Fire brigades and emergency services

Fire engines and ambulances face the same issues regarding driving stability as, for example, motorhomes. However, in this type of vehicle, three factors combine to have a particularly significant impact on unstable handling:

1. Fire services have a high centre of gravity due to ladders and cranes 
2. Fire engines carry large quantities of liquids such as water and fire-fighting agents (moving load)
3. Emergency services usually travel at high speeds when on call

For fire brigade and ambulance vehicles, whose role is to save lives or eliminate hazards, 100 per cent technical reliability is essential. In most cases, a shifting load (moving load) causes severe body roll and ‘swaying’ when using the factory-fitted dampers. This not only impairs handling when cornering but also reduces braking performance and affects steering response.

The vehicle becomes uncontrollable. The video above illustrates very clearly what this can lead to. The shock absorbers are unable to counteract the resulting roll, and the vehicle becomes uncontrollable. Reinforced shock absorbers for fire engines from Marquart Germany provide a solution here because they shift the limit.

To achieve this, we have developed specific characteristics for our reinforced shock absorbers. With thicker piston rods, a larger oil capacity and progressive characteristics, Marquart’s reinforced shock absorbers respond more quickly, prevent unchecked oscillation and keep the vehicle firmly on track. The result: significantly improved handling and considerably better controllability.  Thanks to a substantially higher rebound rate, the limit is reached much later.

High speeds, a high centre of gravity and shifting loads – these conditions place the utmost demands on the chassis. Reinforced shock absorbers from Marquart Germany provide extra reserve capacity for extreme conditions – a particular advantage during emergency call-outs. Incidentally, with Marquart Germany shock absorbers, burst air bellows caused by the axle being suspended during operations are a thing of the past.

Are you a bodybuilder specialising in fire service vehicles such as fire engines, rescue vehicles or other types of bodywork? Do you manage the vehicle fleet for a municipal or voluntary fire service? Please send us an enquiry.

On our Customer Testimonials page, car owners share their experiences following the fitment of Marquart shock absorbers.