new ford chassis coming???

Examples of ambulances used before diesels replaced the whole lot

Up to 1995, used these old petrol, Fords

pnichols wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:
Diesels as Ambulance are quite common outside the U.S., they replaced F350's in the mid 80's in Australia

That's probably because other nations have been diesel-centric for so many years in the bulk of their transportation. I wonder what they'll do when they have to (via global CO2 reduction treaties and agreements) start cleaning up their air act regarding diesel exhausts like the U.S. is now trying to do?

Perhaps one should start investing in companies that manufacture DEF for the world market ... and/or invest in companies that build hydrogen generation plants and install hydrogen refueling stations around the world? :h

Remember US Tier diesels are illegal outside NA, as their C02 and particulates are too high.they other nations already use DEF. No US Diesels cannot meet Euro 6 regulations, but with modifications and DEF can meet Euro V, one company here as gone to the trouble here to modify the engines, so they are not limited to a quota of 100 vehicles I.e non compliant
Modern EFI Petrol or Gas as you call them , engines have much higher nitride/ particulates levels than any diesel

carringb wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:

They certainly are

Can you provide us with a single reason why, besides the aforementioned infrastructure issue?

Fact is, diesels and their new emissions packages simply are not reliable under the driving cycles experienced by EMS vehicles. AMR is the largest Ambulance fleet in the US, with 4200 rigs which do about 3-millions calls each year. Guess what? They only V10s now. The marginal improvement in fuel economy from a diesel is offset by 20% more expensive fuel, questionable reliability, and increased repair expenses.

None applies here or seemingly anywhere else outside NA, that is why I find your arguements hard to follow.
A V10 Petrol engine would have heavy fuel usage as well. You could convert to LPG, but that is bulky

Thank you IAMICHABOD for posting the links. Nothing really too substantive with either package, the bottom line for any agency specing an ambulance- if you build an ambulance without the prep package, the factory warranty is void.

pnichols wrote:

Off topic, but .... exactly what is contained in Ford's E-series van ambulance package?

This is Ford

This is Chevy

A bit more with the Duramax Diesel 6.6L V8 Turbo engine, dual batteries, dual alternators, and a 3.73 rear axle ratio.

rjstractor wrote:
haven't looked into it, but apparently Ford now offers the ambulance prep package with the V10.

Off topic, but .... exactly what is contained in Ford's E-series van ambulance package?

I've often wondered if it wouldn't be a good idea to order a new Class C to be built based on an E450 V10 chassis with the ambulance package. Would I be gaining some chassis or systems ruggedness or reliability advantages to help make for a better on-pavement and off-pavement drycamping rig?

RobertRyan wrote:
Diesels as Ambulance are quite common outside the U.S., they replaced F350's in the mid 80's in Australia

That's probably because other nations have been diesel-centric for so many years in the bulk of their transportation. I wonder what they'll do when they have to (via global CO2 reduction treaties and agreements) start cleaning up their air act regarding diesel exhausts like the U.S. is now trying to do?

Perhaps one should start investing in companies that manufacture DEF for the world market ... and/or invest in companies that build hydrogen generation plants and install hydrogen refueling stations around the world? :h

pnichols wrote:
I'm not sure a diesel makes since packed into a van-based light truck emergency vehicle - other than because the agency owning the vehicle has only diesel pumps at their vehicle storage/queuing facility.

AFAIK, the V10 in it's latest configurations is ultra-reliable, super quiet, and can be idled safely/reliably for long periods, if needed, while an emergency vehicle sits at the scene of an incidence.

You're right, there's absolutely nothing wrong with gas engines in ambulances per se. With our department we need to be able to fuel our vehicles at the station, whether or not the power in the area is out. If we had gas ambulances we would have to invest in the infrastructure to be able to fuel our vehicles. In this area AMR is going to the Sprinter, although in the area I work the only Sprinter ambulance I've seen was on the back of a tow truck.... Another company uses 3500 Express cutaways with the 6.0 gas, and they are reliable and perform well.

I haven't looked into it, but apparently Ford now offers the ambulance prep package with the V10. When the diesel was still in the E series, this package was only available with the diesel.

According to a close friend of mine who is a long time Ford mechanic, the last diesel, the 6.0L offered in the E-series was a total disaster, destined to give the owners expensive trouble. The engine wasn't offered for but a few years in the E-series. Van or pickup, when they come in for unplanned service, the engine always needs so much work & so much money to work properly again, quite often the owner will trade up into a new gasoline powered.

RobertRyan wrote:

They certainly are

Can you provide us with a single reason why, besides the aforementioned infrastructure issue?

Fact is, diesels and their new emissions packages simply are not reliable under the driving cycles experienced by EMS vehicles. AMR is the largest Ambulance fleet in the US, with 4200 rigs which do about 3-millions calls each year. Guess what? They only V10s now. The marginal improvement in fuel economy from a diesel is offset by 20% more expensive fuel, questionable reliability, and increased repair expenses.