Hey thank you all so much for the kind words and comments. I’m stoked to show y’all what’s going down in this beast now. To my surprise many of you are building ambulances as well or have them and intend on building them. If you guys want to hit me up on Instagram so I can see them and you can see photos of mine as well or in case we all have questions please do so. My link is in the description you should be able to just click on it. Thank you guys again for all the wonderful comments and support I genuinely appreciate it
We are working on ours and just about to put the walls in when we had heavy rain for a few days. We have many places that water started to come in. If I had put the walls in I would be in the same shape your in. It seems my sidelights would leak some water in and it would run down the wires in the wall up by the roof dripping down into areas of the wall. Also being in it as it was raining the condensation building up on the aluminum inside walls was amazing. It was so much it was starting to run down the inside wall and created a small puddle of water on the floor. If I had the wood on it already it would have absorbed into the wood and messed it up. Make sure you put in a plastic wall weather blocker before adding back in any wall wood or panels. I am rethinking a few things. The waterproof vinyl flooring is starting to look good for our walls just I case. I am going to reseal all the lights but still, the condensation can create a lot of water.
Wow hanks for the info. I’m sure glad you caught all that before you install the walls. That would’ve been a bummer for sure. I think I’ve got mine all sorted out I’m going to seal around the lights on the outside also because I did feel like they were potentially leaking
@@HappysTrails We also have leaks in the rubber seal that connects the cab to the box. I have some sealant on order for that. It was dripping in right on both front seats. I am down south and we get a lot of rain here.
@@goactivemedia oh wow I haven’t had any signs of that but may not be. Bad thing to verify. It came from Washington state to Az so gonna have some rubber dying for sure.
The previous owner of my ambulance used self-adhesive vinyl simulated wood grain planks. It looked nearly exactly as yours. I think it was one of the big reasons he sold it to me. Those things expand and contract quite a bit when exposed to heat and cold. I tore it all out and ended up using a good grain d-c-fix sticky contact paper and it looks great. Good luck.
Suggestion. If you have the vehicle completely closed up where it not breathing it will cause heavy condensation inside. You might want to leave the vent open slightly so it can breath. Same issue happens on metal buildings w/o vapor barrier. Another help would be to use hemp insulation. Hemp rejects moisture. Rapid temperature changes cause that.
Rapid temperature changes and a vehicle that is mostly metal will create moisture. You think you have a leak but don't. One example, the reason truck and auto manufacturers went from steel fuel tanks to Aluminum is moisture control. It's good to leave heat on or maybe crack a vent and let fresh air in. Wood paneling will act as a sponge and draw moisture in causing it to warp. Can be frustrating.
I will check the roof. There’s one Ambulance that looked at where the antenna was on top of the roof in the middle it started leaking when it rained really hard between the roof and the ceiling was full of water. That’s where I would start first.
I checked that area I couldn’t tell if it was leaking there but just to be safe I sealed all around it anyway. There were a couple antennas up there I did that to you. Thank you for the comment and advice.🤙🏽
Just demo'ed my '08 E450 with a Wheeled Coach ambulance box on it and so this video is such a help to me, as well as some of the comments! No wonder the manufacturer used 3/4" plywood for everything and plastic on the ceiling! yikes Hey bro, I'm from Temecula, been living in Southern Baja for almost ten years now. If you head this way, let me know.
Nice glad your getting something out of the videos and comments that makes me super stoked to hear. I’m sure I’ll roll that way someday and I’ll give ya a shout 🤙🏽 you posting pics anywhere? Or doing videos?
