Good choice or keep looking?

[stxSteve]

Disclaimer: I know nothing (as in nada, zip, zero) about trucks/vans with respect to selecting a good vehicle for overland travel. I will be traveling mostly solo in the US, Canada and maybe Mexico.

I'm looking for a vehicle for a planned trip to Alaska in May and I've found this. A 2008 GMC 2500 Van. 67,000 miles, 6.6 liter Duramax Diesel, Auto, 5 inch lift, 2WD. Owner has done some camper mods inside (not the greatest workmanship I've seen, but functional) 40 gal water, fridge, microwave, sink, generator, 2 AGM 6v battery system. Asking $39,000 (which seems high to me) any reason this would be a bad choice.



Thanks

Steve

 

[EricM]

I think it looks good, but I know where the people are who know for sure. There is a 4wd van section. Those guys, they know vans.

 

[NorthernWoodsman]

I'd ask in here: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/forums/58-4wd-(and-2WD)-Camper-Vans

But, it seems like a really high price to me from my limited knowledge, which is mostly obsessively reading the van forum and looking at craigslist far too frequently.

 

[shortbus4x4]

You pay a lot for the diesel premium, both in the initial cost of the vehicle, fuel and any repairs. Unless you are running at max GVW most of the time its not really worth having a diesel anymore at least as far as cost goes. How many miles do you plan on putting on it? A Ford or GM van of that era with a gas motor will be substantially cheaper to purchase, fuel, and repair.

 

[stxSteve]

Good point on the diesel premium. Looking for something that will take me to/from Alaska and around NA for the next couple of years. Beyond that, who knows - at 75yo I don't do a lot of long range planning anymore.

Steve

 

[Jimmy the Heater]

While that would be reliable, and very good space wise, I would still say no. You can do much better, for cheaper and get 4wd. Does your particular use need a van or would a 4x4 pickup with a camper work?

 

[shortbus4x4]

If I was going to be living in something for a couple of years I would probably look for a pickup with a camper. There will be times in North America where you will want to spend some time inside due to weather, at least up where I am. You could probably pick up a pretty decent gas truck and camper for half of what they are asking for the van.

 

[redthies]

I'm the biggest diesel fan you could imagine, but I agree with the others. Any van that is from the past 5-8 years will be half the price in gas vs diesel, and modern gas engines are quite efficient. Maybe look at something camparized a little better and then add a bit of ground clearance and some good all terrain tires. That should get you most places you would want to go in a fullsize van.

I will also echo the thought of heading over to the fullsize van section. The knowledge base is huge.

 

[Regcabguy]

Gasser definitely for your application. The shop I use just replaced the injectors on a '03 Duramax @ 70K. Stock filtration didn't cut it. Gradual fuel contamination. Booked for 22 hrs on a pickup. Gasser will last a long time.

 

[stxSteve]

Thanks everyone. The search continues.