This & That from Here & There

[GA_Dave]

Dave, I was told that this thing cannot carry very much equipment due to the weight of a steel aerial, and the pump and tank on board already, it can only carry 2800 lbs. Of equipment/hose/tools did you hear that same figure?

According to the brochure, which features this same truck, the equipment capacity is 2500 pounds plus another 100 pounds of equipment on the aerial (such as a roof ladder, axe, pike pole, etc).  It's not so much a weight capacity issue as a space capacity issue for my FD.  There just isn't enough compartment space to carry all we need to carry.  I also have a blueprint of the Ascendant P.U.C., and the compartment space isn't much different.  The Ascendant's wheelbase is about 242" and the rig we are looking at is 230".  Since we have a 100' platform, we don't feel the need for a 107' stick, a 75' will work just fine, since this is going to primarily function as an EMS response pumper.  The shorter wheelbase will give it the maneuverability we need.  We just felt we should check the Ascendant out so we didn't overlook a rig that could have better suited us.  The Ascendant could be an excellent choice for many departments.