Yeah I was starting to think that as well but found standing water in the window frame so that was one source but I’m still not ruling out the condensation
Man total bummer. Like you said it's a learning curve. Good this happened sooner then later. We have been going through similar challenges with our expedition overland flatbed camper build. Great tech tip on the photos. I had to do that today when I took off my tail lights for the "lost count" times. So excited to see the Ambo build again. Those glass cabinets look so nice with the build..keep up the great job.. At the end of the day YOU BUILT IT! Mark ( & Teresa)
Yes 🙌🏽 thank you for your comment. I’m so lucky to have such amazing people follow the channel. So much positivity it’s insane making me want to do more and better all the time. Thank you guys for the comment and for watching 🤙🏽
aluminum is subject/prone to condensation more that other materials. use wool and/or hemp insulation with vapor barriers and this should help out with the condensation in the ambo. also use thicker anti moisture (moisture resistant) material on the walls and ceiling. I have completed a vintage trailer (aluminum) build and I installed sound dampening, them moisture/vapor barrier before wool insulation and then another plastic sheet of vapor/moisture barrier then the wood wall material. I know I over did it but it seems to be working our great. My next project is an ambulance build and I will do the same. Good luck my friend.
@@HappysTrails I am in the planning stages of the build and will soon be implementing the plans. you have a beautiful rig there my friend. Building out an ambo is complicated my friend. Do not give up as there is always an answer/solution to any problem that may occur with your build. It is going to be some headaches, but they have aspirin for those times...lol. Seriously, I am following your build with excitement as I know it will be an absolute beast when the build is complete. Keep moving forward as it is when you stand still and overthink the issue that you sink and drown my friend. You are way past the Rubicon buddy...lol. keep up the great work and I will be posting my build when I get started.
I would have sealed all external fittings and fixings on the roof before I doing all your interior. Condensation is an issue with all those cold bridges from the body frame and those window frames. Got a Chevy wheeled coach here in the UK that iam going to convert 👍
I’m so sorry.! This is a lesson to all that want to start. The vehicle must first be put through a test in a sense. I would definitely wait for a storm to see if there are leaks.
You’re absolutely right once I had done the initial demolition I should have done a leak test throughout the entire thing and after every component that involve me cutting a hole I should have checked it. Lesson learned. Thank you so much for watching the video and the comment. 🙏🏼🤙🏽
@@HappysTrails Well don’t beat yourself up over this just keep going. You went through this for a reason and those of us that aspire to follow in your steps have learned. Love your mindset through all this. Just #keepgoing.
Awe thx so much. Never give up. Everyone gets knocked down a time or two. We need to fail sometimes. It’s makes us stronger lol 🤙🏽 thank you for the comment 🙏🏼
Man !! Sorry bro !! Phoenix is our first bus stop and then we’re heading up to the property. Maybe we can spend a week with ya and help knock some of the build out..
That's a bummer man! One thing I would recommend checking is the latch bolt in your side door frame. Our ambo would stream water down the inside of that door in a big storm and I found that the peg/bolt that the door latch grabs was slightly loose and it let the door gap just a little bit. I put a socket wrench on that bolt and cranked it down tight. Now the door seals really tight against the door frame and doesn't leak. Check all of those latch bolts on all exterior doors. I found a few more that needed a good cranking down to tighten the seals.
Damn dude, sorry to hear about that. Im mid build right now and I feel your devastation. Thank you for posting this, I'm re-thinking my plans to use wood panels on the wall, jic there is a leak. Oh, also your Instagram link is messed up, went to follow you and didnt work.
Did you figure out what caused this? I would be concerned with thermal bridging on all the metal beams being exposed. Insulation between only does so much. once you have a bridge from outside to the inside you are at risk of condensation forming on those surfaces..
I think it was a combination of things not only the condensation buildup which I used to heavier wood to prevent it in that case. But also I had not secured the side window completely so it had quite a bit of water inside the window seal and as well as the roof AC was not completely mount it down.
Looked like thin covering. Moisture, add some hot days and see. It's in the air.. melamine board. Seal the roof seams. Thats probably where it's from. I wouldn't take it all apart. No.
Oh dude, what a bummer Happy. It sucks right now but keep your eye on the prize. I wonder how much was condensation vs. an actual leak from the outside. Thinking out loud, the thin wood panels screwed directly to metal can't float and will bow when they absorb moisture. Perhaps some wood battens/stringers attached to the metal frame and the panels attached to that. It would create an air gap as well and allow moisture to evaporate. Like I said just thinking out loud and this is definitely not my wheelhouse. Good luck and hang tight.
