Hauls, Backhauls and New Hauls

 A tremendous amount of machinery has been moving through the Port of Halifax recently. It would be impossible to track all of it, but this is what I have been able to catch by chance.

This morning Atlantic Tiltload had a pair of John Deere timber forwarders, model 1910G and called out their  Freightliner number 18 and International HX number 19 for the work.

 Both tractors are equipped with an extra axle and at least one of the trailers is a Talbert.

The Earl Paddock company from Stoney Creek, ON specialize in transporting military vehicles and are seen here often with both wheeled and tracked vehicles from General Dynamics for export. They are usually in and out so quickly that I don't get to see their well kept fleet of Kenworths.

 

Many of these military vehicles have passed outbound though Halifax recently.

Today I did spot Paddock Kenworth number 512, backhauling a Liebherr L 580 wheel loader.

 Speaking of loaders I saw this big Komatsu WA600 ready for the road, but no sign of the hauler.

Another operator of well kept Kenworths is the oversize load specialists Transport Watson from Quebec. In 2020 the QSL (founded as Quebec Stevedores Ltd) acquired Watson + Sycamore from Groupe Robert, but have retained the Watson identity so far. Their trucks are well known in Halifax for hauling aircraft components imported by Bombardier. I recently spotted what appeared to be a pair of new Kenworths:

Unit number W3913 is ready for a wide load with flags in place. It is a T880 model with mid-rise sleeper.

Unit W3912 appears to be built to a similar spec (but with a bull bar), and a large headache rack equipped with storage compartments.

What I think is a new name to the Halifax area is Sunbelt Rentals (a huge North America wide operation with 1,1000 locations.) I recently spotted their Peterbilt tilt deck, bearing Alberta plates.

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Still more

 It now seems that there are a lot of domestic RVs on the scene, but they have a definite European air to them.

This ancient shorty Sprinter, from British Columbia, has many of the attributes of a stealth vehicle, but the roll up awning is a giveaway - maybe the surf board too.

When Chrysler had to give up the Sprinter, they came up with the Ram Van (which is a lightly disguised Fiat) and this 2500 model is a worthy replacement. The raised roof version gives it RV capability.

The big German RV maker Hymer, inserts their own logo on Fiat vans. Although common in Europe, this is first domestic Hymer I've seen - it carries Virginia plates and could almost be mistaken for a Dodge (especially with the hood up: How do you get spare parts for a Fiat?
Just follow another one around..)

 The RV season  must be coming to a close very soon, as cold weather is arriving and even the hardy Germans and Swiss are unlikely to want to be here in the winter.

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Inter extra

 Total Transport and Rigging, the heavy lift and oversize load carriers in Halifax, have been busy recently with some big moves. For this they neeed big trucks and the Navistar International HX seems to be a favoured model. The company carries a lot of material in and out of the port area, and I sighted this extra axle HX recently at Fairview Cove.

The truck has lots of extra lighting and chrome too, including the extra large bumper.

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More Mercs

 The Mercedes Sprinter is a favourite amongst RV owners, and not just the van model, but the  Mercedes running gear too. Among the latest RVs that I have seen, several are Mercedes or Mercedes based.

This long wheelbase Sprinter is not exactly a "stealth" van, but the heavily tinted windows certainly give it a slightly sinister "armoured car" look.

I don't usually see the need to post photos of both sides of an RV, but this one is an exception. Tilt out vent windows were ajar on both sides.

The little "Ruff Rider" mascot lightens up the tone somewhat.

This RV is from Austria (in case there is any doubt) and was built by Hymer on a Mercedes dually chassis.

Even Winnebago is getting in the act, and building on a Sprinter cab/chassis

 

At first I missed this one, since it was in the same parking lot as the previous one, but it is definitely different. 

 

The 30 week tour map on the side is certainly an impressive achievement for this Swiss Merc Sprinter dually.

 

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Still on the road

 Despite qualifying as an antique auto in most jurisdictions, this RV is still on the road today and has made it all the way from Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia. 

