If you are planning to start a vandwelling adventure of your own just remember that failure is inevitable. At some point something will break down, be it an EGR valve or you. This is part of the adjustment process.
Life on the road is entirely dependent on being free and mobile so it really stinks when you’re unintentionally grounded. You end up losing not just a mode of transportation but access to all your belongings, your ability to prepare meals, and your food. In our case it can also lead to lost wages in addition to the repair costs so it’s in our best interest to take preventative measures and help the van along as much as we can. For example, we keep a record of all maintenance, stay on top of oil changes, and use the recommended Stanadyne fuel additive faithfully.
Some vandwellers purchase new vans and have warranties while others can rely on their mechanical prowess whereas E and I bought a used vehicle with from kijiji with an unknown history which crapped out for three months shortly after driving it home.
The problem turned out to be an EGR valve, something that diesel vehicles routinely need replacing but which was not detected by the first mechanic we saw (and the two others refused to work on a Dodge Sprinter). The first mechanic suggested replacing the turbo charger for about $4,000 but when we asked whether that would actually solve the problem we were told “maybe.” We later found out that that particular dealership had a reputation in the region for being great with sales but terrible bordering on deliberately evil when it came to repairs.
We’ve learned that mechanics who work exclusively with diesel engines and big machines are just a different breed. Overall they seem to be pretty laid back straight shooters who know their stuff and aren’t in it to fleece you.
Selecting a good mechanic in an unfamiliar locale is daunting but a couple things have helped a lot: Asking tow truck drivers for their recommendations, and not being a jerk to anyone. Sometimes the more we tell people about ourselves and our vandwelling, the more they seem to think it’s cool and want to help. Use your intuition too, ask yourself if they seem like decent human beings. Can you picture them with cloven hoofs holding a pitchfork?
Signs of a trustworthy garage according to E:
- The shop is busy. People pop in, the phone rings, everyone knows the staff by name.
- The principle mechanic has gray hair.
- The mechanic has the patience to explain the problem in simple terms.
- The mechanics can work on big machines too, such as busses, transports, excavators.
- Someone acknowledges your presence within 10 seconds.
- The shop has minimal consideration for aesthetics but isn’t a complete dive.
- The logo is pretty old school.
- Most of the transactions are completed without computers.
- Male staff actually make eye contact with R and answer her questions too.
Repairs are costly and hard to predict with a used vehicle. In 2015 we spent twice the amount of our allocated maintenance budget on repairs and in 2016 we blew through it by April. However, the vast majority of the repairs and parts replacements were for the type of things that just eventually wear down and weren’t the result of any accident or negligence, just unfortunate timing. Sometimes it’s due to the very nature of our work. In one instance we did a job for a client in a remote community that had such a crappy road that the damage to our van cost us more than we got paid. Another time we recognized that the winter road was essentially a sheet of ice and made the decision to opt out of the job before we slid out and tipped over.
We’ve been fortunate so far to have had alternate and free sleeping arrangements each time the van has needed to be left in a garage overnight. But there will likely come a time when we’ll need to book a hotel room and pay for taxis so this is another thing to consider when budgeting.
E says there are a couple lessons here: “You will make mistakes, and it will cost you money. But if you must break down, do it close to family.”
