Duramax Ambulance

[JConley]

I saw a new Chevy ambulance today that had a Duramax.



Great!!! Now if I get into an accident, I have to worry about the ambulance making it to the hospital in addition to my injuries.

 

[pkennedy]

Stop your whining we had one with a 6. 5 and were able to watch in horror as Chevettes would pass us on the big hills. The units weigh 12000lbs and the Durajunk at least has some jam to get there when its running.

 

[krohn]

Don't feel so bad JConley, our towns 85 fords ambulance stumled and almost died on the way to a scene a few weeks ago I hope i never have to ride in it

 

[Ncostello]

One of ours hit a deer on the way to the ER with a cardiac arrest in progress. Busted the radiator and leaked coolant all the way there... but the powerstroke made it... somehow. Dispatch told them to keep going if they felt it was safe to drive (handle) until it stopped... which it never did. But they went ahead and repaired the body and its still in service. One mistake they are making is buying new Type III modulars with single rear wheels. Thats dangerous if you ask me. There is alot riding in the back of those things if a blowout occurs... . namely me at times.



I've only ever seen one Ram 3500 Cummins Type I ambulance. Anyone else seen one?

 

[Rosco]

On my department we use E350 powersrtoke rescues/ambulances. I will give them credit, they do hold up pretty good considering their lifestyle. Also I was reading a ford truck brochure and the econlines with the 7. 3 powestroke were only rated at or about 450 lbs of tourqe compared to the superdutys 525 lbs anybody know why.

 

[Bill Lins]

Originally posted by Ncostello

I've only ever seen one Ram 3500 Cummins Type I ambulance. Anyone else seen one?

I saw a couple of them being built @ Frazier, Inc. in Houston a while back.



John, was the Duramax an Austin EMS unit or someone else's? Is Austin getting rid of their Freightliners?

 

[nickleinonen]

Originally posted by Rosco

On my department we use E350 powersrtoke rescues/ambulances. I will give them credit, they do hold up pretty good considering their lifestyle. Also I was reading a ford truck brochure and the econlines with the 7. 3 powestroke were only rated at or about 450 lbs of tourqe compared to the superdutys 525 lbs anybody know why.

no intercooler

 

[Cowboy Medic]

I drove a Dodge/Cummins powered ambulance a couple of years ago, it was one we rented to supplement our stable of rigs during the Sturgis motorcycle Rally. All I can say is AWESOME. We regularly use the ford econolines and they do fine, but really suck out on the interstate, seems like every hill you lose everything, there have been many a time we have been busting our ass running down interstate (speed limit is 75 on interstate here) and we can barely hold 70 or 75, and of course there are people galore passing us as we are trying to get to the hospital doing a code or trauma. That dodge, didn't have quite the zip off the line but you could push her to whatever speed you needed on interstate and hold it without a problem. Sure would love to have one full time.

 

[WadePatton]

If a Cummins-powered emergency vehicle arrived to transport me from an accident, I'd think I was dead already and in Heaven.

 

[John Berger]

Originally posted by WadePatton

If a Cummins-powered emergency vehicle arrived to transport me from an accident, I'd think I was dead already and in Heaven.

:-laf :-laf :-laf Oo.

 

[JConley]

Bill. I dont know who it belonged to. I was passing it when I saw the Duramax badge.

 

[Scot]

Originally posted by Ncostello





I've only ever seen one Ram 3500 Cummins Type I ambulance. Anyone else seen one?

I asked the owner of Frazier Ambulance that question. He said the Dodge frame is too high and you cannot get the cot in the back.

 

[Bill Lins]

The ones they were building had air suspensions that lowered the back of the truck automatically when the back doors were opened. I wonder if they had trouble with that setup?

 

[BFC]

County I live in has 3 of them! Sadly I got to ride in one but that is another story.



Glenn

 

[kevincook]

Most of the ambulances around here are built on Fords, they do well. Most of the fire departments are going with heavier units powered by Cummins.



KC

 

[JoeyD]

A local Ambulance Co. just got some Sprinter's with dual rear wheels.

 

[Scot]

Originally posted by Bill Lins

The ones they were building had air suspensions that lowered the back of the truck automatically when the back doors were opened. I wonder if they had trouble with that setup?

That is what the Freightliner based boxes are running. Some of the neighboring cities run them but we run PSD Fords.

 

[kevincook]

Another point is the larger Freightliner are heavy duty and can carry more equipment. Some fire departments carry other things than just medical items in those units.



KC