Happyland1410
Member
- 430
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- Location
- Ada, Oklahoma
Hi b1pig,
I am also a volunteer firefighter. Our department had an M35A2 with two 600 gallon tanks. When full of water and with the weight of the pump, hoses, and tools it was obviously over loaded. It did handle fairly well if taken slow (with 1200 gallons of water, slow was the only speed she would do). It is a blast running code 3 at 30 mph. There were only a few of us on the department that would drive this truck. I live farther from the station than most of the guys so by the time I get to the station this is often the last truck there. I'm fine with that since I obviously liked the deuce so much that I had to have my own.
We are now in the process of replacing the A2 with an M35A3. I made the case that we should only put one 600 gallon tank on the A3 but others decided to go ahead and put two 600 gallon tanks on it. The new tanks are baffled (the tanks on the A2 were not). I guess we will see how it handles but we will have the option of only filling one of the tanks (which I will push for). I have heard that keeping the tires at max pressure helps the stability with a heavy load on the A3.
I will be interested in hearing how your truck handles once you get it in service.
Here are pictures of our old A2 and the A3 which is still being setup.
I am also a volunteer firefighter. Our department had an M35A2 with two 600 gallon tanks. When full of water and with the weight of the pump, hoses, and tools it was obviously over loaded. It did handle fairly well if taken slow (with 1200 gallons of water, slow was the only speed she would do). It is a blast running code 3 at 30 mph. There were only a few of us on the department that would drive this truck. I live farther from the station than most of the guys so by the time I get to the station this is often the last truck there. I'm fine with that since I obviously liked the deuce so much that I had to have my own.
We are now in the process of replacing the A2 with an M35A3. I made the case that we should only put one 600 gallon tank on the A3 but others decided to go ahead and put two 600 gallon tanks on it. The new tanks are baffled (the tanks on the A2 were not). I guess we will see how it handles but we will have the option of only filling one of the tanks (which I will push for). I have heard that keeping the tires at max pressure helps the stability with a heavy load on the A3.
I will be interested in hearing how your truck handles once you get it in service.
Here are pictures of our old A2 and the A3 which is still being setup.
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