Both sides previous revision
Previous revision
Next revision
|
Previous revision
Next revision
Both sides next revision
|
rv:finding [2017/01/06 20:46] frater_secessus [areas with many good vehicles] |
rv:finding [2020/08/13 22:39] frater_secessus [finding vans] |
The **American Southwest** is another good place as there is no road salt. Paint can be degraded by "sun fade"((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Which-regions-are-good-for-finding-used-vans-or-RV-s?pid=157204#pid157204)) but that is cosmetic rather than functional. Tires can be dry rotted and dashboards and interiors sun-damaged.((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Might-buy-van-in-Denver-possible-altitude-complications?pid=231111#pid231111)) | The **American Southwest** is another good place as there is no road salt. Paint can be degraded by "sun fade"((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Which-regions-are-good-for-finding-used-vans-or-RV-s?pid=157204#pid157204)) but that is cosmetic rather than functional. Tires can be dry rotted and dashboards and interiors sun-damaged.((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Might-buy-van-in-Denver-possible-altitude-complications?pid=231111#pid231111)) |
| |
**Colorado** does not use road salt, relying on gravel instead. Locals advise that cracked windshields from gravel are to be expected.((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Might-buy-van-in-Denver-possible-altitude-complications?pid=228754#pid228754)) | **Colorado** does not use road salt, relying on gravel instead. Locals advise that cracked windshields from gravel are to be expected.((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Might-buy-van-in-Denver-possible-altitude-complications?pid=228754#pid228754)) 4x4 campers may be more common in mountainous areas. |
| |
Vehicles that have not been on the beach in **California** will be in good condition but will generally be more expensive((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Which-regions-are-good-for-finding-used-vans-or-RV-s?pid=157213#pid157213)) and may have complicated and MPG-stealing smog abatement. | Vehicles that have not been on the beach in **California** will be in good condition but will generally be more expensive((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Which-regions-are-good-for-finding-used-vans-or-RV-s?pid=157213#pid157213)) and may have complex, expensive, and performance-altering CA-specific emissions.((the 49-state car was effectively made moot by EPA adopting CARB-like standards in 2016)). |
| |
| ===== finding vans ===== |
| One you know geographically where to look the [[communication:internet:search|search]] comes next. |
| |
| |
| * [[https://www.craigslist.org/about/sites|craigslist]] is probably the first place folks look. It sequesters results by region, so if you want national results uses something like [[https://www.searchtempest.com/|searchtempest]]. (leverage RSS results to automate the process) |
| * [[|ebay motors]] lists vehicles, and you can sort by distance from any zipcode, by cost, etc. (leverage saved searches to automate the process) |
| * [[https://www.autotrader.com/|AutoTrader]] |
| * local classifieds |
| * Facebook marketplace |
| * vans you see for sale locally |
| * truck sales lots will have cargo vans, box trucks, etc. Some [[rv:high_roof|high tops]]. |
| |
| |
===== campers to rule out ===== | ===== campers to rule out ===== |
| |
| ==== VIN checks ==== |
| |
| The [[https://www.vehiclehistory.com/vehicle/land.php|free Vehicle History VIN check]] will show a surprising amount of info from various public sources. |
| |
| The free [[https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud_awareness/vincheck/|NCIB VIN check]] will identify salvaged (totaled) and stolen vehicles. |
| |
| The [[https://www.carfax.com/press/resources/flooded-cars|free Carfax Flood VIN check]] will identify flooded vehicles. |
| |
| [[https://www.checkthatvin.com/stc/|Check That VIN]] is currently the lowest cost VIN check for branded titles or liens at $3.99. You [[http://www.aamva.org/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=2701&libID=2687|may be able]] to get this information for free from your state. The federal reminds us that: |
| > Consumers CANNOT receive NMVTIS Vehicle History Reports from Carfax, CVR, DMVDesk, Experian, or TitleTech; these five entities provide information only to car dealerships.((https://www.vehiclehistory.gov/nmvtis_vehiclehistory.html)) |
| |
| If your vehicle passes all those you might want to look at the [[https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls|free NHTSA recall VIN check]] to see if there are any outstanding safety recalls. |
==== vehicles salvaged from floods ==== | ==== vehicles salvaged from floods ==== |
| |
| The free Carfax Flood VIN check will identify flooded vehicles. |
| |
| Pay attention to mold/mildew smells. Lift trunk carpet and look for mud. |
==== vehicles from salt belt states ==== | ==== vehicles from salt belt states ==== |
[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Belt|{{ https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/Salt-Belt.svg/300px-Salt-Belt.svg.png|the "Salt Belt"}}]] | [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Belt|{{ https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/Salt-Belt.svg/300px-Salt-Belt.svg.png|the "Salt Belt"}}]] |
| |
==== untitled vehicles ==== | ==== untitled vehicles ==== |
| |
| Untitled vehicles are nightmares. Here are the magic questions to avoid title nightmares: |
| |
| - "Do you have the title in hand?" |
| - "Does the name on the title match your ID?" |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |