Ambulance RV / Kite Rig

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Can I just say my wife is awesome for finding this thing? I never thought I'd be so stoked on a vehicle, but this thing has definitely become an obsession. Its turned me into a Ambulance RV activist! We even registered some domain names where we plan on putting up more info on why this is such a great idea: http://www.ambulancerv.com/

Here's a list of what we got "out of the box" with this thing:

- 7.3 diesel, huge, but fairly efficent for this heavy rig (15 mpg)
- Fire department maintained, with 99k miles on it
- Cabin box is made of 1/4 inch aluminum
- Two deep cycle marine batteries
- Heating and A/C for the rear cabin
- Huge interver, $1300 new
- 110 plugs everywhere
- 7 cabin lights, with low lights and halogens
- Shoreline power system for charging battery, running plugs
- 8 flood lights around the outside
- 8 external storage compartments:
+ one fits two 6' surfboards!
+ another fits 4 kite bags!
+ all of them are padded
+ and have lights that turn on when you open them
+ and have nice metal handles / locks
+ and heave heavy duty insulation and diamond plating!
- Internal storage everywhere, 9 cabinents, +3 underseat storage
- Room for full size bed on floor
- Super clean inside and out, amazingly maintained by Fire dept.

Here's what we've done so far:

- Solar, added HQRP 85 watt panel, charge controller
- Upgraded stereo, Kenwood Deck + 2 Pioneer 3 way speakers
- Tore out cartpet that was is in cab (only carpet in rig)
- Put Dynamat (Fatmat) down in cab: roof, floor, doors
- New carpet in cab
- Curtains
- Foam bed for floor / couch (full size bed)
- New big marine deep cycle batteries (http://www.portlandmotorcycle.com/)
- LED lights for cabin
- Decals! (http://www.oregonscreen.com/)
- Engel Fridge (ordered) http://www.engel-usa.com/sb70.html
- Rubber mats for cab (ordered)

We still have some more stuff we want to do, most of it is just "nice to have" stuff like updating the interior to be a little more cozy Very Happy

ToDo:

- New cushions for interior
- Interior paint / wall covering
- New floor
- Might do bigger bed, futon, fold down or something
- Sink
- Additional counter space (thinking fold down for camp stove)
- Speakers in cabin
- More solar (if we need it)
- Dedicated battery for cabin (if we need it)

So stoked on this thing. We've taken a couple of weekend trips in it already and its worked great. Perfect east gorge / coast assault rig. Looking forward to many future trips and adventures.

Chooch · Tue Aug 31, 10 9:06 am

The rig is looking tight!

Was thinking about getting a small tow behind for my Subie but the Ambulance is so much cheaper and easier. Definitely on the lookout for one. Seems like it will be a bad ass rig for hitting the mountain as well....roll up the night before a storm...sleep in the rig and catch first chair in the am Alien

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Decals look good!!! Thumb's Up

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Thanks guys

Here's another exterior shot that shows the surfboard compartment (towards the rear), definitely my favorite feature of this thing Very Happy

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot

super +1 A kite rig! Very Happy

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

drool

mikeinhoodriver · Since 23 Apr 2009 431 Posts down wind somewhere Obsessed

pk, that is so rad! You got me wanting one now!

JMatic · Since 12 Aug 2008 252 Posts Boise, In Dat Ho Obsessed

When traffic's bad and the winds going off--throw on the sirens and make a beeline for the beach FTW!
Very Happy

dustin awesome · Since 23 Jul 2009 115 Posts Stoked

Very good job, I was wanting to see pictures since you replied about your solar pannels compaired to generators.
Again very good job, it looks great!

Bettyboarder · Tue Aug 31, 10 10:23 am

Now we just have to get a 4x4 kit and some big bad ass wheels and we'll be all set

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

Hey guys, Not really a post but just to let you know.

Snoqualmie pass Fire and Rescue has a 1992 (I think) In our garage with the same box on the rear. The 7.3 turbo is brand new, it has mabey 1000 miles on it since new engine. I know that it has moved about 10 times for calls since I have been there (5 years) and hasn't been off the pass except for maintenance. East Side fire has always done the maintence. Its a dual axle, rear wheel drive, drives well, storage, 110's, ect. I think that we need some more money then 2300, but I would come and check it out if you can. Email me and I'll put you in touch with the chief. They really want to move it. I heard something about 4000, but who knows, talk to the chiefs and I'll try to get some pics for you guys.

SG
stevegriffith22@gmail.com

dancingwind · Since 18 Jul 2007 321 Posts Obsessed

Sweet ride!!

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

Here is a little advice from someone who has worked on these things for a living. DO NOT under any circumstances buy an ambulance from one of the private ambulance companies (AMR, Metro West, etc.) Their ambulances usually have a ton of miles on them and are beat to hell. Ambulances, Medic rigs, Rescues, whatever you want to call them that have been owned by Fire Departments have to be maintained according to the National Fire Protection Association standards, therefor they are kept in tip top shape. Also Fire Departments usually don't run the wheels off their rigs before they sell them. Check out these.

http://www.dailydispatch.com/Classifieds/Equipment/item_12661.aspx

Macaframa · Since 06 Jul 2010 81 Posts California Delta

Pretty impressive, now I have something ELSE to obsess over aquiring Drunk

Sella · Tue Aug 31, 10 12:15 pm

Tasty. The storage and electrical options in that beast make a lot of sense for doing a conversion.

I've been checking out smaller Toyota campers etc as a Coast assault vehicle but they only avg around 15-17 mpg, and difficult to hit 65mph from what I've read.

Can't wait to see the inside when it's finished. Thumb's Up

ericvs · Since 05 Jul 2008 133 Posts Stoked

That van is looking tight. Check out this forum for many more ideas into which you can pour money. haha:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/

Tons of sweet ideas to mack up a rig like this even more than you already are.

Good work.