Summary: After the last tanker disconnects during a Rural Hitch operation, connect large diameter hose (LDH) from the dump site pumper into the open side of the Clappered Siamese. This allows the dump site to take over water supply duties as tankers switch to gravity offloading into drop tanks. The pump operator then primes and supplies water through the LDH to maintain continuous flow to the fireground, enabling a seamless transition from mobile to static water supply.
In rural firefighting, keeping water moving is the name of the game — and once the last tanker unhooks from the Clappered Siamese, it's time for LDH to step in. Pennsylvania fire instructor Henry Lovett breaks down the tactical switch from tanker-fed water supply to a static dump site operation using large diameter hose.
As the final tanker drives off, one port on the Clappered Siamese is left open. This isn’t downtime — it’s go time. Hook up your LDH from the high-flow discharge of the dump site pumper straight into that open port. This instantly converts your supply from tanker-fed to pump-fed without interrupting flow to the fireground.
With the Siamese now fed by LDH, incoming tankers switch roles. Instead of hooking into the Siamese, they offload water through their rear or side gravity dump chutes into a drop tank. This frees up the Siamese connection and keeps things simple and efficient.
At the dump site, the pump operator pulls a prime and begins pushing water through the LDH line into the Siamese. Thanks to the clapper valve, the transition is smooth — as soon as pressure builds, water flows to the scene without needing additional gate valve management.
If more personnel are available or the operation stretches longer, deploy a second drop tank. This gives tankers more room to offload and ensures the pumper has an uninterrupted water source to feed the LDH line.
LDH isn’t just for hydrant operations — it’s the backbone of a smooth Rural Hitch setup when tankers cycle out. Use it right, and you’ll never miss a beat in your water supply.