This Ambulance Got a New Lease on Life With a Premium, Off-Grid Camper Makeover

There are so many options to choose from nowadays regarding mobile homes on wheels. Of course, each vehicle type comes with its benefits and downsides. In the ambulance's case, several things make sense. First of all, used ambulances are built to last. On top of that, they're typically well-maintained during their period of active use.

Let's be frank - another critical factor for most people when deciding upon a base vehicle for a camper is cost. In this regard, used ambulances are quite budget-friendly. Moreover, they're wide, well-insulated, and have a usable living space.

To balance things out, let me also name some drawbacks. For instance, the ambulance's sturdiness is a double-edged sword, as it can prove difficult for some to remove specific components or modify its structure – you'll need some serious tools to cut through its interior. Furthermore, if you're unfamiliar with electronics and wires, you might have difficulty dealing with the ambulance's complex electrical system.

Lastly, camping stealthily in an ambulance is not really an option, as it will attract some curious looks, even with all the decals removed. By the way, the law requires you to get rid of any graphic elements that hint toward it being an ambulance, as well as its lights and sirens.

Alex and Crystal chose a used ambulance as a home on the road for several reasons. One is that they're extremely solid, just as I described above. Moreover, they liked it because it's square, making the camper transformation easier since they didn't have to deal with curves. In addition, it came with many storage options.

The couple bought the ambulance in 2019. At first, they used it as it was, but ultimately, they decided to transform it and move in full-time with their Border Collie, Lincoln. Let's see how they transformed it into their ideal home on wheels.

At first glance, you couldn't mistake this rig for anything else besides a former life-saving vehicle. However, it's been redesigned for a new purpose: exploring off the beaten path. Perhaps the most significant upgrade is the 4x4 drivetrain. Moreover, the couple lifted the vehicle and added a solid front axle and aftermarket Fox shocks, riding on 33-inch tires.

Storage is vital when living in a mobile home. You want to find that ideal balance – devise enough storage spaces to fit all your stuff but still leave enough room to move and live comfortably inside your rig. In this regard, the couple mounted some extra components around the ambulance's exterior in order to have as much space as possible.

Just as Alex described, when you buy an ambulance, you will find nothing off the shelf that will be a perfect fit. So, the duo came up with a simple yet effective solution: a custom bumper complete with two lockable swing arms.

They hold a spare tire, a trash bag, and a pole for the StarLink. Furthermore, you'll discover two large containers filled with all sorts of bits and bobs, including a grill and a propane fire pit. Higher up on the right swingarm is where Alex and Crystal store their bicycles – Alex explained that they chose this position to make the bikes harder to steal.

Both the swingarms open up, revealing the ambulance's rear doors. Behind them, the couple devised the garage, featuring a huge drawer slide. Besides having enough space inside a camper, you must find an efficient way of using it. These two van-lifers keep everything nice and tidy with large plastic boxes – they even go the extra mile and vacuum seal their belongings to maximize the available garage space.

At the front, you'll notice a custom heavy-duty bumper, which surely can easily clear stuff out of the vehicle's way. Both the rear and front bumper are made of steel, so they add a bit to the camper's weight, but they offer that much-needed extra level of protection, especially when off-roading.

All sorts of useful components comprise the rest of this vehicle's exterior. You'll discover, just like in most ambulances, that there are a bunch of exterior storage compartments in the form of cabinets. Up front, just by the passenger's door, there's an extra access for the electrical system. Underneath is a drawer holding an extra battery needed to start the 7.3-liter engine.

Some van-lifers use the roof space to fit solar panels, a must when going off-grid. Alex and Crystal have done just that with 750 W solar panels, only they made sure to occupy the whole area with other useful components. For example, you'll discover an over-the-cab rack, an awning, and two large bins housing inflatable kayaks.

But enough with the exterior for now – you're probably eager to hear more about the ambulance's living space. The layout isn't anything novel – the bathroom is integrated beside the driver's cabin, the kitchen is on the side, and the bathroom is at the end of the interior. However, the transformation looks stunning, especially considering this was a DIY job.

Let's start things off with the kitchen. It features a large countertop, a deep sink, a 95-liter (25-gallon) fridge/freezer, and an oven with a stove. The same storage-focused approach continues in the interior, as many drawers and cabinets are around. Regarding the aesthetics, the pale green color blends beautifully with the white tiled backsplash and the wooden countertop.

Opposite the kitchen, you'll discover a bench seat with two drawers underneath and some overhead cabinets. This area doubles as a dining room and workplace, as there's a sizable table installed on drawer slides that can be extended. Furthermore, you'll notice a small side window that can be opened.

It's impressive that this couple has managed to fit a bathroom inside this camper despite the vehicle not being that spacious. It comes with a Nature's Head composting toilet, a shower, a light with a vent fan, and a shower door. If you take a closer look, you'll see that the tiled design is, in fact, made up of plastic panels that have been clicked together. Oh, by the way, there's lots of water available on board their ambulance: liters (65 gallons), to be precise.

There's no point in having an amazing camper interior if the place where you rest isn't comfortable. Many people sacrifice real estate inside their vehicles to make room for a proper mattress, just like Alex and Crystal. They also use a nifty hack: instead of having traditional pillows, they fill pillowcases with towels, shirts, and other clothes. I told you these two are all about maximizing storage.

On the bedroom walls, you'll notice some more cabinets, plugs, and a small TV on a swivel mount. Up above, there's a Maxxair fan that ensures proper ventilation. However, it cannot keep up on hotter days, so they are also installing an A/C unit.

Alex described that the goal with this rig was to be able to go off-grid for around a week. The water tank definitely helps in this regard, but the ambulance also features two 400 Ah batteries, a 3000 W inverter, and a diesel heater, among other components.

You're probably curious to know how much this all cost. The base vehicle was $6,800 (€6,336), the interior transformation cost about $35,000 (€32,612), and the off-road conversion was around $25,000 (€23,294). So, the total price was just under $80,000 (€74,542). Even though it's not a low-budget build, I'd say it's a fantastic deal, complete with premium options and striking looks.