Mileage

Used vans come with miles already on them of course. The big question is how many more can I expect. The predominant campervans out there are the Mercedes Sprinter, Ram Promaster and Ford Transit. They all seem to last quite a while but you do need to keep in mind the mileage on it is on both the engine and rest of the vehicle. The Sprinters seem to consistently achieve 200,000+ miles and the Promasters are not far behind. I would count on being able to get 180,000 miles out of a Promaster before you start to have repeated issues. There is not a lot of data out there for the Transits, but current estimates would put them at 150,000 miles or so before you start to have repeated problems.

Vehicle History Report

Unfortunately there are folks out there who hide damage. Others might not be the first owners of the van itself and thus do not know about prior damage. Run a report against the VIN to identify any concerns. I used AutoCheck and liked what they report on. There is also a free service that gets some of the key info. It is a good starting point when window shopping. Get some basic info to see if you should look any further and/or get a more comprehensive report. It uses one of the main databases used by many of the reporting agencies.

Key Safety Concerns if the Van Started as a Passenger Van

A campervan starts as a passenger or cargo van. You can tell which it was by looking at the windows. Passenger vans have factory installed windows down both sides of the van. Yes you can add aftermarket windows to get the same effect, but people rarely add that many. Other than the obvious difference of a cargo van starts with nothing in it and a passenger van has seats in it (which all will likely be removed for the campervan along with the headliner, etc.), the big difference is side curtain airbags. Many newer passenger vans have them running the length of the inside fo the van and cargo vans only in the front cabin (driver and passenger seat area). The safety concern is if they are left in, there is no telling how the installed cabinets and other finish work will react to the deployment of the side curtain airbags. To negate this, some folks will disengage the side airbags which can also impact the front cabin. Other times an airbag simulator is installed to trick the van. So if you are looking at a campervan that started as a passenger van, find out what was done about the original side airbags. Look at the design of the van and assess what will happen if they go off. The safest thing is to look for a campervan that started as a cargo van, then there are no worries about this safety concern. Do your homework on this one if you are getting a van that started as a passenger van to see if the airbags are impacted by the conversion.

The-Layout: How Does it Fit Your Lifestyle/Goals

All of the other items in this blog are items that will help you avoid headaches and possibly some daily drama. But the layout is super important. It is not like you can move the furniture around when you buy the van. You will have to live with what you buy (at least for the most part.)

The biggest piece of advice I have for you is to actually sit in the area that will get used the most and take in what you will be looking at. Several designs have a bench by the sliding door. When you sit on it you look at a kitchen. Do you want to stare at your kitchen all the time? Even with a lovely backsplash, is it the view you are looking for? It might be, but sit where you will be spending the most of your time inside and observe. Close the door to simulate a cold or rainy day. Make sure you are happy with the layout.

Windows

Also look for how many windows there are. Having natural light is key. I have seen so many designs where the main sitting area is looking at a kitchen that has a lovely backsplash but no view or windows. My van has a bench that faces the sliding door so I can open it up to get fresh air and a beautiful view. It’s the #1 thing I like/love about my van! The sliding door has a window in it which gives me the view and light without opening it. Behind the bench is another window we installed that has a ledge to put my coffee on. It makes such a big difference to have several windows. Too many have a window at the end of the bed and no others.

Too many windows are a concern because windows provide NO insulation. So there is a balance. What is key is to be able to insulate those windows at night and block out visibility in. I see a lot of Reflectix used but the best are custom made insulated made-to-fit covers that snap in with magnets and fit your windows exactly. They fold up easily to tuck away in your cab overhead. If what you are buying doesn’t have these, they are easy to get later.

Bed

On the topic of the bed, make sure you can get into it…they can be very high, and that if you want to sit in bed, there is enough room to do so. Many vans also have benches that convert into beds. Honestly ask yourself if you want to put away the bed every day and have the benefit of a bench or if you want a static bed. Also be cognizant of the size of the bed. I am not just talking full, twin or queen, but also the length. My son is tall (6’4”) and he cannot stretch out side to side in a van without pressing against the walls (which you want to avoid if you can).

Secondly, what is the supporting frame of the bed? Is there air circulation? A must to prevent moisture and mold buildup! I used an Ikea bed frame with slats. Ideal. Try to avoid a bed that is on top of a sheet of plywood because of the moisture risks.

So layout is important. Make sure it is livable for your needs.

After Market Windows

I have several of these so I know how tricky it might be to install them. Well that is not entirely true, they are easy to install, but if you cut the openings wrong it can cause big issues. CR Laurence makes great windows that are easy to install. No matter what, look for evidence of leaking. This can be water damage or air flow from outside of the van inside. Speaking of windows, see also the section on Layout for other considerations.

Cabinetry

In assembling my campervan, my son went above and beyond regarding cabinet build and more importantly mounting the cabinets. One method is to use self tapping truss screws and mount the cabinets to the sheet metal braces built into the van. The issue with this is they are being secured literally by 1/8 inch of contact between the screw and metal of the van. That is not a lot of contact. Some may say they mounted boards to the van walls so they can screw the cabinets into the boards for a secure fit. That is great, but now did they mount the boards to the van? In my build we mounted boards to the van structure with rivet nuts (rivnuts). These permanently attach a threaded nut to the van. Van manufactures use this same method for much of the van build itself. It gives you much more than 1/8 inch of contact to mount the board or cabinet. Now you might not ever know how the cabinets were attached to the van itself, but if you ask and they know, it can play a big factor in your decision. Secure cabinets not only ensure safety, but also reduce or eliminate noise due to the movement of the cabinets while in motion. Wood will have some movement over time, so the most secure connection to the van is best. For cabinets and drawers, also look at how they are held closed. Make sure they are easy enough to open but also stay shut during turns while driving.

Lights

Make sure they are LED. That way they are more energy efficient and also do not produce excess heat which could be an issue. Also look at the switches to which they are hooked up. Do they all turn on at once or are they in zones? Can they be dimmed? Having the ability to turn on and off only certain areas is nice as is the ability to dim.

Flooring

You need something durable and serviceable. The biggest advice here is to look where the water tanks are and evaluate if there was a leak could it get under the floor area. If so, seal it off. Also look at the higher traffic areas (main living space) and ensure the floor is durable enough for the constant in and out. You are walking repeatedly in a 10 square foot area of flooring, so it needs to be durable enough for the use. Vinyl planking that snaps together is a favorite. It’s what I used and am very happy with it.