I would like any comments you have regarding running a Dodge 4500 CTD cab and chassis under an ambulance.

We bought 2 ambulances on F350's back in about 2000. Word came down from on high that they were going to refurb them a few years ago.

Since we had minimal problems with the 7.3's, I wrote the department and fleet a letter stating that they would be better off waiting for the new engine instead of the 6.0.

They went ahead with the 6.0's anyway. Other than assorted oil leaks, turbo, injector, head, head gasket, and egr failures (and probably some I was not aware of), they have been pretty good Good thing they had the bugs worked out by then.

Anyway, the plan now is to go to a 14' box and I have been asked what chassis. Supposedly, there are no '09 Ford Ambulance prep cab and chassis left and I doubt the new engine will be out before our rigs are built. That eliminates Ford for me.

The builders are saying that the Dodge ride is harsher than the Ford which is certainly a factor.

I am advocating for the Dodge 4500 and wondered what your thoughts are. Fleet will still have to sign off on this.

 

McCoy Miller was putting an air-ride setup in F-450/550's, I don't see why they couldn't do that on a Dodge chassis.

As a side note, I know everyone has their preferences when it comes to fire apparatus and ambulances, but in 26 years of running both, we've been the happiest with McCoy Miller.

chaikwa.

 

No experience with the Dodge chassis, but I've seen quite a few new delivery photos of that set-up recently.

Ditto on air ride suspension. I know that Braun was putting that in at the factory for Chicago's F series ambulances. Gone are the days of the limosine style Cadillac ambulance that just floated down the road!

It's my understanding that Ford isn't even offering a diesel engine in the E series vans/chassis for 2010. Looks like GM's(if they're still in business) vans with the Duramax may step up to the plate to fill that need. I know the long wheelbase cut-away van seems to be the best riding ambo with factory suspension.

 

Just another thought here... what about the Sprinter chassis?

chaikwa.

 

Im guessing you are trying to stay with a small chassis? If not why not move up to a medium duty chassis like an International, F750, etc.. We run International chassis on our ambulances here and have pretty good luck with them.

 

Stay away from the sprinter, I've talked to several friends that work in systems that run them and say they have been problematic and have absolutely no room to work in the back. We have run E-350's for years and just recently went to the Chevy express chassis with the D-max, very impressive compared to what we are used to, they run a whole lot better, more power, far less problems, fuel economy seems to have suffered a little, but that's the price you pay. Last summer with the fords we had an average of about 2 ac compressors a week, with a high of (i think) 5 in one day, and lots of injector failures, with a couple sets of head gaskets and EGR problems, so far with the chevy's we have had almost no problems that I've heard of. We run between 9 and 14+ ambulances on the street at any given time and they run hard and lots of calls. As for ride, the chevy isn't as smooth as the ford. Wish i Could chime in on the dodge, but I do know some guys running GM 4500 chassis ambulance and they said they ride pretty good, but they have air ride on them.

 

The Sprinter can't be so bad, if you search in google picture finder with a word "Ambulanssi" which means Ambulance in Finnish, you can see what kind of equipment we use. Most of them are MB Sprinters. Even though I have seen a Chevrolet Starcraft 1998 Ambulance also a city near me.

Even though, I have allways liked your ambulances what I have seen in TV. Like when my friends are watching eagerly the CSI or ER and somebody gets hurt or killed, they just follow the actors and I just yell about the Ambulances.

 

sprinter vans are narrow, i would think that would be bad for an ambulance.

 

Seen a few of those around here.

Also alot of F-series ones and a few Gm's. Can't say I've seen a dodge chassis ambulence in person. Alot of depts around here seem to have been going to the medium duty Freightshaker chassis for their rigs.

 

it will only be a short time before the ambulances start using Dodges. Around here all the big Tow companies are buying Dodges. The Chevy 4500 is just to big for some aplications. Ford will have a tough time getting back there market share with all there problems and Cab off repairs

 

Ditto for our local FD. Big write-up in the paper last year about how the Ford's weren't holding up so they decided to switch to Frieghtliner even though they initially cost 3X more than the Ford, lifecycle costs are less.

 

I've seen a lot of 3500 Hemi powered Dodge Ambulances around here lately. I work in the med center so I see a lot of ambulances.

 

They are using Dodge set-ups here on Ft.Hood for their Fire/EMT. Not sure what year they are using haven't had a chance to look at them.