Buying & Building a Medium Ambulance into an RV – The FAM-BULANCE

[rlrenz]

Ok I am glad you are leading the charge here. I was about to order a new of NOS seats from an International MXT. Now it looks like I will stick with the originals. But did you checkout the Bostrom FRED option. They have a refurbish kit you can get for around $200 ea. And you know the seat is going to fit.

http://www.cvgrp.com/en-us/products_processes/Pages/BSFRED.aspx

I had been wondering if Bostrom had anything that I could buy without an air ride base, hopefully a 915 seat upper assembly - and here you answered the question before I even had a chance to ask it!. Thank you, kind sir!!

The seats I had purchased physically fit the truck, but they were not usable after they were installed -- the real killer was the higher seat air ride base, plus the thicker seat bottom. The end result was that I barely fit into the cab with no air on the seat, and as I said, my wife's feet were 4" off the floor, where before, she could use the air ride seat just fine. The back was also shorter than the Bostrom 910's, so there was no integral headrest.

By the way - the Bostrom air ride base is built like a brick phone booth - mine are 1999 vintage, and I would have no concerns whatsoever reusing them - and I will.

MNtal probably volunteered to help my installation so he could learn what difficulties I ran into so he could avoid them when he faced new seats in his own ambulance.... He's been a friend for years, and he was the gent who first got me interested in the ambulance = RV concept.

 

[Ozrockrat]

These guys have the best Bostrom prices I have been able to find so far but if you take a copy to the local FL guys they will probably match it. Just an FYI on the difference between the 900 and 915 series seats. The only major difference is the 915 has dual dampers the rest of the seat is the same I think.

http://www.4statetrucks.com/seats/semi-truck-bostrom-talladega-910-seat-armrests_485.asp

 

[rlrenz]

Now that I've had a day to snooze to recover from the seat project, I finally noticed that I hadn't included any photos in my seat discussion - here they are:


My present seats. They aren't in bad shape, but they are 15 years old. The literally shredded seat belt has been replaced - I don't know how it could have been shredded - maybe an EMP with scissors in a side holster?


The seats I was working to install - they're physically lower, a little wider, but the seating height is too high


The existing seats are bolted via weld nuts, nearly all of which are hidden above something, or within a cab frame member. Even though it looks like there are another set of passenger weld nuts that are NOT offset for ambulance applications, I found that at least one nut was in place, but the hole wasn't punched in the upper panel, which is why I wound up making offset mounting bars. The extra nut visible in the photo was needed - amazingly, the only weld nut that was stripped out had a second nut added, and it was accessible!

 

[rlrenz]

My rear brakes were still running hotter than I liked - 285F versus 135F for the front brakes. It turned out that the front end had glazed pads and worn rotors, which meant that the rear brakes were doing about 80-90% of the braking instead of the normal 40% or so. Pads and rotors should handle the problem.

Boy - it's mighty easy to look backward and see a problem versus looking forward and finding it first try...

 

[rlrenz]

I've been asked about my planned Fam-Bulance logo. It will be on both sides of the module, and maybe the rear as well. I need to wind up with something that won't panic the constabulary or confuse folks -- Here's the present version:



Still a work-in-progress, but this should be very close to the final version.

 

[rlrenz]

Somewhere in this thread, I mentioned the lower cost of buying a Freightliner cup holder as parts instead of as a kit. The kit includes the cup holder, 2 each, #10 x 5/8" sheet metal screws, and instructions, and runs about $ 38. The bare cup holder only runs about $11 (they must be Very Nice sheet metal screws...). I don't know if I ever furnished the cup holder part number though--- The number for the bare cup holder is 680 686 00 87. I couldn't track down any 5/8" sheet metal screws, so I used 3/4" and snipped the tip with a grinder.

 

[Guri]

I really like the idea of build a RV from an ambulance, is something that going in my mind as a future project. I'm curios to know how is the MPG in a big truck like that.
Thanks.

 

[Ozrockrat]

Do a search on this site for "real world mileage" for a comparison. But I get around 10 average. I have 43" tires and have not regeared or taken the truck to Freightliner to have the software updated to suit. Driving from Miami to Phoenix I got 10 - 12 screaming all the way with undersized tires.

I think rlrenz or MNtal could give you a better idea of the trucks with standard gearing.

This is not too far off my FZJ80 with RTT and trailer or the E450 4wd Ambo with 35" tires.

The biggest difference is that the FL60 is not struggling even pushing the bigger rubber. There is HP to spare if you want to use it. Both the FZJ80 and the ford Ambo were getting toward the limits of power, load capacity and definitely braking.

 

[rlrenz]

The allowable gross weight for the entire rig is 20,000 Lbs, which works out to about 4500 Lbs of people & cargo. The engine is a 5.9 Cummins, coupled to an Allison 3060 transmission. By design, they are set up to cruise at 70 MPH.

