Here's All The Mistakes I Made Building My Ambulance Conversion | Fleet Finds | Viewer Support
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- Опубліковано 28 чер 2021
- I dig deep and talk about all of the mistakes I made when I built my rig and joined the Fleet. My first year on the road was riddled with discomfort and I tell you why in this video.
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My name is David and with my dog Lefty we live full time in our converted ambulance RV. I made this change to my 'standard' life and you can too! Like, subscribe and comment - Lefty would appreciate it - he wants the adventures to keep coming!
The Campulance is a 2002 Ford E450 Marque Commando 164 Class III ambulance powered by the Ford 7.3l Powerstroke diesel engine and a 4 speed transmission. Lefty is a 65lb Staffordshire Terrier (best I can tell) that came from the Verona Street Animal Shelter in March 2014 at the age of 9 months. We have been living full time in the campulance since July 2019.
David, I believe that you are seeing Experience, not hindsight. You have the intelligence to see things that others would miss and their Rig would fail on the road. Don’t kick yourself for overthinking, that’s a heck of a lot better than bouncing like a Pinball through life. You’re doing fine and I get a lot out of your Videos. You’ve evolved into a different person that was stuck in the Rat Race like many and you had the courage to break out. All the best to you. JimO
Great comment Jim thank you.
@@TheCampulanceMan David this is Tommy LOL :-)
David you are so knowledgeable and helpful we appreciate you so much. We really enjoy Lefty he is so special.
Boop
He said, "Dime Store!" I forgot about the Dime Store. As a youngster, I always went there to buy kid things like wind-up balsa wood airplanes, model cars that I tried to put together without reading the instructions, and CANDY! Love these videos. Cheers
You are amazing for what you have accomplished, remember that you are admired for having the courage to be so honest with yourself. Learning from our mistakes is part of our journey. Stay well and travel safe 👍😊
Thank you Kathleen I appreciate that :)
you have a very functional down to earth common sense approach to things,i am banking it all for the day i retire,thanks for keeping the dream alive.
Thank you for that comment Ray
She just wanted to give that ambulance a bath that's all.😄
You've done a great job in your rig. I may use some things you've done when I find one. Keep up the great job with the rig and the videos.
Wow I think she should have stolen a boat if she wanted to go fishing! I am enjoying watching all your fix it and add on projects. I don't plan on ever getting an ambulance but your video's are really great! Lefty and Blue are learning to become friends and they look like they are having fun together. Great new chair! We all hopefully learn from our mistakes and you are doing just fine and those meal photo's look delicious!
My goal is too imitate everything you have done. Thanks so much for your help.
Everybody needs to "like" David and Lefty's videos. Lefty is the Executive Producer, exhausting work if you can find it!
In addition to his other, supervisory job :))
Still shopping.....thanks for the info....t
Keep at it Tony!! Keep me posted...
Your prepared meals looks so good eat well stay healthy
Another honest and down to earth video. Let me cut to the chase. We (your subs, fans and groupies) have all enjoyed and benefited from your journey, experiences, wisdom and trials. Me personally, your teaching skills in reference to all these ambulance topics are second to none. You are my primary go-to information center above all other people doing these vids for several reasons but mostly because of your demeanor and honesty. We thank you and respect you. Keep up the good job, please take care of you and Lefty. Signed...Your fans and friends.
Thank you for that Scott :) I'm happy to have the channel benefiting others... :) It's what keeps me going.
So well said, Scott. Thank you for putting in words I could not find. God bless, safe roads, Russ
Lol thank you for sharing! Have a great day! See you on the next one!😃❤👍
Gamechanger for me is my solar system and 5.0 cu ft deep freezer. Frozen veggies, ice, and ice cream allow me to stay out for about 3 weeks at a time. Of course I have other appliances, but my energy-sipping chest freezer is my favorite.
Having a freezer is awesome!
Kunkle Ambulance - I remember that well. It was a brand new rig. Glad it wasn't our company. LOL
Your videos are incredibly helpful. Thank you!
Thank you for this video and being open about your build. I am in the demo phase of my build and have watched a lot of your videos to help me on my build. Thank you again for the amount of time and effort you put into these videos. Be safe and stay healthy! Oh and pat Lefty for me!
Thanks for being with us James
I SO want an American Ambulance here in the UK...(I already own a Chevy Astro, but want something bigger) I found one last year...but they are so scarce..gotta keep looking..
I hope you find one! They're plentiful here!!
David....thinks for the great info.....t
I gotta get to that van build!
Need a diesel air heater . Note to self. 5 kilowatt. 71.6 F is 22 Celsius.
Really informative video, David. Thanks.
Thanks for addressing how hard it is to find a rig at a good price. Still looking but it will come I am sure.
Thanks Rico - there are good rigs at good prices if you can take the time to find the one!