The "Bounder" name wasn't a clue as to its origin, but fortunately a "builder's plate" mounted on the side gave me all the information I could need.

It is a Fleetwood, Model K, built in Riverside, California in August 1989. I suspect there aren't many 33 year old RVs still on the road - and in what appears to be its original paint. (Fleetwood apparently had a copyright on the paint scheme!) 

There are a few signs of wear here and there, but still, it is in remarkable condition. I wonder how long some of the current types will remain in service in view of their "gas guzzling" habits, such as this late model Chev / Citation Supreme.

 or this CanaDream / Ford E-350:
 

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They're Back - continued again

 One more European RV showed up after my last post, and this one is built by Hymer, one of the largest Geman RV makers. They build a wide range of RVs of various sizes. They all seem to use Mercedes components. Some use the Sprinter cab and others the Sprinter chassis - called the B-Class - with the Mercedes emblem on the hood.

Interesting features on this unit include a driver's door and a narrow side door on the offside, but well to the rear. I could  not detect a model number anywhere. It certainly appears to be a high end rig, but not brand new. It wisely carries a pair of spare tires on the roof since its wheels are probably an odd size.

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They're Back continued

 Even more European RVs appeared on the streets today. I am wondering if perhaps these are arrivals - in time to see the fall colours, then head south for warm winter weather. In no particular order:

Dakar Ready Looking like a refugee from the famed North African off road rally, this M.A.N. beast looks ready to take on any kind of terrain.

It is big enough to rate two pictures.

The tilting crew cab, giant fuel tank and lots of brighteners give the rig a distinctive look.

Carado Reisemobile from Germany re-badges the Fiat cab/chassis with their own grille logo on this T-Series unit.

At the lower end of Carado's range of RVs, this one is priced at €54,198 - which looks like about $72,000 CAN.
 

Citro Vees Those upside down Vees are enough to identify Citroën without the need for wording - in Europe anyway. The evolution of that logo has taken another step in 2022 - see: CitroV

Pössl on the other hand plasters its name on all sides of their Vario 545 model camper van conversion. It is also available on a Fiat chassis.

Another Citroën of unknown conversion was partly shaded. It is based on the "Jumper" model delivery van.

 The shadow was created by its neighbour (Jumper next to Sprinter)

 

This high clearance Merc is an Iglhaut Allrad  AWD conversion from a standard two wheel drive Sprinter. The horns are an interesting touch - they do not appear in Iglhaut's literature - but would likely scare the daylights out of any wayward cyclists. Not so sure about moose or elk.

I notice also the high breather on the driver's side A-pillar - maybe the Sprinter is also a Swimmer?

 

I see very few de-mountable pickup based campers from Europe, mostly because European car/truck manufacturers are not noted for their pickup trucks. Enter Japanese pickup makers such as Nissan, who provided this truck for a Tischer camper.

This one appears to be the winner of the "Sticker Competition". I spotted Jasper and Lake Louise stickers and the Newfoundland and Canada flags. I believe I also detect the Greek flag.

Of course there are also well appointed domestic RVs on the roads, such as the Canadream Ford in the background and some unusual "Canadian" trucks too - such as this imported Suzuki RHD steroidal motorcycle pickup. I'd love to see a camper converison on this:

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They're Back

Many of those European RVs that migrated across the Atlantic in the spring are now on their way back home after venturing around North America - many to Alaska or other far corners of the continent. Some of those rigs are very unusual - and I have included a few from recent days.

Is it bigger than a bread box? Or is it a bread box? I guess if you are going to spend upwards of €250,000 (Euros) for a Morelo Palace Liner you will want lots of volume. Apparently available on an IVECO or Mercedes chassis from Morelo Reisemobile of Germany, this is the last word in luxury. I am not sure I would want to try to hold this thing on the road in a high wind with those tiny tires, but it seems to have stood up to to its North American tour. I am not sure this one does, but some can carry a smart car in the load bay at the rear end. There are side doors for bikes and a rear door/ramp.

Sorry I didn't catch your name. I am not sure who made this long wheelbase job.