When we drove it back to MN from PA, we got about 14 MPG on fairly level ground, but when we crossed the Alleghenies, it dropped to about 12 MPG. Cruising at 65-70 also probably made a difference - if we dropped to maybe 60-65, we may have picked up another MPG or so.

On the other hand, my neighbor has a 24 ft motor home that gets 8-10 MPG on gas. His rig probably weighs about 10,000 or so, though.

 

[Guri]

Thanks, I don't think is so bad at all 12 to 14 mpg. My Tundra gives 10 mpg towing my Toy Hauler and 14 mpg empty at 65 mph.
Do you need special driver license to drive such of big truck?

 

[rlrenz]

Thanks, I don't think is so bad at all 12 to 14 mpg. My Tundra gives 10 mpg towing my Toy Hauler and 14 mpg empty at 65 mph.
Do you need special driver license to drive such of big truck?

The Freightliner chassis works well under an ambulance - it's solid, has a decent ride (the Freightliners are spec'd with the softest suspension that can handle the load, including air ride in back), and they are fun to drive. That said, they are a truck. If you want the comforts of a pickup, you might not like an ambulance. They are unique, and are built to specific standards. The combination of a Cummins 5.9 diesel with an Allison 6-speed automatic makes a great power package - it can pull away from a stop light very well.

Ambulance prices are very much geared to how new they are. A brand new Freightliner ambulance, with maybe a Braun module, will run more than $200,000, while the same unit would be worth $20,000-25,000 or so when it hits 15 years old. You can get a better ride, with more amenities in the cab, by buying a newer ambulance, but the price of a 2005 ambulance would probably be more than $50,000. An ambulance usually has fairly low miles on the clock - mine was 15 years old when I got it, and had just over 51,000 miles on it. The first time I drove it, I knew it was in good condition - and the 1500 miles we ran it to get home (PA to MN via several stops in VA) proved it.

Remember, I was running empty - towing a toy hauler might cost you a mile or so per gallon.

Licensing:

Since the truck is rated for less than 26,000 Lbs, and since it's only hauling my own stuff, it falls under the same classification as U Haul, Ryder, Penske, and the rest of the rental trucks. In MN, the truck has a "Y" license plate. This normally limits how far you can drive in another state, unless you're hauling your own stuff and not hauling for any one else.

If I had a truck that looked more like a delivery truck, I might have to explain that I just had my own stuff inside when I stop at a scale, but every time I've stopped at a scale, they wave me right through. If they ever looked inside, they might see some lumber, landscaping stuff, or kayaks being hauled on vacation (mine will swallow both my son's kayaks without a burp). Lets face it - ambulances aren't really set up as delivery trucks.

 

[rlrenz]

The allowable gross weight for the entire rig is 20,000 Lbs, which works out to about 4500 Lbs of people & cargo. The engine is a 5.9 Cummins, coupled to an Allison 3060 transmission. By design, they are set up to cruise at 70 MPH.

When we drove it back to MN from PA, we got about 14 MPG on fairly level ground, but when we crossed the Alleghenies, it dropped to about 12 MPG. Cruising at 65-70 also probably made a difference - if we dropped to maybe 60-65, we may have picked up another MPG or so.

On the other hand, my neighbor has a 24 ft motor home that gets 8-10 MPG on gas. His rig probably weighs about 10,000 or so, though.

I also forgot to mention that the 14 MPG numbers came when I was still getting used to driving a medium ambulance, and included mostly Highway 95 through Philly and south. Due to the constant road construction (destruction?) through Philly, my cruising speeds were less than we reached on the homeward rush - probably about 60 MPH.

This compares very favorably to a rental truck I once had to drive on a move that got 3 MPG with a 50 gallon tank, though - and it compares even more favorably to an M60 tank that I have driven (about 1 MPG with luck and a tailwind)

 

[rlrenz]

We all stuff tools on board when we take a trip - what to bring is always a challenge.

Good 'ol KKK-A-1822E has a set of tools listed that are suggested for extrication of accident victims - some or all of these might make sense (food for thought regardless):

Paragraph 3.11.2.1 EXTRICATION EQUIPMENT AND STORAGE.

