The three guiding principles for selecting Project Nocoma’s vehicle were the concepts of cost-effectiveness, multiple-use, and maneuverability mobility. To this end, it was decided that the vehicle of choice would be a one-ton, diesel powered, four-wheel-drive pick-up truck. A one-ton truck was selected, as opposed to a smaller pick-up truck, to ensure that the vehicle would have the necessary weight carrying capability. A diesel engine, as opposed to a gasoline engine, was selected for overall greater power, towing ability, and fuel-efficiency. Four-wheel-drive capability was chosen to ensure maneuverability and mobility in the poor road and off-road conditions so often encountered in disaster situations. Bus-like vehicles and/or vans, such as Class A, Class B, or Class C vehicles were not considered. Such vehicles have only one dedicated use and thus were perceived as not as cost-effective as a truck, which an organization can use for multiple purposes, not just mobile crisis management. Furthermore, such vehicles do not have the off road capability the team members believed was necessary in a crisis management vehicle.

Chevrolet, Dodge, and Ford each make one-ton, diesel powered, four-wheel-drive pick-up trucks and each has its particular strengths and weaknesses. After much study the following vehicle was selected—a Ford F-350 Turbo Diesel. This vehicle was configured in the following manner and for the following reasons:

• Crew cab. The crew cab provides the ability to carry up to five passengers.
• Short bed. A truck with a short bed provides a smaller turning radius as opposed to a crew cab truck with a long bed.
• Camper and Off-road packages. These packages provide the electrical connections, high ground clearance, heavy-duty suspension, heavy-duty shock absorbers, undercarriage protection, and limited slip rear differential needed for carrying and maintaining the Communications/Support Module.
• Dual alternators and dual batteries. This equipment provides greater amperage for recharging the deep-cycle batteries used in the Communications/Support Module as well as providing greater amperage for the after-market winch (see below).
• Four-wheel drive. Four-wheel-drive provides greater maneuverability and mobility in poor road and/or off road conditions.
• Automatic transmission and automatic locking front wheel hubs. This equipment provides the less experienced operator greater convenience and ease of use when driving on or off road.
• Heavy duty towing package and hitch. This equipment provides the ability to tow heavier loads.

Because of the unique requirements of Project Nocoma, in particular vehicle self-sufficiency and survivability in disaster situations, where more often than not the physical environment is unforgiving at best and hostile at worse, additional after-market products were investigated, obtained, and fitted to the truck. These were:

• A heavy-duty winch bumper. After much study the Buckstop bumper, manufactured in Oregon, was ordered and fitted.
• A heavy-duty winch. A WARN 16.5ti thermometric self-recovery winch was selected and fitted to the Buckstop winch bumper. This heavy-duty winch has a 16,500-pound pull capacity.
• Additional fog and driving lights were attached to the new bumper as well as additional rear lights attached to the stock rear bumper. More specifically, one set each of PIAA 520 ion crystal fog and ion crystal driving lights and a set of PIAA 1500 backup lights were obtained and fitted. Additional lighting is crucial in expected blackout conditions.
• All Terrain tires. Given that the Ford F-350 uses an 18-inch stock wheel size there were only a limited number of selections from which to choose. Ultimately, the Project Nocoma team selected Goodyear Wrangler AT/S tires with a load rating of E.

In conclusion, the team has been quite satisfied with how this vehicle has performed.