[quote name='A/TCEMSPM' post='309900' date='May 31 2009, 00:39 ']I had heard a rumor we were getting a bari unit but it kinda died just as fast as I heard it. If i had to guess I would say it is a bariatric unit note the movement of the second shoreline attachment. If i find Out more I will let you know. Also be on the lookout for 2 F450s in our livery later this year if those rumors hold up <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banghead.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote]
Thanks, that's what I figured. Word is that they are going with F-350/Wheeled Coach Type I's from now on, mostly due to cost factors.
It is indeed a Bariatric Capable transport unit. It has yet to be determined what station will be receiving it however you can expect to see it located somewhere central. We will be receiving 2 Wheeled Coach Type 1's (similar to Williamson County's latest boxes) mounted on F-450 Extended Cab chassis around August. Per Wheeled Coach they cannot put a rear air-dump suspension on the F-350 Chassis. Williamson County has sustained 6 or 7 OJI's already this year from paramedics hurting their backs while loading/unloading their old FERNO manual cots from the F-350's with no air dump. You can expect to see Williamson County move to the Stryker powered cots in the next few months and most likely spec F-450's from now on.
Thanks for the info, Ninjamedic! Much appreciated! Can't wait to see how the new trucks look! It always suprised me how Wilco doesn't go with the F-450. It's also sad to see the Internationals going away.
[quote name='TacSupport1' post='310250' date='Jun 1 2009, 15:56 ']Thanks for the info, Ninjamedic! Much appreciated! Can't wait to see how the new trucks look! It always suprised me how Wilco doesn't go with the F-450. It's also sad to see the Internationals going away.
Anyways
Austin-Travis County, TX EMS
2009 Dodge Sprinter/Wheeled Coach Type II
[/quote]
Man They are hideous we go from the biggest...to these. granted they will only be for stand by and PIO events but still
I know times are tight but going from IH to a Sprinter? Even if it is just for standbys. Also good luck with the switch from IH to F450's on regular units.
It is driven by two factors - cost and maneuverability. We think we will save money by switching from a medium duty chassis (which we retire at 250,000 miles) to an F-450 chassis (which will probably have to be retired or remounted at 100,000-150,000 miles). We expect to save 30-50K up front with an unknown increase in maintenance costs. There has also been concern over the maneuverability of our medium duty chassis downtown. To solve this we are moving from a regular cab medium duty to an extended cab F-450. Personally I disagree completely with the thought process however these two units are supposed to be an initial proof of concept to determine whether or not they will work in our system.
[quote name='NinjaMedic2293' post='310571' date='Jun 2 2009, 18:31 ']It is driven by two factors - cost and maneuverability. We think we will save money by switching from a medium duty chassis (which we retire at 250,000 miles) to an F-450 chassis (which will probably have to be retired or remounted at 100,000-150,000 miles). We expect to save 30-50K up front with an unknown increase in maintenance costs. There has also been concern over the maneuverability of our medium duty chassis downtown. To solve this we are moving from a regular cab medium duty to an extended cab F-450. Personally I disagree completely with the thought process however these two units are supposed to be an initial proof of concept to determine whether or not they will work in our system.[/quote]
WOW!!! I feel sorry for you, glad you didn;t have anything to do with the decision. Someone did not do the research, manuverability and the F-450 do not go togther! Put the extended cab on an just add another nightmare.
This is from a Ford man, honest I drive a 04 Crown Vic, and I am looking for a new Ford right now.
If they truly wanted better manueverability they would have gone with the Chevy C-4500. Hands down the most manuverable rig in the industry right now.
I could see the use of the Type II for manueverability at special events, but that's about all.
06-03-2009, 12:21 AM (This post was last modified: 06-03-2009, 12:21 AM by mesquite5010.)
Manueverability???? And they went to F-450? Thats funny!!!! My department has kinda a mix of vehicles. We have 2 E-450 ambulances, an f-550 squad/patrol, a Chevy C-5500 (don't ask) ambulance, and 2 Freightliner ambulances. The Medium duty rigs will darn near turn figure eights inside of the turning radius of the Fords any day of the week and twice on Thurday...but from your comments it sounds kinda like YOU already knew that!
Some of those new units with the Ford F-series chassis somehow dont look right. Like the cab rides low and long compared to the box. The Chevy looks better....but only looks. I still like a Ford better. I hate driving/riding in our Chevy chassis.
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