Another aspect to think about with this big purchase is the safety of the vehicle itself. When purchasing a newer model, you’ll likely have some safety features that weren’t available 10 years ago. If you are traveling with kids or just want that extra layer of confidence on the road, you may want to consider looking for newer vehicle.s
Insider Tip: Search [your make & model] + year + “recall”, and see if there are any safety concerns. If there has been a recall, ensure that the previous owner has had it taken care of (there should be paper documentation for this, or you can check with the VIN number). If it needs to be fixed, it is typically free at your local dealership. Call and make an appointment or see who serious the recall is. Our vehicle had a very minor recall, so we just called to have it taken care of.
Appearance
Sure there’s the obvious: the color, the look, cosmetic issues like dents or rust… If these things are important to you, make sure you look closely at pictures before going to test drive.
Good to know: We found that in the used vehicle market, there are many more white cargo vans available than other colors. Ideally, we would have chosen a different color (think slate grey or dusty blue!), but unless we were willing to wait around or purchase new, it just didn’t seem like it was going to happen. You can always “upgrade” your van and paint it aftermarket (though you’ll want to allocate funds for that job).
However, as important as it is to like the look of your van, there is something to be said about the level of stealth a “clunker” can provide. If your van is super rigged up and looks amazing from the outside, it can say a lot about what valuables you might have on the inside. And not to be a bummer, but break-ins are not uncommon, especially if it’s clear you’ve got a sweet conversion.
Moral of the story: This isn’t to say you should try to choose an ugly van, but it’s just something to think about. You can always install a alarm system if it makes you feel more comfortable. And if you do end up finding a van that is perfect for your needs but isn’t the most studly, that might not be such a bad thing, would it?
Quick note on “Stealth” Camping
Having a vehicle that is stealth is something that is often discussed in van build Facebook groups, and people have varying opinions about what it is exactly and how important it is.
Having a rig that is completely stealth (or not super obvious that someone may be sleeping inside) is truthfully kind of difficult these days, as vanlife is a growing trend.
I mean, while we have a cargo van with no windows on an entire side, it’s not exactly a secret that it’s a campervan. Once you add a fan, solar panels and a bike rack, you’re not really fooling anybody about the purpose of your vehicle.
The truly best types of “stealth” vans are those that could just be a passenger vehicle, like a minivan. That said, it often doesn’t take much more than glancing curtains on the windows to know that someone very well could be inside.
Why is stealth camping important?
The whole point of being stealth is to not draw attention to yourself, especially when parking in a city. This can make it more comfortable to park on a residential street, as some people won’t be very happy seeing a campervan outside their window.
I would encourage you to think about the following:
Do you plan to park in city limits often, or do you envision spending most of your time in the wilderness?
We can tell you from experience that if you plan to do some urban camping, a smaller vehicle – specifically, one that can fit into a normal parking space – will be very nice. It’s hard to be discreet when your rig is gigantic and takes up two parking spots. That said, being totally stealth (not having external features like solar panels and a fan) can make it difficult to create a really comfortable space. So I guess our advice is not to worry about the whole “stealth” thing too much other than being able to fit into regular parking spots.
Interesting idea… If you’re really concerned about making sure your vehicle doesn’t look like a campervan, we’ve heard of some people who created a sticker with the logo of a fake company (think pest control or cleaning… something that people wouldn’t want to break into for expensive tools). This way, they feel like they can park overnight in residential areas without people noticing. This isn’t really our jam, but like we said, interesting idea…
Diesel vs. Gas
There are a few things you’ll need to consider when buying a van with a diesel engine. Typically diesel vans will cost a bit more upfront, but they are more fuel efficient so in the long run you could be saving more money. However, not all gas stations carry diesel so you may need to search harder when you need to fill up.
There’s a few more pros and cons for diesel engines like:
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better torque and towing, but lower top speeds
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slightly better for the environment, but still pollutes
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higher resale value, but diesel mechanics are typically more expensive
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and the list goes on..
Bottom line: If you find a diesel powered van that is exactly what you are looking for, I wouldn’t let it scare you away for pursuing it. However, in our opinion, we lean toward gas engines because a familiarity and accessibility.
Front Wheel vs. Rear Wheel vs. All Wheel Drive
The way my dad explained it to me once was a Front Wheel Drive (FWD) “pulls” a vehicle and a Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) “pushes” a vehicle. When you are looking for vans, I would not look at RWD vans because FWD vehicles make it a lot easier to pull your van out of snow, dirt or rocks rather than “push” it. Luckily, our list only includes FWD, All Wheel Drive (AWD) vans.
The Ram ProMaster only comes in FWD, while the Ford Transit and the Mercedes Sprinter both have options for AWD which is better for off-roading and driving on bumpy forest roads. However, it does come at a higher price tag.
Bottom line: If you have the option to and are willing to pay for it, AWD vans are the best for climbing mountain roads and handling in snow, but it will cost you a bit more.
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