I'd love to have the Dodge Cummins for a rescue... but DC is really missing the boat with their 04's by not being too receptive to aftermarket bodies. In fact the put it in writing that they do not want their vehicles used as "ambulance" type vehicles.
We have ran a F-350 351W with total success for 22 years. But now everyone is seeing alot of diesels (since Ford really pushes the diesels on the fire service due to their past E-series carb equipped ambulance fires) and the general assumption these days is "diesel is the default and consider nothing else for no reason".
But I have reviewed our needs and have witnessed other V10 applications in F-Series that are much more tough on the truck. Our power utility uses some V10 F550's for bucket and tow vehicles and they run from daylight till dark hauling large loads and generally get flogged hard.
In all honesty... our department and many others (but not all) are in fact very easy on the trucks. Yes the start and go... but they are kept in climate controlled buildings, get maintained great, washed constantly and see little true work unlike commercial vehicle applications. Its an easy life being a light rescue truck yet some act like you have to buy the most powerful, heavy duty truck money can buy or it will fall apart.
Thus our department, with some reluctance, has sided with me that a V10 is the cost effective, yet completely responsible way to go. Warms up quick, 3 times the power or our current truck, hauling the same payload, good acceleration and will most likely provide the same 100,000 mile service life that our existing gasser did. At least I hope a 2004 V10 Triton can last as long as an 82 351W small block. I know it can.
The facts are as follows for us and our rescue truck:
Runs amount to around 300 per year in our district. 90% are basic medical assists to the county ambulance as we are a BLS non transport agency. Our response area is only around 5 square miles of city with some rural county coverage and about 5 miles of 4 lane highway. So getting out on the road and stretching the trucks legs doesn't happen here. We can't just go for long drives for obvious reasons.
Average run times from ignition on till the master switch is turned off is around 20-25 minutes. Miles accumulated in a year could stretch to 5000 but only if we attend every parade and guys take the truck for a drive just for the heck of it. 3000 is more like the real figure.
Around 10 times per year we'll see auto accidents where the truck is expected to remain on scene for an hour. At good working fires (maybe 5 per year or so) we'll park it in a convenient location and shut it off. All its there for is standby medical equipment and the air pack refill cascade system. We figure there is no need to let any unused vehicle idle for hours on end whether diesel or gas. If it was sub zero we might reconsider this.
Plus with just 2 mobile radios (VHF and 800) and all super low draw LED warning lights... simply installing a second battery should prove to be totally sufficient for the factory alt. Otherwise we can just upgrade to a Niehoff alternator 200 amp for $750. Other than electrical equipment its no different than a normal truck with a service body.
Fortunately... Ford QVM department in Detroit has agreed with me on this and has OK'd the V10 as long as we dont install a high idle device for when its stationary. We dont need one so were all set for the gasser. I think were gonna get the F450 as the F550 would be way to underloaded and might ride like a log wagon.
Thanks for the support on the V10. At least thats one less turbo I dont have to worry about someone shutting down hot and one less diesel fuel filter I'll have to change
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