Step-by-Step DIY Van Conversion
Finding a Van
Vanlife has become quite a "thing" and as such, cargo vans are selling like hotcakes! As soon as the potential buyer locates their find, it's sold right out from under them in the blink of an eye. If you have spent any time on social media, you will know that people are (as of July 2020) starting to travel long distances to snag a van. We sure did!
Van searchers can still visit your local neighborhood dealership and peruse the local marketplace listings in the for sale by owner (or, FSBO /"fiz-boe") section.
The Long-Distance Search
But, what if your efforts are in vain? You, like many other soon-to-be vanlifers, will need to widen your search. For example, you can use a national database such as CarFax. They allow you to filter your results based on make, model, year, and mileage. Plus, you have the added feature of searching within a specific distance.
Once you find your long-distance van love, you can check to see if there is a delivery option - or you can make a road trip out of it! (We flew from California to Florida to drive our baby home.)
So, how will you know when you find a great deal?
Now that you are willing to travel to the ends of the earth to find your new tiny home on wheels, how will you know when it's real; when she's the one? Research, of course! Grab a notebook or your favorite electronic writing utensil and start a log of available vans that you would consider buying. Once you have a list of at least 15 or 20, you will have a fairly solid idea of what "a good deal" is.
Our Pre-Purchase Search
Here is a sample of our list that we created April 2020 - July 2020...
2015 Transit | 26,506 miles | $22,990 | Location unspecified
2014 Nissan Cargo | 26,234 miles | $19,999 | Location unspecified
2006 Dodge Sprinter | 105,898 miles | $8,998 | Illinois
2014 Transit | 66,349 | $14,203 miles | Location unspecified
2005 Dodge Sprinter | 144,635 miles | $12,000 | Location unspecified
2016 Transit | 66,799 miles | $19,000 | Location unspecified
2016 Transit | 61,566 miles | $28,995 | Location unspecified
2015 Transit | 70,045 miles | $16,995 | Location unspecified
2014 Mercedes Sprinter | 68,683 miles | $21,990 | Florida
2012 Mercedes Sprinter | 69.667 miles | $24,600 | Flint, Michigan
2008 Dodge Sprinter | 82,391 miles | $14,980 | Kentucky
2012 Mercedes Sprinter | 64,490 miles | $17,495 | Illinois
2017 Mercedes Sprinter | 67,123 miles | $27,992 | Location unspecified
2017 Mercedes Sprinter | 37,500 miles | $32,999 | Location unspecified
2006 Dodge Sprinter | 119,000 miles | $13,995 | Washington (state)
2015 Transit XLT | 59,328 miles | $16,885 | Sacramento, CA
2015 Transit XLT | 31,098 miles | $33,998 | Sacramento, CA
Sacramento was an hour and a half from us (we were in Chico, CA), and this listing really compelled us to grab Eliza the second we saw her.
Our Purchase:
2018 Transit | 9,739 miles | $25,977 | Orlando, Florida
Hope this gives you an idea of what was out there in the Summer of 2020 and sparks some motivation to continue the hunt for your perfect gem!
Back to DIY Van Build
Go to Resources
Go to About Us
Vanlife has become quite a "thing" and as such, cargo vans are selling like hotcakes! As soon as the potential buyer locates their find, it's sold right out from under them in the blink of an eye. If you have spent any time on social media, you will know that people are (as of July 2020) starting to travel long distances to snag a van. We sure did!
Van searchers can still visit your local neighborhood dealership and peruse the local marketplace listings in the for sale by owner (or, FSBO /"fiz-boe") section.
The Long-Distance Search
But, what if your efforts are in vain? You, like many other soon-to-be vanlifers, will need to widen your search. For example, you can use a national database such as CarFax. They allow you to filter your results based on make, model, year, and mileage. Plus, you have the added feature of searching within a specific distance.
Once you find your long-distance van love, you can check to see if there is a delivery option - or you can make a road trip out of it! (We flew from California to Florida to drive our baby home.)
So, how will you know when you find a great deal?
Now that you are willing to travel to the ends of the earth to find your new tiny home on wheels, how will you know when it's real; when she's the one? Research, of course! Grab a notebook or your favorite electronic writing utensil and start a log of available vans that you would consider buying. Once you have a list of at least 15 or 20, you will have a fairly solid idea of what "a good deal" is.
Our Pre-Purchase Search
Here is a sample of our list that we created April 2020 - July 2020...
2015 Transit | 26,506 miles | $22,990 | Location unspecified
2014 Nissan Cargo | 26,234 miles | $19,999 | Location unspecified
2006 Dodge Sprinter | 105,898 miles | $8,998 | Illinois
2014 Transit | 66,349 | $14,203 miles | Location unspecified
2005 Dodge Sprinter | 144,635 miles | $12,000 | Location unspecified
2016 Transit | 66,799 miles | $19,000 | Location unspecified
2016 Transit | 61,566 miles | $28,995 | Location unspecified
2015 Transit | 70,045 miles | $16,995 | Location unspecified
2014 Mercedes Sprinter | 68,683 miles | $21,990 | Florida
2012 Mercedes Sprinter | 69.667 miles | $24,600 | Flint, Michigan
2008 Dodge Sprinter | 82,391 miles | $14,980 | Kentucky
2012 Mercedes Sprinter | 64,490 miles | $17,495 | Illinois
2017 Mercedes Sprinter | 67,123 miles | $27,992 | Location unspecified
2017 Mercedes Sprinter | 37,500 miles | $32,999 | Location unspecified
2006 Dodge Sprinter | 119,000 miles | $13,995 | Washington (state)
2015 Transit XLT | 59,328 miles | $16,885 | Sacramento, CA
2015 Transit XLT | 31,098 miles | $33,998 | Sacramento, CA
Sacramento was an hour and a half from us (we were in Chico, CA), and this listing really compelled us to grab Eliza the second we saw her.
Our Purchase:
2018 Transit | 9,739 miles | $25,977 | Orlando, Florida
Hope this gives you an idea of what was out there in the Summer of 2020 and sparks some motivation to continue the hunt for your perfect gem!
Back to DIY Van Build
Go to Resources
Go to About Us