Forums

Posted By MVT on 23 May 2011 01:07 PM
I am looking for suggestions for a good vehicle for Cat Duty. My partner and I would like to have something comfortable, yet somewhere near economical.   I have looked at "4 door Trucks, SUV's, Crossover type and small RV's and the like.  I would like your opinions of what you use and why it works for you as a group.



Thanks for all for their opinions on what works for you.



MVT Consulting

Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 

...................................................................................................................................

MVT,

I am going to assume that you guys are newly licensed. So with that being said, let's cross off the RV. I say this because although an RV is PERFECT for experienced adjusters, that is a huge expense for folks who have yet to be deployed. There is also quite a bit of hidden costs associated with an RV from RV parks, sat tv, utilities(RV park) sewage. After a few years in the biz, an RV may become a wise choice.

As far as the other vehicles, you can go anywhere from a 4 door sedan up to a crew cab truck. I say sedans because it has been my experience that Carriers and IA firms that utilize staff adjusters tend to equip them with Ford Taurus, Subaru's, Hyundai(IE typical everyday vehicles) These staff adjusters are usually equipped with a collapsable 12 to 14 ft ladder and other equipment that can fit into the trunks very easily. The problem I have with that in regards to an IA team is when you come upon a 2 story roof, if the staff adjuster's ladder won't reach they simply call in a steep roof team or a roofer and in some cases utilize sat tech. As far as an IA team when it comes to a 2 story (or higher) roof, in most cases if you can't reach it ,you will have to give the claim to an adjuster who can reach the roof. So driving a typical 4 door sedan really limits your ability to access higher roofs.

Quite a few adjusters (at least the ones I know in Texas) are driving big crew cab trucks with an 8 cylinder gas guzzling  engine that gets about 8 miles to the gallon or diesel engines. These trucks are all equipped with ladder racks that will usually have a 24 to 28 ft. fiberglass extension ladder and shorter A frame ladders(6 to 8 ft.) These guys are equipped for anything in regards to height but with the amount of driving , they are spending a fortune in most cases on fuel.

I believe I have the best of both worlds. I have a 2011 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner(2wheel drive)extended cab. I just equipped my truck with 34 inch tires and a 4 inch lift. 6 Cylinder engine(also available with a 4 cylinder engine as well)

(tires and lift are NOT necessary, just my preference) I also had my truck fitted with a ladder rack and I carry a 24 ft. Werner (FIBERGLASS) extension ladder  along with a 8 ft A frame(FIBERGLASS) ladder. I empasize the fiberglass ladders because quite often when we are on roofs or whatever, there are downed power lines, the power masts on all roofs are sometimes destroyed exposing lots of lines. Aluminum ladders conduct electricity and will bbq your hind end. Understand that in most cases especially when you are dealing with a category X event like Katrina/Andrew the power is shut off throughout vast areas. HOWEVER, you ARE to operate around powerlines as if they are live.

So a compact truck like Toyota's,Nissan,Dodge are fantastic with being able to carry longer ladders,multiple ladders PROVIDED they are equipped with a ladder rack. All ladders must be securely stowed during transport. Ladders improperly stowed(IE no ladder rack) have killed many people over the years . It is also a very expensive ticket if you aren't using a ladder rack or if those ladders aren't tied or chained down. It's a great bet to lock these ladders with like a bicycle chain in addition to bungee cords because as much as they are dangerous, an unsecured ladder is a STOLEN ladder.

SUV's are good as well however I think it would be tough to carry a 22 or 24 ft ladder on the roof. Your 6 to 8 ft (FIBERGLASS A frame can easily fit inside the SUV.

Just remember in most cases you are responsible for all your expenses. So with that being said, you should consider the above and try to go with a 6 cylinder .

Robby Robinson

I use a Scion TC for 90% of my work and keep an 4x4 F150 parked in the driveway for the 5-10% that I may need it. The Scion's a cheap vehicle (I bought a 2006 for 7900 bucks), Toyota longevity, and 30+ mpg. I also can quite literally fit a 13' and a 22' folding ladder in the back of it plus luggage, computer equipment and have reclined the seat for sleep in the car nights quite comfortably. For a 6'3", 280 lb. guy this is a good combo of vehicle feature. I just took it through Joplin and it was perfect.

Now I won't lie, when I'm not on storm duty I'm doing a lot of daily commercial in Chicago and the ease of moving around in a sporty compact in a city factored into my decision making.

My eventual plan, when I make the money for it, is to buy a Class C and use it to tow the Scion.  Best of both worlds at that point.