Ambulance Remounts: Worth It?

[x635 4,066]

I'm just curious about what people think about ambulance remounts?

If the module's in good shape, why not send it back to the factory for a new chasis and some upgrades. For low-volume agencies, or ones that take great care of their ambulances, this would seem to be a cost-efficient solution.

[Danger 160]

The ambulances we had before the current line were remounts on the F-450. Heavy use, but excellent in house maintenance. The apparatus replacement schedule points towards doing another remount on our new mods. The 2006 E-450 has been pretty awful, spending a lot of time at the dealership.

[Guest]

I think if the module itsself has been well maintained and is still in good functional condition after several years of light to moderate service, then it makes all the sense in the world to remount on a newer chasis. To me, that is an example of how an agency can live within it's means and budget while still delivering the best service to their public(taxpayers).

If I am not mistaken, the city of Philidelphia Fire Department remounts some if not many of their used modules onto new chasis. Obviously this practice can only be considered by agencies or companies that specify and use type1 or type3 ambulances. It's all about deciding where your money is best spent.

[RWC130 594]

A lot of VAC's in Westchester that had SWAB Ambulances would send them back for remounts.

Kinda miss the old Chevy 454. They would fly...

http://www.swabwagon.com/home.html

I know SWAB stopping making Ambulances back in the mid 90's.

Who had the SWAB Ambulances and did remounts?

I'm thinking...

-Peekskill

-Yorktown

-Garrison

-Mohegan

Any others?

[trauma74 111]

My VAC has never done a remount of an existing box onto a new chassis, however we are considering a remount on our 2001 PL Custom. It is due for replacement in 2011 and the box is in decent shape. This unit has been the least used out of all 3 of our buses. Last year we used the h*ll out of our old buses because they were getting traded in and we wanted to maximum usage out of them and use the 2001 bus the least often. Then, once we got our new buses in, the 2001 wasnt being used because everyone was out using the new buses for 1st and 2nd jobs. , then we decided to have the red stripe on this bus repainted to match the new buses. While waiting for this bus to go in for the paint job, it was involved in an accident (nobody was hurt), so it went in for that and the paint work. That was six weeks it was not being used. So, overall it is not in bad shape. Putting the box on a nice new chassis and doing some interior and exterior renovations and maybe some lighting upgrades will give us a bus that will be good for at least another 10 years of service. I know that other companies aside from PL can do the remount on this bus, but I am inclined to say that PL will be doing the remount.

[x635 4,066]

I forgot to add that OEM remounts are always the best.

If I'm not mistaken, the following agencies that I know have or had remounts-maybe they could weigh in?

Elmsford- Braun remounted by First Priority in New Jersey

Greenburgh PD- Braun Slopside by First Priority

Stamford EMS- Horton Modules remounted on Chevy vans, Chevy Type I's, and Ford Type I's, by First Priority, I believe.

Also, how much is it of a cost savings versus a new ambulance? Has anyone researched this?

[trauma74 111]

I think the price is about half.