OXNARD, CA - City of Oxnard Fleet Services recently outfitted and put into service two new Graffiti Action Program trucks. The trucks are a third generation version of specially-outfitted trucks used to remove graffiti throughout the City, according to Dan Berlenbach, CPFP, fleet services manager.

"The new trucks increased graffiti crew efficiency while cutting operating costs in half," said Berlenbach. "And the crews love the maneuverability and ease of operation."

The trucks are expected to average more 36,000 miles annually and are the first of a cab-forward, diesel-powered design.  The short wheelbase of the cab-forward design allows for superior maneuverability, and the diesel engine with its mid-teens fuel economy ensures economical operations. 

Other benefits of the new design truck include a 10,000-mile extended oil service interval, superior visibility due to the cab-over design and panoramic windshield, and an extended warranty. 

The specially-outfitted graffiti trucks include 5000-watt generators used to power four paint spray pumps as well as all interior and exterior work lights, enabling the crew to work day or night. The crews can also custom-color match any paint color with the custom color paint mixer system installed in the truck, according to Berlenbach.

The graffiti crews responded to 28,335 calls for graffiti removal in 2009. Oxnard's graffiti crews formerly used pickup trucks and specially outfitted trailers for this task.  Those truck and trailer combinations were hard to maneuver in tight alleyways and did not hold up to the hard service, Berlenbach said.