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rv:finding [2022/01/14 21:58]
princess_fluffypants [Vans to look for] 		rv:finding [2023/06/07 13:41]
frater_secessus [Vehicles from salt belt states]
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 **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. **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 older ones 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)).   +Vehicles that have not been on the beach in **California** will be in good condition but may be more expensive((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Which-regions-are-good-for-finding-used-vans-or-RV-s?pid=157213#pid157213)) due to higher cost of living. 
 +----
 ===== Finding vans ===== ===== Finding vans =====
 Once you know geographically where to look the [[communication:internet:search|search]] comes next.   Once you know geographically where to look the [[communication:internet:search|search]] comes next.  
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   * [[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)   * [[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)+  * Ebay motors - (leverage saved searches to automate the process)
   * [[https://www.autotrader.com/|AutoTrader]], Truck Trader, RV Trader, etc.   * [[https://www.autotrader.com/|AutoTrader]], Truck Trader, RV Trader, etc.
 +  * [[https://www.autotempest.com/|Autotempest]] - Aggregates results from many different sites
   * local classifieds   * local classifieds
   * Facebook marketplace   * Facebook marketplace
   * vans you see for sale locally   * vans you see for sale locally
-  * truck sales lots will have cargo vans, box trucks, etc.  Some [[rv:high_roof|high tops]]. +  * truck sales lots will have cargo vans, box trucks, etc.  Some [[rv:high_roof|high tops]]. 
 +  * Government fleet auctions 
 +  * Police auctions 
   * [[https://vandom.co/|vandom.co]]   * [[https://vandom.co/|vandom.co]]
  
 +----
 ===== Vans to look for ===== ===== Vans to look for =====
  
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 The downside is they're usually going to have windows all around (which can reduce security/stealth/insulation) and you'll have to go through the trouble of pulling the seats out. The downside is they're usually going to have windows all around (which can reduce security/stealth/insulation) and you'll have to go through the trouble of pulling the seats out.
 +
 +----
 ===== Vans to rule out ===== ===== Vans to rule out =====
  
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 Also see:  [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRD3fZnJK_I|Don't buy a lemon]] (yt Bob Wells) Also see:  [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRD3fZnJK_I|Don't buy a lemon]] (yt Bob Wells)
 +==== Untitled vehicles ====
 +
 +Untitled vehicles can be nightmares.  Here are some questions to ask to avoid this issue:  
 +
 +  - "Do you have the title in hand?"  
 +  - "Does the name on the title match your ID?" 
 +
 +
 +
 ==== uninspectable ==== ==== uninspectable ====
  
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 ==== Flooded vehicles ==== ==== Flooded vehicles ====
  
-The free Carfax Flood VIN check will identify flooded vehicles. +In addition to the VIN check above, pay attention to mold/mildew smells.  Lift trunk carpet and look for dried mud.  
- +
-Pay attention to mold/mildew smells.  Lift trunk carpet and look for mud.  +
  
 ==== Vehicles from salt belt states ==== ==== Vehicles from salt belt states ====
 +
 +Structural rust can cause the vehicle to be uninspectable, unsafe, and possibly unrepairable unless one is willing to apply heroic levels of money and skill.  
 +
 +
 +
 [[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"}}]] 
 [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Belt|Some states]] in the northeast and northern midwest use salt on the roads to melt ice. [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Belt|Some states]] in the northeast and northern midwest use salt on the roads to melt ice.
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-==== 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?"  
  
 ==== Fixer-Uppers ==== ==== Fixer-Uppers ====
rv/finding.txt · Last modified: 2023/06/29 11:00 by mahkato

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