You are the best David, Thanks for the comprehensive review Friend 👍
Thank you George I appreciate that :)
I thought you were about to share a story about someone taking their GPS all-too literally and driving into a body of water, when you showed the clip about the all-terrain ambulance. Made a real splash. They float well, at least for a little while.
The van build... She made hamburgers for us, so nice. She needed 6 gauge wire and lucky Jaime had some. Thanks for the fun clips. We were both a little stressed at that time. You've made many awesome changes and it's working well for you now. My fave is the steak and fries. Best wishes to you and Lefty.
Oh what memories :) almost 2 years ago can you believe it!!
Just found you channel! I think you tube was listening to me cause I was just talking about selling my travel trailer and getting an ambulance! 2 of the main reasons are to be able to tow boat and to not have a conventional kitchen because even with the kitchen in my trailer I find myself setting up an out door kitchen when we camp. Like you I enjoy spending my time cooking while camping and am glad to hear you have been able to find the time to do so. Cheers... I am going to binge some of your videos now...
Hi Logan and welcome to the channel! An ambulance is an excellent option - keep it on your list :)
Thank you for posting your videos I plan on buying and building a ambulance myself in the near future for part time travel and camping I’m keeping my home for a base camp it’s a nice house and paid for 👍😁
Good Plan Greg - its great to have a base to head to...
Great advice thank you so much fantastic video as always and hello to lefty🚑🐶😎
Thank you Michelle.:)
Hey David and lefty lefty is so cute
Well ok u r cute too but lefty is cuter wish u could see my little dog she's beautiful
Hey David..it's a learning experience. No one knows it all right off the bat..some may have watched more videos..lol. I've been doing this for over 12 years and I know that I don't know it all. I know what works for me and that's good enuf 😁 I'm finally getting the generator situation handled..found a nice box and have a bit of fabbing to do. You and Lefty take care 👍
I know that you know more than I do for sure :)
Keep me updated on your genny mount, I'd like to show it to folks. Be well Paul :)
Ah, GPX TSE 250R two stroke, nice
Good eye!!!
No mention of the solar panel v 1.0 mounts?! Just a little ribbing there. You have accomplished so much and we appreciate you sharing the journey.
I'll always have that on my shoulder... :)
I hope to learn from you. Thank you for your incouragement.
I'm happy to help!
David, Ya sure hit the funny bone with that one.....(. Mr Spastic )... I sure resemble that remark....40+ years in sales mgt
Ah so you know...
Great vid !!!
Fyi i'm prioritizing my stereo system , music is huge in my life.
Excellent! It was my first project :)
Hey brother, we're a little behind! Just watched your latest from a couple days ago. I remember hearing you talk about the changes you were making to your lifestyle, daily routine, priorities, etc as you made them. I think you did a fantastic job of getting prepared to the level at which you were when you hit the road. Then you kept what worked for you and changed what didn't!
We've always thought of this lifestyle as a work in progress, trying some things to see if they work for us and changing/modifying if they don't. Very few of us will get this ambo lifestyle right on the first go.
We're still plugging away at our rig. We both had to be away for work for over 2 weeks, so we're just now getting back into it. Gonna take a short trip on July 10th, and test out a bed configuration and the solar/battery/DC charger system.
Can't wait to see the next video!
I think that it would be cool if you could do a full country tour where you crisscross the country going east to west and you only stay in nothing but Rest Areas? This way you could show people from the worst to the best ones around and this may help other people know what your experience and maybe other people will know where is safe and what is not? You could give a rating of each of them and tell the pros and cons of each of them?
I completely agree about not getting sucked down the rabbit hole. I've been harassed for years about my truck's transmission. "Dodge transmissions are notorious blah blah." 380k miles later and it's still the factory original. Keep up with regular maintenance. Keep a wad of money for big failures, and enjoy life
You said it... what else can you do??
You have a good logical approach to your rig ect. I think at a minimum - clean motor oil and filter change the fan belt and keep the old one or a second new one as a spare. Have the front suspension checked out after about 100k miles most front suspension systems need some rebuilding. I very much agree with your robust solar design - better a bit to big than not large enough, it will last longer that way.
Thanks John I appreciate your words. I did save the old belt and carry it with us.
Hi David, love your videos because I learn a lot. I'm still looking for a good rig at a decent price. The ones lm finding are 18, 20K.. that worries me. Just have to keep looking. I have a 24ft born free class C motorcoach. But the setup just doesn't work for me. So I'll keep looking and watching you n lefty . And keep learning from u. Thanks, stay well. Blessings always
Thank you Elaine - keep looking and I'm wishing you luck :)
Hi David, Lefty and Blue🖐🏻. Great video👍🏻. My dog is also named Blue. My amby is in the shop again injectors or something else. Continuing to upgrade my rig and truly appreciate your video.
Hi Linda, thank you :)
Great info as always! Alot to consider.
