SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/875606
TNT Rescue’s Ford F-250 Truck is light, fast and equipped with the latest occupant extraction tools. By Dan Sanchez Photography by ICON Media When an accident occurs that requires immediate occupant extraction, vehicles like the TNT Rescue truck can get to the scene quicker and with more tools to cover any situation. The 2016 Ford F-250 is a second generation truck that is much lighter and faster than the previous Ford F-550 that the team had in the past. “Our previous vehicle had a steel utility bed and was much bulkier and heavier than our latest truck,” said Dave Morgan from TNT Rescue. “This F-250 has all of the best tools and is compact, lightweight and can get to the scene of an accident much more quickly.” The F-250 is powered by the factory Ford 6.2L turbo-diesel but it also has a few upgrades. These include a Power Take Off (PTO) that operates the hydraulic extraction tools with the vehicle’s engine as its source. The rear suspension has also been modified with heavier-duty leaf springs to support the added weight of the tools carried in the bed of the truck. The fiberglass SpaceKap is the latest truck cap that is used by a variety of fire and police vehicles to carry a wide range of equipment to a scene. It features two side bays that can carry tools and smaller equipment while leaving lots of room in the bed of the truck for taller items and additional tools. In the case of the TNT Rescue truck, the tools and equipment are neatly stacked on a bed slider that has a 10,000 lbs. weight rating. A custom carrier holds the hydraulic and battery powered tools that are ready to be used at any given moment. While the truck is dedicated to providing assistance in real occupant extractions, it is also used as a rolling platform for Morgan to perform demonstrations and education on the proper use of the extraction tools for fire departments and racing teams across the country. The TNT Rescue truck’s appearance at this year’s 50th Anniversary of the SCORE Baja 1000 race in November, will be on scene providing assistance to rescue operations there and provide tools to the rescue helicopter during the race as well. They are definitely a welcome sight to any one traveling the highways during the race, knowing there’s an extra level of safety available should they need it. SJ