Ambo Models

[BloodNGuts]

We're in search of our new ambo. Im looking for what make/model you have and what you like/dislike about it. We currently have 3 Road Rescues and are looking at possibly an international. However im open to any make/model. Thanks!

[parafire81]

I've had experience in several different manufacturers and chassis types. If you are a transport service, avoid the International and other medium duty chassis as they ride pretty rough...even with air suspensions. However, if you work for a fire based system, you may need the bigger truck to carry your additional equipment. Also, if you are a system that does system status management where your crews are in a truck for extended periods of time, or you cover a rural area where the trucks have a great deal of unreimbursable miles driven (to and from standby posts), the medium duty chassis typically lasts longer.

For a smooth ride, go with a Ford or Chevy/GMC van chassis. Avoid Type 1's.

Medtec and Lifeline build very well built and long lasting rigs. The part-time service I work for has both a Wheeled Coach and a Horton, and both in my opinion suck!

At any rate, hope this helps

[Weruj1]

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39679&highlight=ambulance+best

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37599&highlight=ambulance+best

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18884&highlight=ambulance+best

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18848&highlight=ambulance+best

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18652&highlight=ambulance+best

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18571&highlight=ambulance+best

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18519&highlight=ambulance+best

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18523&highlight=ambulance+best

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18417&highlight=ambulance+best

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58298&highlight=ambulance+best

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59610&highlight=ambulance+best

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59811&highlight=ambulance+best

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53506&highlight=ambulance+best

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=51640&highlight=ambulance+best

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50684&highlight=ambulance+best (I personally this is the best way to build an ambulance, but last we checked there werent many options, especially Type 3)

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=48540&highlight=ambulance+best

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=44016&highlight=ambulance+best

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42149&highlight=ambulance+best

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39291&highlight=ambulance+best

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=41553&highlight=ambulance+best

[N2DFire]

Well it's harder to recommend something when we don't know a lot about your system.
parafire81 raises a lot of good issues & some answers I agree with & some I'd need more info. to make a clear call.

Anyhow - I agree that Type III gives a smoother ride - UNLESS you need a 4WD chassis - then all Type III have to get an aftermarket conversion (last I looked Ford dropped the 4WD from the E series for 05). Having ridden/driven a Type 1 chassis with said conversion (97 model) I can tell you it's a rough ride even for a 4WD.

The new Type I (Ford F Series) were designed and built as 4WD units and thus give a slightly better ride quality (as the cost of a longer wheelbase chassis over a Type III)

I also agree on the issue of durability & serviceability on the larger Class 7 & 8 chassis (IH, freightliner, sterling, etc.) but the issue you have with those is smaller towns don't always have ready access to a close service center.

Best bet is to clearly define what your needs are and which are most important then see what chassis & style unit best fit those needs THEN take your needs to some builders and see what they can offer you.

As for which Mfg's are best. We have recently switched to Wheeled Coach because they had the VA state contract and could produce a nicer truck at a lower cost than we could get anywhere on our own.
Ex. our last truck would have cost roughly $95 - $100K from Wheeled Coach if we had bought it on our own. By using the State Contract - it cost us just a little over $86K

Ask each Mfg. you are interested in for a list of customers with rigs over 5 years old in your area. Then contact them and ask what kind of issues they have had, what they like & don't like & would they buy another given the opportunity.

Also look at your local sales rep. What type of service will they provide after the sale (verify this through other customers as well).

Best of luck with whatever you get.

[DaSharkie]

I have a new found love for the extended chassis Fords, even though I am not a big Ford fan. My new service runs them and that extra 18 inches bedind the doors offers a lot of space to throw gear and equipment behind the crew.

As for manufacturers, last I heard (this was about a year ago) was the Road Rescue (my favorite builder) has a very extensive backlog of rigs that they are building, like about a year or so, before you are going to get your truck. I don't know if that is still the case.

Everyone has their favorites and those that they don't like, but that is what you get in life. I don't like Hortons, but you get what you spec and take your time doing the research. You are stuck with this truck for several years, so make sure the box is laid out how your service needs it.

[leylandauto]

Type 3's are the way to go unless your budget prevents it or you have a large need for four wheel drive that chains will not solve. You can get type 3's with 4wd also. The medium duty argument escapes me totally other than the small ego issues of some Fire Chief needing a big truck. Before the E-450 with it's limited payload was near limit on some ambulances (11,500 gvw). Since the advent of the E-450 with it's 14,500 gvw, you can load the truck with all the FF stuff you can fit and still have gvw to spare. The only two advantages the mediums have is;
1.) great turning radius.
2.) easier to work on.
Other than that you have a bad ride (even the best of them are not as good as a used type 3)

I also know the E-450 box is wider the Navistar and you can buy all the height you want and you can go at least as long as 178" in the back. The E-450 chassis is cheaper and us guys in the field get the advantage of a nice XLT interior.

Just a few random thoughts. FWIW, YMMV.

[thebigcheese]

While I never would buy a Ford for personal use, I do have to say that when you through a box on the back of them, they make really good chassis. I worked on a Chevy chassis this summer and it seems that every other call we ran something on it would break.

As for the box, Medtech is good, but I'm partial to the newer Fraizer baxes. I like being able to get to both sides of the pt, not having one side of their body up against cabinets. It just seems more open and its easier to work when everything goes to hell.

As for the Type I, Type III debate, I'm still undecided. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but I think its more of a matter of opinion than anything.

[Res343cue]

The medium duty argument escapes me totally other than the small ego issues of some Fire Chief needing a big truck

I guess because my chief purchased a medium duty rig, he has a small ego too?

:rolleyes:

I guess chiefs that go with small rigs must have too big of egos, and think that they can cram their crews in small places.

[leylandauto]

The 178 box on my current truck is larger in the rear than the Navistar due to wider axle. There is no big difference in rear box size between either. I do allow there is some more space up front. but I like the comfort of the type 3 RV chassis. You can buy as tall a box as you want for either chassis. I do not know what you had before the Medium duty. If you had a type 1 or 2 I can understand your pleasure in the new unit. Just with the advent of the E-450 I do not know why someone chooses a Medium Duty over that type. What is the advantage to the street level grunt?

[Weruj1]

Just with the advent of the E-450 I do not know why someone chooses a Medium Duty over that type. What is the advantage to the street level grunt? I could not agree more ....... Big Cheese..Has Fraizer gotten better with offering more options on their units ? We looked at the m in 2001 and flet that was the way to buit an mabulance in terms of making it hold up ......but they didnt do much type 3 work and you could not lay out your cabinets how you wanted ..........