From transporting firefighters to carrying rescue equipment, fire trucks are some of the most essential firefighting equipment. But has it ever crossed your mind how heavy a fire truck is — with and without water? Let’s take a closer look at the weight of these pivotal fire apparatuses.
How Many Pounds Does a Fire Truck Weigh?
The truck model and design are the main factors determining the fire truck’s weight. Standard fire trucks that respond to emergencies differ in their specifications, such as single-steering axle or single-drive axle. Larger vehicles come with tandem axles or tandem rear drive steer axles that add up to their weight. Depending on the design, emergency vehicles like fire trucks fall within the weight limit of 24,000 to 52,000 pounds or 12 to 26 tons.
The Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA) allows larger vehicles to exceed the standard weight specifications as long as they are within the 82,000-pound (41-ton) maximum gross vehicle weight. Bigger trucks often accommodate additional features for better structural support and a larger hydraulic system. For example, fire trucks with extendable ladders are much heavier compared to standard ones. While the FAMA offers relevant guidelines, weight regulations still vary from one state to another.
How Much Does a Fire Truck Weigh With Water?
Now that you have an idea of how many tons a fire truck weighs, it’s time to understand the changes in the weight when water is added to the vehicle. In general, fire trucks only carry minimal water. The reason is that there’s another equipment responsible for carrying water, along with the hose and pump, which is the fire engine.
On the other hand, fire trucks typically serve as transportation vehicles for firefighters. These vehicles also carry a series of tools like aerial ladders, airbags, harnesses and Jaws of Life. In some cases, fire trucks that have a water tank can store between 500 and 750 gallons of water. As such, each gallon is equivalent to approximately 8.34 pounds, which means the additional weight is around 4,170 to 6,255 pounds or 2.09 to 3.13 tons.