The extrication equipment compartments, maximum of two, shall provide at least 0.28 cu
meters (10 cu feet) of storage accommodations. Small hand-tools shall be contained in a
single pouch type carrying device. An example of items and other miscellaneous extrication
equipment which shall be stored in the extrication storage compartment(s) follows. The
contractor shall furnish specific items as specified under 3.15.3-18:
a. One wrench; 30 cm (12"), adjustable, open end.
b. One screwdriver; 30 cm (12"), regular blade (slot).
c. One screwdriver; 30 cm (12"), Phillips type.
d. One hacksaw; with 12, wire blades (carbide).
e. One pliers; 25 cm (10"), vise grip and one pair, channel lock pliers.
f. One hammer; 1.4 kg (3 lb.), 38 cm (15") handle (engineer style).
g. One fire ax; flat head.
h. One crowbar; 130 cm (51"), pinch point.
i. One wrecking bar; 61 cm (24"), combination tool.
j. One bolt cutter; 91 cm (36"), jaw opening of 32 mm (1 1/4") or greater.
k. One power jack; portable, hydraulic and spreader tool kit, hand powered, minimum
4,064 kg (4 ton) capacity.
l. One shovel; pointed blade (folding type).
m. One tin snip; double action, minimum 20 cm (8").
n. Two ropes; synthetic, kernmantle, 15 m (50') x 19 mm (3/4") diameter each.
o. Three pairs gloves; leather (gauntlets).
p. Three pairs goggles; clear eye protective.
q. One cold chisel; and one center punch; 13 mm (1/2") x 305 mm (12").
r. One cold chisel; 25 mm (1") x 305 mm (12").
s. One seatbelt cutter.
t. Two utility knives; curved blade.
u. One rope; weighted, polypropylene, 30 m (100 ft.) , 13 cm (1/2") diameter.
v. One pair lineman's rubber gloves with leather shells.
w. Two lights; portable, battery operated.
x. One fire blanket and case (min. 152 cm (5 ft.) x 183 cm (6 ft.)).
y. Two baling hooks.
z. Three hard-hats with face and eye protection device.
aa. One spring loaded, window punch.
bb. Twelve (12) hardwood, shoring blocks, 51 mm (2") x 102 mm (4") x 254 mm (10")
with rope handles.
cc. Four blocks; hardwood, cribbing, 102 mm (4") x 102 mm (4") x 304 mm (12") with
rope handles.
dd. Four blocks; hardwood, cribbing, wedge shaped, with rope handles.
ee. One come-along, 1814 kg (2 ton), chain type with hooks.
ff. Two alloy steel, rescue, pull chains, 3 m (10 ft.) minimum, with grab hooks and rings.
gg. One gun kit; air cutting, 1722 kPa (250 psi), with cylinder and chisels.
hh. One truck jack, hydraulic, 2722 kg (3 ton).
ii. Two extrication straps, synthetic fabric, 2.7 m (9 feet), with quick release buckles.
jj. One extrication, loop sling, 2.5 cm (1") wide nylon, or equal, 183 cm (6 ft.) circumference
with closure ring.

 

[rlrenz]

Back in town. Now that the brakes are done, it was time to take the beast for a trial spin - so we drove it to a lake cabin we'd rented for a week. It ran perfectly. The nice thing about using an ambulance for a transport vehicle is all the room you have to work with. The large road-side compartment (future generator home) held a large cooler, several milk-crates full of assorted food, a couple cases of bottled water, and a couple of water toys. The curb side front compartment held all the rest - extension cords (for ambulance power while sitting), my wife's sewing machine, duffle bags, and all the rest. My trusty pup, Chester, rode along with me in the cab - he's a Shih-Tzu who tips the scales at 18 Lbs and gets most of his exercise by stretching....

The week gave me a good chance to sit in the module and do some planning, I figured out where to stick a microwave, where to install a gas cook top, where the sink should be, and where a porta-potti can be installed. I also figured out how to do the installations without needing a chain-saw for the modifications. One thing I'm still not thrilled about is installing a cook-top in a slide-out / drawer, but if I use the same solenoid valve that they use in boats for propane, it should work OK. I'm not planning to use a cook-top very often, but I need one to get an RV license plate.

At the lake




Chester, resting from a strenuous trip


The future microwave cabinet




The future home of the pull-out cook-top


I've also been checking out possible alternatives to an RV AC on the roof - If I go with an RV rooftop unit, I have to massacre the garage door and opening to be able to get inside the garage. By the time I buy a new insulated garage door, and re-frame the opening while trying not to make it look like a garage with an attached house, the idea of a built-in 120 VAC air conditioner sounds better and better. I'll probably wind up with a compressor installed in the top of the old oxygen bottle cabinet, a condenser mounted on the upper front of the module, and an add-on evaporator on top of the existing evaporator. Hoseline makes the whole package, plus some add-on gear to use the existing blower and controls (including an 80 amp power supply for the condenser fan, the blower, and the controls. Hoseline is not known for making cheap equipment, but when I weigh the cost of the new garage door & the re-framing against the cost of internal AC equipment, the costs will become a lot closer.

As part of all this, I'm going to install the new 120 VAC panel in the side of the old radio cabinet. There is direct access from the radio cabinet to both the oxygen cabinet and to the existing air conditioning system

 

[NEPolarbear]

Can the AC condenser be installed above the cab roof and go through the front of the box?
Will be starting my buildout of my ambulance this week after it gets registered and inspected.