The stylized map on ths side doesn't stand up to close inspection as it involves several aerial routes, but certainly suggests an ambitious itinerary.

Speaking of IVECO, this hardy specimen seems to be at the other end of the luxury scale.

Based on an IVECO Turbo Daily 40-10 4x4, this Swiss plated rig was fitted out by Behl Mobile from Germany. They offer a huge range of vehicles on many different chassis. This is an older one, but shares some of the features of the current models including the subtle air intake on the A-pillar, the heavy duty skid plate and built in winch.

From the array of stickers on the rear storage box, its owners also have covered considerable territory.

[IVECO = Industrial Vehicles Corp is a huge world wide truck producer - except in North America. It has 27 factories all over the world, including China and Russia, and is headquartered in Amsterdam.] 

And speaking of Mercs.

The elderly flower children that decorated this Merc seem content to operate what looks like a delivery van. More bread anyone? I could not see a brand name for the conversion, but there is a small badge on the engine cover that suggests Morelo - if so, certainly their low end.

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Where's the fire (truck)

 I have not seen much in the way of fire apparatus recently, so here is what little I have been able to catch.

My recent road trip to northern mainland Nova Scotia turned up the well maintained units of the Abercrombie Volunteer Fire Department in Pictou County. (see previous post).

Engine 1 runs this 2012 International 4400 crew cab built by Metalfab of Centreville, NB. It has a 1250 gpm pump with an 860 gallon tank. The centre mounted pump panel has good all round visibility for the operator.

 Abercrombie's Rescue 1 runs a 2003 Freightliner FL70 with a walk-in body by Lantz Truck Body Ltd of Port Williams. NS.

Due to the position of the Rescue rig, I was not able to get a photo of the Department's 2018 Kenworth 1600 gallon tanker.

Speaking of rescues, I saw this Halifax unit the other day. As a spare, it does not see much service anymore, but is obviously kept in operating condition.

Built by Metalfab on a 1997 Freightliner FL80 chassis, it was assigned as a Rescue to the old Prospect Road + District VFD (the label is still visible!). It was part of the many VFDs that came under the control of the Halifax Regional Municipality Fire + Emergency Services formed as part of the municipal amalgamation of 1997. As such it was among the original apparatus of the new service and was assigned roster number 97-257R. It was then Rescue 52 and later Tactical 52 and is now designated for Tactical Support. 

Another Metalfab built rescue of similar vintage and also built on a Freightliner FL80 chassis is Tactical Support unit 97-98TS carrying the "Rescue 3" label. Built in 1997 for the Lower Sackville VFD it is also an original member of the HRMF+ES acquired in the 1997 amalgamation. It is based at Station 3, West Street, the main station on the Halifax peninsula.

(The current Halifax Regional Municipality Fire + Emergency Services was founded in 1996, but can trace its roots to the Union Fire Club of 1754* - the oldest fire service in Canada. It now has 51 fire stations and more than 120 pieces of front line apparatus. See * below)

Station 3 known as "West Street", after its location, is the main station on the Halifax peninsula and provides back-up to the three other, smaller, stations in addition to serving the central zone. It is the base for Engine 3, which runs 17-585 E, a 2017 Spartan ERV Metro Star with a 1250 gpm pump and 625 gallon water tank. 

 Aerial 3, also based at West Street, runs a 2020 Pierce Arrow PAXT 5700, with a 1750 gpm pump,  250 gallon tank and a 100 foot mid-mount platform aerial.

* A careful examination of the photos will show that two of the units display a door badge with "Est. 1754" and one with "Est 1996". 

 

A recent structure fire near my house brought out Aerial 3 and a pair of engine companies:

One Engine Company was running unit 11-529 E, a Carl Thibault pumper built on a Spartan Metro Star chassis. A spare unit, it is the former E3 and has a 1250 gpm pump with a 500 gallon tank.

 

Another engine company was running a sister unit, 11-528E, the former E-2, and now also a spare. 

Front line equipment may have responded to an earlier call in another neighbourhood, whicjh may explain the presence of these spare units. 

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