Thoughts on Rosenbauer

[Not2L84U2]

We just received an 1199A update for our 2006 AFG request for a tanker and we had been looking at various apparatus. We have a fleet basically comprised of Pierce apparatus right now, but with trying to get more bang for our buck through the grant process we have looked at several different manufacturers and one of those was Rosenbauer, but no one around us has a Rosenbauer truck so I was looking for some input on experiences or dealings with them. I know everyone is going to have a different opinion on who has the better vehicle and that's completely understandable. Right now we're just looking for some honest feedback.

Thanks!

[Iluv4201]

Check with Npfd801.... he was able to give great insight into our new Rosenbauers. We just had the first 2 of our new fleet of Aerials delivered, so I will be able to give an honest opinion in a week or so.
iluv4201

[npfd801]

Here's my take on things...

Judging by your location, you'd deal with a different Rosenbauer dealership than the one I work for. Regardless, I sell the stuff - so take what I say with a grain of salt.

Like every brand, you will find folks that don't like us, those that do. If you ask for a reference list for departments in Illinois running Rosenbauer rigs, you will find the list is growing. All three dealerships that sell Rosenbauer in Illinois are selling more and more rigs, so the user list is increasing. Find customers that have bought from the dealership that will serve you, and get their opinion of the rigs and the dealership. Make sure you get a good cross-section of opinion from each department, because there will always be a few folks that don't like anything, or are unhappy with the fact that the brand they wanted didn't get chosen.

I could spout off a dozen reasons for why to buy Rosenbauer, just like the salesmen that I consider friends that sell Toyne, Sutphen, and countless other brands could. That's not why I come here. I could also find unhappy customers for every brand, but again - that isn't the way I do business. I would be wary of dealers that sell you rigs that way.

Good luck with the new rig.

[Catch22]

We're (my vollie dept.) waiting on our tanker/pumper from our 2005 grant. I work off of Central States (before Rosenbauer) and Rosenbauers at my FT job. I can't say too much bad about the rigs themselves, most of our issues are chassis related (which is why we got a Kenworth chassis on our tanker/pumper).

I will say we got more bang for the buck, especially when comparing to about 12 others we got numbers from. But remember to write good specs. Also, make sure you get a good dealer/sales rep! Our biggest issues are in that regard. We've had to ask for one extension on our grant already, and having to ask for a second as soon as they let us know a projected completion date (it became overdue on the 3rd).

Mind if I ask how much you put in for on your grant? Without getting too in depth, we got our 2,500 gallon with a 1,750 Waterous top mount, 2-door KW chassis, and pumper body (hose bed and a number of compartments) for under $200K (very little loose equipment), so I figure we didn't do too bad.

[bkmcse]

We had someone bring out a Rosenbauer for us to look at, I think it was NPFD801 and I was very happy with it. We have looked at a few others and from what I have seen you will get a lot more for your money with the Rosenbauer. I really liked the design and features and it appeared to be well built. I would say it is definelty worth looking in to.

[canuck1]

the ones I have seen

Just facts - no emotion from the few that I have seen:

-Installation of roll up doors leaves grab handles too low (can't get hand under lift bar)
-Loose wire bundles hanging down in compartments
- lots of silicone on compartment floors
- sweep out floors don't have dropped edge
-Lots of use of checkerplate instead of painted body
-false walls in compartments made of checkerplate - not properly sealed to protect exposed wires behind
-rear compartment will double doors binding on top of body drip rail
- no chrome or polished aluminum bezels on exterior mounted lights
- red warning lights hanging down under the body
- I saw a couple of unique units with rear mounted Rosenbauer brand pumps, with high angles of departure. These units had no pump panels to speak of, with valve control levers mounted directly on the valves - none of the gauges lined up with valve handles. discharge valves mounted directly above electronic pressure governors with no shileding over the electronics.

My personal opinion - not good. to me it looks like they cut corners wherever they can.

[PierceGuru]

my brother rides a Central States engine and i have looked it over pretty well while visiting. from what i saw the lettering is average at best, treadplate everywhere, wires exposed, and some other little things which make me wonder why they chose it over lafrance, smeal and pierce.

oh wait, i nkow: low bid.

[DellroyVFD08]

New Rosenbauer coming

We're looking to take delivery of a new Rosenbauer/Central States mini-pumper/quick attack truck within the next 4 weeks. It will have a 1000gpm rear mount pump on a Chevy 5500 4x4 crew cab chassis.
We have had some issues with delivery time being WELL over what was verbally quoted and somewhat over what was quoted on our contract. We ended up dealing directly with the factory. Communication at first left a lot to be desired.
That being said, communication has become very good and we've been getting pictures of the truck through various stages of production pretty regularly.
I'm not sure what time frame you're looking to get information, but I'd be glad to show you pictures and give our opinions of the truck once it's delivered and put into service.

