Re: truck & backpacks

Awww, I miss the old Dodge. I hope the Forest Service puts it to good use. I would sure like to see it return as a Hy-rail truck though, it is an old truck which was sitting around Chama for years with little use. I don't see why the Forest Service would be that interested in holding on to it. Of course, now that its pump is going into the new truck we'd have to find another pump and tank, but those are fairly easy to come by. I don't know what engine was in it, and therefore I don't know what kind of torque it would have for going up the pass with a full tank, but that's why I suggested it be stationed up there. There's also the road to use. Most brush trucks are decent off-road, but Hy-rail wheels could get in the way (more front and back overhang+weight). Tire wear when on rails would increase with the grades, but it isn't a bad idea. Trucks are faster than speeders and have a bigger payload capacity, plus you can't drive a speeder off the tracks a couple yards to reach a farther fire.
Another thought, we'd have to find a truck with a narrow axle length, otherwise the truck would be sitting on its rail wheels and the road wheels would be in the air, so no go (at least on level track and uphills). I have yet to see a 3-foot gauge Hy-rail truck, and I can't think of any big enough truck with a 3-foot axle length.