Tactical Delivery Vehicles

[WoodyTCSO]

OK guys, just got handed the job of finding us a tactical delivery vehicle for our SRT. We are looking at a van style, like a 1 ton Econoline van, but after calling a few dealerships, I don't think that 10 of our guys with full gear will fit and be able to deploy efficently. Plus, they are not available as 4 wheel drive, and being in the mountains with dirt roads and steep driveways it would be a plus. We have some linebackers on our SRT. (I'm 6-1 220 and one of the smallest guys). Anyone have any ideas that could help? I would venture to say that our Dept. cannot afford the "Bear" type vehicles, or something like that, and it would be nice to have something that at least kinda blends in with traffic, with tinted windows for surveillance. Tanks for any help !

[Irishluck31]

If a 1 ton van wont do it, your kinda out of luck. We have 1 ton Chevy something or nother, at it seems to work OK for us, a tad uncomfortable stuffing 12 guys into it. We usually use or converted UPS truck, everyone fits nicely into that, but its not exactly tactical, its a command center with computers and other crap, cameras extra gear, IR and that sort of stuff.

i sort of like the idea of the Chevy Suburban. Take the third seat out and 4 guys can sit in the back, 2 or 3 in the second row and 2 in the front. I have seem them with re enforced step and handles for guys to ride short distances on the out side.

Dodge makes a "Sprint" i think it is. seems a little taller, might be able to have benches and hand rails for guys to sit down both sides and stand in the middle. its about the ugliest thing i have ever seen, but it could work.

Good Luck

[SRT936]

To bad you cant get a BearCat, it is an awesome vehicle. Unfortunately, its been our experience that NO standard production vehicles can hold an entire entry team and its gear. We usually caravan to a rally point near by, then do the rails and running board thing off the bearcat (or insert by foot). We use a Suburban as an transport and equipment hauler and it works well for that. We've squeezed 5 guys into it, but I do mean SQUEEZED.

[Irishluck31]

You want cheap, try the DRMO.

Armored vehicles for PD use. 113A2 is nice. The BearCat is an awsome truck, but I was under the impression you wanted something for survallience as well. If you have the cash, they Up armor Suburbans and Excursions now, 10,000 pounds of IED proof transportation. run ya $100,000 or so i think.

here the artical about the DRMO program.

http://www.officer.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=4&id=34620

[scrapyd]

Our SRT just got a 26ft bread truck!

[saranac]

We use a Ford Excursion with rails on the sides and rear. Easily accomodates 16 operators with gear.

[Huey County]

Our Fire Department got a few new Ambulances, so we got a old one. Not really that old though it's a 2003 model and runs fine. Plenty of room inside.

[Tim Dees]

Anyone have any ideas that could help? Get one of these and be done with it. I was going to take one home, but it didn't have cruise control. Hate that.

http://www.timdees.com/images/DSC02646.jpg

[WoodyTCSO]

Thanks guys for all the info. I went down to the Ford dealership, and looked at the one ton 15 passenger econoline vans. We are gonna pull the bench seats out, weld plates on the undercariage, and re-bolt the benches in a different configuration. One behind the drivers seat facing rearward, one long bench down the drivers side wall, one facing the 2 rear doors, and one short one between the rear doors and the side doors. Plus, running boards down both sides, and hand bars on top to ride the sides short distances. Maybe this will give someone else some ideas !

[Seventy2002]

Talk to truck dealers in logging towns, tell 'em you want a "crummy" (or whatever you folks call a crew bus)

http://www.wildlandfire.com/pics/equip4/agbuggy1.jpg