Just a point of interest. Several years ago while at the FDNY Fire Acdemy, as a buff, Ladder 163 (rearmount Tower) was parked next to a Midmount traditional Mack Tower Ladder. Both buckets were raised at the same time and it seemed Ladder 163 reached its full height before the other Tower Ladder. But how those drivers of Ladder 14 and 163 got those HUGE rigs through the streets, I"ll never know. They had to be some of the best drivers the FDNY ever had. If Chicago runs that type of Tower, those drivers sure got my respect.
On aside note, I"ve seen Providence, RI guys get their Rear Mount Tower Ladder 1 through those tight streets and onceagain, "I am impressed"