Rosenbauer Trucks

[mrfd310]

We are in the process of starting to write specs for a new pumper. Rosenbauer has been popping up in the region alot. Would like to know what others are happy with and not happy with their Rosenbauer. Trying to find someone in the area with one so that we can go and take a look at it, but they are about 2 hours away, so far. Just want to know if it would be worth the trip or not. If this has been on here before, please let me know which thread it was in, I can not find anything. Thanks ahead of time for everyones input, good or bad.

[mitchkrat]

We haven't had any major issues - both commericals - IH Engine and KW Pumper/Tanker.

On both trucks came from the Central States facility and on both the factory guys were great to work with.

We are a volunteer department so not heavily used but have taken abuse from road conditions (unpaved country roads).

[LeadOff]

Baltimore County (MD) just purchased nine (9) pumpers and one 75' quint ladder truck from Rosenbauer, all on Spartan Gladiator chassis. Not sure what body plant (Central or General) built them but I know they are aluminum bodies. Some of the pumpers are just now going into service so don't know how they are yet. One of the brand new engines unfortunately was destroyed in a serious fire in the apparatus bay of one of the firehouses in the middle of the night during one of our recent blizzards.

[Rescue101]

We have three Rosie's, had some minor issues no more or less than other builders. One item of note(which they may already have fixed)Have then use locktite on the body screws. The BIGGEST problem we have with ours. Every service there are two or three body screws backing out. Put locktite on,screw 'em back in,no more problems.We run ours in harsh conditions and they are holding up well. I think the General body is the better of the two but as all of ours are Centrals,I don't have a marker to guide by. If you are a moderate run department(we do 400 Fire a year)they will serve you well. T.C.

[chiefengineer11]

Note for you on Smeal, Tim. Local, previously all Pierce department here bought a Smeal ladder a year or two ago because they wanted the 125'. Now they have placed an order for a Smeal engine. Say anything?

[LeadOff]

Before the Rosenbauer Group purchased Central States, General Safety, and RK Aerials, creating Rosenbauer America, I had always heard that General made a better quality body compared to Central. However, I have no personal knowledge of this since nobody around here had one from either builder. Now that they are under the Rosenbauer umbrella, they are starting to pop up all around here. There is a local Rosenbauer dealer (was formerly an ALF dealer) that seems to be doing pretty well. Before Rosenbauer, there were no Central States or General Safety dealers anywhere near this area.

[10House]

Baltimore County (MD) just purchased nine (9) pumpers and one 75' quint ladder truck from Rosenbauer, all on Spartan Gladiator chassis. Not sure what body plant (Central or General) built them but I know they are aluminum bodies.

The Baltimore County pumpers came from Central.

There is a local Rosenbauer dealer (was formerly an ALF dealer) that seems to be doing pretty well. Before Rosenbauer, there were no Central States or General Safety dealers anywhere near this area.

I believe you're referring to DPC Emergency Equipment? They are indeed a very active group and have sold alot of Rosenbauer trucks as of late. Several of the volly companies in Baltimore County have also purchased various Rosenbauer trucks including Violetville (pumper), Providence (aerial), and Pikesville (heavy rescue). There website seems to stay updated and is a good read: http://www.dpcemergency.com

[LeadOff]

Yes, I was referring to DPC. Our company dealt with them over the years when they were the ALF/LTI dealer. We've had some service work done on our tower by DPC. Strauss and his boys are a good bunch and I'm sure they're doing a lot better with Rosenbauer than they ever did with ALF.

[VanIsleEVT]

You need to be aware that there are different "levels" of Rosenbauers and your needs and budget will dictate which one to compare or look at.

[mrfd310]

Does anyone have the warranty information that they offer?

[Rescue101]

Note for you on Smeal, Tim. Local, previously all Pierce department here bought a Smeal ladder a year or two ago because they wanted the 125'. Now they have placed an order for a Smeal engine. Say anything?

Sam,all I can tell you is have been VERY happy with Smeal from design on thru delivery. From all indications this is a well built machine that now,six months after delivery,we're STILL finding new ways to use. I can honestly say it EXCEEDS our expectations and mine are pretty high. The folks at Smeal go out of their way to accomodate you in their dealings and everybody at the factory were very proud of what they do and rightly so. Just hard working folks like me. T.C.

[Rhinofire]

We took delivery of a 09 Rosenbauer/Central States Rescue Pumper on a Spartan Gladiator. Experienced a few minor teething problems like every other truck I have been involved in. Dealer support has been very good. I am in New Glarus, WI contact me if you have any questions I can help with.

[LeadOff]

I have a question for those that have dealt with Rosenbauer on an apparatus order. Do you specify which of the body builders (Central or General) you want or does Rosenbauer make this call based on your order or what? Does it make a difference if you go with S/S or aluminum body? Wasn't sure how they did this. Any input would be appreciated.

[bigjim54]

Rosenbauer has two divisions: Central States Fire Apparatus and General Safety Equipment. They are completly different bodies. The CSFA is a formed body like Smeal, Crimsom, Pierce etc. The GSE is an extruded body like E-One, ALF and another mfg that I can 't recall (Ferrara?). The formed bodies are regular aluminum welded tubes and sheets. The extruded bodies use a much heavier extrusion to form the body frames and in many places they are welded on both the inside and outside where the body members meet. The extruded body conceals everything, roll-up doors, lights, wires, hinges. Nothing to damage in the compartments. The compartment dimensions are full opening, the doors mount outside so no room is lost in the compartments. The GSE is the only extruded body I know of that has a 20 year fully transferrable body warranty. The GSE body would be "top-of-the-line" and is more expensive due to the difference in material and labor required to put it together. You must specify which product you want when looking for pricing.

[LeadOff]

Do both Central and General offer stainless steel bodies?

[10House]

Do both Central and General offer stainless steel bodies?

Yes, stainless material is available from both facilities.

[ffdad4]

We have a rescue built by them and it's been great. we use commercial chassis' so may be different thazn youor looking for. Anyhow they were awesome to work with and the quality is really good. haven't had any issue arise.

[Command6]

A General Rosenbauer on a Spartan Gladiator would make you a real war wagon.

C6

[firepundit]

We have a rescue built by them and it's been great. we use commercial chassis' so may be different thazn youor looking for. Anyhow they were awesome to work with and the quality is really good. haven't had any issue arise.

I have been lucky enough to meet the owners of all three companies Rosenbauer bought into. I have dealt with them as a competitor (when they beat us, they beat us, no gloating, friendly at conventions), as a vendor (knew what they wanted and always supplied requested information in a timely manner, no finger pointing), and as a customer (can't elaborate). I have to agree. They are good people to deal with.

[1500chief@sbcglobal.net]

I only know of one Rosenbauer in our area. The department that has is trying to lemon law it. It is a 2008 model and has been out of service as much as in.

Our Department bought a Smeal in 2003. Since then three of our sister departments have bought from them. The apparatus has been awesome and the dealer (Dill's Fire and Safety) have done an extraordinary job. As an example, on a Saturday after noon we had a brush fire, the pump would not shift in to pump mode. We had to shift manually. I called the salesman at home just to tell him I was going to need service Monday. He asked me if he could call me back later. I say sure thinking I will hear from him Monday. He calls me back about 25 minutes later and has the shop foreman on three way conference call. He talks me through some trouble shooting. It turns out the switch on the parking brake is malfunctioning. He directs me how to bypass and our truck is back in service. He tells me he can order the part but I would be better off going to NAPA and getting a replacement a lot cheaper. This was about 2008. Needless to say our truck was long out of warranty.