B+ conversion

farmerjack

New Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2011
Messages
3
Location
rural Kentucky
I am new to this forum but not to the RV business with 20+ yrs in sales and running a dealership. I have been unable to get an idea out of my head for over 2 yrs now that ex modular ambulances have all the best features needed to convert to a B+ type RV with better construction than most and often an array of electrical systems supported by inverters or generator or both. Great storage,supreme interior lighting, strong durable floors and the list goes on. There are some obvious drawbacks such as interior height and the need to remove emergemcy equipment and electronics, install toilet and holding tanks and alot more. I am leaning heavily toward a medium duty Freightliner with Cummins 6 spd and air ride chassis, with pass through to rear. I have read about some people who did their own and they rave about most of the benefits they have found, but I see photos and wonder why they still look like an ambulance. I wonder if there is anyone out there who really did their homework and made an outstanding conversion, painted them to look more like an RV, mounted awnings, etc. and if they have any input on what they did different that made it work for them. This is my starting point. Maybe someone is out there doing it as a business. If so, I would like to know.
 
On one of the forums I really cannot remember where someone did convert an ambulance to a rv. That's about all I can say other than it was in the last couple years.
 
There are a couple on the Expedition Portal Forum. Some have been repainted, and one is still getting the bodywork and lights straightened out. These have all been converted to 4X4. Notice the rear quarters have been trimmed up, so they don't drag when driving through a dip, etc.

#1) This one has been painted a beautiful metal flake brown, but his photo-links have been broken. Hopefully they will be fixed soon.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/t ... t-project!!


#2) http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/t ... tro:sleep:E350

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/t ... highlight=

img_8928_0_59bff511b6e1de9d6e73c50ef2fd474f.jpg


#3) This one still needs the paint finished.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/t ... =ambulance

img_8928_1_d980e83ddb4b6e16f549e4f5d10ac828.jpg
 
They look like they could go just about anywhere.

Just a few observations:
Class B vans usually have at least on front seat that swivels so that the "living area" is extended a bit.
They are narrower and usually lower in height that B+ RV's and that helps get better MPG.
A B van that is narrower is easier to park. The B+ I had was a full 8' wide.
 

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