Mobile Medical Vehicles: New vs. Used Buying Guide

Buying a mobile clinic, whether it's brand-new or used, involves a little work. In fact, there are several things you need to be clear about before you can start the process of purchasing a mobile medical vehicle. For starters, you need to be clear on your objectives and your overall budget. This means really taking the time to do your research and determine whether you want to buy new or used mobile medical vehicles. Thus, to assist you in this process, here's a quick reference guide to purchasing a mobile clinic.

Doing your research

Researching the various types of mobile clinics or medical vehicles available within your price range is a good place to start. It also helps to ask yourself a few questions. For instance, what do you ultimately hope to accomplish with your medical vehicle, and how much time can you invest? Other important concerns should include your schedule and required features, i.e., when exactly do you need your medical clinic operational and what features must be added for your clinic to be fully functional? Knowing the answer to these questions will help you decide on a new or used medical vehicle.

Considering used vehicles

If you're leaning toward purchasing a used medical vehicle, then you should go over the pros and cons associated with a pre-owned mobile clinic. Obviously, the cost of a used medical trailer is one reason to move forward with your purchase, especially if you're working with a limited budget. That said, if you plan to customize a pre-owned medical vehicle, then you need to factor that into the overall price. If your used mobile clinic with your requested modifications is still within your budget, the next thing to consider is your timeline. You can expect a customized mobile clinic to be fully operational in approximately 4 to 6 months if the design/needs are fairly straightforward. However, you can choose the level of refurbishment.

Purchasing a new trailer/clinic

On the other hand, buying a new mobile medical clinic doesn't mean you can drive off the showroom floor. You'll likely need to add a few things to a new medical trailer, so that it works for your intended purposes. The good news here is that newer units tend to need less work when customizing and configuring. Moreover, newer units tend to last longer and have more comprehensive warranties. Therefore, you'll need to think long and hard about what your goals are here. If you want the latest technology, extensive coverage, and a mobile clinic now rather than several months down the road, a new trailer may be what the doctor ordered.

Required configurations

By now, you're probably aware that there are several different types of mobile medical vehicles. For example, you have your standard truck body platforms, tow behind trailers, gooseneck trailers, semi-trailer mobile clinics, medical buses/coaches, and ISO container units. As a result, you need to determine which configuration will work best for you. Typically, a standard truck body unit is ideal for smaller medical clinics that plan to be on the move more than at a set location. Tow behind trailers, in contrast, can be attached to a pick-up truck and are more suitable for urban clinics. If you're looking for larger or more expansive vehicles, then the gooseneck units, semi-trailers, or ISO container clinics might be of some interest to you. With that said, if you need the best of both worlds, the medical buses/coaches are likely what you need. However, medical buses or coaches are slightly more expensive than the standard units.

Customization

As briefly mentioned, customization plays a major role in your decision. Depending on your needs and budget, you may only require a few minor additions. Many mobile clinics need expandable side slide-outs, patient lifts, generators, and more. Thus, these are all available options that can be added to your mobile medical vehicle choice in no time at all. If you're interested in what other custom features can be added to your mobile clinic, a knowledgeable mobile medical vehicle or clinic dealer in your area should be able to assist you further.

Buying process

At this stage, you'll be ready to sit down with your local dealer and discuss the particulars. If you've decided on a used medical vehicle, you can go over what upgrades or changes need to be made. Alternatively, if you prefer a new mobile clinic built from scratch, now is the time to go over the various steps in the manufacturing process. Ultimately, your mobile clinic retailer should be able to provide you with a rough timetable at this point. Plus, you should be able to start making the necessary arrangements for future delivery, depending on your selections. Note that schedules and timetables will vary, especially when it comes to available materials and highly sought-after equipment. Make sure you keep these things in mind.

Costs

Lastly, though you may have a clear budget in mind, the truth is you'll not know the exact cost until everything is said and done. Of course, this doesn't mean you'll be left in the dark, wondering about your final total. Your mobile medical vehicle retailer or dealer will likely give you an estimate and go over the different prices for your specific design requirements, custom feature requests, etc. If you'd like a rough estimate early on, say so during the research stage; that's understandable. Speak with your retailer about what you're interested in doing, and someone should be able to help you come up with a reasonable budget.

Takeaway

Ultimately, buying a new or used mobile medical vehicle is no small feat. But then, with proper research and a clear understanding of what's involved, you should have no trouble at all finding the right mobile clinic for your needs. Start today and make your mobile clinic a reality.