How many miles are too many miles?

[Speedytriple]

Looking for my first van, something like a Sprinter, Crafter or Iveco converted panel van.

I have a max budget of 20k (which i know isnt much in the campervan world) however all the ones ive seen that are reasonably well spec'd and kitted out nicely seem to have well over 150k on the clock.

What would you guys consider to be too many miles on a used van?

And where would be my best place to look for a van around the 20k mark? Ive checked out all the usual sources, Ebay, Auto Trader etc but everything i see just isnt quite there.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Speedytriple]

Have you had a look at this guys vans, where we had ours from can vouch for him.

Pardon our interruption...

Thanks chap.

TBH If i had the time i'd buy a van and convert it myself, however what with other projects, a Mrs who moans that i have too many projects already, an Elderly mother who needs quite a bit of care (but has a drive to keep the van on) a 12 year old (going on 20) daughter, I just dont have the time to do it.

So really it needs to be pretty much ready to go. I can squeeze some time in to make some changes here and there but a full on refit will have to be a future job when i have more time and less family commitments.

 

[chaser]

Thanks chap.

TBH If i had the time i'd buy a van and convert it myself, however what with other projects, a Mrs who moans that i have too many projects already, an Elderly mother who needs quite a bit of care (but has a drive to keep the van on) a 12 year old (going on 20) daughter, I just dont have the time to do it.

So really it needs to be pretty much ready to go. I can squeeze some time in to make some changes here and there but a full on refit will have to be a future job when i have more time and less family commitments.

Understood, but this guy will do as much converting as you want.

 

[tinkertaylor]

A new solar controller, £200, (I would go victron for that) inverter....what do you want to run, high wattage more money and probably new batteries....say £1k for both. Then it all has to be fitted.....£300 for that.

 

[Dazzola]

It has a Thetford hidden under the sofa. however not very private if you have other camping guests over for a glass of wine... Dont mind me..

My toilet is in a "buddy box" basically a seat that opens up with the loo inside, and I have a blackout curtain that pulls around it on a flexible track for privacy, you can't tell what it is while it's closed.

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[Speedytriple]

A new solar controller, £200, (I would go victron for that) inverter....what do you want to run, high wattage more money and probably new batteries....say £1k for both. Then it all has to be fitted.....£300 for that.

So something like this would sort the whole shebang?

This

 

[oldiesontour]

So something like this would sort the whole shebang?

This

You already have the panels.as a rough guide
Depending if it has split charge or B2B and the voltage of the existing panels a quick easy mid price job something like a Renogy b2b with mppt £200 with Bluetooth or screen monitor and an inverter of the needed size(2000w probably) again Renogy £230 ISH
Cable/wire/fuses terminals ball park £150
Will charge all batteries from the engine and all batteries from solar( keeping van battery topped up when not In use),I'd get a simple rack on the o/S chassis and move those batteries nearer the engine,
If you want lithium 2x 100ah add around £380

 

[tinkertaylor]

So something like this would sort the whole shebang?

This

It would go some way but the batteries supplied are....lead acid, old tech tbh. What type of 240 appliance are you looking at using?

 

[Speedytriple]

I guess not a lot really. Just chargers for phones, laptop. The cool box is the back maybe 240 I’m not sure.

Lighting inside I think are LED. Perhaps outside lights run off mains.

 

[oldiesontour]

I guess not a lot really. Just chargers for phones, laptop. The cool box is the back maybe 240 I’m not sure.

Lighting inside I think are LED. Perhaps outside lights run off mains.

Coolbox 12 and via transformer 240v,Perhaps a 1 kw inverter or smaller would suffice,but not a massive difference in price to futureproof

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[Blingo]

Sprinter type vans are designed to do 250k miles in less than 5 years so good buys are newer ones with high mileages as long as it has service history. I've bought ex reps cars at 3-4 years old with 150k miles on the clock, new brakes and shocks and they are reliable still. You can't do that sort of mileage without it being motorway miles and that is quite an easy life for a van, not too many cold starts or too much braking. Conversely I sent a relative's Golf to scrap at 50k miles as the brake linkages, door handles and hinges, and gearbox were all worn as hell from being cold started and driven a mile to the shops day in day out.

 

[tinkertaylor]

I guess not a lot really. Just chargers for phones, laptop. The cool box is the back maybe 240 I’m not sure.

Lighting inside I think are LED. Perhaps outside lights run off mains.

I would question whether you needed an inverter tbh. We use ours for a kettle and a hair dryer, everything else is run off 12v, chargers , led lights , fridge. Get a better solar controller and see how that goes.

 

[Speedytriple]

Seller just contacted me to tell me the van is now sold anyway so its a no go.

Not to worry, plenty more vans in the sea...

 

[Speedytriple]

Ive seen this on Quirky campers..

What are your thoughts guys, there's not a lot to go on TBH

This

 

[gus-lopez]

First thing for me would be a self contained shower + toilet. Wouldn't entertain a van without.
Another would have to be cab air con. If buying ready done, either missing would see me walk away.

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[oldiesontour]

First thing for me would be a self contained shower + toilet. Wouldn't entertain a van without.
Another would have to be cab air con. If buying ready done, either missing would see me walk away.

Me too,if no shower/wc not interested

 

[Speedytriple]

Ah yes, good point. No facilities. I could live without the shower but not a lav.

 

[oldiesontour]

Ah yes, good point. No facilities. I could live without the shower but not a lav.

A toilet in the middle of the van ....not for us,so it's in its own "room",tiny bit more space and room for a shower, essential for off grid.
I can have it I have room for it additional cost is very small,so I've got it...being my logic.
With careful design We have a double bed,seperate wc/shower,hob ,oven , microwave,seperate garage for deckchairs,2 e bikes 50ltrs reserve water(75ltr under van)240w rigid folding additional solar (400w on roof) small generator,2 4 x2' folding tables + bits n bobs.The only sacrifice for this is non fixed bed...but if the weather is good enough to eat/relax under the awning bed can stay made.

 

[CAB96]

Seller just contacted me to tell me the van is now sold anyway so its a no go.

Not to worry, plenty more vans in the sea...

I would have commented but maybe worth bearing in mind for future vans.

The bed. Is it long enough? How tall are you and your partner? The Iveco isn't the widest van.

And the fridge? Was it really under the bed?

 

[CAB96]

Ive seen this on Quirky campers..

What are your thoughts guys, there's not a lot to go on TBH

This

God that's awful.

A double bench seat installed sideways? Legally doubtful and probably lethal. And absolutely no comfort when you are parked up.

180cm bed? Doubt it. Double bunk doubles? And what is the ceiling and wall finished with above the bunk?

"Unladen Weight Verified:
No - the vehicle has not been weighed since completion"

I wonder why.

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[Northernraider]

I might be a bit dim but where's the bed in this one?

It's a welfare van Charlie for workers on site to have kitchen facilities and mobile houf for having their piece.


I don't think they want them sleeping on the Job though so no bed