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ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION AUGUST 19, 2020 Page 2 Continued on page 4 The Ideal Truck for Portable Sanitation…continued from page 1 As with all of our virtual roundtables, experienced and knowledgeable members give presentations on the topics at hand. This is followed by an open discussion period where questions can be raised about these presentations, and the audience provides additional information to round out the conversation. This article captures the main ideas provided by our presenters and shared during the open discussion period. Hot Topics in Truck Hardware—Tim Janssen, Imperial Industries Tim is very experienced and knowledgeable in the field of trucks, truck design, and the requirements of our industry. We were extremely fortunate to have him as a presenter for this roundtable. Tim explained that in the distant past, there were extremely limited choices for route service vehicles. Trucks were basically a Dodge Ram or Ford chassis with either steel or stainless-steel tanks. Today, the choices in trucks and tanks are varied and growing in number. Tim states that, "more options and more versatility are the new standards in trucks and tanks." For example, the new Ford F-600, released as a 19.5K GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) will soon be available as a 22K GVWR. With a higher GVWR, such trucks can support larger tanks while keeping the combined weight below 26,001 pounds, the maximum limit before a CDL is required. Gas powered trucks are yet another growing trend in our industry. The previously mentioned Ford F-600 is available in a gasoline powered model. Pickup and delivery vehicles now have more options as well. Tim states that operators are now configuring vehicles suitable for both delivering units and running small routes. This versatility is made possible by adding water tanks and/or waste tanks located under the bed of the vehicle, combined with the traditional slide in tanks on top of the bed near the cab of the truck. Tim concluded by stating that operators should consider these new options that now allow for larger tank size. Influences on Truck Equipment Decisions—Wes Tuttle, Satellite Industries With 30 years of experience in our industry, Wes has seen a significant change with trucks and tanks. Thus, his observation that "we are in unique times" carries a lot of weight. Wes continues by saying that, "as manufacturers, we don't have all of the answers." He encourages input and questions from operators as this "new normal" continues to unfold in the portable sanitation industry. Wes cites three areas that warrant further discussion and sharing of information between operators and suppliers: 1. Increased demand for hand wash facilities We need more water. With one gallon of sink water producing one gallon of wastewater, there is an increased demand for both fresh water on routes as well as additional waste capacity. With the emphasis on cleanliness and hygiene, "gone are the days when you could have rusty water filling a sink station." Wes continues, "even though it is not technically possible, potable (drinkable) water to fill sinks is required in California." 2. Additional storage on trucks With additional parts for sinks, PPE, and other equipment, providing adequate storage capacity is a challenge in new truck design. Tim Janssen Wes Tuttle