I have mentioned it before on other vids involving you americans. Nose-in severly limits the truck in the advent of a need to evac/withdraw quickly. You need to reverse out which takes at least 2 people (driver & spotter) to do safely if you even have the room. Side-on or rear to water allows you to drop lines and drive in seconds. Then there is the case of many of your trucks being only 2WD and around soft edges of water points, issues arise and longer hoses needed. I do see the benefit of front plumbing but that can quickly reach top a side rather than straight forward. Dedicated Vacuum guage is a great idea. Don't forget about additional lift pumps to augment supply. Some options are use of the prime-line (Venturi) ya have to help push some flow (reduce suction height effect). Another idea I have seen is a appliance that had a large hydraulic system and long lines on reels. A hydraulic motor equipped pump on a float would be pushed out with small secion of hard-suction line then coupled to lay-flat hose along witht he two hydraulic hoses, pump was feeding the 6" line with pressure enough to supply the trucks main pump with room to spare.
They're pumping water... not sitting at an active fire. There's NO reason to need to Evac. If you were positioned at a fire, yes... positioning is important.
