The Dennis RS/SS series was a range of fire engine chassis built by Hestair Dennis (later Dennis Specialist Vehicles), produced from 1978 until the early 1990s.
Dennis RS/SS series | |
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![]() A Devon Fire and Rescue Service Dennis RS | |
Overview | |
Type | Fire engine |
Manufacturer | Hestair Dennis |
Production | 1978-early 1990s |
Assembly | Woodbridge, Guildford |
Designer | Ogle Design |
Body and chassis | |
Body style | Cab over engine |
Related |
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Powertrain | |
Engine |
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Transmission |
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Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 3,800 mm (149.6 in) |
Length | 7,334 mm (288.7 in) |
Width | 2,286 mm (90.0 in) |
Height | 3,072 mm (120.9 in) |
Kerb weight | 11,700 kg (25,794 lb)[1] |
Chronology | |
Successor |
Internally codenamed Retained, Steel, the Dennis RS series was first launched in 1979, initially not offered with a tilting cab due to a belief that few fire stations at the time could accommodate a tilting cab. A lower-cost alternative named the Standard Specification, or SS series, was launched shortly afterwards, however at the request of the London Fire Brigade, this would be fitted with a tilting front cab as standard to improve ease of maintenance.[1] The all-steel cab, designed by Ogle Design,[2] replaced the older fibreglass and wood construction of the previous appliances it succeeded, such as the Dennis D and Dennis R, increasing the strength of the cab overall in the event of a collision.
The first of the Dennis RS/SS fire appliances were fitted with Perkins V8 diesel engines, either the V8-540 or the V8-640, with or without turbochargers; by 1987, the RS and SS could be specified with Cummins C-series engines.[1][3] Early appliances were bodied in-house by Dennis at their Woodbridge factory, but when in-house fire engine bodying was discontinued in 1985, the bodying of the Dennis RS/SS series and derivative products was outsourced to other coachbuilders, primarily to Carmichael Fire.[4] The RS could also be fitted with a variety of bodies by other coachbuilders including HCB Angus,[5] Fulton Wylie and Saxon Specialist Vehicles.
Over 1,750 Dennis RS/SS fire engines would be produced, being sold to nearly all fire brigades across the United Kingdom as well as being exported to various worldwide fire brigades.[6] As the appliances aged, RS and SS series appliances were known to suffer from corrosion particularly around the cab doors, nicknamed "Dennis Disease" by mechanics.[citation needed]
All chassis came with a choice of a 500gpm or 1,000gpm two-stage Godiva fire pump, depending on application, and a 400 imperial gallons (1,800 l) emergency water tank.[1]
...during the 1980s some 40 DS and RS chassis were bodied by [Angus], mostly as water tender ladders.
Dennis vehicles | |
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Fire engines | |
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