Ram 4500/5500 Commercial Cab Chassis 4x4 for Ambulance

[EMT113q]

Currently we are running Ford F-450 chassis. I'm interested in finding out more information on reliability. Our response area is approxamitely 250 square miles. We ran about 3500 call last year and can go all over the state of PA (on long distance transports & transporting the helicopter flight crew anywhere in OH, MD, WV, NY or PA. Our coverage area has a lot of mountains and our transport time to a hospital can go anywhere from a couple minutes about to an hour. Currently our (2) 2014 ambulances have 100,000 miles. 2009 has 125000 miles. (Recently replaced the engine in the 2009 for $22,000). The 2003 has 165000 miles. 1997 has 160,000 miles. Our maintenance program is excellent and any issues or complaints from operators are taken care of right away.

We are looking at the Ram commercial chassis and I was hoping a mechanic or someone that operates a Ram chassis can tell me about the reliability as an emergency vehicle. We may purchase a Ram 3500 chassis for our Paramedic chase truck.

Thank you for your help!

 

[jgillott]

If you haven't already, ask this question to these guys.

http://www.speclin.net/

They are local to me and supply most of the EMS units in western PA. Top notch and will be able to give you some guidance, even if you don't end up using them as your supplier.

 

[Killer223]

i know around here all the APS power company service trucks are all RAM, as well as all the EMT have switched to RAM's a few older Fords but most are RAM's. Even the local Cable company is using RAM's for their big work load trucks.
a few Fire truck supervisor trucks i've seen are RAM and Fords.
remember this little tidbit.
the Cummins is a industrial strength engine, the rest are not.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Just a visual observation is RAM is taking over the ambulance industry along with tow trucks.

 

[SnoKing]

Just a visual observation is RAM is taking over the ambulance industry along with tow trucks.

Post your picture of them being delivered? Those were RAM or was it just the tow truck? SnoKing

 

[Rebel Horseman]

I am an EVT as well as a captain in my local department. We have a 2009 Ram 5500 set up as a medium rescue. We cover a fairly large area as well. We have had excellent service out of this truck. Zero issues with the drivetrain and truck. We did have to add an extra leaf to the spring pack because we have it pretty well loaded down with equipment. A few rear axle seals and alternators is about it.

Our local private ambulance service has traditionally run all Duramax/GM bodies however within the last few years they’ve started switching over to Ram/Cummins chassis for their big body units (bariatric, critical care, etc.)


‘15 Ram 2500 CC/SWB 4x4 Tradesman 6.7/68RFE, 285/70r17 Firestone Destination MT2s, BD Throttle Sensitivity Booster, Stealth Module, Westin Max winch carrier and bull bar, Feniex Typhoon handheld, Federal Viper lighting.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I'm am a PCF engineer/ AEMT. I've tried and tried to get our dept to go with Ram, but they keep on insisting Ferds.

 

[Rebel Horseman]

#ad


Here’s our medium rescue on our 2009 chassis. Oh and to add, it’s not deleted. Still has the DPF and EGR fully intact. Though I’m working on the chief to let me delete it.


‘15 Ram 2500 CC/SWB 4x4 Tradesman 6.7/68RFE, 285/70r17 Firestone Destination MT2s, BD Throttle Sensitivity Booster, Stealth Module, Westin Max winch carrier and bull bar, Feniex Typhoon handheld, Federal Viper lighting.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Here ya go SNOKING!

These babies were VERY nice!!!

 

[Deleted member 995608]

#ad


Here’s our medium rescue on our 2009 chassis. Oh and to add, it’s not deleted. Still has the DPF and EGR fully intact. Though I’m working on the chief to let me delete it.


‘15 Ram 2500 CC/SWB 4x4 Tradesman 6.7/68RFE, 285/70r17 Firestone Destination MT2s, BD Throttle Sensitivity Booster, Stealth Module, Westin Max winch carrier and bull bar, Feniex Typhoon handheld, Federal Viper lighting.

I love the roll up doors. Nothing to hit your head on when some probie leaves the damn door up, and always have access in tight areas. We have a few engines and trucks with roll ups, but most are flips up doors.

 

[Rebel Horseman]

Yep roll ups are great. Just keep the tracks lubed and you’re good to go.


‘15 Ram 2500 CC/SWB 4x4 Tradesman 6.7/68RFE, 285/70r17 Firestone Destination MT2s, BD Throttle Sensitivity Booster, Stealth Module, Westin Max winch carrier and bull bar, Feniex Typhoon handheld, Federal Viper lighting.

 

[Bob4x4]

We had many,city,state and a few fed and private companies that used the 45/5500 platforms.Never had any troubles out of the ordinary.The most common issues were caused by the upfitters.The most stubborn was an ambulance upfitter that refused to use relays on load circuits controlled by the dash switches.The Ram body builders website is a great free resource.