thoughts on these for first dwelling?

[bethiebugs]

I am actively looking for a van to be purchased quickly if possible. I have one day to have my dad with me to go look at them, and I just want some thoughts and opinions from experienced people. This would be very helpful and wholeheartedly appreciated! I am looking to part-time until I have to go all out full-time.

https://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/d/1998-ford-e150-mark-iii/6386593266.html


https://kansascity.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2009-chevrolet-express-2500/6435323618.html


https://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/d/camping-van-that-will-get-you/6385771126.html

 

[John61CT]

Out of the three I like the Chinook.

But being in a hurry is opposed to getting good deals.

Forget Dad, at that price level take it to a trusted mechanic to go through, safety suspension steering and drivetrain stuff.

 

[bethiebugs]

I definitely plan on it! I have a good mechanic here who is very thorough. My dad is just helping with the social and communication support as I have trouble with this a lot due to my Autism issues. Thanks for your input!!!!

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Fwiw, look at newer cargo vans in that price range to see how much newer, lower mileage you can get for $10k. Then you could do the interior slowly, lower cost, fun project, etc... 
In the long run, better way to go if you don't mind a project. Those class b while probably in good shape are still 20 yrs old mechanically. Repairs which can be costly would come with the package. Look up class b issues on line to get an idea of common repairs and costs. Lots of stuff in there which generally has a lifespan. 20 yrs or so?
The newer high top is great, except for the mileage and repairs that will go with it.

 

[Sleep]

I'm just curious why the high top#2 has new headlights and new grill. Was it in a wreck? Just a thought...

 

[bethiebugs]

Fwiw, look at newer cargo vans in that price range to see how much newer, lower mileage you can get for $10k. Then you could do the interior slowly, lower cost, fun project, etc... 
In the long run, better way to go if you don't mind a project. Those class b while probably in good shape are still 20 yrs old mechanically. Repairs which can be costly would come with the package. Look up class b issues on line to get an idea of common repairs and costs. Lots of stuff in there which generally has a lifespan. 20 yrs or so?
The newer high top is great, except for the mileage and repairs that will go with it.

Yeah--this is what I was wondering and considering...I've found maybe one or two 2006-2008 cargo vans with closer to 100,000-150,000 miles for that price (without the hightop, but ya can't have everything!), and honestly I would probably enjoy doing it myself and learning things as I go. So thank you for your perspective, as I'm thinking this is what resonates with me, too.

 

[bethiebugs]

I'm just curious why the high top#2 has new headlights and new grill. Was it in a wreck? Just a thought...

Yeah....I was wondering that, too...sounds like they rushed through that statement a little too fast...

 

[John61CT]

The hightop itself is worth $2-3K, so only sacrifice getting that if you're sure you don't want it, or get such a cherry deal it's worth paying that much to add it after-market.

 

[CautionToTheWind]

I'm just curious why the high top#2 has new headlights and new grill. Was it in a wreck? Just a thought...

My guess would be the headlights, along with the grill, had highway pitting. Those years, the headlights are nearly impossible to restore (personal experience), so they may have opted to replace.

Good luck with shopping!

 

[frater secessus]

I like the RoadTrek. Don't know why they are conflating it with Chinook.

 

[wagoneer]

Aside the "ready to use" aspect less is more outdated and inefficient equipment will hamper your enjoyment. IMHO

 

[rvwandering]

My choice would be the Chevy van - newer, high top, and ready for you to build out. The other choices, especially the conversion van, would involve a good deal of work on your part and then you'll have something that is good enough but not ideal because you're starting with someone else's design.

 

[bethiebugs]

My choice would be the Chevy van - newer, high top, and ready for you to build out.  The other choices, especially the conversion van, would involve a good deal of work on your part and then you'll have something that is good enough but not ideal because you're starting with someone else's design.

Shouldn't the high miles be of concern? This has to last me as long as humanly possible--with regular maintenance as such, of course!

 

[John61CT]

Yes I think if you do prefer the bare van DIY approach

lots more work, learning curve, long time before something "nice"

then you should look for lower miles

Even 10+ years old I think less of a problem than super high mileage

But at least check out the RoadTrek, they are quality if you like their design and layout and everything checks out mechanically you're nearly ready to start living in it immediately, that's worth a lot.

And they do hold their value, more so than even a nice DIY conversion would

 

[rvwandering]

Shouldn't the high miles be of concern? This has to last me as long as humanly possible--with regular maintenance as such, of course!

  Sorry, I didn't notice that the milage was double over the other ones. That is a concern but if it was a fleet work van it would have been serviced regularly and can be expected to have many more years of life. Of course your mechanic will have more knowledge than any of us so, if you can, get him to check all of your possible choices. Good luck and let us know what you find!

 

[bonvanroulez]

I call BS on the Roadtrek. The sellers story makes a tenuous connection to Roadtrek. Trail Wagon and Chinook were the same company out of Yakima with Trail Wagon turning out conversion vans and Chinook building campers, where Roadtrek is a completely different company based near Toronto, making it seem unlikely they would partner up to build vans when Trail Wagon had their own extensive manufacturing facility in Yakima. Maybe at a stretch they purchased something like the sink/fridge module from the Roadtrek company, but that wouldn't make it a Roadtrek. A real Roadtrek 190 model is a very distinctive design with specific features; I don't see any similarities in that van to an actual Roadtrek 190. I would wager that somebody just stuck some Roadtrek 190 stickers on that van, and if you look at the pictures the stickers on the sides aren't even straight/level.

 

[John61CT]

Wow, good points. In which case not necessarily toss it out from consideration, but I'd want to visit and get a feel whether this is deliberate deception, if so run away.

Otherwise value it at not much more than the base platform in the same condition, give an extra careful inspection, maybe $300 version rather than $100.

 

[tx2sturgis]

I call BS on the Roadtrek. The sellers story makes a tenuous connection to Roadtrek. 

And don't the Roadtreks 'hide' the air conditioner in the top at the back?

I don't remember seeing any of them with that big ugly RV A/C unit up there in the wind like that. 

I can't say I'm a Roadtrek expert tho....but...just sayin...

:dodgy:

 

[B and C]

The Roadtrek brochure for 1997 shows only Dodge chassis as a 190 (either Popular or Versatile).  The add doesn't say either of these and states Chevy.  The interior looks nothing like a Roadtrek layout and it doesn't appear to have standing room inside.

Here is a link to all of their brochures, past to present: http://www.roadtrek.com/brochures/

I also think the decals were added to get that "I got a Roadtrek" appeal as they are a high end B camper.  I've got an old 2000 Roadtrek 200 Versatile.  The 190 Popular normally has seating for three up front and the Versatile has seating for four.

I am not an expert either (well, maybe a has been spert under pressure) 

 

[bethiebugs]

Jeez...yes. I just spent the last few hours discovering all you guys are saying--that this, as described and named, is not a real thing and none of it adds up! Thank you for corroborating this--as I was VERY confused! Well, okay then...moving on to others!