Where to buy an ambulance, other than ebay?
- Thread starter Papa Deuce
- Start date
G
Guest
Guest
Just don't buy a hearse...
Just think of the marketing chances with the hearse:
DJing which brings the dead back to life!!!!
I think its a pretty good idea, as an attention getter. I would think an ambulance with your logo or graphics on it would be really cool for concerts, parties, etc. I just do not think it would be viewed as classy as you might want at country clubs and other wedding locations. Formal events in my mind require an understated, clean vehicle or trailer. If you take care of the customer and provide great service, maybe the vehicle is not that big of deal.
I like the idea of it, still though! I actually wanted to do a Cadillac Hearse, and dress it up a bit with exterior lighting, but my gf said she would bounce on me if I did that.....strangely enough, I listened to her about that one. She is the voice of reason with my business at times!
Good luck, and let us know what you find!
I like the idea of it, still though! I actually wanted to do a Cadillac Hearse, and dress it up a bit with exterior lighting, but my gf said she would bounce on me if I did that.....strangely enough, I listened to her about that one. She is the voice of reason with my business at times!
Good luck, and let us know what you find!
If you had the money (or the right friends) a nice glossy black paint job on an ambulance after the lights were removed and patched up wouldn't necessarily not look classy..... it would just take money. I'm just saying it wouldn't have to be the party-crew look, it all depends what you're going for.
G
Guest
Guest
Funny this topic came up now...
After Vegas, I've been thinking of getting a shuttle bus with the wheel chair lift. That would make it easy to park at the curb and unload without twisting my trailer up onto the sidewalk, taking up three spaces. The lift would make things easier on my back too, without pushing my load up and down the ramp.
I have my eye open for one...
After Vegas, I've been thinking of getting a shuttle bus with the wheel chair lift. That would make it easy to park at the curb and unload without twisting my trailer up onto the sidewalk, taking up three spaces. The lift would make things easier on my back too, without pushing my load up and down the ramp.
I have my eye open for one...
I think this has been done before....
You can choose to NOT post.
So can I, but I have another good one :tongue3: :
The Hearse is a better idea. Why? It says WE KNOCK EM DEAD!
The ambulance only says WE MAKE EM SICK!
What about a Mail Truck, the one with the Drivers side in the Right!
I've always thought that would be a cool DJ Vehicle!
I've always thought that would be a cool DJ Vehicle!
Check with your local city/county government about surplus auctions. Here, they have them twice a year. Last fall, I almost bought a fire truck, no idea what I would do with it, but I have wanted one since I was a kid!
Pull up in a hearse and then your clients the following:
"You win wether you book me or not. If you book me your event will be a total success. If you do decide on another DJ, this hearse will comfortable carry your event after the other DJ kills it."
"You win wether you book me or not. If you book me your event will be a total success. If you do decide on another DJ, this hearse will comfortable carry your event after the other DJ kills it."
Unsure if you were serious about the use of the Ambulance or not but I'll throw this into the convo anyway....
Back in the days of just starting out as a DJ, I used to work at a couple of factories around here that build and even Remount (Refurbish) Ambulances. We have three of the most productive Ambulance manufacturers here in Elkhart County. There are Mobile Mechanics and some construction companies around here that use old, decommissioned ambulances for their utility vehicles.
While working for Medtec Ambulance corporation back in the early 1990's we actually tried to use a small lightbar that typically mounts on the front cab of the ambulance, and incorporate that into our light show. The red, white and blue rotating beacons were a cool addition to the lighting but it just wasn't working out and really looked too cheesy and cheap.
If you are serious about getting an old Ambulance, try to consider either
Medtec Ambulance Corp
Marque Ambulance
Or McCoy Miller Ambulance Corp.
Hope this post has been useful somehow.
Back in the days of just starting out as a DJ, I used to work at a couple of factories around here that build and even Remount (Refurbish) Ambulances. We have three of the most productive Ambulance manufacturers here in Elkhart County. There are Mobile Mechanics and some construction companies around here that use old, decommissioned ambulances for their utility vehicles.
