I have been wanting a "mobile man cave" as the wife calls it for awhile, something to boondock in the NF with. I want Something tough but not too big and have been looking at used ambulances on MDT chassis. Prices are very reasonable, $10000 for a 2005 with a 16' box and full service records. Most have 200000 plus miles. My question is am I crazy to use the rig for an RV. They seem very tough, perfect size for an RV and already have battery banks and inverters. I'm thinking for less than $20000 I can have fully customized RV ready for anything.So, what does the masses think? Give me your ideas, good or bad. Any other vehicles you could recommend. Thanks for the insight.

I've seen several of these on YouTube, so you are apparently not the only one who thinks they make good RV's. Search around there and you'll see details on their conversions.

There's a few on YouTube, of course, what isn't.10g seems a lot for something that's been beaten on it's entire life.I work with first responder equipment, service records are one thing but abuse is not documented as well.Don't count on any of the technology installed to be at all useful. Battery bank especially. Come to think of it, rigs I've seen don't have much battery anyway. They have belt drive generators that supply 110 ac.A lot of the cabinets are nice, and like you suspect sturdy. How many have you been inside, they're not roomy like a moving van.How about a short bus Schoolie... That looks like fun to me :)

Google Ambulance RV Conversions. And, as said above, check Youtube.Many others have the same idea.I think it's a good platform to convert.

They won't have a true battery bank. Usually dual chassis batteries, but often large capacity alternators. "Beat on" doesn't begin to describe them... But...I have seen some 4wd ones converted for beach camping/surf fishing. Wouldn't consider taking one cross country...

Yes, they are one of the best bargains out there. I bought one on a Freightliner FL60 chassis and started to use it as a TV for a Airstream trailer as my 4 wheeler would fit through the double rear doors but it was not a crew cab so I resold it for twice what I paid. Not sure you need a MDT as many are on E 350 or 450 chassis, like this one. Adding plumbing will be a challenge.

Thinking about converting and ambulance to an RV

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Feb 10, 2018
Too much money for 200k miles. Since your are interested in USFS etc camping what is the ground clearance and is there room underneath for fresh, grey and black tanks?
Ivylog
Explorer III
Feb 10, 2018
Yes, they are one of the best bargains out there. I bought one on a Freightliner FL60 chassis and started to use it as a TV for a Airstream trailer as my 4 wheeler would fit through the double rear doors but it was not a crew cab so I resold it for twice what I paid. Not sure you need a MDT as many are on E 350 or 450 chassis, like this one. Adding plumbing will be a challenge.
loggenrock
Explorer
Feb 10, 2018
They won't have a true battery bank. Usually dual chassis batteries, but often large capacity alternators. "Beat on" doesn't begin to describe them... But...I have seen some 4wd ones converted for beach camping/surf fishing. Wouldn't consider taking one cross country...
gbopp
Explorer
Feb 10, 2018
Google Ambulance RV Conversions. And, as said above, check Youtube.
Many others have the same idea.
I think it's a good platform to convert.
GordonThree
Explorer
Feb 10, 2018
There's a few on YouTube, of course, what isn't.

10g seems a lot for something that's been beaten on it's entire life.

I work with first responder equipment, service records are one thing but abuse is not documented as well.

Don't count on any of the technology installed to be at all useful. Battery bank especially. Come to think of it, rigs I've seen don't have much battery anyway. They have belt drive generators that supply 110 ac.

A lot of the cabinets are nice, and like you suspect sturdy. How many have you been inside, they're not roomy like a moving van.

How about a short bus Schoolie... That looks like fun to me :)
Tiger4x4RV
Nomad
Feb 10, 2018
I've seen several of these on YouTube, so you are apparently not the only one who thinks they make good RV's. Search around there and you'll see details on their conversions.

Forum Discussion

Thinking about converting and ambulance to an RV

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

Chevrolet Silverado 3500 ambulance

Need to replace converter, thinking about going inverter

are ambulance huts interchangable w/ RV huts?

converter

Thinking out Loud