Quote:
Originally Posted by Piotrsko
The walkthrough is a local option. Class C camper cabs have it.
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Yes, Class C RVs build on truck chassis have a walkthrough. They also have a living space overhead that ties into the cab that make it easier to make a large vertical opening.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Piotrsko
Why not just use a box truck?
Basically because an ambulance is a box truck with a better box.
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I started off looking at box trucks. Specifically, something like a Penske 12 foot built on a van chassis. I was drawn to the rectangular shape that make upfitting the interior WAY easier than trying to match the interior profile of a van. (Lesson learned from building our first campervan)
A typical box truck has a flimsy wooden box on a flatbed covered with either fiberglass or aluminum. They are prone to leaks and rotting of the wooden core. I also doubt most would survive long if subjected to a steady diet of rough forest service roads. Most box trucks are also made to back up to shipping dock 48 inches off the ground so the box is too high. (Bad for Aero, bad for getting in and out of the box, bad for overhead clearance)
Ambulance boxes must be crash tested and certified. They are made of welded aluminum tubing and some have the seams of the exterior aluminum welded. Most are insulated from the factor. They also come with a bunch of external storage compartments already made that are lockable and watertight.
Ambulances have:
- Rear Heat and A/C
- Shore power
- 110V power with a quality invertor designed to work with sensitive medical equipment
- Dual alternators
- House batteries (Usually 2-4)
- Air Ride (Which can also be used to level the box when parked)
- Onboard air compressor to air the tires up and down
- Certified seats with seatbelts to allow people to legally ride in the back.
- Lots of the wiring already done (and individual wires printed with the circuit info)
Then there is rust or lack of rust. A M2 ambulance has an aluminum cab with an aluminum box.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Piotrsko
Them 16 ft Isuzu things get flogged to death and keep on trucking.
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They do. They also have cramped cabs with the passengers sitting right on top of the front axle. I’ve spent some time on expeditors forums and the general consensus is that cab-overs great for maneuvering around town but miserable to drive long distances on the highway. The requirement for the cab to swing up for service also makes doing a walk-through to the box harder. I haven’t seen any with a low entry box.
Back to aerodynamics.
I would likely do an air deflector on the top of the cab (factory option so easier to find / install than some custom fabrication)
Medium Duty side profile
I would likely do an air deflector on the top of the cab (factory option so easier to find / install than some custom fabrication)
Pickup side profile
