A Practical Guide to Brush Trucks: What They Are, Why They Matter, and How They’re Built

When wildfires break out in remote terrain, you don’t need a flashy rig—you need a reliable tool. Brush trucks are designed to operate where larger engines can’t: rugged backroads, tight switchbacks, and remote fire lines. Whether you're with a rural fire department, working on public lands, or protecting private property, these trucks play a crucial role in wildland firefighting.

Why Brush Trucks Are Critical

Brush trucks aren’t backup—they’re often the first on scene and the last to leave– the Marines of the fire truck fleet, if you will. Their value lies in mobility, resilience, and the ability to support firefighting operations in areas where access is limited and conditions are rough.

Understanding Brush Truck Types

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) classifies brush trucks by type, based on factors like tank size, pump capacity, and chassis:

• Type 3: Built on a large chassis with a 500-gallon tank and 150 GPM pump. Ideal for significant wildland incidents but not well-suited for tight or steep terrain.

• Type 4: Larger water capacity (up to 750 gallons), but sacrifices maneuverability and pump power. Useful in areas without hydrants or water sources.

• Type 5: A balance of water capacity (400–500 gallons) and size, mounted on a medium-duty chassis. Reliable for general use, though still bulky in rugged areas.

• Type 6: Commonly used for initial attack. These trucks typically carry up to 400 gallons of water, with pumps rated 50+ GPM. They’re modular and customizable, often equipped with skid units, foam systems, hose reels, lighting, communications, and winches.

• Type 7: Light-duty patrol trucks used primarily for mop-up, utility tasks, or accessing especially tight spaces. Not designed for direct attack but valuable for support roles.

Choosing the Right Brush Truck

The right configuration depends on your terrain, water access, and how quickly you need to respond. Narrow trails or mountainous regions often require the agility of a Type 6 or 7. If water is scarce, a larger tank on a Type 4 or 5 may be more effective. Budget, response needs, and crew size all factor into the decision.

How Brush Trucks Are Built

At Basin, we focus on rapid, purpose-built solutions. Our builds prioritize functionality, durability, and fast turnaround—without unnecessary frills. We maintain steady access to components through established vendor relationships, allowing us to build custom trucks quickly and consistently.

Customization options can include:

• Modular flatbed or service body designs

• Foam systems and high-capacity skid units

• Hose reels, scene lighting, and winches

• Communication and control systems

• Graphics, wraps, and department-specific outfitting

Buying Options

We've seen federal budget cuts and municipal budget reallocations around the country and we feel for your departments. Luckily we have some options through trusted industry partners. If you can't purchase a vehicle outright, we're able to get you financing for as low as 2.9%. We also have leasing options available.

Next Steps

What sets Basin Upfitting apart on these brush trucks is our ability to build them quickly — and in a cost-effective, modular way. Each unit can be tailored to meet the specific needs of a department or end user. While municipal fire departments are frequent clients, our trucks are also used by rural agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, as well as by private landowners, farmers, and construction companies. In those environments, a fast response to a small fire can make all the difference in preventing a major incident.

If you're interested or have more questions, check out our Brush Trucks page and fill out our inquiry form, or shoot Nate and email at nate@basinupfitting.com.