choosing a van

[jillybean]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I too am looking for a van, have a bit of money, not that I want to spend alot, but am very picky about the reliability of it being female, single and dont want to be driving all over the country and break down frequently. When I look at the reliability of the promasters and transits, since I found a great kit for conversion for the promaster, they are both crap from what Ive read so far. I considered buying a used Roadtrek, there are some that are around the 30K and under range but are mostly early 2000's and 1990's. They do come up reliable in the mechanical dept but that old Im expecting to have to do a bit of work since things sitting around (since most people used them just several times a year) do start to disintegrate. I really wanted to get something newer and convert it but my skills are just not there to do it myself. Lots of conversion companies starting up but they seem to use the vans I mentioned before. I dont want to spend the money on a Mercedes sprinter but they seem to be really reliable altho' Im not thrilled with a diesel.  I see people buy old vehicles from the 90's and seem to be fine but you dont hear about the mechanical issues they have usually. I plan on getting serious looking at the start of the year for work reasons and want to be prepared about what to look for.  Im in Alabama for now. You all are very helpful, Thank you.[/font]

 

[bullfrog]

A lot of people are in the same situation. What is recommended is to buy the newest lowest mileage van you can afford. What you can afford depends on how much you keep in your emergency fund. Most people forget about that last part as it quickly becomes apparent that if you don't turn wrenches most older vehicles will cost almost as much as a much newer reliable vehicle. Popular opinion seem to be that the older vehicles will wear out somewhere around 150,000 miles. There are van builds and people willing to help if you end up needing it. No matter what you choose you should ideally have a large enough emergency to survive if you lose everything. A lot depends on you, your personal needs and your abilities. Bob's latest video points out it is possible to cheaply make a sleeping space in even a minivan and for many that along with a gym membership or 5 gallon bucket is all they need to travel. Start saving and improving your skills. Ask lots of questions and evaluate yourself and goals before buying.

 

[maki2]

One of the best ways to find something reliable for a good price is to ask your friends and/or co-workers to spread the word and ask around if they know of anyone who has a good van for sale. Do the same thing with your neighbors. Then also be sure to get it inspected before you buy so that you know for sure what is what with it. If it is in good over all condition with just a few issues to fix and the price is right taking that into account that works and makes the shopping a little less stressful than trying to compete with others on craigslist.

 

[jillybean]

LOL I would continue to live in my aptm if I had to live in a minivan! No way, I need more than that, like being able to stand up. Money isnt really an issue, its how much of my money am I willing to spend and will it be worth it and reliable is my quest. Some engines just have a track record of being POS's and I guess I"ll have to do my research to avoid those. Thanks to you both for your thoughts.

 

[IGBT]

The Ford Transit is not crap in my (limited) experience so far.   This is buying new though.   We have put 8800 miles on ours so far with zero issues and we get 18mpg (it is gas).  It drives like a car (accelerates like a race car with the 300+ HP turbo V6) and has a ton of room.

 

[jillybean]

The Ford Transit is not crap in my (limited) experience so far.   This is buying new though.   

Hi IGBT,    I meant no offense, only going by the reviews ive read so far. I know there are good ones out there and if you take care of it it goes hopefully a long way. Im glad you are a "happy camper"!!! Thanks for the info on your situation.

 

[bullfrog]

Okay so standing room and reliable are requirements. What about built in toilet and shower with holding tanks will they be a requirement? Will you be remote boondocking or doing more Long Term type BLM camping or developed parks? Bob Wells bought a used newer van and had a hightop put on and I'm pretty sure he has a video you might watch if standing room and reliable are your only requirements.

 

[rruff]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I too am looking for a van, have a bit of money, not that I want to spend alot, but am very picky about the reliability of it being female, single and dont want to be driving all over the country and break down frequently.[/font]

Like bullfrog I wonder what sort of traveling and camping you'll be doing? And what sort of "comforts of home" do you require? Thinking an RV or truck+camper might suit you better.

 

[jillybean]

Okay so standing room and reliable are requirements.  What about built in toilet and shower with holding tanks will they be a requirement?  Will you be remote boondocking or doing more Long Term type BLM camping or developed parks?  Bob Wells bought a used newer van and had a hightop put on and I'm pretty sure he has a video you might watch if standing room and reliable are your only requirements.

Well the more conveniences the better of course! I want all the good stuff of a 85K van but I dont want to pay for it. LOL I have watched most of his videos, all very good. I dont know how long I"ll be chicken, but being brand new at this I dont think I'll head out to boondock by myself first off. I'll probably stay in campgrounds till Im comfortable, plus I like people and dont really want to be out there alone all the time. Im thinking of getting a dependable truck (like a toyota) and just get a smaller camper. That would solve my problem. Vans are great but not for everyone depending on their needs, I know there are pros and cons to them all, I"ll have to think this thru' some more. )

 

[user 423]

^
IDK. For that price it seems to need quite a few things.

Also, I believe an '87 would have a carburetor instead of fuel injection. Pros and cons with each.

Nice looking older rig though.

 

[rruff]

Well the more conveniences the better of course! I want all the good stuff of a 85K van but I dont want to pay for it....Im thinking of getting a dependable truck (like a toyota) and just get a smaller camper. )

I think a truck and camper would be ideal for you. I have a Tundra but I'm building my own camper and it will be light... and I won't have a built in shower, toilet, AC, stove, refrigerator, microwave, etc. The payload rating on all the 1/2-ton trucks (which the Tundra is) is pitiful, but lots of people beef up the suspension and tires and just overload them. For more piece of mind I think you'd be better off with a 3/4 or 1 ton... designated 250 or 2500, and 350 or 3500. Campers with all the amenities are heavy; even smallish ones.