That is literally diving off the deep end!!!!! Hahahahahaha 😂
Baboom!! She went for it!!
Well it was a Transit so no big losd🤣🤣
Great video as usual. Thank you for putting your life out there. I've been fantasizing about going on the road for several years now. I've watched literally thousands of videos for #vanlife, #rvlife, etc.. Your videos really introduced me to the ambulance camper route. I've learned so much! If I were able to, I'd leave today, but, it's not looking like it's going to happen anytime soon. I'm ready but my husband isn't because he can't see past giving up his job and commit to doing seasonal work and/or online work. He's a laborer and isn't interested in doing anything online so I showed him how many people do the seasonal work with various companies and being a camp host, etc. It's his security blanket of sorts even though he doesn't make a lot doing it. He is from Mexico, grew up very poor and his dreams included getting a color flat screen TV, buy meat for every day instead of once a week and other things that we all take for granted. He even said that I could go on the road if I wanted to and he'd give me money every month. Sounds strange, I know, but believe me when I say it's a very easy proposal to want to say yes to. I believe that I'd be fine traveling by myself but probably not at first. I'd like to learn the ropes first from others who already have experience. I'm thinking that joining a caravan would be a great idea. What have women who travel solo told you about traveling by themselves and what have you observed for yourself that you would recommend to a woman?
That's a tough hurdle to jump - the security blanket. I remember that struggle...
Looking for about 2 years. It will show up when it's time. Thanks for the great videos. Florida Joe
Good day ,you did not say what kind of frige you use .it takes a little time to get everything all put together.👍👍✌.
Hey Dave,
I've learned alot from you, and like to say thx.
Without "mistakes" there would be no growth or experience made. Really enjoy your channel. Looking forward to what comes next.
Thank you tinpan for that understanding :)
Truer words were never spoken.
It takes someone with self-confidence to accept that they did something wrong and admit it publicly. It is good of you to let others learn from your mistakes.
Thank you Stephanie
Sharing your experiences, is why I never miss a video. There are many I’ve watched more than once. As I said before, It was amazing to see you go from tightly wrapped, to easily smiling. I’ve incorporated some things you’ve done, into my own rig. It’s an ongoing process, for sure. It’s an invaluable service you provide. That spinning reel is serviceable, sort of low end. You were holding it upside down, David, an easy mistake for a non-fisherman😀. Keep them coming, I feel like you and Leftie are old friends, now.
Well said.
Upside down... fits right in to the video. :) I'm glad the vids have helped !!!
Lefty says "WHAT are you going on about?" - we have all seen that look before. Great video, thank you for sharing.
Shakespeare is a well-known maker of fishing reels. Reel good, some say. Other Shakespeare fans say "Double double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldren bubble -- soup's ready!" but I could never tell which witch was which. Out damn spot!
Gawhat!!
I received my Lefty sticker so now I'm officially in the Lefty fan club. It's cool and I love it. Lol😎
Lefty Fan!!! Thank you :)
I appreciate someone who can admit they have made a couple of boo-boos here and there…but, hey, you have learned so much! Experience is a great teacher. We are all on a journey. Enjoy the ride. Hug Lefty for me…. Until the next video….
Learning from our mistakes... so I should be a genius by now!!
@@TheCampulanceMan 😂
Well guys, my rig layed down on me in Northern Michigan while on a trip with my Blue Knights chapter. I had been fighting turbo/boost solenoid problems on the way up. On the way home, I heard a loud bang and white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. Has anyone had and issue like this in the past? BTW...my rig is still sitting at a shop in Grayling, Michigan.
Was there any radistor fluid on the ground or oil?
@@TheCampulanceMan no overheating and it still ran afterwards. Just blowing white smoke. The turbo didn't spool out of control. A friend thought it might be one of the rubber hoses for the turbo that might have blown up
Hi
This was very useful! I'm working with what I have - a micro cargo van, so some of the things you're able to do in the Campulance just aren't options for me. Yet the overall tone is still helpful - gotta feed myself, should have realistic understanding of how my van works and what maintenance I need to do, prioritize the projects, find ways to get experience. I'm not looking to full time for a couple years, just building experience now.
That's great that you have time to build!
Nice but I wish there would have been more concrete detail.
So glad to hear you’re friend upgraded to a dodge 😂 he’s a smart one good video I think everyone is guilty of putting the cart in front of the horse when in a hurry it just means you’re normal lol
When you are getting on the road. Because most nomad are just sitting and not traveling. Major content crises for me.😀🤝😂.
Hope you are doing well. See you on the road
Just got an update yesterday- looks like 3 weeks then... back on the road!
