Good or bad idea conversion vehicle?

[Lost Marbles]

Hi All, (and Darren for your helpful advice earlier for my Vienna trip)

I was doing a bit of searching using the google machine to get an idea of cost and 2nd hand vehicles I might be able to pick up in Germany for the planned conversion. What I was struck by was the number of retired ambulances at what I’m guessing is a good price (always hard as a foreigner). Are these a good bet?

I’ve been looking at them in three ways:
1) Ambulances get driven hard…
2) Given their role and the type of society Germany seems to be, they’ve probalby be serviced at all the correct intervals etc.
3) A lot of the electrical wiring into the back is done for you (though I suspect that’s still powered by the battery/engine.

Any views points welcome
Thanks in advance

[Darren]

Hi
Glad my earlier advice was
Hi

Glad my earlier advice was of use.
Ambulances do have massive pros and cons.
In particular the specialist fibreglass bodies can be great for a conversion vehicle. The can be a bit small, depending on what size you are after. Check the windows and door configuration, as many windows do’t open, and doors are often in the back.

Ambulances do generally have specialist suspension which is hard to source and expensive. They do generally do very high mileage. They often have masses of wiring which you wont need either.

I probably wouldn’t do a modern ambulance conversion. However, some people have done great conversions with them.

[Darren]

Hi
Glad my earlier advice was
Hi

Glad my earlier advice was of use.
Ambulances do have massive pros and cons.
In particular the specialist fibreglass bodies can be great for a conversion vehicle. The can be a bit small, depending on what size you are after. Check the windows and door configuration, as many windows do’t open, and doors are often in the back.

Ambulances do generally have specialist suspension which is hard to source and expensive. They do generally do very high mileage. They often have masses of wiring which you wont need either.

I probably wouldn’t do a modern ambulance conversion. However, some people have done great conversions with them.

[Lost Marbles]

Ah thanks Darren.
I didn’t
Ah thanks Darren.

I didn’t even think about ambulance suspension. I take it that that is initially a pro until it breaks and then a very big con.

I’m hoping to find one of the longer wheel base versions of a Sprinter or similar as I’d quite like to install at least a head, if not shower as well. I see there aren’t a lot of pictures of how other people have worked that section of their’s out on this website but will see what I can get from google images. Speaking of the wc, I haven’t seen much about water tanks other than a 20L drum under the basin. What would the feasablity be of making a tank by welding (well) two narrow metal plates across the floor from wall to wall depending on the size of tank desired and lining with water proofing of some sort. and then putting the floor on top of this (obviously with lid welded on too). I should figure the low flat nature of it would help keep the vehicle stable, especially if some baffles are included in the welding. I also realise it would raise the floor level a bit. Have you heard of anything similar having been done?

as always, thanks

[Lost Marbles]

Ah thanks Darren.
I didn’t
Ah thanks Darren.

I didn’t even think about ambulance suspension. I take it that that is initially a pro until it breaks and then a very big con.

I’m hoping to find one of the longer wheel base versions of a Sprinter or similar as I’d quite like to install at least a head, if not shower as well. I see there aren’t a lot of pictures of how other people have worked that section of their’s out on this website but will see what I can get from google images. Speaking of the wc, I haven’t seen much about water tanks other than a 20L drum under the basin. What would the feasablity be of making a tank by welding (well) two narrow metal plates across the floor from wall to wall depending on the size of tank desired and lining with water proofing of some sort. and then putting the floor on top of this (obviously with lid welded on too). I should figure the low flat nature of it would help keep the vehicle stable, especially if some baffles are included in the welding. I also realise it would raise the floor level a bit. Have you heard of anything similar having been done?

as always, thanks

[Darren]

I havent seen water done
I havent seen water done specifically like that.
However there are plastic tanks avaiable which mount underneath the chassis, and not occupying valuable interior space.

CAK tanks sell tanks specific to each vehicle.
http://www.caktanks.co.uk/

I used their fresh and waste water tanks on my Sprinter.

You idea sounds like it would work though. Tanks are very simple.

[Darren]

I havent seen water done
I havent seen water done specifically like that.
However there are plastic tanks avaiable which mount underneath the chassis, and not occupying valuable interior space.

CAK tanks sell tanks specific to each vehicle.
http://www.caktanks.co.uk/

I used their fresh and waste water tanks on my Sprinter.

You idea sounds like it would work though. Tanks are very simple.

[Patyogi]

Fly in ointment
If you buy a Euro vehicle, remember left hooker, difficult to insure.(In UK)
Difficult to re-register.
Pro’s, you can drive on the continent confidently.

We bought a R/Master in Spain great until we tried to bring it home, took us 6 months to sort out paperwork.
Okay if you live in Europe.

[Patyogi]

Fly in ointment
If you buy a Euro vehicle, remember left hooker, difficult to insure.(In UK)
Difficult to re-register.
Pro’s, you can drive on the continent confidently.

We bought a R/Master in Spain great until we tried to bring it home, took us 6 months to sort out paperwork.
Okay if you live in Europe.

[Author]

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