@@HappysTrails NP brother, can't wait to see the finished product. Perhaps some vent holes in the ceiling as well. The wood didn't really look that bad when you pulled it off from the video.
@@zonacrs no the ceiling was pretty good it was a different wood. A little more durable but I needed to get in there and check for leaks. Didn’t want to have it happen again later down the road
Have a safe blessed day! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Thank you! You as well
Love your positive attitude, Happy. Grab a beer and keep chugging along. 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻
thank you Jacki I'm so. sorry I'm just seeing this message. can you tell if I replied before or if this is the first time.
Hey thank you all so much for the kind words and comments. I’m stoked to show y’all what’s going down in this beast now. To my surprise many of you are building ambulances as well or have them and intend on building them. If you guys want to hit me up on Instagram so I can see them and you can see photos of mine as well or in case we all have questions please do so. My link is in the description you should be able to just click on it. Thank you guys again for all the wonderful comments and support I genuinely appreciate it
better to find out now than later...keep keepin on...
Absolutely that’s how I had to look at it 🤙🏽
We are working on ours and just about to put the walls in when we had heavy rain for a few days. We have many places that water started to come in. If I had put the walls in I would be in the same shape your in. It seems my sidelights would leak some water in and it would run down the wires in the wall up by the roof dripping down into areas of the wall. Also being in it as it was raining the condensation building up on the aluminum inside walls was amazing. It was so much it was starting to run down the inside wall and created a small puddle of water on the floor. If I had the wood on it already it would have absorbed into the wood and messed it up. Make sure you put in a plastic wall weather blocker before adding back in any wall wood or panels. I am rethinking a few things. The waterproof vinyl flooring is starting to look good for our walls just I case. I am going to reseal all the lights but still, the condensation can create a lot of water.
Wow hanks for the info. I’m sure glad you caught all that before you install the walls. That would’ve been a bummer for sure. I think I’ve got mine all sorted out I’m going to seal around the lights on the outside also because I did feel like they were potentially leaking
@@HappysTrails We also have leaks in the rubber seal that connects the cab to the box. I have some sealant on order for that. It was dripping in right on both front seats. I am down south and we get a lot of rain here.
@@goactivemedia oh wow I haven’t had any signs of that but may not be. Bad thing to verify. It came from Washington state to Az so gonna have some rubber dying for sure.
The previous owner of my ambulance used self-adhesive vinyl simulated wood grain planks. It looked nearly exactly as yours. I think it was one of the big reasons he sold it to me. Those things expand and contract quite a bit when exposed to heat and cold. I tore it all out and ended up using a good grain d-c-fix sticky contact paper and it looks great. Good luck.
Oh sweet. What did you get? What year?
Hello Happy & Willow.
Hi jacki
Suggestion. If you have the vehicle completely closed up where it not breathing it will cause heavy condensation inside. You might want to leave the vent open slightly so it can breath. Same issue happens on metal buildings w/o vapor barrier. Another help would be to use hemp insulation. Hemp rejects moisture. Rapid temperature changes cause that.
Bam! Now there is a great idea. I got the max fans that can be open as vents even n the rain. I’ll start leaving it cracked 🤙🏽
Rapid temperature changes and a vehicle that is mostly metal will create moisture. You think you have a leak but don't. One example, the reason truck and auto manufacturers went from steel fuel tanks to Aluminum is moisture control. It's good to leave heat on or maybe crack a vent and let fresh air in. Wood paneling will act as a sponge and draw moisture in causing it to warp. Can be frustrating.
Very good point. My new walls are real wood so fingers crossed that it won’t affect it so much
Wow looks like some kind of water leak. That’s a bummer.
Yeah it was but good things came from a bad situation 😊
It’s ok just need some more insulation
That too 😊 thx for watching and the comment. 🤙🏽
I will check the roof. There’s one Ambulance that looked at where the antenna was on top of the roof in the middle it started leaking when it rained really hard between the roof and the ceiling was full of water. That’s where I would start first.
