Booster line placement

[Sleuth]

We are planning a new rural response truck. The Chief wants a booster line on a reel topside (the truck we are looking at has it in the back). The top mount will make the truck too tall for our station. I lean towards a booster hose on (in) the front bumper.
The truck has a side pump panel.

What is your preference & why?

[CaptainHammer]

If you have room on the front bumper for a booster reel, I would
run a trash line instead, you could have a tray across the bumper
and save room.

[TCFD12]

Our Engines no longer have booster reels, we went with trash lines in the front bumper, takes up less space, just as easy to use and re-pack.

[SFDchief]

We no longer use boosters either. Trash line is the way to go.

If you don't like the well in the front bumper, you can always strap it on the side running board preconnected to a discharge like we have on one of our pumpers. It's alot cheaper than a reel and more functionable.

[Rescue101]

We have both.Our booster is top center mount but our next one may be rear mount under the Quik dump.As far as being able to repack a trash line as fast as a booster,you guys must have quite a system to be able to do that.Electrically powered reels put 200' on in under a minute.Never had a trash line do that.Each has a purpose,properly spec'ed a booster can be used on many "nuisance" fires.Key to any line is knowing it's limitations.We bought one truck with no booster,never again.T.C.

[bobsnyder]

We also have both, with the trash line in a tray in the front bumper and the booster reel in a compartment under the hosebed, opening onto the tailboard. Most of the engines I see in our area that have booster reels have them mounted this way, as they occupy space that isn't good for much else, and are more accessible than if they were on top.

[N2DFire]

Depending on your chassis - I have seen booster reels mounted behind the cab step under the rear doors of crew cab apparatus.

[Sleuth]

Thanks everyone for your responses.

N2Dfire, can you refer me to a picture or name a builder?

TCFD12, (and the rest of you), how much line do you carry in the bumper? We will be responding to lots of tree fires, in some very rough terrain.

The Chief is rather strong willed and has very definite ideas, but I hope to bring him around to "looking outside the box".

[TCFD12]

Originally posted by Sleuth
Thanks everyone for your responses.
TCFD12, (and the rest of you), how much line do you carry in the bumper? We will be responding to lots of tree fires, in some very rough terrain.

Our front bumper carries the following:

100' of 1" trash line - 100' connected, (50' more rolled in compartment)

http://www.tcfd.com/photos/image.php?source=846

300' of 1 3/4" line - 150' connected, 150' rolled

http://www.tcfd.com/photos/image.php?source=847

25' of 5" front section or LDH make-up

http://www.tcfd.com/photos/image.php?source=848

Here is an overall shot of the front bumper:

http://www.tcfd.com/photos/image.php?source=890

[bobsnyder]

Originally posted by Sleuth
TCFD12, (and the rest of you), how much line do you carry in the bumper? We will be responding to lots of tree fires, in some very rough terrain.

In the bumper extension (it's either 16" or 18", but I'd have to measure now to be sure) on our engine (which is custom, with a tilt cab), we actually have two trays:

The trash line tray contains 150' of 1.75" line with a Navy nozzle, 100' pre-connected and the other 50' rolled.

The LDH quick-connect tray contains 50' of 5" preconnected to the front 5" intake/discharge, a steamer connection adapter and a 2.5" ball valve. Also mounted on the extension is a hydrant wrench/spanner set.

Obviously, there would be lots more room for 1.75" line(s) if we didn't need the LDH setup. You can put alot on a bumper extension, if you put your mind to it.

Good luck with the Chief.

[N2DFire]

Originally posted by Sleuth
N2Dfire, can you refer me to a picture or name a builder?

Not off the top of my head. I'm a truck junkie by nature and look at lots of trucks every chance I get. Give me a day or two to do some searching and I'll see what I can get you.

[N2DFire]

Ask and ye shall be answered.

All of the pictures I found were of Rosenbauer Rigs - Produced in the U.S. under General Safety Equipment or Central States Fire Apparatus name.
http://www.generalsafetyequip.com or http://www.centralfire.com (best I can tell it leads to the same web site)


Courtesy of http://www.tupelofire.com


courtesy of http://www.generalfire.com


Way too many pictures on this page to repost them here. http://www.ftillinois.com/new_page_3.htm

Best I can tell from the Central Web Page - your closest dealer will be:
Artesia Fire Equipment, Inc.
1014 South First Street
PO Box 1367
Artesia, NM 88211-1367

Phone: (800) 748-2076
Phone: (505) 746-2426
Fax: (505) 748-1128
Web site: www.artesiafire.com
E-mail: [email protected]

[Sleuth]

Thanks. I had some "face time" with the chief at his day job - he has come to realize we have "gold" tastes and a "wood" budget. But your views on a bumper mounted trash line helped to move him off TDC (top dead center). We may look at a smaller truck, this time with CAFS (we have this on one truck & love it!), less H2O, and a trash line up front.
Thanks for helping me to "turn the tide" on this one.

[magnolia]

Just wondering if the 5000 bucks needed to place the reel on the bumper is a good buy. You can buy stuff that really fights fire and saves lives for that. A reducer and 200 feet of 1 inch hose and a nozzle will cost 800. A reducer, and old nozzle and four lengths of hose and two seat belts to hold it on the running board will cost what 50?

[Rescue101]

5K is a little steep for 200/1".It can be done for quite a bit less than that.Also makes a difference how you mount it and on what vehicle.T.C.