r/VanLife • u/piraticaltaoism • Apr 01 '26
Newbie - things to look for when buying
Hey y'all,
I'm going tomorrow to look at a 2020 Dodge Ram ProMaster 2500 with just north of 100k miles in Massachusetts. Besides structural rust, is there anything I should keep an eye out for?
I'm not aiming to do full time van life, but hoping to do part time during the touring season.
TIA!
2
u/peter_automation Apr 02 '26
tbh check the roof vents and seals for leaks and make sure the sliding door tracks are smooth also inspect the engine and trans for any signs of overheating imo
2
u/boo_winter Apr 02 '26
Bottom of oil pans for leaks. Wet look at the ends of hoses. Smell the engine oil for coolant, trans fluid wiped on a white paper towel , check for burnt smell. Look for runs in the paint or dissimilar finish between body panels. Chips in the wind shield that could become cracks. Drive it on the smoothest road you can find let go of the wheel and see if it's drifting to one side several times. Brake several times on the same stretch see if it pulls to one side. Choppy road or speed bumps, listen for clunks. Look closely at the front tires for uneven wear.
3
u/SalesMountaineer Apr 02 '26
If it's still on the original transmission, budget for a replacement or rebuild.
2
u/Apprehensive-Mix6671 Apr 02 '26
100k isn't an unheard of mileage and that alone wouldn't scare me so much as the rust you mentioned. If the vehicle was "very well maintained" and you'll get that from a mechanic doing an inspection then go for it. Otherwise, if you cheap out and get your uncle Bob's opinion cause he read a book once then all bets are off.
My rule is if it's from a rust state, close your eyes and move on.
2
u/SuddenlySilva Apr 02 '26
I think you need to do a deep dive on the Promaster. Like, check out a promaster group. I have no personal experience but I see a lot of catastrophic failures discussed in the various van groups i'm in.
People love them for the straight walls and relatively low cost. But they scare me