Leinfelden-Echterdingen / Fulda – The international firefighting and emergency services industry will gather in Fulda from May 6 to 8, 2026, at RETTmobil 2026, Europe’s leading trade fair for rescue and mobility. Daimler Truck will be represented with three vehicles. With these vehicles, the truck manufacturer, in collaboration with renowned bodybuilders, will showcase technical capabilities in the field of firefighting and disaster response. The trade show is considered the central meeting place for emergency services and brings together trade visitors from the rescue, disaster response, and civil protection sectors.

At the outdoor exhibition area, visitors will find two vehicle concepts from Daimler Truck at booth F16, designed for different operational profiles:

• A high-mobility water tender to fight vegetation/forest fires based on the Unimog U 5023 double cab (body: Rosenbauer)
• An LF 10 VARUS firefighting vehicle based on the Mercedes-Benz Atego (body: Schlingmann)

Both vehicles exemplify different requirements across the spectrum of operations—from municipal firefighting to extreme off-road and disaster response missions, such as wildfires and floods. In addition to the presentation of the Mercedes-Benz Atego firefighting vehicle and the Unimog water tender for wildfire operations, the trade show will also offer hands-on experiences, such as a ride in the highly capable Unimog on an off-road course.

Atego LF 10 VARUS: Versatility for Municipal Use

The LF 10, based on the Mercedes-Benz Atego 1630 AFE, is designed for standard firefighting scenarios and combines fire suppression with technical rescue operations.

The vehicle has a gross vehicle weight of 16 tons, single tires, and a wheelbase of 3,860 mm. The spacious VARUS crew cab accommodates a full crew and, thanks to its open interior, enables direct communication between the driver, co-driver, and crew.

The body, constructed from special stainless steel profiles, is designed for durability and ruggedness in the field. A well-thought-out storage concept featuring pull-out modules, hose racks, and an integrated hygiene partition supports emergency personnel in their daily operations.

Additional features include, among others:

• pneumatic light mast with eight LED spotlights
• comprehensive LED lighting for the surrounding area and equipment compartment
• PowAirBox for external power and compressed air supply
• firewater tank with a capacity of 3,000 liters

For firefighting, a Schlingmann S2000 centrifugal fire pump (FPN 10-2000) is installed, which is controlled via a clearly laid-out control panel designed for use with gloves.

Unimog U 5023 water tender: Off-road capability for challenging conditions

With the Unimog U 5023, the manufacturer showcases a vehicle specifically designed for operations in challenging off-road conditions. The highly off-road capable chassis with portal axles, high articulation, and differential locks ensures reliable traction in forests as well as in mud, flowing water, or on steep sections, both uphill and downhill. The fording depth of up to 1.2 meters and the tire pressure regulation system, which can be adjusted while driving, allow for flexible adaptation to changing terrain.

The vehicle is powered by a 170 kW (231 hp) engine with 900 Nm of torque. The fully synchronized, additionally reduced-ratio automated manual transmission with Electronic Quick Reverse (EQR) also facilitates quick changes of direction off-road.

The Rosenbauer body is designed as a forest fire tender and includes, among other features:

• 2,700 liters of water for firefighting and 300 liters of self-protection reserve
• Self-protection system for the cab and underbody
• “Pump & Roll” function for firefighting while on the move
• Front monitor with variable flow rate in combination with a front winch
• Modular interchangeable load
• Rosenbauer Logic Control System

Additional equipment such as heat protection for hoses, waterproof lighting, a self-recoiling winch, and a roof hatch expand the vehicle’s range of applications in disaster response.

Experience the Technology Firsthand: Ride Along in the Unimog “Doka”

On the off-road course, a Unimog with double cab takes visitors for a ride through the terrain. Steep inclines and varying surfaces demand high ground clearance and approach angles, differential locks, and torsional flexibility—exactly what the Unimog has been built for over the past 80 years. Visitors can experience the Unimog’s performance firsthand and see how its technical features work together to deliver proven performance, demonstrating how time-honored engineering expertise translates into reliable operational capability.