Fire departments and wildland firefighting operations investing in custom skid units face important decisions that will impact operational effectiveness for years. Unlike off-the-shelf solutions, custom builds allow you to specify exactly what you need—but this flexibility requires careful consideration of essential features. Here are five critical elements to evaluate when designing your custom skid unit.
Evaluate Pump Capacity and Configuration Options
The pump forms the heart of any skid unit, making this your most critical specification decision. Custom builds allow you to select the perfect pump type, flow rate, and pressure capabilities based on the firefighting scenarios you typically encounter.
Consider whether you need a single-stage pump for high-volume applications, a two-stage pump for operational versatility, or specialized pumps for foam delivery systems. Your choice should reflect the optimal balance between flow rate and pressure for your specific operational needs.
Pump placement and mounting options are also customizable. Depending on your vehicle configuration and access preferences, pumps can be positioned for optimal weight distribution, ease of maintenance, and operator convenience during emergency operations. Side-mount, rear-mount, and mid-mount configurations each offer distinct advantages.
Working with trusted companies like Kick Ash Skid ensures your pump configuration is engineered properly for reliable performance. Experienced manufacturers help you select components that work together efficiently and stand up to demanding field conditions over years of service.
Determine Tank Capacity and Material Selection
Water capacity requirements vary dramatically based on your operational environment and typical response distances. Custom skid units allow you to specify tank sizes ranging from compact 100-gallon units for quick initial attack to large 500-gallon or greater capacity systems for extended operations.
Tank material selection offers important choices that impact weight, durability, and cost. Polyethylene tanks provide lightweight, corrosion-resistant options ideal for mobile applications and aggressive terrain. Aluminum or steel tanks offer superior durability for rugged conditions but add weight to your configuration.
Tank shape and configuration can be customized for optimal weight distribution and vehicle compatibility. Manufacturers can design tanks to fit specific bed dimensions, accommodate unusual mounting locations, or incorporate baffling systems that prevent dangerous water surge during off-road operation.
Consider also the integration of foam systems, strategically positioned fill ports for convenient access, and drain configurations that facilitate maintenance and winterization procedures in cold climates where freeze damage poses risks.
Design Controls and Operator Interface Layout
How operators interact with skid units during high-stress emergencies directly impacts effectiveness and safety. Custom builds allow you to design control layouts that match your team’s training, preferences, and established operational protocols.
Specify control panel locations for optimal accessibility from operating positions, choose between manual and electric valve actuation based on reliability preferences, select gauge types and placements for visibility, and determine throttle control configurations that suit your operators’ experience levels.
Custom control systems also accommodate special requirements like remote operation capabilities for safer positioning during hazardous conditions, integration with vehicle electrical systems, or lighting configurations for nighttime operations when visibility is compromised.
Experienced manufacturers like Kick Ash Skid understand operator needs and can recommend proven control configurations while accommodating your specific preferences. Their field experience helps identify layouts that work intuitively even during chaotic emergency conditions when cognitive load is high.
Specify Hose and Nozzle Configurations
Your skid unit’s hose storage, deployment system, and nozzle selection significantly impact operational speed and effectiveness. Custom builds allow you to configure these elements precisely for your typical applications and crew preferences.
Determine hose reel capacity, hose diameter requirements, and whether you need single or multiple discharge points. Consider quick-deployment reel systems versus traditional storage racks based on your response scenarios and terrain conditions.
Nozzle selection should match your primary missions—adjustable fog nozzles for versatility, straight-stream nozzles for reach, or specialized foam nozzles for specific applications. Custom builds accommodate pre-connected lines configured exactly as your crews prefer to deploy them.
Integration of foam proportioning systems, if needed, can be designed into your custom configuration from the beginning rather than added as an afterthought, ensuring proper plumbing, chemical storage, and injection points.
Consider Mounting and Vehicle Integration Requirements
Your skid unit must integrate seamlessly with your vehicle platform, requiring careful attention to mounting systems, weight distribution, and securing methods. Custom designs address these crucial compatibility factors.
Specify mounting frame designs appropriate for your vehicle type—pickup trucks require different approaches than utility vehicles or trailers. Consider whether you need quick-disconnect systems for moving units between vehicles or permanent installations optimized for single-vehicle use.
Weight distribution affects vehicle handling and safety, especially on uneven terrain. Custom manufacturers can position heavy components strategically to maintain proper balance and prevent dangerous handling characteristics during emergency response.
Tie-down points, vibration isolation, and protective elements should be engineered into the design to prevent damage during transport over rough terrain and extend your equipment’s service life.
Making Informed Decisions
Choosing the right features for your custom skid unit requires balancing operational needs, budget constraints, and future flexibility. By working with trusted manufacturers like Kick Ash Skid and carefully evaluating pump configuration, tank design, control layout, hose systems, and mounting requirements, you can build equipment perfectly suited to your firefighting mission. Take time to assess each feature’s importance to your operations—your investment will serve your department and community effectively for many years.
