Ambulance Camper/ Expedition Rig Conversion FAQ
- Thread starter flightcancled
- Start date
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
You'll need to put it through the paces and give us a good write up.
I agree with the 7.3... It'll be cheaper in the long run to pay more for a 7.3 than own a 6.0.
The government got 8k for mine if memory serves me right... I only paid $1250 as is when I bought it from the Balif... was into it for about $1300 by the time it could leave the storage compound.
I agree with the 7.3... It'll be cheaper in the long run to pay more for a 7.3 than own a 6.0.
The government got 8k for mine if memory serves me right... I only paid $1250 as is when I bought it from the Balif... was into it for about $1300 by the time it could leave the storage compound.
groverdisco
New member
Guess I'll see how these 7.3s look this weekend and go from there. Thanks for the advice and look forward to sharing my build with you guys. Your knowledge and experience with these units will be very valuable to me.
The 7.3 is great and all, but be careful on the price. Fan boys of the 7.3 are dang near as bad as the ones for the "Cummings" and will place a premium on them that is down right ridiculous. To the point you could buy a low mileage any engine vehicle,yank all that crap out, and buy and install a new factory 7.3 cheaper than the 350k mile version they want to sell you while trying to pass off the high mileage as no big deal because it's "probably one of those million mile 7.3s you hear about".
The worst part are the suckers that drink that cool aid.
RiderBloke
Observer
This thread is the most helpful single thread. I was very thankful for the info I received a month or so ago when I asked on another thread about medium ambulance motors, except no comment was made on the Duramax 6.6 motor.
Here are the things I would like to do.
We have a Grey Wolf 26RR TT (6000 - 7700 lbs and total of 31 foot) and we carry a BMW F800GT (500 lbs) in it. The biggest short coming with this rig is the lack of storage space.
I have thought that a Medium ambulance (crew cab style would be a bonus) with minimal conversion to be registered as an RV would become our tow vehicle (replacing our leased Tundra). But I haven't read anything on these forums about anyone using an ambulance as such. The reason I thought Medium rather than F450 is because of the weight capacity.
I would also use some of the floor mounting points to hold the bike chock so we could use the vehicle as a weekend traveler and leave the RV onsite. (We hope to become full timers.) It would be good with rear air suspension so I could lower the ambulance to run the bike in.
Are there any who have tried something similar?
Did you use a weight distribution hitch and anti-sway? (We have an Equalizer and like it.)
What has to happen to have the trailer brakes properly controlled (with the P3 we already own?)
We do not want to do rock climbing with the truck but to carry some tools and some sewing stuff and to use it for short term trips.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Here are the things I would like to do.
We have a Grey Wolf 26RR TT (6000 - 7700 lbs and total of 31 foot) and we carry a BMW F800GT (500 lbs) in it. The biggest short coming with this rig is the lack of storage space.
I have thought that a Medium ambulance (crew cab style would be a bonus) with minimal conversion to be registered as an RV would become our tow vehicle (replacing our leased Tundra). But I haven't read anything on these forums about anyone using an ambulance as such. The reason I thought Medium rather than F450 is because of the weight capacity.
I would also use some of the floor mounting points to hold the bike chock so we could use the vehicle as a weekend traveler and leave the RV onsite. (We hope to become full timers.) It would be good with rear air suspension so I could lower the ambulance to run the bike in.
Are there any who have tried something similar?
Did you use a weight distribution hitch and anti-sway? (We have an Equalizer and like it.)
What has to happen to have the trailer brakes properly controlled (with the P3 we already own?)
We do not want to do rock climbing with the truck but to carry some tools and some sewing stuff and to use it for short term trips.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
How Much Refrigerant do these Ambos use for front and rear A/C?
rlrenz
Explorer
It depends on if we're talking about a conventional ambulance or a medium ambulance. If it's a medium, does it have one compressor, or two?
My Medic Master is built on a Freightliner chassis, and I have one compressor. The data plate says 4# - 6 oz of R134a refrigerant.
There's usually a data plate on the firewall close to the refrigerant dryer that tells you the total required.
My Medic Master is built on a Freightliner chassis, and I have one compressor. The data plate says 4# - 6 oz of R134a refrigerant.
There's usually a data plate on the firewall close to the refrigerant dryer that tells you the total required.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
Conventional... Unfortunately, the writing on the data sticker has faded away.
It's a Crestline 'New Era'... Similar in size to a Mini-mod, but with Duallies in back. The shop figured they could figure it out... But it'd be good to know the original specs.
It's a Crestline 'New Era'... Similar in size to a Mini-mod, but with Duallies in back. The shop figured they could figure it out... But it'd be good to know the original specs.
groverdisco
New member
cjken
Explorer
I had my whole system refilled 2yrs ago. Did not think to ask how much it took. Sorry.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
It's got the Aluminum box/cage on the back.
No worries.
The A/C shop has it charged, but have said the clutch fan isn't pulling enough air to make the system work properly. So... next comes a clutch fan, and while I'm at it might as well do the water pump, and new coolant. Anything else I should do with this escalating project? Thermostat?
No worries.
The A/C shop has it charged, but have said the clutch fan isn't pulling enough air to make the system work properly. So... next comes a clutch fan, and while I'm at it might as well do the water pump, and new coolant. Anything else I should do with this escalating project? Thermostat?
groverdisco
New member
Sounds weird? So your a/c won't work even when driving? That should put enough air over the condenser to cool it to get some a/c while moving. Check and see if the a/c clutch is kicking in at all when parked. It should kick in with the a/c on at first start up and run at least until the pressure gets too high and kicks out due to lack of air flow. Check that and we can go from there.
If you do change water pump I'd do the thermostat as well as any hoses that look week.
If you do change water pump I'd do the thermostat as well as any hoses that look week.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
The shop was repairing the lines, and the system hasn't worked in years. They've said it works but there isn't enough airflow to prevent the pressure getting to high due to lack of airflow.
I'll have a clutch, thermostat, and pump later this afternoon. Hoses are in stock and will be replaced if questionable.
I'll have a clutch, thermostat, and pump later this afternoon. Hoses are in stock and will be replaced if questionable.
groverdisco
New member
Excellent weekend project. Let me know how the a/c works with the new fan clutch.
The reason I asked about your box/body being fiberglass is I found one in Calgary with a fiberglass Crestline on the back but it's an 06. Wondering what the fiberglass body would be like.
The reason I asked about your box/body being fiberglass is I found one in Calgary with a fiberglass Crestline on the back but it's an 06. Wondering what the fiberglass body would be like.