Tankers work harder than almost any other vehicle in your fleet. They bring water where hydrants can’t. They load up at a water source, shuttle it to the scene, dump it, and repeat the process until the job is done. They’re simple, reliable, effective, and this is why tankers need features that help them run safely and efficiently.
Here are some features that can help your tanker perform at its best:
1. INView 360 HD Camera System For Better Safety
Tankers are big, and blind spots come with the territory. A 360 HD camera system removes those blind spots and gives your driver real-time visibility in every direction.
The system uses four ultra-wide HD cameras to create a stitched, top-down 360-degree view. The operator can clearly see pedestrians, obstacles, or traffic around the vehicle. It also supports up to six cameras if you want to monitor more areas.
The built-in DVR records each camera individually and stores the footage securely. This is extremely helpful for insurance reasons or legal reviews if your crew needs it. The monitor also switches views automatically depending on driving action: front, left, right, or reverse.
Here are some of its features:
- Supports four to six cameras
- Individual camera recording with a built-in DVR
- 1080P HD output
- Up to 1 TB of total SD card storage
- GPS tracking and accelerometer
- Adjustable blend lines to eliminate blind spots
- Overlay settings for positioning during dumps, outriggers, and tool board access
A system like this creates safer driving conditions, reduces liability, and gives your crew the confidence they need. This makes it a no-brainer for your new tanker.
2. Fireman’s Friend Rear Tank Fill For Faster Loading
Efficiency matters, and when your crew is shuttling water, every second counts. The Fireman’s Friend Rear Tank Fill helps tankers load faster at the fill site so they can return to the scene sooner.
This internally mounted valve replaces a manual-opening valve and uses a check-valve design that flows at more than 1,000 gallons per minute. It requires no diffuser and is built from stainless steel with a spring-actuated piston for positive sealing.
The seal is self-cleaning and made of EPDM rubber, which helps minimize wear and extend the valve’s lifespan.
Local departments rave about how much time this valve saves, sharing that they cut at least 30 seconds off every turnaround and get water from the source to the fire faster with less hazard.
Some even report filling a 1,250-gallon tanker a full minute faster, which is why many are now retrofitting their entire fleet. Small upgrades like this make a big difference on the scene, and we’re here to help if you’re thinking about making this upgrade.
3. Command Light Trident Tripod Lights For Safer Rural Operations
Rural water sources can be dark, uneven, and difficult to navigate. Portable lighting helps, but cords and generators can be a hazard.
Command Light Trident Tripod Lights solve this problem. These 12V LED tripod lights run on rechargeable batteries so you can set them up anywhere without extension cords or noisy generators.
They’re perfect for illuminating fill sites, nighttime operations, or remote areas. They extend from 50 inches to a full 91 inches, giving you a wide, elevated light source that keeps your crew safe and helps speed up nighttime fills.
You can pair them with AC power, truck 12V DC, or popular battery systems like Dewalt, Hurst, Makita, or Milwaukee, along with light heads from Akron Revels, FRC Spectras, FireTeck Helios, Whelen, or Feniex.
These lights are one of the simplest safety upgrades you can add to a new tanker.
4. Easy-Access Water Dumps (Tenders) And Controls For Faster Turnarounds
When your tanker arrives on scene, the dump process needs to be fast and simple. Easy-access water dumps help your crew transfer water quickly without losing time to awkward placements or hard-to-reach controls.
When choosing your dump setup, look for controls that are easy to reach and quick to deploy, multiple dump options to suit different scene layouts, high-flow chutes that move water fast, and systems designed for smooth one-person operation.
A smooth dump process also means your tanker gets back to the fill site faster, keeps water supply steady for the attack crew, and reduces overall scene time, especially in rural or remote areas.
If you’re planning a new tanker build, we’re here to help. Contact us at 1-800-561-0012, and we can walk you through these features and others that will help your crew work safely, efficiently, and confidently.
