The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts The Stovebolt Volunteer Fire Department Sad news about my '50 Fire truck

I have finally got a Good look at the 500 gal. water tank on my truck and found that it is in a Bad way . Yesterday I was able to get the tank off and discovered that it has more problems , Oh well . On the good side ( if you can say that it's good ) , I now don't need all the new hose,ladders ect.. to make it a fully operational truck . The tank will be turned into a passenger compartment and used for parades and parties , not what I was wanting but the cost of a new tank (plus all the other new equipment ) puts it out of my thinning wallets reach . On the good side I'm halfway thru redoing the entire brake system . ED

that's too bad, sorry to hear that. curiosity about the "passenger compartment" idea is killing me, how you going to go about that?

That sucks, Ed. The main thing is that you are saving the truck, though. Sure, it may not have a water tank on it, but the truck itself will still be running around and that's what really matters. Besides that, the whole passenger compartment idea is really appealing.

Ed,

I'm playing devil's advocate here: the thing most departments do when their steel tank goes bad, is put a Poly-Tank in it, I think, literally, inside the old tank.

NO IDEA what they cost, but thought I'd throw it out there, since you've got a strong interest in getting this truck "in service". Maybe worth a phone call or two?

-Michael

Before you jump off that bridge, it might should be considered that it will operate from a fire hydrant. It doesn't need a 500 gallon tank to pump and flow water! I cut the bottm out of mine to STOP the fellows from filling it up and rusting it out. It still throws a lot of water.

JMO

Thanks for everyone's concern . First , the tank has several good sized holes and several weak spots that would rust threw in short order so patching it is out . As to installing / spraying in a liner the tank has water baffles every 18" or so to stop the water from sloshing so those options are out . The baffles will also be a pain to deal with when I modify the tank for riders . I will take pictures of the water to rider tank conversion as I ponder it out , then post it here. Second , the front mounted pump will not be removed so it will still be capable of pumping, only the tank to pump line / reel hose delivery line will be caped off so if I come up with the funds for a new tank , I can drop on the tank and install and hook up the water lines I've put away .
I have been approached by several people wanting to rent my services when the truck is done , for kids "Fireman's" Birthday party's where the guest of honor rides in the cab ( and can ring the bell and his/her friends ride in the back "tank" . My VFW post wants to do the same for parades. Several other groups are also interested . Can't keep one's plans secret in a small town . Not sure I'll go that rout , sounds to much like work to me .
I'll keep everyone posted and as always if you have a idea , question or comment feel free to send it along . I Value everyone's input .
ED

i wouldnt worry about the baffles and i would cut them out of the way. most likely your not going to be hauling around a load of water so they wouldnt be needed. depending on the size of your existing tank you could drop in a 100-150 gallon agricultural tank with two connections one for tank to pump and tank fill or just fill the tank from the open connection on the top with a hose and eliminate a connection. as long as the tank is full or empty the baffles dont do nothing. its only when you have less than a full tank does the baffels come into play to keep it from sloshing. cut the top and bottom of the tank out. frame up the bottom to hold the tank and water weight and from the tank from shifting side to side. you can even leave the bottom open. then cover the top of the tank with sheet steel with an access to the tank from the top. the hose in your bed will hide the top side and it wouldnt be seen. depending on your priming means you may need to have some water available on the truck.

i have a project on hold of cutting a access hole on the top of the my tank to gain entry to rubber coat it. at that time the baffles will be removed so i can get access to the whole inside. make a water tight bolted on cover and repack the hose bed. for now my tank doesnt leak.

Hi kind of new to this forum..I presently have a 1938 Open cab Chevy firebolt bilt by Darley...Nice truck, you bet its fun to take the kids for rides,and sure don,t want to rain on your parade...But you may want to check with your insurance Co to see what your options are ...Some of these companys are very restrictive about passengars riding in or on the trucks...In the event that someone fell our and got injured,things could get very sticky,you hope it would never happen,but these days you just never know....Just a word of caution....Maybe others may want to comment on this issue also...Best regards and enjoy your truck...

38firetruck , Thanks for the info . I had thought of the ramifications and additional costs of paying passengers . It can be done with out to much of a problem under a business format , but I would not consider it with just my regular truck insurance , that's a fast way to the Poor House ! Taking friends for a ride is one thing , taking Hordes of kids ( or vets ) is another matter . Not to mention the exposed tank edges have to be smooth as silk so no one can get a cut , plus a thousand and one - make it safe for the most clumsy idiot can't get hurt while riding on the truck ! Humm , maybe I'll just build a Giant wooden keg on the back and run bootleg whisky to Stovebolt events ! Can you just see me trying to fill a jug with a 400 gpm pump , it might be more fun than a parking lot of Old Bolters , even for this Temperant Old Goat . I'd even be a rather Popular fellow , lol . ED

I haul folks in parades and always worry about somebody getting hurt. I guess as long as I'm not charging them, I fit them into a "passenger category" so I'm outof the commercial business. I'm probibly taking a risk hauling the kids but they love it so much, I have to try it. I just put lots of adults with them and go real slow in 1st gear. I never leave 1st when there is anybody in the hosebed of my firetruck.

I hope I never have to face the lawyers...

My insurance policy specifies no one on the back of truck. :mad:

Same here. They were pretty explicit about it, too.

Even Firefighters are'nt allowed on the backstep any longer. NFPA states that it is a gigantic NO NO.