Ski RV's, who's sleeping in parking lots?

**singlecross** · 08-15-2021, 10:52 AM

If ya squint, it’s mint!

**SirVicSmasher** · 08-15-2021, 10:24 PM

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/t...363642402.html

https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/f...363952819.html

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**Hopeless Sinner** · 08-16-2021, 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by SirVicSmasher

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/t...363642402.html

https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/f...363952819.html

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The FWC is a 'tweener @ 7.5' and no pics of interior.

Lance looks like it might be a winner if you have a 3/4T or 1T to put it on.

**El Chupacabra** · 08-16-2021, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by singlecross

If ya squint, it’s mint!

That's the mid engine Previa, isn't it? What a weird choice to base that conversion on...

**simple** · 08-16-2021, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

That's the mid engine Previa, isn't it? What a weird choice to base that conversion on...

No it's a mitsubishi Delica

**juliannewriter** · 08-16-2021, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by new yabyum

Where is is it? I'm glad you had a cup and thanked him.....just a premonition.

Great post! Thanks!

**weibo** · 08-17-2021, 03:59 PM

I don't know if this appeals to anyone being a trailer.
https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/a...366641935.html

**jacob_dbu** · 08-17-2021, 05:53 PM

Does anyone have a Chevy Express or GMC Savana AWD? I found one on CL and I'm trying to figure out what a reasonable offer price is. My plan would be to run it as is all winter and then make any upgrades in the spring time.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/c...360750361.html

**m2711c** · 08-17-2021, 06:02 PM

Dude, that’s pretty good deal on a pretty sweet van. I wouldn’t wait around on that. Quite honestly if it was on this coast I would’ve already snipped it from you. Good luck man.

**North** · 08-17-2021, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by thejongiest

Does anyone have a Chevy Express or GMC Savana AWD? I found one on CL and I'm trying to figure out what a reasonable offer price is. My plan would be to run it as is all winter and then make any upgrades in the spring time.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/c...360750361.html

Yes. When I bought mine in 2016(?) most empty cargos in the 130K range were going for $11-$13K. My buddy sold his this summer w/175K for $34K I think - but it's the nicest express camper build I've ever seen. I have no idea what a reasonable offer is during the vandemic. The one you linked looks pretty decent, but it's a low bar considering people are tacking on $10K to the base price of the vehicle for shitbox 2x4 camper builds these days. I call BS on "well insulated" because you can still see all the structural members - ceiling only has about 1" of room max, and maybe 2" on the walls for insulation if you cover up the pillars - less if you don't (first time I've seen this). Otherwise swivels ($500?) and heater ($1k) are nice upgrades.

**jacob_dbu** · 08-17-2021, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by North

Yes. When I bought mine in 2016(?) most empty cargos in the 130K range were going for $11-$13K. My buddy sold his this summer w/175K for $34K I think - but it's the nicest express camper build I've ever seen. I have no idea what a reasonable offer is during the vandemic. The one you linked looks pretty decent, but it's a low bar considering people are tacking on $10K to the base price of the vehicle for shitbox 2x4 camper builds these days. I call BS on "well insulated" because you can still see all the structural members - ceiling only has about 1" of room max, and maybe 2" on the walls for insulation if you cover up the pillars - less if you don't (first time I've seen this). Otherwise swivels ($500?) and heater ($1k) are nice upgrades.

Yeah, I'll have to see it in person to really evaluate the condition. It's a super minimal build, but the heater is nice and something I didn't want to have to fuck with as a newb. I like that it's ready to go right now. Overall, it seems like a really good platform to start from, but with the mileage I would kind or rather be spending <15k.

**Hopeless Sinner** · 08-17-2021, 07:20 PM

Yeah I'd buy it, if I needed a van. Chances are he'll get near, if not what he's asking. The risk is what's it going to cost to keep running not the purchase price. Going to need new rubber for sure and chains, probably brakes as well.

