Hot take. As more and more departments that don’t need tillers buy them to use as recruiting tools or so they can mimick whatever big city is nearest them, the designs are losing sight of what a TDA should be. Tractors on these things are now the length of full size engines, defeating the purpose of a short wheel base and 5th wheel. Ladder storage is being cast aside for pumps and tanks, tiller cages are getting bigger and cabs taller by adding things like light towers and raised roofs, removing scrub area for the aerial. Because at the end of the day, most places don’t need tiller trucks; they’re just buying them because they can and they’re cool.
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u/cylinder4misfire Career and Volunteer | MidAtlantic Region 26d ago
Hot take. As more and more departments that don’t need tillers buy them to use as recruiting tools or so they can mimick whatever big city is nearest them, the designs are losing sight of what a TDA should be. Tractors on these things are now the length of full size engines, defeating the purpose of a short wheel base and 5th wheel. Ladder storage is being cast aside for pumps and tanks, tiller cages are getting bigger and cabs taller by adding things like light towers and raised roofs, removing scrub area for the aerial. Because at the end of the day, most places don’t need tiller trucks; they’re just buying them because they can and they’re cool.