Help needed to pick out my minivan

[travelingchic]

Breathe, yes, have to remember that. Thanks yesican and I can't wait to read your post when you are ready to hit the road. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

Thanks blkjack, I will post pics for sure and on this thread. Right now I am downsizing but lucky for me my parents have a big house and because I am the nomad in the family I have been given two rooms in their basement for living when I visit and storage. So maybe if I downsize a bit more i can fit the seats. Most probably not though. I will see.

Rollin that is smart about taking out the seats for better mpg. The minivan i got is 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg highway. So anything to help mpg i will do. Yes, i guess it is not worth keeping the seats if you have to pay for storage.

What kind of bed are you making?

 

[Rollin]

I'm making a wood framed bed with the top made out of that fabric stuff you see on the old style lawn chairs. I ran out of the webbing and I'm waiting for the rest to come in the mail. I was going to do a full write up when I got through. Here's a peek. This was the lightest&nbsp;design we (my Dad gave me the idea about the webbing) could come up with. 5-2x4's almost exactly. Very light weight. And gives me plenty of room under the bed for storage. This will fit a full size futon&nbsp;mattress. Cost about $70 for wood ect. + futon mattress $130 = $200. Hoping to sell the rear bench for $100 that's what I let the capt. chairs go for. So I can break even.

 

[travelingchic]

Won't your body sag the webbing and then interfere with storage below? &nbsp;It is nice since it will be light but I think over time it would warp. &nbsp;That is cool if you can break even from selling the chairs. &nbsp;<div><br></div><div>My Idea for the bed is to have the wood frame with two parts of plywood on the top. &nbsp;During the day it's a bench for sitting and in the evening one part of the plywood slides out to make a bed. &nbsp;I like that since I could then have room for a table when it's in bench form and then during rainy times I can still use my laptop or do crafts. &nbsp;The bed I'm talking about is featured in a youtube video here</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;<a href="" target="_blank"></a></div><div><br></div>

 

[Rollin]

Won't your body sag the webbing and then interfere with storage below?

<div><br></div><div>&nbsp;I'm not real sure as this is an&nbsp;experiment&nbsp;? It will sag some for sure. How much ??? &nbsp;I won't know&nbsp;until&nbsp;I'm&nbsp;finished. If it&nbsp;doesn't&nbsp;pan out I will&nbsp;run&nbsp;1x4's across it.</div><div><br></div><div>Nice work that guy put in to that van. Looks like a great Idea for a bed.</div>

 

[Seraphim]

Pull the webbing tighter and weave webbing in from front to rear, as wellas side to side.

Maybe a couple of wide straps of canvas beneath the webbing.

 

[Rollin]

Pull the webbing tighter and weave webbing in from front to rear, as wellas side to side.

<div><br></div><div>Yes sir&nbsp;that's&nbsp;the plan.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>

Maybe a couple of wide straps of canvas beneath the webbing.

<br></div><div><br></div><div>Good idea if needed thanks. The Navy uses a bunk&nbsp;similar to this on ships. Metal frame with canvas. They had us packed in there like sardines.</div>

 

[travelingchic]