**SirVicSmasher** · 08-17-2021, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by weibo

I don't know if this appeals to anyone being a trailer.
https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/a...366641935.html

Should come with a prison guard and a pay phone so your gal can put some more money on your books

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**North** · 08-17-2021, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by Hopeless Sinner

The risk is what's it going to cost to keep running not the purchase price. Going to need new rubber for sure and chains, probably brakes as well.

Two things it has going for it: it's not white so it's less likely to have been used as a tradesman vehicle - those ones get destroyed. Also the paint will not fall off when you spray it with water like the white ones. I've put 100K on mine and have done rear brakes, suspension, DS wheel bearing, and 5+ door handles. Transmissions are the weak point on these. My aforementioned buddy that just sold his did a transmission and much more.

Oh, AWD so chains are unnecessary IMO. I run snows in the winter because I tow, and have successfully busted 18"+ drifts in Idaho during "no winter maintenance" hours.

**Hopeless Sinner** · 08-17-2021, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by North

Two things it has going for it: it's not white so it's less likely to have been used as a tradesman vehicle - those ones get destroyed. Also the paint will not fall off when you spray it with water like the white ones. I've put 100K on mine and have done rear brakes, suspension, DS wheel bearing, and 5+ door handles. Transmissions are the weak point on these. My aforementioned buddy that just sold his did a transmission and much more.

Oh, AWD so chains are unnecessary IMO. I run snows in the winter because I tow, and have successfully busted 18"+ drifts in Idaho during "no winter maintenance" hours.

I think it has a lot going for it, depends on the depth of pockets of the purchaser and the tolerance for pain. Hopefully it won't need a new timing belt and water pump, tranny overhaul, or other big ticket item. If things do start to go south the chances of recovering the outlays are probably going to be pretty good.

**Falcon3** · 08-17-2021, 08:15 PM

I’ve got a 2013 Chevy Express AWD and it’s great. Somehow I got mine at the Chevy dealer in Seattle during COVID for $13k. No idea how it stayed on that lot for 45 days. Stock it got 20 mpg on the interstate.

This one looks pretty nice and with the current market it’s probably priced right. The Webasto is a huge bonus.

Be ready for the transmission to go out at any moment though. The GM-4speed is about a 150k transmission. Luckily they’re pretty cheap and easy to rebuild. (Mine had all highway miles and went out at 159k even with regular servicing on the carfax)

There’s a massive thread on Expedition Portal specifically for the AWD models because there’s a lot of propriety parts compared to the other full size vans.

https://expeditionportal.com/forum/t...thread.137390/

**jacob_dbu** · 08-17-2021, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by Falcon3

I’ve got a 2013 Chevy Express AWD and it’s great. Somehow I got mine at the Chevy dealer in Seattle during COVID for $13k. No idea how it stayed on that lot for 45 days. Stock it got 20 mpg on the interstate.

This one looks pretty nice and with the current market it’s probably priced right. The Webasto is a huge bonus.

Be ready for the transmission to go out at any moment though. The GM-4speed is about a 150k transmission. Luckily they’re pretty cheap and easy to rebuild. (Mine had all highway miles and went out at 159k even with regular servicing on the carfax)

There’s a massive thread on Expedition Portal specifically for the AWD models because there’s a lot of propriety parts compared to the other full size vans.

https://expeditionportal.com/forum/t...thread.137390/

How many miles did you buy it with? Also, is there a good site to watch dealer stock?

Yeah I did some basic research and understand the 4L60E is weak, but heard it can be upgraded to be much better?

What are my chances of getting a bank to finance this too…I can pay out of pocket but would prefer to put it on a 24 month installment.

**Falcon3** · 08-17-2021, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by thejongiest

How many miles did you buy it with? Also, is there a good site to watch dealer stock?

Yeah I did some basic research and understand the 4L60E is weak, but heard it can be upgraded to be much better?

What are my chances of getting a bank to finance this too…I can pay out of pocket but would prefer to put it on a 24 month installment.

