Quote:Exactly my thoughts. I've had it with Ford for a number of reasons, and the last few light trucks we've purchased have been Chevy trucks and have been very trouble free. We're a couple of years (wishful thinking, anyway) from owning an ambulance, but my gut is to buy whatever we can put on a K3500 Silverado chassis with the Duramax. I know we'd give up a bit in the size of the box, but it isn't like we have 30 minute transport times to our three hospitals. I'm sure this will be a topic of great discussion if we get an ambulance deal done. There seems to be this huge push towards absolutely enormous ambulances, and I'm not sure we'd need something that large.
You can do alot on a 3500 chassis, but that also means some of the heavier bodys need to be eliminated. I'm doing a final inspection tonight & tomorrow but hopefully I will be able to upload some pics to a new topic in the other emergency vehicles category this weekend. Good luck to you in the future, trying to convince a group on a change of size especially when going smaller is CHALLENGING to say the least!
The problem I continually see is that customers are looking to carry everything and the kitchen sink. I've had to put JAWS, pike poles, cribbing just to name a few things, OH I forgot my favorite three M size O2 tanks. I would like the beffed up Silverado for those customers, I think for alot the 3500 will do as long as they are willing to give up some space and pay close attention to weight ratings.
I think the EMS industries biggest problem is overloaded trucks. I try to have my customers weigh each truck after delivery and loading while carrying a simulated patient, driver and two attendants. It's best to understand if your overweight and what puts you over before its cold & icy while coming down a hill one night!
Kris
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