Okay, so I bought my minivan on Saturday. Spent Sunday organizing at home then took it out for a drive on Monday. &nbsp;I fixed the rock chip that I found when driving it home on Saturday then once I got that done the check the engine warning light came on. &nbsp;Called the dealership and the sales person said to wait 24 hours then call him if it's still on. &nbsp;I decided not to wait and took it to the mechanic that did the inspection since he said he would for free put it through the scanner. &nbsp;He did and took a look at it. &nbsp;He played with the wires and the warning sign stopped showing but after a little inspection he said that cylinder 6 is misfiring. &nbsp;<div><br></div><div>So today I took it to the dealership and they agreed to for free take a look at it. &nbsp;But I had to wait two hours so I went to Walmart and I tried to put the emergency brake on and it wouldn't work. &nbsp;I tried over and over. &nbsp;So when I went to give the minivan to the dealership I told them. &nbsp;They said they would take a look and fix it. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>They came back saying the emergency brake is fixed and that they couldn't see the warning for check the engine. &nbsp;I had told them what the mechanic said but the guy wouldn't hear it and said everything is fine. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>So I get home and my dad tests out the emergency brake since I didn't even think to not trust them. &nbsp;He puts the brake on as far as it can go. &nbsp;Turns the minivan on and off he went down the road with no stop from the emergency brake and no putting on the gas. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Now I'm ticked. &nbsp;When I first went to look at the minivan they said they did a safety report but it was mysteriously missing the paper from the files. &nbsp;I said that I would be in the next day and I wanted a copy. &nbsp;The next day I didn't get it and asked for it and he did a show of acting like it was on the computer but still no paper. &nbsp;Then when I went to buy it I asked for the paper and it wasn't around so I had her write on the document that it is needed. &nbsp;I asked today. &nbsp;No paper. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I am feeling like they are really shady now and pretty much feeling like I want to return it and get my money back. &nbsp; &nbsp;Unfortunately, if I do that I lose the $42 I paid on the rock chip, the $40 on inspection, and the $46 on plate and transfer and whatever else they will ding me on insurance. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I'm just not feeling good about this whole experience like I was a few days ago.</div><div><br></div><div>Any suggestions?</div>

 

[sl1966]

Better to lose $128 and learn than however much you paid in total for it. They're being shady and aren't willing to fix the problems with it. Get your money back!<div><br></div>

 

[Les H]

Look at your paperwork. If it says anywhere "as is" or "no implied warranty" you own it , lock, stock and barrel. Some states have a lemon law ( in Ny, if you spent over $2500, you were covered, but cash for clunkers absolutely KILLED the affordable used car market) , but you have to be able to prove REPEATED shadiness and refusal to fix. Here in the south ( in Alabama) ALL small
dealerships sell "as is" even if it's a $15 k 2002 f350 super duty diesel.
I do hope you get it straightened out so you can get on with the business of adventure.

 

[sl1966]

I think she's in Canada Les so their laws might be different. I don't know though.<div><br></div>

 

[Willy]

This is for B.C. :&nbsp; http://www.cba.org/bc/public_media/automobiles/197.aspx&nbsp; <br>

 

[Willy]

Okay, try this:&nbsp; https://www.google.com/search?num=1...0.508.4014.3j4j1j3j2j2.15.0...0.0.3jmGP3040yA<br><br>&nbsp;It's the first entry on Google search.&nbsp; I typed in: bc used car laws&nbsp; ..Willy.<br>

 

[Rollin]

Well to be quite honest with you I would be surprised if there wasn't a few problems. After all it isn't like the van is just a couple years old. Plus in that price range you cant expect perfection. To me it doesn't sound like it has that many problems. As far as the #6 cylinder misfiring that could be just a dirty plug ,injector or the coil. As far as the E-brake goes I don't think I have ever used mine. Of course I'm in the flat lands. Bottom line is if you like the van just keep it and do your best to try and get the dealership to fix it for free(kindness works wonders). If not fix it yourself or have it fixed and move forward. This is my suggestion.

 

[Wild_E]

Travel Chick Canadian <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">
tell them produce the report in 2 hrs, or you will call the Ombudsman and MarketPlace Reports and have them come in with you!

Dealerships are scams, once you get the report, now go to the DOT, not the office, a DOT inspection and suggest they go over the vehicle using the safety report - no working emergency break is a $5000 to the original inspection agency!

just a thought..

 

[travelingchic]

Thank you Steve, Les, Rollin, Willy, y-wave, and Wilderness for replying and giving me your advice. &nbsp;<div><br></div><div>I have been waiting to reply since it is still up in the air right now. &nbsp;I took back the minivan and went to talk to the sales manager of used vehicles. &nbsp;I told him that they didn't fix the emergency brake and that I wasn't too pleased. &nbsp;After assuring me that they could fix it I basically was thinking well you have one last chance to get this right since it's true used vehicles generally have problems. &nbsp;So I also pulled out the papers I got that had it written on them "safety inspection papers needed" so I waved that around and said I'm not leaving until I get them. &nbsp;It didn't hurt that the owner was nearby and heard it. &nbsp;So I got the papers after waiting. &nbsp;Good thing I did since there is immediate need for the engine filter and the battery. &nbsp;Will have to ask what it is about the battery since they didn't specify. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>So I left thinking I would get a phone call later on in the day to go and pick it up. &nbsp;First they said they were waiting for a part. &nbsp;Then they got the part but it's not the thing they needed. &nbsp;Now they are waiting for another part. &nbsp;So the minivan has been with them all this time and they said I won't get it back till Wednesday they think. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>So that's the update. &nbsp;</div>

