From the Fire Service, Inc. @FireServiceIncStJohn:
Congratulations to Chief Steve Hotwagner, members of the Midlothian Fire Department, and the village board on the recent purchase of their new 2022 Wheeled Coach Type III custom ambulance. This new unit will replace a 20-year-old reserve unit and will be their third Wheeled Coach ambulance. Since 2012, this busy suburban Chicagoland department has appreciated the durability that Wheeled Coach’s fully extruded body delivers. This unit will now come with Wheeled Coach’s all aluminum interior cabinetry, custom Whelen LED emergency lighting, LED scene and brow lighting, Stryker Power Load System, and Stryker Power Cot.
#1 by Mike C on October 26, 2021 - 4:09 PM
If I were to spec an ambulance, I think it would be an E-450 gas engine. They have really proven to be a good chassis. I like the F series chassis better but not sure it warrants the added cost.
#2 by Mike C on October 26, 2021 - 4:06 PM
I’m sure some will argue that the E-series isn’t available with 4 wheel drive. I think 4 wheel drive is a huge waste of taxpayer money in most Chicagoland departments.
#3 by Mike C on October 26, 2021 - 4:04 PM
From a cost savings standpoint, the E series is great! As we all know the F-series cab is more spacious. In addition, the weight transfer on an F-series is much better than an E series. Considering the lifespan that most departments keep their ambulances, I don’t think the diesel is the best option. I guarantee most Chicago ambulances have way higher hours and miles than a suburban ambulance and the gas engines work just fine in Chicago. If the diesel option wasn’t so expensive, I’d always push the the diesel. Diesel fuel has been consistently more expensive than gas too! I love the power the diesels offer and how they perform but the gas engines bring a better value in my opinion (although I hate to admit it).
#4 by harry on October 26, 2021 - 3:59 PM
mike see it seems the only large depts i know that still use diesel ambos are boston and fdny however fdny has a few gas engine ambos on e series chassis that were leased
#5 by Marty Coyne on October 26, 2021 - 3:21 PM
With the recent release of the gas engine F series, some departments are going back to them now. Chicago has 3 of them now, 2 F-450’s and 1-F350. All are gas powered.
#6 by Mike on October 26, 2021 - 2:40 PM
Mike C. It seems like a lot of departments are going back to these. The F series are just getting to big. The F series fuel mileage is awful also and with the emissions stuff now diesels are as good or reliable as they were before. Also the cost of equipment is unaffordable now. For an F series you’re 225-250,000. Autoloaders are 20,000 plus 20,000 for a stretcher. Heart monitors are 20-30,000. Most departments / districts budgets haven’t increase at the same rate as equipment costs have. So now we are going back full circle to gasoline engines on ambulances. Many places from Chicago to many suburbs are using gas ambulances again.
#7 by Mike C on October 26, 2021 - 1:27 PM
The E series cutaways continue to carry on! These chassis’ have gone 30 years without any major revisions. Pretty cool!