This Ambulance Was Creatively Converted Into an Affordable and Practical Tiny Home

Choosing which vehicle to use as a base is one of the most significant decisions if you're considering a camper conversion. One of the most budget-friendly types of rigs are skoolies, such as this $10K build that really stunned me. However, not everyone has the patience and skills to convert a bus's huge interior into a home.

Then, you have camper vans, which are typically more expensive to convert. But one type of vehicle that's been increasing in popularity recently is the ambulance. "Why would I convert an ambulance into a camper?" you might ask yourself. Let me name some of the pros and cons.

First of all, used ambulances are relatively affordable. If you're willing to look for a longer while, there's a high chance you'll find an ambulance for under $20,000 (€18,324). Second, due to their nature and purpose, they're incredibly well-built. That's going to play to your advantage, the only exception being when you try to remove components – you're going to have a hard time due to their increased sturdiness.

If you're trying to save yourself the hassle, you could transform the existing interior (instead of ripping most of it out) to create your dream space.

Other notable advantages are that they're well-maintained, well-insulated, and have tons of storage both inside and outside. Let me also name some drawbacks to balance things out.

Ambulances come with extensive and complex electrical systems, which are hard to fix, modify, or even remove. Moreover, ambulances are structurally complex, so making modifications is a bit more challenging than on other vehicle types.

Another thing to keep in mind is customization. Compared to the renowned Sprinter van, you won't find many items or upgrades that will be directly compatible with your ambulance. And lastly, it's impossible to be stealthy in a converted ambulance. Even though you're required by law to remove the emergency lights and sirens, it will still catch the eye of bystanders.

Meet "Jambo the Ambo," which serves as a full-time home for Patrick and his partner. It's a 2000 Ford E-450 ambulance that offers about 140 square feet (13 square meters) of space.

The couple built the rig themselves, and that's how they managed to keep costs to a minimum. In fact, making it budget-friendly was one of the main factors of this project, and I'd say they succeeded.

So, let me tell you about the budget - the duo bought the base vehicle for less than $10,000. They invested a further $10,000 to $15,000 into its renovation, bringing the total price of the rig to about $20,000 to $25,000. That's definitely a good deal for a camper since this is a lower-end price of a van conversion.

As I mentioned earlier, ambulances are well-maintained, but that doesn't mean it's not worth making some mechanical changes. In this regard, the couple rebuilt the transmission, replaced the turbo, and made several other minor upgrades.

Like all ambulances, this unit boasts many exterior compartments, so let me start with those. On the driver's side, you'll discover a tall compartment hiding the rig's electrical system. It features 400 Ah batteries, a 2,800 W inverter connected to 400 W solar panels, a DC/DC charger linked to the ambulances' three engine batteries, and other components.

The power system has two solar charge controllers. One is connected to the 400 W solar panels on the roof, while the other is paired with a portable 200 W system.

Another tall compartment at the rear holds a spare tire and various tools and gear, which are a must-have on the road to carry out repairs and maintenance. Moreover, another spot houses a diesel heater connected to a canister, a propane-powered water heater, a water filtration system, a gray water tank, and a 30-gallon (114-liter) freshwater tank paired with a 12 V pump.

While we're on the topic of utilities, the couple uses a portable Black Decker A/C to keep the interior nice and cool during hotter days. Patrick explained that it could run for about 6 hours before the batteries ran out.

As for the passenger's side, this is where we get to see the couple's love for grilling inside yet another compartment. Their go-to choice is a Blackstone grill. However, funnily enough, they have a backup and another backup for the backup. These two are a propane grill and an isobutane grill.

Step inside, and you'll discover a cleanly designed space that focuses on functionality. This is where the couple managed to really cut some of the costs typically involved when decorating a camper interior. The primary way of achieving this was by buying or even simply acquiring second-hand stuff. For instance, the couple got the beadboards they used for the walls for free from a yard sale.

The heart of Jambo is the kitchen, dead ahead of the entrance. It consists of a butcher-block countertop, a sink with an extendable faucet, a Dometic single-zone fridge box, beautiful matte blue cabinetry, and a large window that allows you to take in the views while cooking. By the way, the countertop and faucet were bought off of Facebook Marketplace for meager sums.

You'll notice the rig's control center on the right side of the kitchen, integrated into the electrical system cabinet. It comprises controls for the heat, two outlets, and two USB plugs. Moreover, for storage, the couple uses various baskets and boxes.

Having an interior bathroom is one of the most sought-after perks when building a camper. In this ambulance's case, there was plenty of space to fit one. Patrick and his partner devised it where the vehicle's bulky A/C unit used to be. They added a Nature's Head composting toilet and small storage spots, but they made a mistake.

At the time of building the rig, they decided not to make it a wet bathroom by not adding a shower. But now they regret it, especially since the space was perfect to add a shower.

Opposite the kitchen, by the main door, you'll find a seating area featuring a spacious bench with storage underneath and a custom-made swivel table.

The final part of this living space is the bedroom. The bed is just under queen-sized and is positioned higher up to leave room underneath for storage. Moreover, a curtain in one of the bedroom's corners hides yet another storage space. Other notable elements are a ceiling Maxxair fan and decorations the duo bought from yard sales.

As Patrick said, this couple loves a deal. By being on constant watch for them, they managed to pay much less for some essential parts of the build. All in all, this is a fantastic budget-friendly build that, despite being made for a low budget, doesn't look the part. It's got proper utility systems, a cozy interior, and plenty of storage spaces.