Mechanic helper, what story, and boogers

[DebraOak]

Hello all!

Since reading about the vandwelling nomadic lifestyle, I have been enlivened. Am actually looking forward to retirement now, though am stuck in job and city for a couple more years. Hope to start vacationing in my new van home by this winter. A couple of questions of a practical matter for those who might know.

 I just found out that Fort Collins allows vehicles up to 20-feet in length to park on the streets. The Chevy 2500 extended wheelbase cargo van I hope to get is 18.6-feet so it squeaks under. >whew, because I was looking forward to getting it in August and starting to work on it but it needs to park on the street.< Due to moving to a cheaper apartment in the next 6-weeks, I'm not planning to trade in my Hyundai for a cargo van until August. BUT, when that time comes, how in the world do I find a mechanic who will help me evaluate the van? 

I am a single woman and the thought of going to any vehicle sales lot scares the boogers* out of me, which is probably not a bad thing though useless it seems. Any advice - on the sales lots going alone? 

Also, what kind of story should I have ready for these people? Yesterday, I checked out a Ram Van on a dealer lot and when he asked what type of business I was in, I finally replied that I'm planning to fix up the van as a family camper. I feel that's too lame an answer though. Any suggestions?

*Boogers have been on my mind this week when six-year-old granddaughter and up-and-coming scientist extraordinaire ask[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif] if boogers have nutritional value. I dumbfoundedly responded, "I don't know!" Then she asked me if I could Google it. That girl is too much like me. Here's what we found out: [/font][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]"There are 25 calories per 1/2 cup of boogers. This is by coincidence the same amount of calories per serving size as oatmeal. The average human produces 4 cups of booger snot per day that is routinely swallowed[/font]. Dec[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif] 26, 2016". [/font][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]You're welcome. Now don't break the booger servers googling this yourselves all at once.[/font]

 

[Moxadox]

Re: boogers. Gee, I wish I'd had that valuable information back when I was a practicing pediatrician. As it is, I only know what belly buttons are for....

PS: you really don't have to tell the van sales people anything at all. After 3+ years on the road, I've come to realize that nobody needs to know anything unless I feel like telling them. If they get pushy, I'm likely to just make something up. Unlike our former lives where people we met might stay in our lives even if they were just selling us something, we now have a choice whether to share stuff with random others we happen to be interacting with, or whether to simply do business and move on. I find this liberating.

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[Minivanmotoman]

First, start studying Craigslist for comparable vehicle prices. Thus you will know what the going rate is for similar vehicles and know what a good price is. Know the market, and those close by. Generally rural is cheaper than Urban, supply and demand.

Second, ask around for mechanic references.
Or find a AAA recommended garage in your area. Maybe find a GM dealer mechanic who might do an inspection on the side for you for a reasonable fee. Could put an ad on Craigslist.
Seek and you will find.

Third, instead of googling boogers, lol, start reading up on Vans and learn about mechanicals. Often the pickups are very similar, same or similar mechanicals,/engine, and have specific websites dedicated to them. Read about their problems and what to watch out for. GM/ Chevy and Ford both have popular websites for their pickups.

Fourth, vehicle sales lots charge premium and will often take advantage of the naive. Learn and educate yourself so that you're not.

Fifth, the van trend is very popular now, as are building or converting them. Not lame at all and no reason to be embarrassed. You're embarrassed to talk about van build but not to talk about boogers?

Good luck.
Proper planning prevents poor performance.

 

[DebraOak]

Re: boogers.  Gee, I wish I'd had that valuable information back when I was a practicing pediatrician.  As it is, I only know what belly buttons are for....

PS: you really don't have to tell the van sales people anything at all.  After 3+ years on the road, I've come to realize that nobody needs to know anything unless I feel like telling them.  If they get pushy, I'm likely to just make something up.  Unlike our former lives where people we met might stay in our lives even if they were just selling us something, we now have a choice whether to share stuff with random others we happen to be interacting with, or whether to simply do business and move on.  I find this liberating.

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Just what I needed to hear. say, I'll take your Tom Waits and raise you an Alice Phoebe Lou. 

 

[DebraOak]

Maybe some service like Angie's List would give you some options. Better than using the Yellow Pages? I have no personal experience with AL.

https://www.angieslist.com/companylist/auto-repair.htm
https://www.angieslist.com/companylist/us/co/fort-collins/auto-repair.htm

Guy

Thank you, gsfish. AL is a rip off IMHO and experience. Will keep my eyes open for someone trustworthy.

 

[DebraOak]

First, start studying Craigslist for comparable vehicle prices. Thus you will know what the going rate is for similar vehicles and know what a good price is. Know the market, and those close by. Generally rural is cheaper than Urban, supply and demand.

Second, ask around for mechanic references.
Or find a AAA recommended garage in your area. Maybe find a GM dealer mechanic who might do an inspection on the side for you for a reasonable fee. Could put an ad on Craigslist.
Seek and you will find.

Third, instead of googling boogers, lol, start reading up on Vans and learn about mechanicals. Often the pickups are very similar, same or similar mechanicals,/engine, and have specific websites dedicated to them. Read about their problems and what to watch out for. GM/ Chevy and Ford both have popular websites for their pickups.

Fourth, vehicle sales lots charge premium and will often take advantage of the naive. Learn and educate yourself so that you're not.

