close RoaddoggAK]

A graphics shop can make scotchlite whatever color you want. They just print a color over the white. (Unless you go crazy with Diamond Grade)

As far as warning lights, a decent lightbar with most of the heads facing forward, a 4 head strobe pack for the headlights/taillights, and an arrowstick with colored ends for warning should be more than enough if you're on a budget. You don't need to get a fully decked out all LED Liberty, all the major manufacturers still offer halogen and strobe units too.

[hwoods 63 Years & Still Rolling Find all posts View Profile Close hwoods]

Yep!.......

Go to the youngstown fire forums and look at the apparatus colors posts. Ever color of the rainbow there.

Including mine................