questions to ask when buying a van

alan · 08-08-2001, 05:55 PM

Between folks on the Quad list and myself, we came up with a list of questions persons in the market to buy an adapted van should ask van dealers. Here's that list:

QUESTIONS TO ASK DEALERS WHEN PURCHASING A VAN
(not all questions are applicable in all cases)

1. How much weight is added to the vehicle during modification?

2. Does the added weight lead to premature suspension and front end
problems?

3. Does the manufacturer use the original fuel tank or a fuel cell?
Does the manufacturer use the original fuel pump?

4. What other original parts are used, and which are replaced? How do the changes affect the van's overall durability? Are there any
electrical items which are added to the conversion which create a
constant demand on the battery?

5. What will the finished height of the van be? What will the ground
clearance be? How do the modifications affect the van's center of gravity, and stability in turns?

6. How do your modifications affect the warranty from the van's original
manufacturer? How does your warranty compare with the original warranty? How does the manufacturer feel about your modifications to their product?

7. Have vans with your modifications undergone crash tests, and what were the results compared with non-modified vans?

8. Will the modifier or manufacturer pay for a rental in the event there are problems during the warranty period, and help me find such a vehicle, if needed?

9. What about after sale service? Where are repairs done, and how is
the van taken to the repair shop if repairs can't be done at my home
(is that my responsibility, or part of your service?) How fast is the
response when I call your company to report a problem? What happens
when the warranty period is over? What if the manufacturer issues a
recall of this model?

10. How helpful will you be in accommodating me in my particular
circumstances, whatever those may be?

11. What type of kneeling system do you install? What parts are most
likely to break with normal use, and how much does repairing or replacing said parts cost in money and time? Why is your particular kneeling system the right one to choose? Can I get an upgraded battery to deal with the added drag of powering the lift and the kneeling system? Is the hydraulic fluid in the kneeling system affected by the air temperature, and, if so, at what temperatures?

12. What happens if the kneeling system breaks during or after the
warranty period, and how difficult is it to fix? If the kneeling
system breaks when I am out, can the van still be driven, and will I
be held responsible for any additional damage caused by driving the van in this condition?

13. If the van's engine and/or battery fails while I am in the van, how do I get out of the van? How do I activate the ramp and van kneeling
system (if applicable?) What about releasing the power tiedowns?

14. Can this van tow a trailer?

15. Depending on the repair required, may I stay in the van during repair if I have to bring it in for service myself?

16. I don't currently plan to drive this van, but that may change in the
future. Can the required adaptations for driving be added later, without damaging the integrity of the vehicle? Depending on how soon such changes are made, how will they affect the warranty?

17. I'd like a security system and remote engine start in this van.
Would I be better off with the manufacturer's alarm system, or
should I have a vendor local to me install the alarm?

18. Have you told me about all the options available from the
manufacturer for this van?

People who drive (from their chairs or after transferring into a seat)
will likely have additional questions.

SCI-Nurse · 08-08-2001, 11:14 PM

I wonder how many people actually get answers?

I would only add a question about the tie-downs (either manual or power) regarding crash testing and reliability of the brand used.

Scorpion · 08-09-2001, 02:08 PM

In my limited experience with a company that does conversions, they are very accomodating and willing to answer all your questions and tailor the modifications to your abilities.

~Rus

alan · 08-09-2001, 07:51 PM

The Rollx rep (www.rollxvans.com) who brought a demo van to my house answered all my questions. I gave him a copy of the list, and we went through it .

alan · 03-04-2004, 07:11 PM

Bump for newbies.

Alan

"Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"

noworries · 02-26-2010, 11:50 AM

Great list! Thanks for putting this together.

For those that may be looking at a used van-you may want to ask about the extended warranty coverage and cost as well.

rfbdorf · 02-26-2010, 03:12 PM

Will the jack that's supplied with the vehicle be usable?
In my experience (2 out of 2), the jack stored with/for the spare tire didn't fit under the chassis. Guess when I found out.
- Richard

MarkB701 · 02-26-2010, 03:30 PM

Excellent list. A few more come to mind:

19. How fast will she go?

20. What's her quarter mile split?

21. tinted windows?

22. How deep is the sub-woofer?

23. Ground effects?

24. Lowered suspension?

25. Can you get 22's in there?

26. Space for a bed in back?

BRASWELLF5 · 02-26-2010, 06:27 PM

Just go get a van from VMI. They integrate their modifications so well I thought it came stock from the factory it was done so nice. It has two backup systems for the ramp and for the kneel. And yes the jack will work and you can tow.

gurly2356 · 02-26-2010, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alan

2. Does the added weight lead to premature suspension and front end
problems?

.

I have an 04 grand caravan with a VMI conversion.

I think the front end is starting to go on mine..not a very smooth ride at all anymore. Maybe that goes along with age?...almost 60,000 miles?