Lots of auction sites have vans on them- seems to be a lot in the upper Midwest and the NE. JJ Kane has a bunch. I kept a search running full time on CarGuru, AutoTrader, and the National Craigslist apps.

I bought mine with 150k miles, transmission exploded at 159k, but it was rebuilt by a Spokane reputable shop for under $2000 including removal/install. The 4l60e gets rebuilt generally to a 4l65e spec which Includes way beefier parts and better clutches along with new solenoids. I’d plan on servicing it as soon as you get it, maybe you’ll get lucky and it’ll go a long time.

Overall it’s a great truck, I’d definitely go this route again. The AWD system is spectacular in snow, ran circles around my 4wd 4runnet even in highway tires.

If you’re in WA, WSECU is probably the best place to finance high miles vehicles (I researched a bunch as I was trying to buy a house at the same time as the van and needed to keep my down payment intact). My rate was under 5% and that rate went all the way up to 60mo.

**DanoT** · 08-17-2021, 11:54 PM

According to the Car Wizard, don't get a GM 5.3L V8 that has Active Fuel Management, aka Cylinder Deactivation. Go to 11:40
https://youtu.be/x6EfO7QE1k8

**Falcon3** · 08-18-2021, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by DanoT

According to the Car Wizard, don't get a GM 5.3L V8 that has Active Fuel Management, aka Cylinder Deactivation.l]

AFM was never in the Express vans.

From GM TechLink:

“Active Fuel Management (AFM) or Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) is available on a number of recent GM models to help improve fuel economy, including 2014-2019 Corvette, Silverado LD, Sierra Limited; 2015-2019 Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon; 2016-2019 CTS-V, Camaro; 2019 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500; 2020 Silverado 2500/3500 and Sierra 2500/3500 models”

**jacob_dbu** · 08-18-2021, 12:40 PM

Well I saw the van, but I’m not sold. It’s from the east coast and the underside has a certain tint. It’s not awful, but not sure if it’s the platform I want to start from.

In addition, there’s been several mods like a switched out ignition unit to power the radio while off, etc. The current build is minimal but pretty nice for what it is, but I figure in a year I’d want to tear it all out anyways.

At <$15k I would strongly consider it, but I’m also not sure it’s the platform I want unless I find a super clean one.

I really like the T1N sprinters or just go and get a newer transit. Fucking around with a fiberine top isn’t really that much of interest for a van that will never be as good as a new transit (albeit at a much different price).

Another question - why not just get a Scamp or something? Are they really that much worse for winter ski parking lots?

**jhyatt** · 08-18-2021, 01:33 PM

Spotted. Earth cruiser!

**m2711c** · 08-18-2021, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by thejongiest

Well I saw the van, but I’m not sold. It’s from the east coast and the underside has a certain tint. It’s not awful, but not sure if it’s the platform I want to start from.

In addition, there’s been several mods like a switched out ignition unit to power the radio while off, etc. The current build is minimal but pretty nice for what it is, but I figure in a year I’d want to tear it all out anyways.

At <$15k I would strongly consider it, but I’m also not sure it’s the platform I want unless I find a super clean one.

I really like the T1N sprinters or just go and get a newer transit. Fucking around with a fiberine top isn’t really that much of interest for a van that will never be as good as a new transit (albeit at a much different price).

Another question - why not just get a Scamp or something? Are they really that much worse for winter ski parking lots?

How much was he willing to come down on the price?

**jacob_dbu** · 08-18-2021, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by m2711c

How much was he willing to come down on the price?

I didn't push him yet. He's motivated to sell, so I think cash in hand would be a strong factor for him. I feel like if I offered $15k he'd ask to meet in the middle. Maybe he'd come down to $16k-ish. But I didn't bother asking to start because I wanted to consider what I really wanted before making an offer.

**Micol** · 08-18-2021, 10:25 PM

ok , so this is off that seattle van cL listing... looks like a heat source. can anyone beta me up on how it works, and all the particulars...looks really interesting... any parts missing from pics? is this a brand? or.......