@@TheCampulanceMan good for me 😂😂👍
David, Your Having Good Quality Time That On The Road Does Not Provide In The Same Way! You Have The Blessing Of Family To Visit & Create & Fix At! She Did Not Have To Call 911 Driving Ambulance Into The Water As That Was Fast Response! LOL! Oh Gee. Criminals Never Plan It All Through. For Me 1st, Insulation Of Interior Ceiling & Walls Foam Sprayed & Floor Insulation Foam Board & 2nd, Ceiling & Walls All B-Board & Floor Treated Ply-Wood & 3rd, Industrial Galvanized Electrical Piping All Electrical Goes Through(Never Want To Have To Tear The Ceiling Or Walls Out To Get To Any Electrical Wiring Or From Mice/Rats Chewing) So This Would Be Applied As Areas Are Created For Best Application Of Use & Need. Then My Electric Queen Size Bed & Work From There Is My 100% Direction! Like You David, Mechanical I Know. What Helps Is You Have Someone Do The Work, You Know If They Know What They Are Doing & If It Really Needs Fix'n To Start With. It Helps-$$$. I Have A Scenario Of Steps To Accomplish To Have All Cum About To Have Done Right. No Side Step'n Will Accomplish Forward Direction. Everyone Has Different Avenues To Get To The Same Place. That Is A 100% Given Of Reality. After Your Part-Time Baby Sit'n Job Is Up This Week. When You Get Back On The Road, Safe Travels You & Lefty To Have! Always, Tommy :-)
When and were is the next van build ...i need to connect with these people. Lol
Check out Jamie at enigmatic nomadics...He organizes them.
Hi, would you mind linking the office chair in your Amazon store. I am looking for a new one... Thanks!
Katy I'll add it today to my lists :)
I was bidding on an ambulance what's the top bidder. Found out my apartment complex would not allow me to park it on the property. I did have a place off property to work on it leave it there while I was not working on it. Checked around for some storage facilities but they were all full. With less than three hours away to bid close I was fortunate enough to have someone outbid me which I hated to lose and possibly my dream as well but I felt it was better than being stuck with it caught between a rock and a hard place.
So close Tom!! I hope you get it sorted :)
David, Can you explain the important differences between Ford Ambulances that are E350 and E450. Which do you have? Is the 450 longer inside? Is the standing height higher? Thanks. Mike
Mike the 450 has a higher weight capacity. The boxes are the same on both - a 350 is just as good as a 450 for a camper rig
@@TheCampulanceMan Thank you.
the rose in the back round looks like you have a red Arab hat on /
What is the length of the box of your ambulance. Thank you.
Carl my box interior is 12' bulkhead to rear doors.
@@TheCampulanceMan thanks, from the videos it looks a lot bigger, maybe be because of the width and the height of the ambulance.
Found a Class 1 2004 4x4 Chevy 6.6 turbo w/walkthrough/looks like has a gasket for the human/dog passthrough door. 6' inside, 141,000mi. Hospital unit retired and is being auctioned off. I do have your checklist. Thank you, thank you for that good stuff!
I checked the vin, no issues and price range shows $12,000 low to 16,000 mid to 21,000 high. Bids are at 5100 and sure it will spike last hour.
Any thoughts (auction currently online) Your thoughts for reliable engine and transmission and durable construction? Also widely available parts? And posable glitches? Im looking into forums on this truck if I can find one in time...
Also needs to tow 10,000 - 12,000lbs respectively
Hi Homer / Your a pretty fart smellier / just kidding to lighten things up / your information has helped every one who checks out your channel / thank for every thing keep up the good work
How long did it take Lefty to chew thru the turtle shell?
He was thoroughly confused :)
Been catching up on your videos. Quick question. When on the highway and you get passed by a tractor trailer, do you experience that tail wag when and getting pushed to the side of the road like in a Class A RV? I assume its a lot less being a smaller footprint and very heavy in a type 3 ambo.
We do experience some buffeting but not bad. The front sway bar upgrade helped lessen it a lot.
@@TheCampulanceMan Awesome, thank you for the reply!
Did you have to add additional insulation to your rig? Like you, I plan on following the weather but understand the variability. Sometimes it snows in St. Louis in April...not often, but it happens. One of the biggest draws of an ambulance to me would be not having to deal with the expense in time and money of having to do insulation. Is it sufficient for both hot and cold temps?
My rig has about 2" of insulation. It definitely works to keep cool and warm inside :)
@@TheCampulanceMan Thanks for the quick response. Maybe I'll run into you one day. Safe journeys!
Another true to the Heart video. I hate when my dog stares me down also. Kind of feel guilty don't you
Thanks Tom. I've been all dogs, all day for 3 days now!
The prices are outrageous for a ambulance rig. I guess it's like trying to find affordable housing today. The internet is driving prices extremely high.
Boy everything vehicle related is high right now, you said it!
😂😂😂..floating rig
What do you know, these Ambro's can float? LOL
For a few minutes anyways :)
In all due respect…
Too much talk and not enough strong info.
Please stay the course.