08-08-2001, 05:55 PM	#1
alan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 6,169	questions to ask when buying a van Between folks on the Quad list and myself, we came up with a list of questions persons in the market to buy an adapted van should ask van dealers. Here's that list: QUESTIONS TO ASK DEALERS WHEN PURCHASING A VAN (not all questions are applicable in all cases) 1. How much weight is added to the vehicle during modification? 2. Does the added weight lead to premature suspension and front end problems? 3. Does the manufacturer use the original fuel tank or a fuel cell? Does the manufacturer use the original fuel pump? 4. What other original parts are used, and which are replaced? How do the changes affect the van's overall durability? Are there any electrical items which are added to the conversion which create a constant demand on the battery? 5. What will the finished height of the van be? What will the ground clearance be? How do the modifications affect the van's center of gravity, and stability in turns? 6. How do your modifications affect the warranty from the van's original manufacturer? How does your warranty compare with the original warranty? How does the manufacturer feel about your modifications to their product? 7. Have vans with your modifications undergone crash tests, and what were the results compared with non-modified vans? 8. Will the modifier or manufacturer pay for a rental in the event there are problems during the warranty period, and help me find such a vehicle, if needed? 9. What about after sale service? Where are repairs done, and how is the van taken to the repair shop if repairs can't be done at my home (is that my responsibility, or part of your service?) How fast is the response when I call your company to report a problem? What happens when the warranty period is over? What if the manufacturer issues a recall of this model? 10. How helpful will you be in accommodating me in my particular circumstances, whatever those may be? 11. What type of kneeling system do you install? What parts are most likely to break with normal use, and how much does repairing or replacing said parts cost in money and time? Why is your particular kneeling system the right one to choose? Can I get an upgraded battery to deal with the added drag of powering the lift and the kneeling system? Is the hydraulic fluid in the kneeling system affected by the air temperature, and, if so, at what temperatures? 12. What happens if the kneeling system breaks during or after the warranty period, and how difficult is it to fix? If the kneeling system breaks when I am out, can the van still be driven, and will I be held responsible for any additional damage caused by driving the van in this condition? 13. If the van's engine and/or battery fails while I am in the van, how do I get out of the van? How do I activate the ramp and van kneeling system (if applicable?) What about releasing the power tiedowns? 14. Can this van tow a trailer? 15. Depending on the repair required, may I stay in the van during repair if I have to bring it in for service myself? 16. I don't currently plan to drive this van, but that may change in the future. Can the required adaptations for driving be added later, without damaging the integrity of the vehicle? Depending on how soon such changes are made, how will they affect the warranty? 17. I'd like a security system and remote engine start in this van. Would I be better off with the manufacturer's alarm system, or should I have a vendor local to me install the alarm? 18. Have you told me about all the options available from the manufacturer for this van? People who drive (from their chairs or after transferring into a seat) will likely have additional questions.

08-08-2001, 11:14 PM	#2
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,356	Great list I wonder how many people actually get answers? I would only add a question about the tie-downs (either manual or power) regarding crash testing and reliability of the brand used.

02-26-2010, 03:30 PM	#8
MarkB701 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3,807	Excellent list. A few more come to mind: 19. How fast will she go? 20. What's her quarter mile split? 21. tinted windows? 22. How deep is the sub-woofer? 23. Ground effects? 24. Lowered suspension? 25. Can you get 22's in there? 26. Space for a bed in back? __________________ There's only two things I hate in this world. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures and the Dutch.

02-26-2010, 06:27 PM	#9
BRASWELLF5 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 562	Just go get a van from VMI. They integrate their modifications so well I thought it came stock from the factory it was done so nice. It has two backup systems for the ramp and for the kneel. And yes the jack will work and you can tow. __________________ "Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "holy **** what a ride!" Pete C6/'97

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08-09-2001, 02:08 PM	#3
Scorpion Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 5,614	In my limited experience with a company that does conversions, they are very accomodating and willing to answer all your questions and tailor the modifications to your abilities. ~Rus

08-09-2001, 07:51 PM	#4
alan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 6,169	The Rollx rep (www.rollxvans.com) who brought a demo van to my house answered all my questions. I gave him a copy of the list, and we went through it .

03-04-2004, 07:11 PM	#5
alan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 6,169	Bump for newbies. Alan "Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"

02-26-2010, 11:50 AM	#6
noworries Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 12	Great list! Thanks for putting this together. For those that may be looking at a used van-you may want to ask about the extended warranty coverage and cost as well.

02-26-2010, 03:12 PM	#7
rfbdorf Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,715	Will the jack that's supplied with the vehicle be usable? In my experience (2 out of 2), the jack stored with/for the spare tire didn't fit under the chassis. Guess when I found out. - Richard