If I was you I think I'd look for a fairly new Ford F350 with a V8 gas motor (the most reliable domestic brand), and a good used Northern Lite or Bigfoot camper. The consensus is that these are good quality and have a full fiberglass shell so that water intrusion is less likely to happen and won't ruin them if it does.

EDIT: Even though the photo below is a shortbed truck I'd recommend getting a truck with an 8' bed. Because... more room!

 

[becida]

  Popular opinion seem to be that the older vehicles will wear out somewhere around 150,000 miles.  

I use 250,000 miles as my marker on newer (1996 and up) vehicles, I've had many that went well over 150k. It's a ballpark figure.
Good talk about an emergency fund.... The newest model year and lowest mileage you can afford.

I'd give some serious thought to a used Pleasure-way, we had a '97 widebody on a dodge 3500 chassis and it was a good ride/house, just shop wisely.

 

[jwhite]

I won't be a full timer but would like to go out and stay longer than a couple weeks at the time.
I am fortunate enough I can take my work on the road with me and I have a converted cargo trailer that works fine and I like it but it would be the perfect work space if I had a motorhome to live in.
Some days I want to convert a newer van that has less miles and somedays I think the motorhome would be better and they can be found with less miles than the van's
I do like the idea of customizing the van but I don't think there is enough living space and the motorhome would be more enjoyable in the long run.
the other thing is with the vans unless I get a larger chevy or ford and install a high top the vans I am considering won't pull the cargo trailer
I do pull a golf cart so I would down size to a open back trailer if I went the van route.
I have followed a couple youtubers that have older class c's and the roadtreck and complained about how much repairs they have encountered but.
I guess you will always have repair cost but when it's 10 years old they will start sooner.
I am looking at motorhomes right now and want to drive different lengths but I think the shortest Class C is what I will end up with and hopefully it will be able to pull the catgo trailer I have.

 

[bullfrog]

We started out full timing with a 1983 Barth Class A motorhome that was 28' and had been rebuilt and completely checked out in 2003. It did well on the road with a towd and we put a lot of miles on it. We still to this day use it as a stationary home base. I wish I would have gotten a 1 ton pickup based (not the van) Class C type motorhome like the Tiger as mechanical repairs would have been much easier and cheaper and I would have been able to keep it mobile. I ended up using several trailers pulled with trucks and now a sort of combination flatbed/ camper pulled with an 1987 Suburban that is being restored/rebuilt. I could have saved a lot of time and money if I would have gone with the Class C pickup and a flatbed trailer in the first place in my opinion.

 

[Jadvisioness]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]So, I went down to Budget and grabbed one of their Ford Transit Vans - the ones you can stand up in and... I AM IN LOVE!!! THIS is the vehicle I want and need to get. Yes, I'd seen a lot of posts on them as well as videos but the expense has always put me off. But... NOW I understand why these things are so very popular. They are wonderful to drive - and I only drove it 7 miles!!! - and easy to maneuver through traffic and... I SWEAR, the backup camera?? I WANT ONE ON EVERY VEHICLE I WILL EVER OWN!!![/font]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Seriously, if you are ever given the option of getting a backup camera, get one!! I am terrible at driving large or bulky vehicles because I just can't handle something big. This? I pulled into a parking space BACKWARDS and didn't have to get out and look to see if I was in the lines or how close I was to what was behind me and... WOW. If someone gives me a longish vehicle, I am definitely getting one of these equipped.[/font]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Now, if I could just get a camera that does the same for the front in vehicles that have too much engine area so that I can gauge where I am when parking or such, I would be so very happy.[/font]

JAD

 

[jwhite]

I have been flip flopping back and forth about a van or a motorhome
just wonderer what year miles and price you paid to compare to what I am looking at
I have noticed the ones I am looking at they all have over 100.000 miles some as high as 160.000 Plus and that scares me ?
and when you get closer to 30.000 I think I would rather buy a motorhome and they have a lot less miles and ready to go no building them out ?

 

[becida]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]and... I SWEAR, the backup camera?? I WANT ONE ON EVERY VEHICLE I WILL EVER OWN!!![/font]

A couple of months back I was in a grocery store parking lot waiting for my turn to get out of the lot, a lady backed out of her spot right into me. She never looked as she had a backup camera ... I didn't show up in the camera. I was stopped 3 feet behind behind her and didn't show up on the camera!
After talking to the insurance people and the body shop it seems this is a common thing so be careful with the camera.

 

[Jadvisioness]

That's terrible!! However, I always check my mirrors as well. I'm not saying it wouldn't happen but... 
I hope you didn't suffer any physical harm over the incident.

 

[becida]

Minor dent, I honked just before she bumped me. 
I could not believe she'd back up without actually looking first... Just a heads up kind of thing.

 

[Bakken]

Looking for a high top conversion van. I really would like to get 3/4 ton but everytime I find a nice one it's a half ton. I will not be pulling a trailer, I will have a battle born lithium ion battery, three 100w solar panels on the top, a 50L compressor fridge, small sink with a pump, about 18 gallons total of freshwater and grey water, but the rest of my build will basically be plastic chests and tubs and Ikea stuff because I need a portable or temporary build out. I've been searching for a van for over a year and passed some good half tons. I'm not going full time for about another year so I still have time to look but it is frustrating. Do you think I could get by with a half ton?