I checked that area I couldn’t tell if it was leaking there but just to be safe I sealed all around it anyway. There were a couple antennas up there I did that to you. Thank you for the comment and advice.🤙🏽
Just demo'ed my '08 E450 with a Wheeled Coach ambulance box on it and so this video is such a help to me, as well as some of the comments! No wonder the manufacturer used 3/4" plywood for everything and plastic on the ceiling! yikes Hey bro, I'm from Temecula, been living in Southern Baja for almost ten years now. If you head this way, let me know.
Nice glad your getting something out of the videos and comments that makes me super stoked to hear. I’m sure I’ll roll that way someday and I’ll give ya a shout 🤙🏽 you posting pics anywhere? Or doing videos?
Maybe it’s not water at all but just the cold? A weird effect of rapid temp drop? Try moisturizer meter? Shoot man you’ll figure it out! Good luck
Yeah I was starting to think that as well but found standing water in the window frame so that was one source but I’m still not ruling out the condensation
Man, that really sucks Happy☹️Hopefully you sealed that leak and get back on track again! Have a great Sunday😊
It did suck it was a bummer but back on track and looking great. Have a great Sunday!! 😊
Man total bummer. Like you said it's a learning curve. Good this happened sooner then later. We have been going through similar challenges with our expedition overland flatbed camper build. Great tech tip on the photos. I had to do that today when I took off my tail lights for the "lost count" times. So excited to see the Ambo build again. Those glass cabinets look so nice with the build..keep up the great job.. At the end of the day YOU BUILT IT! Mark ( & Teresa)
Yes 🙌🏽 thank you for your comment. I’m so lucky to have such amazing people follow the channel. So much positivity it’s insane making me want to do more and better all the time. Thank you guys for the comment and for watching 🤙🏽
aluminum is subject/prone to condensation more that other materials. use wool and/or hemp insulation with vapor barriers and this should help out with the condensation in the ambo. also use thicker anti moisture (moisture resistant) material on the walls and ceiling. I have completed a vintage trailer (aluminum) build and I installed sound dampening, them moisture/vapor barrier before wool insulation and then another plastic sheet of vapor/moisture barrier then the wood wall material. I know I over did it but it seems to be working our great. My next project is an ambulance build and I will do the same. Good luck my friend.
Thank you for the info. I really appreciate your time and comment as well as your view. Can’t wait to see the ambo build.
@@HappysTrails I am in the planning stages of the build and will soon be implementing the plans. you have a beautiful rig there my friend. Building out an ambo is complicated my friend. Do not give up as there is always an answer/solution to any problem that may occur with your build. It is going to be some headaches, but they have aspirin for those times...lol. Seriously, I am following your build with excitement as I know it will be an absolute beast when the build is complete. Keep moving forward as it is when you stand still and overthink the issue that you sink and drown my friend. You are way past the Rubicon buddy...lol. keep up the great work and I will be posting my build when I get started.
@@como5555 pls let me know where I can watch and follow your build 🤙🏽 I’m so stoked for you
I would have sealed all external fittings and fixings on the roof before I doing all your interior. Condensation is an issue with all those cold bridges from the body frame and those window frames. Got a Chevy wheeled coach here in the UK that iam going to convert 👍
Nice that will be so cool. Yeah I sealed everything. Even the antennas that were out yo there before my time. I mean I sealed the puss outta it lol
I’m so sorry.! This is a lesson to all that want to start. The vehicle must first be put through a test in a sense. I would definitely wait for a storm to see if there are leaks.
You’re absolutely right once I had done the initial demolition I should have done a leak test throughout the entire thing and after every component that involve me cutting a hole I should have checked it. Lesson learned. Thank you so much for watching the video and the comment. 🙏🏼🤙🏽
@@HappysTrails Well don’t beat yourself up over this just keep going. You went through this for a reason and those of us that aspire to follow in your steps have learned. Love your mindset through all this. Just #keepgoing.
