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• #1 by FARTIN' FRED on November 19, 2015 - 4:02 PM

  

  Nice, but needs a longer light bar, spanning the entire width of the cab

• #2 by Kevin Griffin on November 19, 2015 - 3:05 PM

  

  I believe most of the lighting is Tomar, at least the light bar and the body mounted LED’s, not sure what brand the LED dome is off hand

• #3 by Scott on November 19, 2015 - 12:13 PM

  

  In regards to Impel vs Velocity,that comment is correct. It has to do with the spec of the diesel engine. Also, the lights are all LED’s. Lightbar looks like a Whelen brand, just a smaller one. Many Chicago suburbs where originally black over red long ago and changed over the years. As mentioned, some are going back to that scheme which may have been original to their Dept at one time. So I wouldn’t say that they are copying Chicago. The steel vs aluminum wheel comes down to Dept spec, price and may affect turning radius on certain models.

• #4 by Frank on November 19, 2015 - 10:44 AM

  

  Are those old strobes lights on the back

• #5 by mike on November 19, 2015 - 8:54 AM

  

  The aluminum wheels do offer a benefit. They are lighter then steel wheels so less weight means less drag on the drive line and steering components. There is no worry about rusting out like steel wheels, although the aluminum can deteriorate over time. I do believe that they do cost more then steel wheels and they are astedickly pleasing it is ultimately up to the individual departments.

• #6 by Drew Smith on November 18, 2015 - 10:51 PM

  

  Before the advent of four wheel disc there was some belief that the aluminum wheel helped disapate heat from frequent braking. This was also used on many ambulances too.

• #7 by Crabby Milton on November 18, 2015 - 9:05 AM

  

  Thanks David. I would imagine that if a fire department wanted spoke type wheels and threw enough of a tantrum, they could probably get you one like that.
  Probably more of “We’ve always done it that way.” mindset in NYC dot.

• #8 by David on November 18, 2015 - 9:02 AM

  

  Crabby, here is one from 2012 (hope the link will work):

  http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/ryan_pedone/2012/10-19/construction/nyc_dot_mack_granite_with_dump_trailer.jpg

• #9 by Crabby Milton on November 18, 2015 - 8:45 AM

  

  I was thinking the same thing David about those old “DAYTON” type wheels. I was under the impression that truck and bus builders don’t even offer that type anymore in that they disappeared in the late 90’s to early “00’s.
  If that’s the case about NYCdot specing them like that, who is the truck builder? I would love to see some modern truck or bus with those.
  At least with the disc type, you can always switch to steel or aluminum with relative ease or even mix. Those old “DAYTON” types were next to impossible to switch over without a lot of hassle and expense.

• #10 by David on November 18, 2015 - 8:38 AM

  

  Crabby: Just as you said, the difference in fuel consumption must be totally negligible, I think it’s just all about the looks which makes me think also what a pity they don’t spec the Daytons any more. I think NYC DoT is the last agency I’ve seen lately (on the web) which still specs this style wheels for their trucks, but this is a total rarity now.

• #11 by Crabby Milton on November 18, 2015 - 7:16 AM

  

  David I would agree. They often spec the rigs with aluminum wheels along with the justification that the lighter weight will save fuel and therefore offset or perhaps recover the cost. I don’t buy that argument since a fire apparatus mostly makes short trips and runs around town and fuel will be used when it’s pumping so it’s rather academic at that point in regard to the wheels.
  An over the road MCI or PREVOST bus may benefit from the aluminum wheels since they are used long distance therefore fuel savings may come to fruition. But it’s up to the customer if they want to pay now for the pretty wheels.

• #12 by Crabby Milton on November 18, 2015 - 6:59 AM

  

  I think the only difference between an IMPEL and VELOCITY is the availability of a “big block” engine on the latter. Otherwise they appear the be interchangeable.

• #13 by David on November 18, 2015 - 6:53 AM

  

  Crabby Milton: My words, the black wheels with the chrome rim look just flawless. I know it’s just cosmetic stuff but I’d say the painted wheels look much better than the Alcoa aluminum wheels, I’m glad Chicago stays with the painted ones.

• #14 by ffpm571 on November 18, 2015 - 6:36 AM

  

  Near most big cites there are suburbs that copy the big city. Pheonix NYC Boston alot of towns follow their colors and similar grahpics

• #15 by Mike on November 18, 2015 - 6:30 AM

  

  Is this an Impel or Velocity? What light bar is on it? I don’t recognize it.

• #16 by Crabby Milton on November 18, 2015 - 5:50 AM

  

  The black over red really has picked up in recent years and I think much of it comes from CFD. Here in suburban Milwaukee County, Wauwatosa adopted black over red over the last 2-3 years after yellow for nearly 40 years. Not exactly the same as CFD but similar. They painted many of the hydrants dark green over red so I was a bit surprised that they didn’t order the new rigs that way. Oh well still a vast improvement over the old yellow.

  • #17 by mike on November 18, 2015 - 7:31 AM

    

    I think wowatosa’s chief was from a Chicago suburb.

• #18 by Crabby Milton on November 18, 2015 - 5:42 AM

  

  I may be the only one but I like those black wheels. Sure, we all like those aluminum wheels with that shine but painted steel wheels have a class look of their own.

• #19 by Matt on November 18, 2015 - 2:05 AM

  

  Many suburbs have had black over red apparatus for many, many years and the close proximity to Chicago is the tie. For many departments it is a tradition and for others it is a way to share the heritage of the fire service in the area.

• #20 by Michael m on November 17, 2015 - 11:32 PM

  

  When will it be done?

• #21 by Josh on November 17, 2015 - 10:26 PM

  

  Black over red is becoming very popular. It stands out better than just a plain white over red. Your starting to see more and more dept’s including big cities switch to Black Over Red Paint Scheme (St. Louis). I don’t believe it’s “copying” Chicago, because most of the departments around the area have unique graphic package that depicts their Dept. Excluding a few that look just like Chi Town

• #22 by Bill Post on November 17, 2015 - 8:57 PM

  

  It seems that many of the suburban fire departments are now copying Chicago by ordering their new trucks in black over red paint scheme.

• #23 by cmk420 on November 17, 2015 - 8:34 PM

  

  Engine 15 or Engine 16?
  It’s looking good so far.

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