Recommendations on Used Ambulance for Shipping Overseas

[RHS]

Please bear with me if I’m posting in wrong forum, point me in the right direction
I’m a physician from Africa worked in US for 10 years and setting up a small hospital in my home country.
We need to buy a (Type I) ambulance to take with us in a container we are shipping equipment for the hospital. Type I due to requirement to ship by container
I have a few questions for the experts on here.
1. Does a Type I ambulance fit in a high cube 40ft container?
2. Where can I get a list of equipment we might need on the ambulance? Pulse oximeter, defibrillator etc. I am internal medicine so, not got emergency training.
3. Our budget for the used ambulance is about $8000 any suggestions what to avoid? I know it is a lottery
4. Any other advice would be appreciated

The ambulance will be used primarily to take patients from our facility to the government hospital that are too sick for our facility to manage.

[Dickey]

I will try to help...not an expert by any means.

A type I ambulance will fit into a shipping container height wise but not sure for width wise...you might have to fold or remove the outside mirrors. I would assume the shipper company can give you specifics on how to package a vehicle for shipment. I always thought when a vehicle is shipped it just goes on a pallet like fire trucks and other vehicles, but again, not sure.

Here is a list from the US Federal government on required equipment for an ambulance in the United States:
http://www.facs.org/trauma/publications/ambulance.pdf

That should get you started at least. If it will be used for special transport, it might require some special equipment too like a neonatal transporter or special IV pumps too, depending on your budget.

I would strongly suggest to avoid any gasoline powered vehicle....stay with a diesel powered vehicle which gives you lots of horsepower and it will run forever. Ask to see the maintenance records too!!

I wish you luck in your efforts, it is a very noble cause. Stay safe!

[GTRider245]

1999-2003.5 Ford Superduty with the Powerstroke. Find a 4x4 if you can in your price range.

Gas or diesel to me would depend on what is readily available in that part of Africa. If you can get it, go with the diesel.

[RHS]

Thanks both of you for the replies, very handy.

[Halligan84]

I just bought 2 used shipping containers for boat storage. The standard width is 8' which might be too tight for a Type I. We found some 102" wide containers to fit boats that have close to an 8' beam and they are snug.

[Reliance]

Check with http://www.tri-star.ca/ Tri Star Industries in Yarmouth, NS Canada as they are shipping overseas quite a bit.

[engine341]

Check with Foster Coach Sales in Sterling Ill I have worked with him for several years and he could get you a good price on a used Type 1. He has been in the industry for years and could helpyou with what you need.

Here is the # 800-369-4215.

[dano313]

See what you can find on here, conditions vary, but sometimes you can find a bargain

http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa...arch&mycat=94J

[dmleblanc]

You're gonna need a buttload of bubble wrap....

[npfd801]

Check with Foster Coach Sales in Sterling Ill I have worked with him for several years and he could get you a good price on a used Type 1. He has been in the industry for years and could helpyou with what you need.

Here is the # 800-369-4215.

I'll vouch for Foster. Fantastic people.