When drafting, beware the use of a front intake (unless of course you have a front mount pump.) Front intakes are rarely used in the pump rating process and by themselves, seldom will provide a full-capacity flow. The problem is that a front suction intake is "attractive" because you can nose into the water source or keep a lane of traffic open or (insert reason here)...

The front suction will probably work just fine on many of your fires - but when you want the Big Flow - well - that front suction is going to fail you because it can significantly restrict you flow by as much as 40% on some pumpers.

There are two main reasons for reduced flow from a front suction intake - pipe size and travel route. First, it is rare to find a 6-inch front suction intake that uses 6-inch pipe all the way back to the pump intake manifold. Most front intakes reduce down to 4 or 5-inch pipe. Why? Space - this pipe must run along the chassis - and space is a much coveted commodity there.

Second - the route of travel for that reduced size also reduces flow because of all the elbows. The pipe route has to deal with the front axle and suspension assembly as well as motor exhaust piping, etc.

How much will you front intake flow? The only way to know is to have it tested when you conduct your annual pump test - then you will know for sure.