Ambulance as camper van

[CSG]

With a recent thread here showing an amazing conversion and the fact these things can be purchased for a lot less than you might expect with all sorts of cool stuff inside already, the question has to do with the gross factor. A couple people I know pointed out that the most awful things go on inside these rigs: blood, guts, bodily fluids, fecal matter, odors, etc. Kinda of a bad juju thing on the one hand.

So if you buy one, what can you do to sanitize the thing considering the goo can get into every nook and cranny? What other considerations might there be?

 

[wanderer-rrorc]

I worked for a transport company after getting my EMT licence....

we used some wicked stuff...you want a phenol (type of cleaner) that says it will kill HIV/HPV/hep-b...and wear a mask when using it...it will tear yer lungs up!! :sombrero:

I cleaned them for a few years...and ya just be careful..wear gloves..face SHIELD (not goggles...you can get splashed around them)...

but I wouldnt be afraid of it...not one bit!...remember...the crew that runs on it will WANT to keep it as clean as possible!!..they work in it every day...:coffeedrink:

 

[stclair]

As I mentioned on another post, I would suggest staying away from an ambulance that was used in an urban enviornment. I'm a Fireman, however we are detailed to an ambulance sometimes. These things get abused, and badly. We transport everything from gunshot victims to drunk folks that can't control their bodily functions. Another point, without diving into FD politics, is that a lot of major cities are now "making" Firefighters do double duty as Firefighters, and ambulance crew members. In my department this has been VERY unpopular. Firefighters detailed to these units ofcourse act as professionals when treating patients. However, they don't take as much pride in maintaining these vehicles as they do the fire trucks. It's unfortunate, but these things are just not taken care of. That's too bad because they are usually loaded with cool options. If you are lucky enough to find one that has been lightly used, great. I would just have a hard time getting past the foul memories floating around in my head.

 

[kjp1969]

Kinda of a bad juju thing on the one hand.

On the other hand: babies born, lives saved, kind of a good juju thing!

 

[Desert Dan]

Id' use a Bleach/water solution (or the medical grade phenol cleaner as mentioned) and replace flooring and seat cusions etc. I'd also build new cabinets for my kitchen /counter area (that's just me)

You could also us a UV light but that wouldn't get in all areas.

Most of the nasty bugs don't live a long time on hard surfaces.

 

[Saline]

As I mentioned on another post, I would suggest staying away from an ambulance that was used in an urban enviornment. I'm a Fireman, however we are detailed to an ambulance sometimes. These things get abused, and badly. We transport everything from gunshot victims to drunk folks that can't control their bodily functions. Another point, without diving into FD politics, is that a lot of major cities are now "making" Firefighters do double duty as Firefighters, and ambulance crew members. In my department this has been VERY unpopular. Firefighters detailed to these units ofcourse act as professionals when treating patients. However, they don't take as much pride in maintaining these vehicles as they do the fire trucks. It's unfortunate, but these things are just not taken care of. That's too bad because they are usually loaded with cool options. If you are lucky enough to find one that has been lightly used, great. I would just have a hard time getting past the foul memories floating around in my head.

I agree with above sentiment. I spend 1 out of 3 of my shifts on an ambulance. Avoid a unit from an urban environment as they get abused on a daily basis, mechanically speaking.
I did at one time work for a rural agency that had F-450 4x4 medic units and I always thought they would make a sweet camping rig. Inverter,large fuel tank, solid front axle, large alternator, stand up room etc...

 

[Stumpalump]

The last reason I'd use is the blood and guts reason. A cup of bleach in a pail of water will kill everything. I fix nasty medical devises and thats what we use. The problem I had with them was the electrical systems. They are built to leave the engine running all the time. Plan on a complete electrical gutting and forget about the fancy switches and sugical lights inside. They consume gobs of power. Just leaving the main breaker on powers up inverters and boards using a ton of power. They have boards and wires under the hood, under the dash ,on the dash, under the seats, in two places in the back and in an outside electrical compartment. The cabinets and hardware are all top shelf making it a cool platform but if you are not prepaired to deal with an electrical nightmare than steer clear. I can do the electrical and was searching for one when a 4x4 van poped up for a good deal so I bought it. I would do a rescue truck but would plan months of spare time and weekends just to remove ALL of the electrical crap then wire it up yourself. Sure you can re use switches and wires going to lights but just know what you are getting into and inspect the 3" thick wire bundles running to the electrical boards, inverters, breaker boxes, ect before you decide. Also make sure the good electrical stuff like air compressors and reuasable inverters, air horns and stuff you may want was not stripped out. Some are sold ready to use including the stretcher but a lot of them got a hack job and that means cut wires and missing stuff you could have reused. The only other issue is uasable space. They have well made cabinets all over the inside and out but they eat up the space inside so while you are gutting the electrical you might as well gut a lot of the nice cabinets.

 

[NXN]

Everyone dontributing to this thread has some great advice. I too would be the least concerned with the blood and guts and virus things. These units are built to eliminate "hidden crevices" that can't be cleaned or could be missed. Not that I wouldn't want to perform a full decontamination for my own sake.

There are have been some great comments on drive train and electrics. As an example my department rotates an ambulance every three years and we rack up close to two hundred thousand miles. Add the amount of time these motors are just standing and idling and it amounts to significant hours on a motor. We also do what is called a remount. The "box" part of the ambulance will typically see 3 chassis underneath it before it is retired. That means the box itself could have upwards of 500,000 to 600,000 miles on it. That about when it becomes cost prehibitive to remodel or restore the box for another chassis.

I would not shy away from an ambulance but I believe to keep the least bit of headaches from happening that an ambulance from a military base or other small rural jurisdiction with under 200,000 miles would make the most sense.

 

[Scotsmanspride]

Ive been a paramedic going on 8 years and spend 56+ hours a week in them. Most of us keep them VERY clean as a result. Blood guts poop blah. They get hosed out when it is bad. The only thing i can recommend is just pulling anything that is removable out and do a top to bottom clean with a mild bleach solution. Pull seats, trim, and doors. They are a fantastic setup for a camper as is and it is a plan of mine down the road for a built. And for what it is worth... Nobody EVER dies in the back of an ambulance. They are either dead before we get there or pronounced dead at the hospital :coffeedrink:



BTT I would also add i agree with a military ambo however we are in a rural area that is fairly busy and we work the skinny pedal pretty hard to get where we need to in any sort of reasonable time.

 

[getout]

I'm really impressed with how many emergency responders there are on this forum. Makes me feel safe to go overlanding when I know there are people out there who can save me! (And I'm an EMT)

 

[CSG]

Thanks for the responses so far. Considering my lack of mad conversion skills, I'd probably be ahead to stick with my Pleasure Way Traverse.

 

[naterry]

I would never buy an ambulance! Noooo wayyy, not ever!

 

[Doin_It]

So then go buy the unit on this thread.



Cool convertible 4x4 E350

 

[UHAULER]

I would never buy an ambulance! Noooo wayyy, not ever!

I'm suprised you sleep in that thing:Wow1:

If you ever come thru Sac/Roseville I wouldn't mind checking your rig out.

 

[jlrray]

Ambulances are nasty -- but after a good cleaning and enough time, i'm sure its fine. We use Sanicare TBX for everything. We also send them through a Sterilization type of machine routinely -- although truthfully I have never seen one or it in action. I avoid riding in the box as much as possible.

I think its a great idea, but we abused the crap out them and they are SUPER heavy. Got pics?

Joe