Scored a NICE cargo van - let the fun begin!

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Ed just has a "nose for cars" - I'm not sure how he found it, but we now own a Transit T-250 LWB, medium roof cargo van. It's a 2015 - but brand new; warranty starts when we take delivery. LOADED - deluxe everything. It's from a fleet of vans destined to be converted into luxury vehicles/limos, etc - then the company had a fire 😞 It must have taken a long time to rebuild - so these vans just sat. Now they are discounting them heavily, simply to get them off the lot.

The front has leather seats/nav/power everything, backup sensors and camera. Dual batteries w/HD alternator. Cargo van w/rear door windows in back. They're going to install a Fantastic Fan for us, before they ship the unit out. We're still discussing windows - I want something that can be opened.

The company is named Waldoch Crafts out of the Minneapolis area. Super-nice people! Been wholesaling custom vehicles for over 40 years. They can't sell direct to the public - but they have more of these vans in stock, and I'll bet they know a vehicle dealer in the area who can handle the transaction for them?

So "Camper Van World" - here we come! And we may do this a little at a time - maybe camp using cots, just to feel how we'd like the thing set up ultimately?

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

PeteCo wrote:


I hope they get a reputable paintless dent repair outfit to do the body repair. If they are planning to do a body fill and repaint I would not buy the van. That repair will fail in some fashion over the next 5-10 years. Paintless dent repair is the only way to go. I had Dent Doctor, a national chain with lifetime warranty do my 1998 F350 in 1999. Paint was still perfect 13 years later when I sold the truck.

I was told they hired a "person to just deal with the hail damage", so am assuming it's a PDR specialist? (They had 40-some vehicles damaged) I have a very persnickety friend suffer hail damage to a car, and he said he was very pleased with the outcome via PDR. So I'm crossing my fingers....

[PeteCo]

Deb and Ed M wrote:
An update of the roller-coaster ride we've been on:

On Sunday June 11th, I was watching the Weather Channel showing a monster thunderstorm headed towards Minneapolis (where our van was having a window and Fantastic fan added) and I literally yelled at the TV "DON'T DROP HAIL!!!!!"

Well, guess what? That rotten storm DID make hail - and now I'm waiting for Waldoch to repair the damage. Sheeeesh... this isn't getting off to a great start 😞 The one good thing: Billy Waldoch has been awesome - answers any phone calls or emails immediately. They do amazing conversions, so we've left the repair of the hail dents to them, rather than take a chance with a local provider. Billy promised our van will be one of the first to be repaired - but they have to settle with their insurance company first (they had 40-some vehicles dinged by the hail). He sent pictures - the van looks fine, but he assured me there ARE dents - a white van just doesn't show them well.

What little shreds of patience I've *ever* had, are being sorely tested.....LOL!

I hope they get a reputable paintless dent repair outfit to do the body repair. If they are planning to do a body fill and repaint I would not buy the van. That repair will fail in some fashion over the next 5-10 years. Paintless dent repair is the only way to go. I had Dent Doctor, a national chain with lifetime warranty do my 1998 F350 in 1999. Paint was still perfect 13 years later when I sold the truck.

[mumkin]

Hail is an odd thing. I am on the south side of Minneapolis and we had none. Thank goodness as my rig sits in my driveway.

I have already had one vehicle totaled by hail as I sat in it out on the prairie on I-94... back in 1985. Not a pleasant experience. :E

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

An update of the roller-coaster ride we've been on:

On Sunday June 11th, I was watching the Weather Channel showing a monster thunderstorm headed towards Minneapolis (where our van was having a window and Fantastic fan added) and I literally yelled at the TV "DON'T DROP HAIL!!!!!"

Well, guess what? That rotten storm DID make hail - and now I'm waiting for Waldoch to repair the damage. Sheeeesh... this isn't getting off to a great start 😞 The one good thing: Billy Waldoch has been awesome - answers any phone calls or emails immediately. They do amazing conversions, so we've left the repair of the hail dents to them, rather than take a chance with a local provider. Billy promised our van will be one of the first to be repaired - but they have to settle with their insurance company first (they had 40-some vehicles dinged by the hail). He sent pictures - the van looks fine, but he assured me there ARE dents - a white van just doesn't show them well.

What little shreds of patience I've *ever* had, are being sorely tested.....LOL!

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

booster wrote:


I am actually a bit surprised they couldn't sell direct to you, or through one of their dealers (which may be the Ford dealer in your case as Waldoch has sold at dealers), since they technically did do a very minor conversion on it in your case.

Thank you for the good words for Waldoch - I called Billy Waldoch about an hour ago, and he's just the nicest person 🙂 He knows I'm excited about this and promised to get the install done right away! I looked at some of their previous builds, and they are stunning! We found some local folks who could have installed a fan and window - but given that Waldoch does this on a daily basis, we feel better having the true "pros" handle it.

Ed and I own a used-car lot, so can often purchase at wholesale; but it sounds like Waldochs have an agreement with Ford to only sell to new-car dealers? And that's fine - it's been an easy transaction.

[booster]

I live fairly close to Waldoch, and they do have a stellar reputation around here. They were always on the high end of the conversion van market and what folks wanted to have if they could afford it, compared to the lower priced, lower quality, builders.

I doubt you will have any issues at all with them.

I am actually a bit surprised they couldn't sell direct to you, or through one of their dealers (which may be the Ford dealer in your case as Waldoch has sold at dealers), since they technically did do a very minor conversion on it in your case.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

booster wrote:
How are you buying it, if they can't sell to the public?

We're buying it through a local Ford dealer in their area; and then having it shipped to Michigan after they install a fantastic fan and awning window for us. Yeah - it takes a bit of trust; but their longevity, their fast response (either email or phone call) to my questions, the excellent photos - all of these have me feeling pretty sure we'll be thrilled when the hauler pulls up with our van 🙂

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

mumkin wrote:
Do you mean Waldoch? They convert trucks and vans... and if you google Maldoch, you get Waldoch.

They converted a Toyota Sienna for me back in 2008.

Thank you for catching my misspelling - I edited my post to read Waldoch!

[booster]

How are you buying it, if they can't sell to the public?

[mumkin]

Do you mean Waldoch? They convert trucks and vans... and if you google Maldoch, you get Waldoch.

They converted a Toyota Sienna for me back in 2008.