ThreeBearsHD
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I was perusing a public auction site looking for land in AZ to buy when I came across an auction for an ambulance. Normally, I have no use for a used ambulance, but this rig is in great shape and a few hours from me. It was bid up to $1500. I put in a bid for $4k.
Then I started searching YouTube for videos on this particular model, engine, transmission, and any issues. I stumbled into a world of creativity in which people are buying these older ambulances and creating amazing little motorhomes.
I realized that my current camping set-up was lame since it consisted of a well-used pop-up camper pulled by either my Jeep Wrangler or my giant Ram 2500. I thought it would be fun to get an ambulance and convert it over. I've converted a box truck into a roadside food truck and have the skills to transform an ambulance into a motorhome. I even have an abandoned 5th wheel travel trailer to scavenge for appliances and parts.
After seeing how popular these used ambulances were, I did further research and determined that I could triple my bid and still come out ahead. So I did.
The vehicle is a 2009 International 4400 chassis with a Braun Northwest ambulance module added. It is 2wd, which sucks, but I can live with. It is in amazingly good shape with great tires...
If I win the auction at my current bid amount, then it will be at about a third of the actual value of what similar vehicles are going for. Then I also have to decide if I want to just flip it and make a decent profit and then just buy a used off-road RV travel trailer to pull behind the Ram or the Jeep.
If I keep the ambulance, then I will have to start tearing out the interior and modifying it for light weekend camping duty. My girlfriend loves the idea of converting it and wants to do much of the work herself.
Not sure which way to go. My ultimate goal is to have an RV that can be capable of going into some fairly remote areas of Idaho and Montana. A 2wd dually ambulance will be restricted to fairly mild roads, while a high-clearance 17' RV pulled by a Ram 2500 on 37s will be able to go much deeper into the woods.
But, the ambulance route will let me also pull a trailer with my ATVs, which is also a huge increase of the fun factor while camping.
If I could convert the ambulance to 4wd, then it would be perfect. But with no shop and a budget of under $10k, I doubt that would be an option.
Curious as to what other forum folks would do.
Then I started searching YouTube for videos on this particular model, engine, transmission, and any issues. I stumbled into a world of creativity in which people are buying these older ambulances and creating amazing little motorhomes.
I realized that my current camping set-up was lame since it consisted of a well-used pop-up camper pulled by either my Jeep Wrangler or my giant Ram 2500. I thought it would be fun to get an ambulance and convert it over. I've converted a box truck into a roadside food truck and have the skills to transform an ambulance into a motorhome. I even have an abandoned 5th wheel travel trailer to scavenge for appliances and parts.
After seeing how popular these used ambulances were, I did further research and determined that I could triple my bid and still come out ahead. So I did.
The vehicle is a 2009 International 4400 chassis with a Braun Northwest ambulance module added. It is 2wd, which sucks, but I can live with. It is in amazingly good shape with great tires...
If I win the auction at my current bid amount, then it will be at about a third of the actual value of what similar vehicles are going for. Then I also have to decide if I want to just flip it and make a decent profit and then just buy a used off-road RV travel trailer to pull behind the Ram or the Jeep.
If I keep the ambulance, then I will have to start tearing out the interior and modifying it for light weekend camping duty. My girlfriend loves the idea of converting it and wants to do much of the work herself.
Not sure which way to go. My ultimate goal is to have an RV that can be capable of going into some fairly remote areas of Idaho and Montana. A 2wd dually ambulance will be restricted to fairly mild roads, while a high-clearance 17' RV pulled by a Ram 2500 on 37s will be able to go much deeper into the woods.
But, the ambulance route will let me also pull a trailer with my ATVs, which is also a huge increase of the fun factor while camping.
If I could convert the ambulance to 4wd, then it would be perfect. But with no shop and a budget of under $10k, I doubt that would be an option.
Curious as to what other forum folks would do.
I would say go for it.
I agree. 4wd would be nicer but that rig will do pretty well with good rubber. Full send.