Move over cargo vans, skoolies, and box trucks! Ambulance camper conversions are the hot new trend in DIY recreational vehicles! And we have the details to help you decide if an ambulance conversion is for you!
Table of Contents
Reasons to Choose an Ambulance or Emergency Vehicle
A lot goes into selecting the perfect rig for your camper conversion project. From price to design to capability, let’s review some reasons you might choose an ambulance conversion camper.
First and foremost, ambulances are well-built and designed for heavy use. They tend to have beastly, commercial duty engines that will last a long time with proper maintenance. Even used ambulances are likely to withstand tens to hundreds of thousands (or more) of miles as well as rough roads and backcountry exploring.
Consistent maintenance makes vehicles last longer. After all, an emergency department wouldn’t want an ambo to break down en route to the hospital!
The price is right. Ambulances are more affordable than popular and more conventional choices like Ram Promasters, Ford Transits, and Mercedes Sprinters. School bus conversions can be affordable, but they tend to be a lot of work, so ambulances make a great choice for conversions.
Built-in outside storage options that other vehicles simply don’t have set ambulances apart. Imagine being able to store all your camping gear or tools without adding a box to the back of your rig!
Pre-existing compartments both inside and outside mean that you can move all of your things into an ambulance without having to worry about building cabinets or drawers. Closet space and ample storage are some of the biggest reasons folks find ambulances the perfect choice for a DIY campervan.
The squared edges and angles of an ambulance box make the living space easier to design and work with than the curved walls of other vehicles. When adding features to your build, there will be fewer space gaps or design challenges that require technical tools and skills.
Ambulances frequently come with 4-wheel capabilities. This is a major plus since many vans and buses are two-wheel drive. If you can find a used 4-wheel drive ambulance truck or van, you will have the ultimate off-road campervan!
Where to Find an Ambulance for Sale
Once you decide to start an ambulance DIY project, you’ll realize there are lots of retired ambulances for sale! Research the different ambulance manufacturers to determine the model(s) and features you are most interested in.
According to AmbulanceMed, the most popular ambulance models in North America are:
- Ford Transit
- Chevrolet Express
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
- RAM 5500
- Ford E-Series
- Freightliner Sprinter
- International CV Series
- GMC Savana
- Dodge Ram ProMaster
- Toyota Sienna
If you were surprised by this list, you’re not alone! We were shocked at how many ambulances are built on more common chassis.
Many used ambulances are often listed on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
Private ambulance companies or municipalities may sell their used ambulances direct to consumers. Consider the area, population, and usage. For example, a large city might use their ambulances for 150,000 miles over a few years, while a small rural volunteer ambulance might only get used for 10,000 miles in the same time frame. Always ask for maintenance records and get a trusted mechanic’s opinion when possible.
You can even find already converted or partially converted ambulance campervans for sale on RV and vanlife sites.
Pros and Cons of Ambulance Conversions
We’ll break down the positive points and common challenges to buying and converting a retired ambulance RV camper.
Pros
- Emergency vehicles are typically maintained very well with regular service.
- Ambulances are insulated and temperature-controlled. Heating and air conditioning are usually installed (but may need to be altered for an off-grid system).
- Used ambulances are typically an affordable, economical choice.
- There is plenty of space to stand and move around in an ambulance.
- Ambulances are built with strong and sturdy construction to withstand the demands of emergency service.
- Electrical wiring, which usually includes a water pump and shore power outlet, is already done. There’s even a designated exterior electrical closet on most ambulances, which means more indoor space for you!
Cons
- Ambulance interiors are, for lack of a better word, sterile. It can take some creativity to figure out how to make it your own or add design flair.
- Choosing to keep the built-in storage in an ambulance means you don’t exactly have a blank canvas. You’ll have to design around it or go through the painstaking process of removing it and adding your own cabinetry (which might defeat the purpose of buying an ambo).
- They stand out. If you’re spending most of your time on public lands, this probably won’t matter to you, but some higher-end campgrounds might not allow ambulance conversions, and they certainly are not stealth if you want to try and overnight in a city or town.
- Emergency lights and sirens are unique features of ambulances, but are probably not something you want or need in your campervan. Figuring out how to disassemble and uninstall these pre-wired pieces can be a bit of a hassle. Ambulances are known to have lots and lots of wiring. You might need to hire an expert electrician to help with this during your ambulance camper van conversion.
Ambulance Camper Project Considerations
While not necessarily positives or negatives, there are additional things to consider or keep in mind during your ambulance conversion process. For example:
- Will you be adding solar panels to the existing electrical system? Do you plan to use the ambulance conversion camper off-grid? What is the current battery setup?
- What is the freshwater storage capacity of your ambulance? What about gray or black water tanks?
- Do you plan to paint the exterior, and how will that affect your ambulance cost?
- What are the common mechanical issues for the particular model? Factor in the cost of repairs when looking at different vehicles.
- Does the ambo run on gasoline or diesel? How will this cost affect your travel?
- What kind of living space design do you prefer? Will you have a platform bed or a slide-out futon-style bed?
- Do you need additional features like bike storage? Where will that go?
Getting an Appraisal for Insurance Purposes
One of the biggest steps of the ambulance conversion process is obtaining insurance. You will want to be sure the vehicle and its contents are properly valued and insured before you begin using it.
Check out our blog on how to get an appraisal and the legal considerations of insuring your ambulance RV conversion.
Amazing Ambulance Camper Conversions and Ambulance Designs
Now that we’ve talked about converting a retired ambulance into a campervan, let’s check out some of the folks who have actually done it! Here are a few examples of ambulance conversions:
Janbulance created her ambo home on wheels for less than $20k! It is uniquely decorated with Jana’s own art!
EmergencyGetaway is a couple with a beautifully thought out ambulance build.
Mitty_theambo kept the original ambulance cabinets and even made a laundry chute out of the existing layout!
Team Wiff bought a $3,000 retired ambulance that needed just a tiny repair to get it up and running and turned into their dream camper conversion!
Jambo the Ambo is a really cool budget ambulance build that proves you don’t need brand-new things to create an incredible ambulance conversion!
Learn from Ambulance Conversion Enthusiasts
The internet is full of ambulance DIYers and folks willing to swap ideas, stories, or troubleshoot issues. Quick keyword searches will bring you to Facebook groups, message boards, forums, and YouTube videos galore. Take advantage of these as you dive into your ambulance conversion project!
Is an Ambulance Camper Conversion for You?
There is no right or wrong vehicle for campervan conversions, and only you can determine the correct choice for your needs, budget, and skill set.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to fellow DIYers with questions, and make your own pros and cons list to decide if an ambulance is right for you. With ample storage, built-in cabinets, and a large living space, an ambulance conversion might just be the perfect choice that will empower you to go Find Your Outside™!
P.S. We hope the next time you find yourself in an ambulance it’s a campervan conversion and not an emergency situation!
