Has the van been in storage a long time?
What are the date codes on the tires? If they read something like 1205, it was made the 12th week of 2005, and that is pretty old for tires. You would be at really high risk of a blowout if you drive it at freeway speeds. Even if the sidewalls look 'fine' they can have time related damage that can not be seen.
Check the transmission dipstick. If it is dark brown, or smells bad, you should consider changing the transmission fluid right away.
Chances are that the brake fluid is also more than 5 years old, and will have absorbed a lot of moisture during the past 5-10 years that it has been in the brake lines. If brake fluid has to much moisture in it, when going down a really steep mountain, you can overheat the brake fluid, and the moisture can boil, leading to in-effective brakes! So changing the brake fluid now (because you have no idea how old it is) and in about 7 years is recommended.
Also because the chassis is already 25 years old, the front brake hoses might need replacement. This is because the inside can swell, and not release the brake fluid back into the master cylinder, keeping the brakes applied while you are driving. Or it might have a 'bubble' form, due to the brake lines becoming weak over that 25 years. .. If you have it inspected, and they recommend changing the front lines, it is not 'too' expensive, probably a $50 part on each side, and another hour to install both of them.
Have fun camping with your new to you van!
Fred.
