calamaridog
Expedition Leader
I think having room to carry a few prisoners makes the new Jeep viable versus the 2 door short wheelbase models.
Border Patrol chooses Jeep
- Thread starter haven
- Start date
I know they are hard on vehicles, there is a Purcells that does all their tires by my work, and everyday there are about 5-15 sitting waiting for new tires, and/or replacements. I also talked to the owner of Tucson Diff, who does a lot of ontract work for the BP, and they wreck diffs like its going out of style, not to mention axles, haha:Mechanic:
BP Jeeps
The Jeeps I saw were set up with the cage to the back, about where the back of the rear seats would be if installed. That means it will hold two prisoners, the same as the TJ. The main advantage to the new Jeep will be that with the cage farther away from the driver the seat will slide all of the way back and recline. This will provide a more reasonable comfort level for spending a 10 hour shift in one, assuming the agent is not out on foot.
The idea behind removing the rear seats is that with a driver passenger and two prisoners the vehicle is not over weight, an issue with cages, lights, racks etc.
calamaridog said:
The Jeeps I saw were set up with the cage to the back, about where the back of the rear seats would be if installed. That means it will hold two prisoners, the same as the TJ. The main advantage to the new Jeep will be that with the cage farther away from the driver the seat will slide all of the way back and recline. This will provide a more reasonable comfort level for spending a 10 hour shift in one, assuming the agent is not out on foot.
The idea behind removing the rear seats is that with a driver passenger and two prisoners the vehicle is not over weight, an issue with cages, lights, racks etc.
Pskhaat
2005 Expedition Trophy Champion
rmarz said:
I would think so too. But in Jan 06 down on the Camino Del Diablo, we saw dozens of seemingly brand-new tires like this. They still had the injection remnants all over and the tread looks like they had never been driven and the bead looked perfect. The only thing we saw wrong with them was the hole someone put in the sidewall to attach chain.
jeffryscott
2006 Rally Course Champion: Expedition Trophy
IXNAYXJ said:
From what I've seen, and what Mark alluded to is they aren't trained in driving in a 4x4. All the times I've done ride-alongs with them, probably close to 100 in 15 years of covering the border, I've not ever seen them put vehicles into 4wd until AFTER they needed it. I think with that scenario, it is easy to break things when you are trying to power out or through something. Engaging 4wd at that point, it is easy to break things. It isn't just them, I think many, many people take vehicles too far, then put it in 4wd after it is needed.
Myself, I'll put it in 4wd on almost any dirt road of any length. I figure the stuff should be used and lubricated to keep it healthy.
Blacknmuddy
Observer
Not sure about not training 4x4 specifically, But they are however trained in driving off-road, I've also read something about Corporate/Government OHV Training.
From what the mechanic told me, a lot of the damage comes from pulling an Expo style Tacodoc off of berms responding to calls, basically jumping and landing with the rev limiter pegged, and upon landing, snap, crakle pop!! I'm sure the axles come from improper skill as Jeff alluded to.
calamaridog
Expedition Leader
jeffryscott said:
I don't believe the average agent has even basic off road driving skills. Certainly some of them already knew how when they joined from military or civilian experience.
They are also frequently driving too fast on bad roads, the equipment doesn't belong to them, and if it breaks, who cares?
jeffryscott said:
I agree.
calamaridog said:
The basic training new agents receive is just that, basic. Once the agents are stationed it is up to the station or sector to add on that skill set, as new agents come from every walk of life with various skills.
Where I work agents are given more involved training, especially with the Rubicon model Jeeps and the lockers. There are agents that have gone to advanced training with contractors over the Rubicon Trail etc beyond what is OJT, but that is the exception due to the costs.
Most of these vehicles are 'hot swapped' meaning they are brought back to the station and another agent takes it out, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I think it is kind of hard to compare that type of use to a personally owned vehicle. Additionally these vehicles are used for 'response' on dirt roads ,again making the comparison between a Gov and pov difficult. There is no doubt in my mind that the abuses mentioned in the thread happen, however I offer that they are the exception and not the rule.
As far as new tires being used as a ‘drag’, I was not there and can only offer that any agent that would use a serviceable tire for a ‘drag’ would have his/her lunch eaten by the agent that was sidelined with an out of service vehicle that was down for a lack of tires. Another possible explanation may be that they were not Gov tires, to begin with.
So what vehicle is most appropriate for the job and operator variations? I can not answer that, but I have seen numerous prototype vehicles spend time on the line and then be whisked away for evaluation, so I patiently await that perfect for all task every operator type ride. Of course when that perfect vehicle hit’s the market I will be the first in line to pick one up.
As for the M-16’s ( M-4’s actually), they are only good if the operator can get to the fight…..and the roof mounted fifty calibers, well lets just say that those are the tools of our friends to the south.
articulate
Expedition Leader
IXNAYXJ said:Don't believe anything he says. That guy's a total poser.
-----Matt-----
I'm with you. Let's take him out back and beat the crap out of him. Oh! to think that no-good bastard is procreating now, too.
Border Patrol training:
Only a fraction of their job is handled on dirt roads; they learn an immense amount of Spanish, U.S. law, people skills, and enforcement. Additionally, and as of late, the National Guard is grading the trails in an effort to keep those roads as free of obstacles and as wide as possible.
Nevertheless, the agent I rode along with admitted that the Jeeps get trashed quickly because - like indicated above - they get swapped over to another agent quickly. Can't keep track of all the use and damage.
Although, I do recall the agent showing me a form he has to fill out and account for any existing damage.
articulate
Expedition Leader
Yo! She's arrived.rmarz said: