Engine/ pumper Body construction and thickness

[SCOOBY14B]

We are finalizing our new pumper specs. One final decision to be made is the body construction.

We are not going with stainless.

We are located in Georgia, and this will be on apparatus that turn anywhere between 3k-4500 calls annually. These trucks will accumulate about 20k miles/ year or more. They will stay in front line service for 7-9 years, and remain as a spare for an additional 4-7 years. We have interstate, residential, industrial roads.

It will be a rescue style body with roll-up doors, ladders mounted from rear in a compartment, midship pump.

I'd like to hear opinions on aluminum vs. galvaneal?
What kind of price difference?
Paint issues?

Thanks in advance.

[BoxAlarm187]

Scooby, this was actually just discussed recently in another thread. Check here (Galvaneal, aluminium, or?) for what some others have said.

I commented in that thread also, but I'll go into a little more detail here: we've been using 5052-H32 (.125") aluminum on both the cabs and bodies at work since at least 1997. We have some engines only making 750 runs a year, others that are doing just shy of 2800. They're exposed to all kinds of weather (old Virginia joke: "Don't like the weather? Just wait 15 minutes") and while a few of them that approaching 10 years of service are starting to show a minimal amount of white rust, it hasn't gotten so bad that we'd consider going with SS.

Our engines are front-line for 10 years and reserve for 5.

Virtually everyone in our area is using aluminum, and has been for 15+ years.

[SFD_E73_RET]

Personally I would use SS but since you are not. Go with "Formed" aluminum vs extruded. Extruded gives paint more more places to crack and and more places for corrosion to start. Also in my opinion if you tweak (back in to something) the transfer of energy can run through the whole extruded body and twist it, with a formed body you more of a crush zone.

[SCOOBY14B]

Thanks for the help.

We were told to not even consider SS, mainly due to cost.

Nobody using galvaneal?

[LVFD301]

We have a KME engine made with Galvaneal, no problems so far.

[CaptOldTimer]

Shannon, go with what BoxAlarm has said. Most of the apparatus around here were built by the same company, spec's are similar and materials as well.


We have had very little problems with what we are using now.



We ran galvanneal material on apparatus back in the 1980's and 1990's, but were happy that is back then.


BTW, How is everyone??

[SCOOBY14B]

Shannon, go with what BoxAlarm has said. Most of the apparatus around here at built by the same company, spec's are similar and materials as well.


We have had very little problems with what we are using now.



We ran galvanneal material on apparatus back in the 1980's and 1990's, but were happy that is back then.


BTW, How is everyone??

Doing great, hope you are as well.

[blaster668]

Thanks for the help.

We were told to not even consider SS, mainly due to cost.

Nobody using galvaneal?

Don't count out SS quite yet. At least get some quotes. When We bought a new engine a few years ago, 4guys came in with one of the lower bids and it included SS, when all the others were Aluminum. We went with the 4guys and have been 100% satisfied with the rig.

[ffp20]

Personally I would use SS but since you are not. Go with "Formed" aluminum vs extruded. Extruded gives paint more more places to crack and and more places for corrosion to start. Also in my opinion if you tweak (back in to something) the transfer of energy can run through the whole extruded body and twist it, with a formed body you more of a crush zone.

Theres as many holes in those statements as their are in a mack cf fender area after 20 yrs of exposure to road salt.

[firefightinirish217]

Hey Scoobie, from one Georgia boy to another GOOOOOOO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!

[islandfire03]

Sears sells some really nice formed metal tool boxes.
Galvaneal does not hold up well to the current chemicals used for de-icing roads.

[RoofTopTrucky]

In Georgia, you don't run into the corrosion problems associated with road salt. The only corrosion you may find on your rigs is most likely from dissimilar metal contact and you can get that with any of the available materials. Stainless is more money, but its also more weight, so you have that to consider. But being in the south, I don't see you having a need for it. I would recommend aluminum, some one had mentioned using 1/8" thick material, altho its sufficient, i would recoment specking 3/16" on both cab and body. I know, 1/16th of an inch differance isn't really a big difference, but you would be amazed at how much stronger it is. I also partial to Extruded bodies over formed. Im sure you will get difference of opinion and reasons why, but here is what i compare it too.
When you build a house you use lumber for structual frameing, and then cover it with sheet goods, we'll say ply wood. now build the same house by using only plywood that you fold in certain places for structual stability. Wich house would you want to live in?
See what im sayin.
When it comes down to it it's preferance, what ever you decide, i wish you the best of luck.