@@justlivelovelaughfrugally thank you so much 🙏🏼
Shoots bro. I’m doing a buildout. Condensation is a challenge.
Yeah condensation will be fine with new build. I had an all out leak lol but got it all
Worked out 🤙🏽 good luck with your build
This is going to be the best inspirational video for anyone for ever . Never to give up. Love your attitude.
Awe thx so much. Never give up. Everyone gets knocked down a time or two. We need to fail sometimes. It’s makes us stronger lol 🤙🏽 thank you for the comment 🙏🏼
Man !! Sorry bro !! Phoenix is our first bus stop and then we’re heading up to the property. Maybe we can spend a week with ya and help knock some of the build out..
Stand your ground Happy! The end result will make you happier than you can imagine bro!
You’re absolutely right brother 100% absolutely right. Thank you
Hershe & I send our love from Rochester NY.
Awe thank you so much. Hope your staying warm.
That unistrut tho😋
Sucks you got to do all this brother but at the end of the day you'll be in that whambulance sooner than you know!!!!
Yeah buddy
That's a bummer man! One thing I would recommend checking is the latch bolt in your side door frame. Our ambo would stream water down the inside of that door in a big storm and I found that the peg/bolt that the door latch grabs was slightly loose and it let the door gap just a little bit. I put a socket wrench on that bolt and cranked it down tight. Now the door seals really tight against the door frame and doesn't leak. Check all of those latch bolts on all exterior doors. I found a few more that needed a good cranking down to tighten the seals.
Oh wow great tip I have noticed most the doors could be snugged up. I’ll go through and do them all thank you for the tip 🙏🏼🤙🏽
Awww man this is so painful to watch, I can only imagine how it’s affected you. Keep going brother!!
Always my friend
Damn dude, sorry to hear about that. Im mid build right now and I feel your devastation. Thank you for posting this, I'm re-thinking my plans to use wood panels on the wall, jic there is a leak. Oh, also your Instagram link is messed up, went to follow you and didnt work.
H shoot I’ll check it
I just saw your response for some reason sorry for the delayed response. I fixed the link also
Did you figure out what caused this? I would be concerned with thermal bridging on all the metal beams being exposed. Insulation between only does so much. once you have a bridge from outside to the inside you are at risk of condensation forming on those surfaces..
I think it was a combination of things not only the condensation buildup which I used to heavier wood to prevent it in that case. But also I had not secured the side window completely so it had quite a bit of water inside the window seal and as well as the roof AC was not completely mount it down.
Looked like thin covering. Moisture, add some hot days and see. It's in the air.. melamine board. Seal the roof seams. Thats probably where it's from. I wouldn't take it all apart. No.
Yep exactly
I'll give ya 10 grand for it 😃
Lol I know right? I actually got it together
And rollin it now. Came out better second time around. Must have been a sign not to hurry it
Did you put it on when it was really hot? The cold air could be making it warp
I feel like it was a culmination of a lot of things. And that may be another factor as well.
Could it of been condensation from the cold temps and the snow fall? Has the temps gotten warmer , things tend to expand with heat?
Yeah it was fairly warm then got super cold.
Want to learn....t
Oh dude, what a bummer Happy. It sucks right now but keep your eye on the prize. I wonder how much was condensation vs. an actual leak from the outside. Thinking out loud, the thin wood panels screwed directly to metal can't float and will bow when they absorb moisture. Perhaps some wood battens/stringers attached to the metal frame and the panels attached to that. It would create an air gap as well and allow moisture to evaporate. Like I said just thinking out loud and this is definitely not my wheelhouse. Good luck and hang tight.
Thank you and I think you are correct. So new build wood is thicker. You guys will be stoked to see what I am doing 🤙🏽🤙🏽
@@HappysTrails NP brother, can't wait to see the finished product. Perhaps some vent holes in the ceiling as well. The wood didn't really look that bad when you pulled it off from the video.
@@zonacrs no the ceiling was pretty good it was a different wood. A little more durable but I needed to get in there and check for leaks. Didn’t want to have it happen again later down the road
@@HappysTrails Gotcha.