Quote:Mount Horeb changed alot, from multiple siren's to ONE. No Roto-Ray . . whatsup ?  NFPA ?  

Quote:Joel,

 

I have to agree with some of your assessments.  We found burned out step light wiring on a rig.  Another rig that had all of the electrical components in the compartments covered with black electrical tape - no loom, no waterproof connectors, nothing hiding it from the elements.  One manufacturer that didn't install the roll-up doors correctly and had the wrong tolerance between the doors and body.  One manufacturer mounted an unprotected fuse block on the back of the sloped doghouse on a Spartan cab, just above floor level.  One kick of a firefighter's boot and it's done.

 

All that said, there was plenty of great rigs with excellent build quality on the floor as well!

 

As for your conversation, I truly have to wonder if this was the same manufacturer's rep that told me I wasted his time when I published my last set of specifications for a pumper for the VFD and that we only awarded our bid to the selected manufacturer because they got to make a sales presentation before he did.  Like you said, this guy was very condescending.

 

Ah well, can't wait for 2014!

Quote:I was at the Sutphen booth both days working.

 

I'd greatly appreciate any opinion on the 6 trucks we had there...good or bad. We greatly value your opinion and would welcome the criticism. It will make our product better.

 

Thanks in advance!!

Quote:Since I briefly was tied in with the Illinois Sutphen/SVI/UST dealer, I didn't spend a lot of time looking at the Sutphen booth.  I did froth over the SL75 that was there.  I love the configuration and only wish the ground ladder access was a little lower.  While our Smeal quint demo we ended up with is a nice rig, I wish the Sutphen could have been considered but our budget from grant funds for a "used rig" wouldn't allow it. 

Quote:Mount Horeb changed alot, from multiple siren's to ONE. No Roto-Ray . . whatsup ?  NFPA ?  

Quote:Not an NFPA issue.  I believe that since Chief "Fire Truck Chuck" Himsel passed away, they're maybe going in a little different direction on some their purchases.

Quote:I seem to remember hearing that most of the extra lights and sirens were items that they had in house and installed themselves.  Someone was on a rant one day about taxpayer money, blah, blah, blah.  It was then explained that they did most of the extra siren and light work in house. 

Quote:I seem to remember hearing that most of the extra lights and sirens were items that they had in house and installed themselves.  Someone was on a rant one day about taxpayer money, blah, blah, blah.  It was then explained that they did most of the extra siren and light work in house. 

Quote:You're exactly right, black-over-red is quickly becoming the new white-over-red.

 

Personally, I think that solid black rig has all kinds of sexy written all over it.

Quote:In regards to the Sutphen booth, the only thing I'd say I'd like to see more of is either commercial cab trucks, tankers, or rescues. The last couple of years they've been crammed into that tight little area, and it's only ladders/platforms and engines.  I say broaden up the range of things you bring to the show, let people know what's out there, and give yourself a little more space to do it!  This, coming from a Sutphen fan!

 

Now, as for a couple of other manufacturers, I would have started off my "opinion" with, let's not even worry about coming back next year!

 

Trav!