[RoaddoggAK]

In Georgia, you don't run into the corrosion problems associated with road salt. The only corrosion you may find on your rigs is most likely from dissimilar metal contact and you can get that with any of the available materials. Stainless is more money, but its also more weight, so you have that to consider. But being in the south, I don't see you having a need for it. I would recommend aluminum, some one had mentioned using 1/8" thick material, altho its sufficient, i would recoment specking 3/16" on both cab and body. I know, 1/16th of an inch differance isn't really a big difference, but you would be amazed at how much stronger it is. I also partial to Extruded bodies over formed. Im sure you will get difference of opinion and reasons why, but here is what i compare it too.
When you build a house you use lumber for structual frameing, and then cover it with sheet goods, we'll say ply wood. now build the same house by using only plywood that you fold in certain places for structual stability. Wich house would you want to live in?
See what im sayin.
When it comes down to it it's preferance, what ever you decide, i wish you the best of luck.

Getting to look at various bodies in in the different stages of production while on a our factory tours, I have to tell you that I was quite impressed with the 3/16" extruded bodies. We were able to see the profile of both the 3/16" and 1/8" bodies, and the 3/16" is definitely got a leg up on strength and rigidity. Again, will 1/8" work? With the number of runs you say it will run, I don't think that I'd try and hedge my bets with the smaller dimensioned material.

In the realm of 1/8" vs 3/16", I'll try to put this in easier terms. I will say that I just took delivery of a new Sutphen, so that is what I know. All of the main production Shield pumpers and full custom Ambassador/Monarch units are 3/16" extruded aluminum. They only just recently brought the Guardian series to production, as a very budget conscious unit below the Shield trucks. It has 1/8" for the bodies.

[Command6]

Good comments Roaddogg and RoofTop.

It all sort of boils down to a few important factors:

1) Geography: Do you have to deal wit lots of road salt? Go stainless. If not aluminum is fine.

2) Money: Get the highest quality your budget will allow. It is an investment that will pay a dividend over the life of the truck.

3) Call volume: Will this truck run 100 or 1,000 calls a year? Big difference.

4) Longevity: What is the projected service life of the vehicle? 10, 20, or 30 years?

5) My forum friends can add the list here!!!

C6

[FD1976]

Anyone know how much more SS weighs for comparible bodies?

[Command6]

I don't know the actual numbers, but it is less than you might think. Aluminum must be thicker to achieve the same strength stainless.

C6

[rm1524]

As I was recently told, fire trucks are pay now or pay later. When you go low quality to save money you will more than likely pay much more in maintenance cost toward the end of the trucks service life.

[fireinfo10]

Personally I would use SS but since you are not. Go with "Formed" aluminum vs extruded. Extruded gives paint more more places to crack and and more places for corrosion to start. Also in my opinion if you tweak (back in to something) the transfer of energy can run through the whole extruded body and twist it, with a formed body you more of a crush zone.

Utter nonsense.

Find rollover photos of a bent body and an extruded body. Decide for yourself which body collaspes in a stiff breeze like a toolbox under a sledge hammer and which protects the crew.

Get a 3/16" extruded aluminum body on an extruded alum frame.

[FireTruckSalesGuy]

"We were told to not even consider SS, mainly due to cost"

First - Yes, I am a salesman, but I don't sell anywhere near the Southeast.

Over the years I have represented companies that specialize in stainless, aluminum, galvanneal, and plain old steel (yeah, I'm that old).

Using modern manufacturing techniques (not every builder does), stainless has a higher material cost but can have much lower labor costs. Aluminum can be the opposite.

The manufacturer that I represent sells both and the price is generally equal.

Really, they all work, or manufacturers wouldn't be using them.

[Command6]

Using modern manufacturing techniques (not every builder does), stainless has a higher material cost but can have much lower labor costs. Aluminum can be the opposite.

Really, they all work, or manufacturers wouldn't be using them.

Some builders in the past have offered "Stainless for the price of aluminum" promotions.

What you say about labor is true. A skilled worker to weld aluminum is higher paid than an average Joe to run a drill/driver to bolt together stainless. A far as material, there are different grades of stainless.

The concern I have with stainless is not the metal, rather the connectors. I still remember the old days when every Saturday was "bolt tightening day" on the old bodies. Of course, things are different today, but the flashbacks are still there.

C6