While working for Medtec Ambulance corporation back in the early 1990's we actually tried to use a small lightbar that typically mounts on the front cab of the ambulance, and incorporate that into our light show. The red, white and blue rotating beacons were a cool addition to the lighting but it just wasn't working out and really looked too cheesy and cheap.
If you are serious about getting an old Ambulance, try to consider either
Medtec Ambulance Corp
Marque Ambulance
Or McCoy Miller Ambulance Corp.
Hope this post has been useful somehow.
I am a retired paramedic, so I have more than enough experience riding on ambulances which ran the gamut from the old Cadillacs, Chevy Suburbans, vans, up to and including the big diesel units everyone is using now.
I would never buy a used ambulance or police car for a work vehicle, but that is just my opinion. US federal law mandates that an ambulance chassis must be replaced periodically because after 3-4 years on the road the vehicles are beat to death. The mechanics where I worked (Hillsborough County Fla) told me to multiply a vehicle's mileage by 3 to get a ballpark idea of the abuse the unit has received (if the ambulance has 100K miles on it, consider it to be mechanically equal to a passenger car with 300K miles on it). This comes from years of quick starts, driving balls to the wall with a cold engine, idling for 20-30 minutes at a time (with all lights on, a major drain to the electrical system), and jumping curbs, ditches etc (which can twist a chassis).
Expect your mileage to be below 10 MPG, and frequent repairs.
When I was shopping for a new van, every dealer I went so specifically asked if I was going to use the vehicle as an ambulance. I asked why everyone asked this question, and was told that the first thing ambulance builders do is overload the vehicle weight wise, which immediately voids the mfg. warranty.
I would never buy a used ambulance or police car for a work vehicle, but that is just my opinion. US federal law mandates that an ambulance chassis must be replaced periodically because after 3-4 years on the road the vehicles are beat to death. The mechanics where I worked (Hillsborough County Fla) told me to multiply a vehicle's mileage by 3 to get a ballpark idea of the abuse the unit has received (if the ambulance has 100K miles on it, consider it to be mechanically equal to a passenger car with 300K miles on it). This comes from years of quick starts, driving balls to the wall with a cold engine, idling for 20-30 minutes at a time (with all lights on, a major drain to the electrical system), and jumping curbs, ditches etc (which can twist a chassis).
Expect your mileage to be below 10 MPG, and frequent repairs.
When I was shopping for a new van, every dealer I went so specifically asked if I was going to use the vehicle as an ambulance. I asked why everyone asked this question, and was told that the first thing ambulance builders do is overload the vehicle weight wise, which immediately voids the mfg. warranty.
Papa,
You may want to talk with Greg Tish at DJC, check this out
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120104424046
You may want to talk with Greg Tish at DJC, check this out
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120104424046
I had thought about getting a used ambulance also. There was one for sale across the street from my mechanic. He then gave me some great words of advice....don't. The fuel mileage on ambulances is terrible. He said try under 5 mpg! He also said there was another DJ company in town who had bought one, but didn't use it anymore due to the cost.
I've done trailers, they are ok but usually a pain in the but to park in some areas. Cargo vans 3/4 ton are easy to come by and you can usually get them at a decent price. My mechanic checks out my vehicles for me before I buy them at around $25/piece.
I also thought about a hearse. The kid who was selling it bragged on how his was special because it was used to pick up the dead bodies from apartments and houses.....well the thought of just dead wrapped up bodies full of germs did it for me! YUCK! BTW his license plates read "digemup"
I've done trailers, they are ok but usually a pain in the but to park in some areas. Cargo vans 3/4 ton are easy to come by and you can usually get them at a decent price. My mechanic checks out my vehicles for me before I buy them at around $25/piece.
I also thought about a hearse. The kid who was selling it bragged on how his was special because it was used to pick up the dead bodies from apartments and houses.....well the thought of just dead wrapped up bodies full of germs did it for me! YUCK! BTW his license plates read "digemup"
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
Here you go Papa..Get one of these at your local Army Surplus store!
don't tempt me....