 

[Wild_E]

They are jerking your chain...<div><br></div><div>call them and say, End of Biz Monday</div><div>or I call the&nbsp;Ombudsmen&nbsp;and Marketplace Reports, DOT - Department of Transportation for illegal and misleading safety inspection!</div><div>tell them,&nbsp;</div>

 

[travelingchic]

Okay, so I'm heading out tomorrow.... that is if something else doesn't go wrong. &nbsp;I was ready the other day but then my tire was too low and had to go get it fixed. &nbsp;During that time my dad chimed in that he would build a bed for me since my version of camperizing the minivan was to put a tarp down and my twin mattress on top. &nbsp;So thankfully with his help my minivan rocks! &nbsp;Check it out here&nbsp; <a href="http://tinsilly.com/?p=310">http://tinsilly.com/?p=310</a>&nbsp;<br /><br />When I got the minivan back from the dealership they said they fixed it to 90% emergency brake efficiency. &nbsp;haha. &nbsp;The reason because it has to go all the way down to the floor for it to work. &nbsp;<br /><br />The first day after having the minivan back I drove it up town and the check engine light came on. &nbsp;I took it to them and they said it's because vapours of gas were escaping since the gas cap wasn't on tight enough. &nbsp;I know for sure that I tightened it till it clicked since it was my first time putting gas in it. &nbsp;So basically I have just decided to accept the future of what comes with this vehicle and to never go back to them again. &nbsp;Since no matter where I purchase a vehicle whether it is private or dealership there is no guarantee and the same thing could happen all over again. &nbsp;I just didn't want to have to start over. &nbsp;<br /><br />Thanks to all who commented and gave support.&nbsp;<img src="../images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I know this is an older post, but just want to say, nice conversion.&nbsp; I drive a really, really beat up plymoth voyager (basically a dodge minivan renamed i think).&nbsp; I dumped the seats and just threw a foam mattress and bag back there, but its not too bad.&nbsp; I was surprised how roomy a minivan can actually be.&nbsp; Ill be raiding your conversion for ideas muaa.<br /><br />My van parking break is toast too.&nbsp; The radiator fan never worked (only overheated once surprisingly), and i think the oil pump is going up now.&nbsp; But i paid 500 for it over a year ago so i'll definitely get my money out of it <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />&nbsp; If it ran better id really do it up nice but im scared to bother if its gonna blow up soon <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[travelingchic]

Actually my bed / bench is not screwed into the van. &nbsp;So I can easily transfer it to a new van when I need to. &nbsp;<br /><br />I'm really happy not to be sleeping on the floor of the van since it does seem to get dirty fast. &nbsp;However, &nbsp;you do what you can do and use what is possible at the time. &nbsp;<br /><br />Seems like you can't go wrong paying $500 and it lasting you over a year. &nbsp;<br /><br />Are you a boondocker or stealth camper?<br /><br />

 

[Stillwater]

I saw in the blog where you were having some frustrations with heat. I hope you're able to get past it. Honestly, based on your employment/wandering resume at such a young age, I am supremely confident that you will be fine and come up with a working solution. <br /><br />I've got two kids... I can only pray that they have the independence, spirit of adventure and wit that I've read in your blog.<br /><br />Consider this... not very stealthy and they don't work well in a humid environment but... http://burningman.rengeekcentral.com/swampcooler.html<br /><br />Also, try gluing the foam bed pieces together with some foam adhesive from a cloth store.<br /><br />Stacey<br /><br />