Cease Fire!

June 25, 2024

Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks has lifted the lid on a go-anywhere Unimog fire truck, which features a body built by Rosenbauer, the Austrian company synonymous with fire-fighting equipment.

First seen at RETTmobil – the European exhibition for rescue and mobility which took place last month in Germany – the vehicle is designed for operations in particularly difficult terrain, such as forest and vegetation fires or flood and rescue operations.

The all-terrain Unimog U 5023 offers a range of technical features that equip it for operations in rough terrain and especially for fighting forest fires. With its high ground clearance of 50cm, the Unimog can drive over many obstacles – even in extreme terrain – and climb steep slopes thanks to the large ramp and slope angles.

The combination of special off-road tyres and an integrated tyre pressure regulation system, which allows the tyre pressure to be quickly adjusted while driving, ensures traction on various surfaces. The fording capability of up to 1.2m (an optional extra) allows the crew to drive through rivers or use their vehicle in flooded areas. The Unimog is also equipped with heat protection on all operationally relevant lines, which increases the safety of the emergency services and the reliability of the vehicle in heat-intensive environments.

The Unimog U 5023 is equipped with a Rosenbauer superstructure that meets all the requirements of the TLF 3000 in accordance with fire department standard DIN-14530-22. The TLF 3000 is a type of fire-fighting vehicle primarily used in Germany and other countries with similar fire service structures. The abbreviation “TLF” stands for “Tanklöschfahrzeug”, which translates into “tank fire engine” in English. The “3000”, meanwhile, refers to the vehicle’s 3,000-litre water tank capacity.

The extinguishing agent is applied by means of a FPN 10-2000 centrifugal fire pump in accordance with DIN EN 1028. Larger pump capacities and additional spray bars can also be added at the customer’s request. Two equipment compartments on each side and an equipment compartment in the rear of the vehicle provide the necessary storage space. Folding, non-slip steps facilitate access to the equipment compartments, while the step lighting further increases the safety of the emergency crews at night. For operations in the dark, the truck has ambient lighting with around 5,000 lumens per metre. Other related equipment – such as a light mast – can be added upon request.

The welded aluminium frame of the Rosenbauer superstructure ensures high stability and low weight, while the best possible weight distribution between the front and rear axles and a low centre of gravity are said to optimise the vehicle’s handling capabilities. With the superstructure, the slope angle at the rear is 42 degrees, which also allows driving in very demanding terrain characterised by changing topography.