carpet cleaning van, Weight issue?

Aesop · Feb 7, 2021

We just took a look at a 2014 Cargo Van 2500 with the 4.8 today and it was a former carpet cleaning van.

A couple of people have told us to stay away from the carpet cleaning vans cause of the harsh chemicals (which I am not really concerned about) and the weight issue. Would having a big carpet cleaning machine in the middle of the van (between the 2 axles) cause suspension damage or something?

The guy said he kept it garaged (probably cause of the delicate machinery in the van) so that is good.
He also said that he just had some front end suspension work done (tie rod) and the place talked him into doing some other unnecessary stuff (alignment, etc) so that's extra stuff that he paid for.

Basically, am wondering if it is a good idea to go for a carpet cleaning van with less than 50k miles (in this case), would weight (from that heavy machinery) be an issue?

Freelander · Feb 7, 2021

I really don't think the weight of the carpet cleaning machinery would have done much to hurt the vans suspension.

bullfrog · Feb 7, 2021

An alignment after replacing a tie rod end isn’t exactly unnecessary and 50,000 miles would be a little sooner than normally I would think things would start wearing out. I would want to see service records as a business would have kept them for tax purposes if nothing else. Water weighs approximately 8 pounds per gallon so a 100 gallon tank would be 800 lbs. or like hauling 4 people everywhere you went. Most vehicles in this country just haul a driver so it may show more wear than would normally be seen especially if it had a larger water tank. Check the clearance between the tires and the body to see if it is setting the same as other vans you look at of that year or at least see if it is level as you will be carrying all your belongings and building out. There is usually a reason for people cautioning about possible problems. Have it checked out by a mechanic before you pay for it, I say again, have it checked out by a mechanic before you pay for it!

highdesertranger · Feb 7, 2021

After you replace a tie rod you MUST have it realigned. I don't know who told you that it was unnecessary but they are dead wrong. Any time steering components are replaced on any vehicle an alignment must be performed.

As far as the weight goes it depends how much the stuff weight. If it was just standard carpet cleaning stuff a 3/4 ton should handle it fine.

Highdesertranger

ridgeway · Feb 7, 2021

You can usually tell when the suspension and shocks are worn by looking for a sag in the wheel wells and driving over a few speed bumps and see how much rocking and bounce you get.

I would worry to much about carpet cleaning chemicals, they are designed to evaporate and be in a home.

Aesop · Feb 8, 2021

highdesertranger said:
After you replace a tie rod you MUST have it realigned. I don't know who told you that it was unnecessary but they are dead wrong. Any time steering components are replaced on any vehicle an alignment must be performed.

As far as the weight goes it depends how much the stuff weight. If it was just standard carpet cleaning stuff a 3/4 ton should handle it fine.

Highdesertranger

my apologies i wasn't clear enough. When we went to look at it he said he took it to commercial tire and they replace a tie rod and did an alignment but then did some other stuff that was not necessary, therefore that's work that he paid for.