Ambulance Camper/ Expedition Rig Conversion FAQ

[patoz]

I feel your pain. I have had ZERO luck with this, as well........

That makes two (or more) of us!

I've sent two emails, and actually had a conversation going with a rep on Wheeled Coach's Facebook page, who after sending him my VIN, Model, and their Production numbers, promised to send me diagrams, but I never received anything. He knew he wasn't going to make any money off of me, so any information he may have written down most likely went straight into the round file as he headed to the break room for another cup of coffee!

 

[fanbulance]

That makes two (or more) of us!

I've sent two emails, and actually had a conversation going with a rep on Wheeled Coach's Facebook page, who after sending him my VIN, Model, and their Production numbers, promised to send me diagrams, but I never received anything. He knew he wasn't going to make any money off of me, so any information he may have written down most likely went straight into the round file as he headed to the break room for another cup of coffee!

I've just been annoying them everyday and hoping they run out of coffee lol

 

[patoz]

I've just been annoying them everyday and hoping they run out of coffee lol

Well, when I actually get into the wiring I'm going to call on the phone and camp out until someone tells me they can or can't help me. Mine is a '93 so nothing is on computer, it's all on microfiche or it no longer exist.

 

[rlrenz]

One thing I've always told anyone who plans to buy an ambulance is to try to get all the paperwork that came with it when it was originally purchased. I've told the same thing to ambulance dealers as well -- but no one ever realizes the value of an original manual at sales time.

It took me two years to track down a manual that's very close to my buggy - same manufacturer, same style, but a few years newer. Since the manufacturer has the same people building ambulance after ambulance, they will all be wired nearly identically. I'd love to find the original manual for mine, but I was told that no one can find it.

If you can find a dealer for your ambulance, talk to the parts department - they should be able to tell you some users in your area. Always ask if they have a spare manual close to what you need. Mention money. If it's a volunteer department, offer a donation of money. Check with the city garage if they repair city emergency equipment. If possible, try to find out which dealer delivered it, because they might have a copy of the original manual.

It can take a lot of looking, and some detective work.

 

[Coachgeo]

How hard in general would it be to move wheel well further back on an Ambo Box? Is there just metal skin between storage areas or is there critical supports to the whole box between storage areas. Example .... looks like for my purposes most the boxes wheel well is not far enough back.... like in below picture..... seems if I swapped wheel well into rear compartment area and made the wheel area a compartment it might work.

 

[rlrenz]

If you want to build a trailer, maybe adding a good sized aluminum storage box on the front might do the job, otherwise, the ambulance module is just a big box. You should be able to slide the axle back farther, but you might have to add some metal to the frame. Check with Pat Ozment's trailer build (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/134005-Point-Five-Ambo-Build?p=1695936#post1695936) - he went to a totally different rear axle, so he may have some words of advice.

 

[patoz]

This is what Bob is talking about.

I came out 30" with the frame before I formed the triangle section of the tongue. This section will be used to hold a tool or generator box, etc. From the front of the coupler to the rear edge of the back step, is right at 20'. The extended tongue makes up about 1/3 of the overall length. It also offsets the weight behind the axle. Empty, mine weighs about 5,300 lbs. and I ended up with a tongue weight of about 350 lbs. and that is without the box or any additional weight added there.






BTW, I'm using the factory Ford E350 frame, and just cut it under the cab seat area so I would have something to weld onto. I also replaced the OEM axle with a Rockwell 10,000 Trailer axle.



Attempting to relocate the wheel wells would involve some major metal working and IMO, it's not worth it.

 

[tgreening]

I think what he's looking to do is reconfigure the wheel well/compartment so it fits better on his LMTV. If I recall

 

[Bikersmurf]

How hard in general would it be to move wheel well further back on an Ambo Box? Is there just metal skin between storage areas or is there critical supports to the whole box between storage areas. Example .... looks like for my purposes most the boxes wheel well is not far enough back.... like in below picture..... seems if I swapped wheel well into rear compartment area and made the wheel area a compartment it might work.

Shouldn't be that hard. Cut new hole, patch old space, rebuild box as necessary. The Careers link on this page has a video that gives you an idea of the structure... http://crestlinecoach.com/media-gallery/video_gallery/

 

[patoz]

Also, if that's the module (the box) you're planning on using, it's a Type I and is missing the truck frame. Therefore, I assume you're planning on building a trailer frame for it to sit on. In that case, your options are endless and basically all you would need is two straight rails made out of large channel, which can extend out the front as far as you want it to, before forming the triangle.

If angle of attack and departure are your concerns, you're probably barking up the wrong tree to start with. This type of body is more suitable for basic flat terrain due to the overhang created by the compartments.

I have also seen these bodies mounted on a flatbed trailer with no sides. The wheel well flares were removed and a square plate used to cover the openings with a door for access. This creates two compartments that can be used for dirty or wet items. The hollow space underneath the middle can be made into a very long storage area or used for mounting battery banks, water and sewage tanks, awning poles, etc. Access doors can be installed at the front and rear of the body.

If the trailer is longer than the module body, you can even have a small deck at the rear!

 

[Coachgeo]

I think what he's looking to do is reconfigure the wheel well/compartment so it fits better on his LMTV. If I recall

Correct. Not looking at putting Ambo box on Trailer or on bed.. but right on chassis.

 

[tgreening]

Hah! Nailed it.

 

[tgreening]

And aren't you down Columbus way? I'm up here in canton area.

 

[Coachgeo]

And aren't you down Columbus way? I'm up here in canton area.

Closer to Cincy. Just north of it

 

[patoz]

Correct. Not looking at putting Ambo box on Trailer or on bed.. but right on chassis.

Well, here you go! Just line up the wheel wells with the wheels and use the space in between to mount spare tires, A/C unit, batteries, tanks, or just storage.