Ambulance Camper Conversion Update-Cabover Added..
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- čas přidán 25. 07. 2024
- This update features the addition of the cabover sleeping quarters complete with a MaxxFan and 2 windows. This addition creates a nice cozy place to rest with plenty of room for a Full mattress, extra storage, and easy entry and egress. The extra room allows the remainder of the main box to be enhanced with extra amenities for the kitchen and living area.
We hope you enjoy seeing the progress Dave has made with this project and we invite you to submit any questions or feedback you have in the comments. Please Like, Subscribe and Ring the Notification Bell to see more updates on this and other projects in the future. We will continue to do our best to provide information that we hope you find interesting and of value to you.
Be well..
Fred and Dave
Visit RecPro to shop windows, fixtures and furniture seen in this video.
www.recpro.com/?referral=8CQ3AAE
Yes nicely done
Thanks for great video i have the same ambulance made by wheelcoach 2006 chevy 3500 4x4 from NYFD I'm in Florida
At first I thought why not just buy a rv with a cab over but I get it now as a traditional rv owner. If this ambulance is a duramax it’s super badass. For all those watching that don’t know the difference this ambulance is built like a tank where a traditional rv isn’t. A hard sided ambulance box is stronger than a airstream. Nice build guy. Super cool ingenuity on this one. Better quality than a traditional rv at probably a quarter the price. Kuddos
Matt, Our first consideration was the GM brand. This vehicle has the Vortex 8.1 gas. We would have liked to find a Duramax, but we’re happy with the 8.1. It all depends on what an individual plans on doing with it. For pulling capacity and longevity, the Duramax is # 1. We’re at altitude and every road goes up from here. The 8.1 still does fine. You’re right about the construction of an ambulance. They’re designed to save lives. There are some good videos out there that show a multi-roll over without deflecting the box.
Yes, Nice job on the sleeping quaters, that is just what an ambo camper needed
Yes indeed! Thanks!
It looks factory, excellent work,thank you for sharing. So much better than today’s flimsy camper’s. This will last forever
We appreciate your kind words and agree with your sentiments. Cheers!
This is what I want!
It's a labor of love for sure.
Very nice
Thank you much!
Camp Chef Camp Oven. They are portable. Can fit two 10-inch by 14-inch pans plus they have two 10,000 btu burners on top. They are portable. Can move outside to table or use inside your trailer or camper. Run off 1 lb. propane or can hook up to larger tanks. They are GREAT! Baked a bunch of casseroles (lasagnes, Mac and cheese) as well as cookies and desserts over the years. They were part of my portable catering oven arsenal. Can be purchased numerous places such as Cabela’s, Walmart, Amazon, etc. very durable and reliable.
I used to live in a 47’ sailboat. I used a Cuisinart counter top steam/convection oven and loved it. I am working on an ambo conversion now and plan to use the same oven. I used to bake great bread, bagels & cookies in that oven.
We considered the route but ended up going another direction considering the space available. Appreciate the suggestion and think it is a viable alternative for sure..
I see from your video that Dave is using propane for cooking whereas I will be relying more on electric appliances. My ambo will have almost 1200 watts of solar and about 1000ah of battery. I’m also thinking of adding a small 300w wind turbine.
Nice job on cabover. You have given me ideas. Thanks. Awesome build.
Really glad you are enjoying it and thanks for watching!
Best solution for an oven is a microwave/convection oven because a microwave will be used a lot more but if you actually need the oven it kills two birds with one stone
Nice job
Thanks!
If you want an oven, without the stovetop burners, if your electrical system can handle it, consider getting a combo microwave/convection oven. It serves as both and is rather compact in size, just slightly larger than average microwave, and definitely smaller than one of those RV propane oven+burners units. The Cuisinart CMW-200 is a 1000W unit that measures 12.2"D x 19"W x 21.2"H and weighs 41.30 LBS, and costs around $300 on Amazon.
Another option is convection only, without the microwave function. There's a lot of options for that one, but a really nice roomy multi-function one, capable of fitting a small turkey or TWO 16" pizzas would be the Oster 2142008, with the French doors (nice because you can tie them together ensure they don't open while driving). It's a 1200W unit that measures 20.15"D x 23.8"W x 15.1"H, weighs 27.20 LBS, and costs around $200 on Amazon. It can also serve as a toaster, broiler, slow cooker, air fryer, and food dehydrator.
It’s interesting how our thoughts change with the seasons. Back in August, we were looking for ways to keep the heat out. Now with morning temps hovering around zero, the gas oven feels real cozy. Thanks for your comments! You’ve provided some great information.
There are ovens (countertop) that would work. I use mine at home and use my big oven only at the holidays. The cab over is great!
Thanks Debbie. We actually found a really good unit and just got it installed the other night. Next update will be shot in coming days and you will see it there.
I love it! Gosh Dave you could start a business doing this, I for one would pay to have it done.
We appreciate the sentiment!
Love the concept. Just bought a 2011 Ford E-450 ERV (Ambulance) and was Googling how to add a cabover to it to free up space in the box for living area but still have a dedicated bed. Would love any advice or pointers on where to get started on my own cabover. Happy to pay for your time.
So, Robert where are you located? We’re in Durango, CO. If you were close, we’d invite you to come by the shop. One of my first questions is your interior height? It would really need to be 6’0, although the shorter boxes would still work. Since you have a van - front cab, access from inside and the space required over the bed makes the build more difficult. I’ve thought a lot about what it would take to build with this type of cab/box configuration and would require adding some height to the top of the cab-over, something similar to a Sprinter Class C. Let’s start there and see where we go.
Dave
@@DavidClaussenStudio currently in Georgia but live in Summit County, Colorado. So a bit north of you but doable! Box is measured 6'3" interior height. It is an ERV (very similar but not the same as an ambo)
@@vintagetruckers we will be away from the shop until Jan 1st. We can still talk and possibly make some plans.
@@DavidClaussenStudio Thank you. Sent you a msg on FB to connect up. Big fan of your work.
👍👍👍👍👍
What about the 🚽🚿⁉️
Thanks for asking. We’ll get ‘er done.
Have a converted ambo (see Destination Openroad CZcams video tour) that has seen a lot of miles in the last few years, including multiple Mexico tours. I'm curious about the GVWR from the original unit from.the builder. Our issue has been keeping it at or below the original specs. Essentially we don't add any weight now without removing something. Thoughts, observations? Jack&Kelli
The latest check shows that the latest weight in 11,040. It came in at 10,500 so we are looking at net gain of 540. Just subscribed to your channel and looking forward to it.
I had the cab over idea and ran across your video. Wondering how many hours did you have to put into it?
Dave thinks he has about 80 hrs or so in it. Thanks for asking.
I am curious about the cost of your purchase for the vehicle, four-wheel drive?
It is 4WD. Gotta have that where it came from. Purchase price was about $20k.
Our original purchase price was 20K, factory 4WD, 50K miles, 8.1 gas engine, Allison 6 speed, posi-trac, LS cab, new Michelin tires, 6’ high box with pass thru. GM brand is hard to find, but they’re out there.