Running in circles on my first van purchase. Help!

[Boomer]

Hi y'all. I've been looking for a couple months now and I'm a little more comfortable with the buying process but haven't pulled the trigger yet. Unfortunately all the vans rigged out I've found have been long distance, I haven't even seen a posting anywhere in Alabama. I found a transit with 35k and an Everest with 7k for 22 but decided it was too much. Just too much for the van portion and the logistics of it complicated things. I found another Everest in a box van but after initial inspection by a mechanic there it turns out there was a broken heat exchanger so that's a no-go. I've found a few good looking ones on CL but they're thousands of miles off. I've spoken with TCS about getting a warrior or Chief unit but it's out of my range currently unless I practically steal a van. It's been frustrating. Am I going for too big of a unit? I'd like to be able to do storm work. Any recommendations on who I should try to find to inspect the truck mount? The mechanic missed the broken heater entirely and imagine he only checked the motor, for instance. Is it worth it to call carpet companies or restoration companies? I feel like I'm running in circles. Any advice would be awesome. I've used CL, here, Ron Jon and used carpet cleaning as well as FB marketplace to search. Am I missing anything?

 

[mrotto]

really, I dont know why everyone limits themselves by distance.

Im from Wisconsin and my previous van I bought used from Las Vegas. The van was only 6 months old and the TM had less than 300 hours on it. Seller drove it to Denver, I flew to Denver and picked it up and drove it back. Saved me a TON of money off new.

Current Van/TM I bought new and flew to Florida and drove it back and saved $20,000 off list.

If I limited myself to looking only locally I would have been screwed.

 

[John Rockwood]

You could try Aramsco, Interlink Supply or any other suppliers that have a service dept. Even if you have to travel a few hundred miles it would make sense to travel if you are able to get what you need.

 

[Boomer]

You could try Aramsco, Interlink Supply or any other suppliers that have a service dept. Even if you have to travel a few hundred miles it would make sense to travel if you are able to get what you need.

I'm willing to travel, just hasn't felt right yet. It did on the box van but the broken heater ended that, fortunately before I travelled. For the right price I'd fly to California for a good one. I'm right on the edge of my budget for the units I do want, I think that's one reason I'm hesitant. That and it being my first foray into something like this. I feel like if I get a reliable van my obsessive nature will take care of the rest lol

 

[SRD]

I'm willing to travel, just hasn't felt right yet. It did on the box van but the broken heater ended that, fortunately before I travelled. For the right price I'd fly to California for a good one. I'm right on the edge of my budget for the units I do want, I think that's one reason I'm hesitant. That and it being my first foray into something like this. I feel like if I get a reliable van my obsessive nature will take care of the rest lol

If you liked the box van a heat exchanger isnt hard to replace

 

[OxiFreshGuy]

Who is your local repair place? Buy the TM they are most experienced working with. Most likely a Sapphire or Hydramaster.

 

[Joe cool]

The 35k mile transit with a EVEREST sounds like a great deal .