Fruehauf and Crown Coach Corporation create a Water Cannon Firetruck
From 1951 to 1985, Crown Coach Corporation manufactured fire apparatus under the Firecoach brand, with the majority of Firecoaches being sold to west coast departments, especially in California.
A unique Crown product began as a concept of the Tulare, CA Fire Department in 1975. The idea was presented to Crown and after consulting with the Snorkel Fire Equipment Company, which also built TeleSqurt units. A 2-axle trailer with a 2,500 gallon water tank was ordered from the Fruehauf Trailer branch in Indianapolis. The trailer was outfitted with a Tele-squirt and power unit by Snorkel in St. Louis, MO. Later, the unit was shipped to Crown Coach in Los Angeles for completion. At the Crown factory, the pump and associated plumbing was installed. All parts were assembled and the remaining body work was completed. Once completed, the trailer was partnered with a 1977 International tractor and sent to Truck 25 Fire Engine department in Tulare County, California.
The water cannon is operated specifically by a Chrysler 440 gasoline motor powered a 1,000gpm Hale pump and hydraulic resulting in the 50 foot TeleSquirt. She carries a full compliment of ground ladders and rescue equipment typical of a firetruck. In 1987, the original tractor was replaced with a new International S1900 tractor and otherwise remains very original aside from a few minor upgrades to modernize the trailer. This project was assigned Crown Coach serial number F1794.
A unique Crown product began as a concept of the Tulare, CA Fire Department in 1975. The idea was presented to Crown and after consulting with the Snorkel Fire Equipment Company, which also built TeleSqurt units. A 2-axle trailer with a 2,500 gallon water tank was ordered from the Fruehauf Trailer branch in Indianapolis. The trailer was outfitted with a Tele-squirt and power unit by Snorkel in St. Louis, MO. Later, the unit was shipped to Crown Coach in Los Angeles for completion. At the Crown factory, the pump and associated plumbing was installed. All parts were assembled and the remaining body work was completed. Once completed, the trailer was partnered with a 1977 International tractor and sent to Truck 25 Fire Engine department in Tulare County, California.
The water cannon is operated specifically by a Chrysler 440 gasoline motor powered a 1,000gpm Hale pump and hydraulic resulting in the 50 foot TeleSquirt. She carries a full compliment of ground ladders and rescue equipment typical of a firetruck. In 1987, the original tractor was replaced with a new International S1900 tractor and otherwise remains very original aside from a few minor upgrades to modernize the trailer. This project was assigned Crown Coach serial number F1794.
Special thanks to Matt Thompson, Paul Krot and the men of Engine 25 in Tulare County
