Small Mercedes Vario pumpers like this are popular in many European countries, in communities with narrow streets and difficult access. The conventional control layout makes them more familiar for volunteers who do not normally drive forward control trucks in their daily lives, and in some countries they can be driven on a passenger car licence.
With an 8 tonne GVW, these trucks can accomodate a 1000 liter tank as well as a five man crew and a decent hose and equipment load. A 180 HP wngine option provides adequate power for good road performance and to run a 2000 LPM dual pressure pump.
Ladders are up to an 8 meter extension, as well as scaling ladders, which are standard in Germany.
Disadvantages? The factory crew cab is a bit tight, so BA has to go into a side locker, - and of course the limited cubic feet of storage means that some of the equipment carried on a full sized pumper cannot be accommodated.
A small number of these are 4X4, but the Vario is not really designed for challenging off-road use, and is mainly an urban unit. Vario chassis and factory vans are also used extensively as minor alarm response units, BA tenders, command units and a wide variety of other special purpose and staff support vehicles.
Despite a trend for fire trucks to continuously become bigger and heavier, these smaller units have an important role and continue to be very popular.
With an 8 tonne GVW, these trucks can accomodate a 1000 liter tank as well as a five man crew and a decent hose and equipment load. A 180 HP wngine option provides adequate power for good road performance and to run a 2000 LPM dual pressure pump.
Ladders are up to an 8 meter extension, as well as scaling ladders, which are standard in Germany.
Disadvantages? The factory crew cab is a bit tight, so BA has to go into a side locker, - and of course the limited cubic feet of storage means that some of the equipment carried on a full sized pumper cannot be accommodated.
A small number of these are 4X4, but the Vario is not really designed for challenging off-road use, and is mainly an urban unit. Vario chassis and factory vans are also used extensively as minor alarm response units, BA tenders, command units and a wide variety of other special purpose and staff support vehicles.
Despite a trend for fire trucks to continuously become bigger and heavier, these smaller units have an important role and continue to be very popular.
Added by Rob Johnson on 23 July 2014.