[DIV class=entry-content] [DIV class=entry-body] [P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"][A style="DISPLAY: inline" href="vny!://sneil.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54f9164528834014e8a66f44c970d-popup"][img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e54f9164528834014e8a66f44c970d" title=Ram-tornado-truck alt=Ram-tornado-truck src="vny!://sneil.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54f9164528834014e8a66f44c970d-500wi"][/A]
[SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"]By Jake Lingeman and Ronan McGrath, AutoWeek[/SPAN]
[SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"]It takes a special breed of person to be a storm chaser. It takes an extra-special truck to withstand the 350-km/h winds that tornadoes produce. The six-ton TIV-2 is just such a vehicle.[/SPAN]
[SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"]Based on a Ram pickup, the TIV-2 has six wheels, with a tandem set in the rear. Power comes from a Cummins turbodiesel engine, but acceleration and braking stats are unavailable.[/SPAN]
[SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"]Filmmaker Sean Casey built the truck for his movie Tornado Alley, which will be playing at IMAX theaters across the country. He eventually plans to build another truck with even more off-road capabilities.[/SPAN]
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[/DIV][A id=more][/A] [DIV class=entry-more] [SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"]The truck is armored with two-inch-thick aluminum, Kevlar and steel. The armor plates slide down to the pavement on each side, preventing the car from being lifted. For even more stability, it uses steel spears shot three feet into the ground.[/SPAN]
[SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"]A rotating turret sits on top of the truck for the cameraman. It has 360-degree capability and can opened when weather permits.[/SPAN]
[SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"]The TIV-2 tops out at 160 km/h, which should be enough to outrun a storm. Driver and medic Marcus Gutierrez says it's just like driving a regular truck, with a few add-on pieces.[/SPAN]
[SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"]The TIV-2 won't win any beauty or efficiency awards, but as purpose-built vehicles go, it's one of a kind.[/SPAN]
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