[Not2L84U2]

I replied once a few days ago but evidentally didn't hit submit because it sure isn't here so I'll try it again

npfd-
I completely agree that you will always find someone who doesn't like it and then turn around and find someone else who will have nothing but praise so taking that into consideration and just looking for some different opinions. I think that the rep we spoke to before gave me a list of departments that have their vehicles but we never followed up because it was still a hope and dream, but now will probably put some more time into it.

Catch-
We requested $180,000 for a tanker. Thinking of a 2000 gallon tanker on a single axle with a single cab commerical chasis (I think we originally went with international or KW). Dry side tanker with roll up doors on drivers side and porta tank on passenger side. Rear dump and two side dumps all controlled from the cab. Rear camera system. 750 PTO pump and a lot of other odds and ends. The grant is just for the truck and we said as part of the grant we would take care of all the loose equipment.

Dellroy-
We plan to have in the contract that delivery will occur on or before XX-XX-XXXX or the vendor will incur $XX penalty per day. Definitely won't start until after the grant is announced and then probably won't start doing any type of real truck committee meetings or planning until October because a few of us are out of town for the last few weeks of September. If you get some pictures in then feel free to shoot them over to me via e-mail. [email protected]

Does anyone have any sample specs that they used to put their truck out for bid? If so could you send them to the above address?

Thanks everyone for the comments, both positive and negative. It's all taken into consideration!

[VanIsleEVT]

I wouldn't recommend putting a delivery date penalty clause in for a one truck deal. First of all, most manufacturers are running behind these days and I wouldn't think that many bidders would agree to a penalty either. We have two custom rear mount pumpers in production right now, Rosenbauer Generals actually, and they are two and half months late so far. All we can do is wait. If you try and rush things, you end up with a finished product that is exactly that, rushed.

[Not2L84U2]

I wouldn't recommend putting a delivery date penalty clause in for a one truck deal. First of all, most manufacturers are running behind these days and I wouldn't think that many bidders would agree to a penalty either. We have two custom rear mount pumpers in production right now, Rosenbauer Generals actually, and they are two and half months late so far. All we can do is wait. If you try and rush things, you end up with a finished product that is exactly that, rushed.

Really? I thought that was like an industry standard? I don't want to rush anyone either and want to have a quality piece of equipment but at the same time I don't want them to sugar coat it and tell me it will only be 8 months knowing that it will be over a year or more.

[Rescue101]

We've got three Rosenbauer/Centrals and nothing to speak of for problems.Fit and finish is decent on all and delivery was ahead of schedule on all units.The issue I have on Rosenbauer/Central is the LACK of service after the sale.They are quick to sell you a rig but follow up support is poor at best.In our area,we gave up and take care of the little issues ourselves.All of the units have given us good service due in no small part to good spec writing on our side.I wouldn't be afraid to buy one but unless you've got an outstanding dealer I wouldn't expect much support after the initial delivery/training. T.C.

[RFDACM]

I wouldn't recommend putting a delivery date penalty clause in for a one truck deal. First of all, most manufacturers are running behind these days and I wouldn't think that many bidders would agree to a penalty either. We have two custom rear mount pumpers in production right now, Rosenbauer Generals actually, and they are two and half months late so far. All we can do is wait. If you try and rush things, you end up with a finished product that is exactly that, rushed.

Trust me they'll all agree to it, they do every day. It will cost some dough though. But we're finding that without a penalty the bid requirement for completion is out the window, unless you can the project and start anew. Of course then you're 12 months behind even starting. But, I wouldn't buy a truck from a manufacturer that wouldn't agree to a penalty clause at all!! Thats like admitting they won't build on time no matter what!!!

[mitchkrat]

Always late but got most bang for the buck

We have on order a Pumper/tanker from 2005 AFG - Kenworth twin screw with 2500 gallons/1250 gpm pump from Central States.

We hope to take delivery yet this fall.

Central States was the only bidder who met our bid specs for overall truck height, max of 9' 6". It shocked me that we had that in our specs and 3 or 4 bidders bid a 10' + truck.

Central States also worked with us on price/customization.

Only downside is how long they take to build a truck. 2 Neighboring departments ordered new engines from different venders at the same time we placed our order and they are driving their new rigs.

We bought a enigine from Central States back in 2001 and haven't had any major problems other that it took a long time to deliver and our dealer forgot to order the loose equipment (new truck with no hose makes a firefighter very unhappy).

[SBLGFD]

penalty clause

The last several units we have bought - Pumper tankers and Med units - We state what we would like for a build window then we ask them to tell us on what date the units will be done ( Usually longer then we have asked for - ). If the vendors date is significantly different we discuss this with them or may count against them in our evaluations. In the end both parties agree on the delivery date and that’s the date the penalty is enforced from. On our proposals we always work in calendar days not working days and clearly state that in our documents so their can be no confusion.

SBLGFD