Fifth, the van trend is very popular now, as are building or converting them. Not lame at all and no reason to be embarrassed. You're embarrassed to talk about van build but not to talk about boogers?

Good luck.
Proper planning prevents poor performance.

Good advice minivanmotoman. Thank you for the thoughtfulness. I'm not embarrassed about my goal but, as an introvert and someone who has been hurt by inconsiderate JA's, I feel awkward being asked and not answering. I was raised after all to be a good girl so, as a woman, I need to learn how to protect myself. I think I can come up with a good lie or keep my distance and, like the other gentleman said, be liberated by not feeling obligated to spill my guts to a salesperson.  btw, you know the difference between boogers and broccoli, right? Kids don't eat broccoli.

 

[Weight]

What is wrong with telling someone you plan to build a camping vehicle in the van?

 

[closeanuf]

I was considering a Chevy Express 3500 extended 15 passenger van.  I called my insurance company to get a rate and decided against it.  At the time I had a 2004 Chevy 1500 pickup, 2004 Prowler 22' TT ( I still have these ) with full coverage because I really can't afford to replace them, and I had a 1996 E350 extended hightop van with liability only.  My premium was about $1900 per year.  (welcome to Texas).  Back to my story, my premium on that 15 passenger van ALONE was gonna be $2700 PER YEAR.  I didn't even ask what liability alone would be.  They asked for the VIN so they knew what the vehicle was.  I didn't check but perhaps the reason for the high rate is all the passengers it could hold.  Perhaps a cargo van would be cheaper, but it's something else to educate yourself on.  I sold the E350 and plan to stay with the pickup and TT.  Good luck on your venture and good thinking to start early.

 

[John61CT]

I would hope you made a few calls trying other companies, no need to have all your policies with just one

 

[Spark]

I would hope you made a few calls trying other companies, no need to have all your policies with just one

Well Sister Van Dweller to be .. Im in a 1500 ford econoline .. found her on Craigs list.. at the time I had nothing but 1800 bucks and some of it had to go to ins.a man was selling Gina for 2200.00 after having looked at MANY other vans I thought .. nothing lost if I go check it out and ask if he would consider less. Well he turned out to be one of us and the van had been someones road house before.. when I shared my situation ( which was quite bleak at that time) he sold me the van for 1500 dollars.. we went to the dmv and my insurance provider who set the realities of " the fl minimum" to me I said okay.
ive slowly but surely changed the inside ..you will find its a continual work in progress..Ive actually bought an elec. drill, and band saw and have been creating ... And feeling ever so empowered...nice to hear Ft Collins. Rules.. ( I lived in colorado for 25 years may come visit sometime).. start drawing your ideas on paper .. and watch Bobs videos and every other one you can possibly find.. at 62 I am unplugged..the greatest feeling.. my retirement ss is but 800 however .... i have come from living on 190.00 in food stamps and an occaissiona job.. 800 is relatively easy..my experience is Once you really know what you want..it will appear ..or something close to it.. my next Roadhouse will be Dodge Promaster.. I look forward to standing up straight!!.
Keep us all posted and the best of luck!!!
Spark

 

[Spark]

I pay very little for insurance thanks!!!

 

[Beeps and eats]

Try government auctions, most are no reserve. Also the maintenance is much better than the average vehicle. Good luck in your search.

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[DebraOak]

Well Sister Van Dweller to be .. Im in a 1500 ford econoline .. found her on Craigs list.. at the time I had nothing but 1800 bucks and some of it had to go to ins.a man was selling Gina  for 2200.00 after having looked at MANY other vans I thought .. nothing lost if I go check it out and ask if he would consider less. Well  he turned out to be one of us and the van had been someones road house before.. when I shared my situation ( which was quite bleak at that time) he sold me the van for 1500 dollars.. we went to the dmv and my insurance provider  who set the realities of " the fl minimum" to me I said okay.
ive slowly but surely changed the inside ..you will find its a continual work in progress..Ive actually bought an elec. drill, and band saw and have been creating ... And feeling ever so empowered...nice to hear Ft Collins. Rules.. ( I lived in colorado for 25 years may come visit sometime).. start drawing your ideas  on paper .. and watch Bobs videos and every other one you can possibly find.. at 62 I am unplugged..the greatest feeling.. my retirement ss is but 800 however .... i have come from living  on 190.00 in food stamps and an occaissiona job.. 800 is relatively easy..my experience is Once you really know what you want..it will appear ..or something close to it.. my next Roadhouse will be  Dodge Promaster.. I look forward to standing up straight!!.
Keep us all posted and the best of luck!!!
Spark

Spark, Shift Chick! 

I'm so glad you shared the picture of the inside of your van. It is colorful and, most important to me, bright!!! You are awesome and only a year older than me. I've started building a spreadsheet with all the options and facts. Once built, I can rate the vehicles' features and then, from the truly top numbers, I can choose. 

As for your philosophy of life, I've experienced that too. Whenever I have a need, it is provided (maybe not as fast as I wanted but in perfect time). Having this 3-1/2 years to plan and prepare is truly a blessing and one I'm grateful for. Meantime, soon as I get my vehicles, I will outfit her enough to be able to make some treks, use my vacation time for camping trips to meet other nomads instead of staying at home bemoaning my stuck place or traveling the traditional way and bemoaning my inability to move. Those bemoaning days are gone!

Debra Oak