Summary: The Rural Hitch is a fast, efficient method for establishing water supply in areas without hydrants. The first engine lays line and drops a clappered Siamese at the road. Tankers connect to it using medium-diameter hose and begin offloading water. When the dump site is ready, a drafting engine switches the supply source without interrupting flow. This creates a seamless transition from nursing to full dump tank operations — perfect for rural fires with limited access.
How the Rural Hitch Delivers Surprising Water Flow in Remote Areas
Start Smart: Lay Line and Drop the Siamese
When structure fires pop off in rural zones, the first engine's job is to make water delivery possible before the next crew even shows up. That starts with laying supply line from the road into the fire scene — but the real magic begins with dropping a clappered Siamese at the start of the driveway. This creates a tactical anchor point for any incoming tanker.
The First Tankers Go to Work
Next in are the tankers. Using 3-inch or other medium-diameter supply hose, they quickly connect to the Siamese and begin nursing water into the line. This means suppression can begin before the dump site is even set up. It’s a fast, solo-operator method that keeps the operation lean in those early minutes.
Transition to a Dump Site Without Losing Flow
Once the dump tanks are deployed, the operation shifts to high gear. The engine drafts from the tanks using its front intake, then continues sending water through the same LDH line already feeding the scene. The clappered Siamese handles the switch automatically — no valves, no shutdown, no interruption.
Why It Works
The Rural Hitch isn’t about brute force. It’s about smart setup. By combining:
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Pre-laid LDH
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A clappered Siamese
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Fast nursing from arriving tankers
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A seamless handoff to a dump site
…you can supply way more water, way faster, than most people think is possible in the woods.
For Crews in the Sticks, This Is a Must-Know Tactic
If you're running rural calls, you need this play in your book. The Rural Hitch is fast to deploy, simple to scale, and it keeps your initial attack moving until your full water supply is ready to take over.
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