Van

[SamKS]

So this summer I'll be touring a good bit and it's my first time as well as my other band mates first time going on tour for over a week.

We just got a 1995 GMC Vandura 2500 in decent shape and what I was wondering is what are the main things I really need to get looked at and/or replaced before we leave just so it decreases the risk of someting major going wrong.

Trust me we are going to be bringing a lot of our own cash and putting it in a fund for money incase something does go wrong but we really want to cut down as much risk as possible by getting things replaced/checked out.

What are some of the more common things that go wrong with a van that are the most expensive?

What do you guys think?

[The Boathouse]

Check the following:
1) Your fucking tires. Please, please don't hit the road with bald tires. Yes, tires are expensive, but even a lightly to moderately used set is better than an abused set.
2) Get an oil change. You probably need it.
3) Check your brakes, if you need them done GET them done. That's not something you want to put off.
4) Get your radiator checked, as well as all the related hoses. If that shit goes, that's where the "Our engine overheated every 10 minutes and we had to keep stopping to pour water in it" thing happens. Just avoid it.
5) Check and make sure you don't have any serious oil leaks.
6) Check your transmission fluid, if it's nasty, get it flushed and refilled.
7) Make sure you have a battery with a decent charge on it, you don't want that shit going dead because someone left the door open for 2 seconds to unload...it's worth the cost to have a battery that will last.
8) If you have grease fittings on the van, get them greased.
9) Check your tie rods, as well as your struts.
10) Drive safe!

[patrickhowell]

10) Drive safe!

haha make Mike drive slower !

[SamKS]

Check the following:
1) Your fucking tires. Please, please don't hit the road with bald tires. Yes, tires are expensive, but even a lightly to moderately used set is better than an abused set.
2) Get an oil change. You probably need it.
3) Check your brakes, if you need them done GET them done. That's not something you want to put off.
4) Get your radiator checked, as well as all the related hoses. If that shit goes, that's where the "Our engine overheated every 10 minutes and we had to keep stopping to pour water in it" thing happens. Just avoid it.
5) Check and make sure you don't have any serious oil leaks.
6) Check your transmission fluid, if it's nasty, get it flushed and refilled.
7) Make sure you have a battery with a decent charge on it, you don't want that shit going dead because someone left the door open for 2 seconds to unload...it's worth the cost to have a battery that will last.
8) If you have grease fittings on the van, get them greased.
9) Check your tie rods, as well as your struts.
10) Drive safe!

Awesome man, thanks so much. That's a lot more stuff than I had originally expected, but I'm glad I know it now. What's all included in a regular vehicle inspection?


haha make Mike drive slower !

Hahah, trust me I'm making sure he does. I think I need to start driving more.

[splitsecond]

beware of the transmission fluid. most shops will bullshit because they want the money, but if the tranny has super high mileage, nd it hasnt been flushed regularly, sometimes flushing the transmission will actually ruin it. The biggest things are new tires, new brakes, complete coolant system flush, new belts, new battery and check everything else out. an AC recharge might be a good idea too.

[mylastflight]

spare tire or two, battery, empty gas container, check the starter to make sure it's not going bad, check for gas leak cuz going on tour with a van with a gas leak is probably pointless, check the alternator, change oil and easy stuff you can check.

but we've had problems with the startera couple of times. its an easy fix but would be a bitch to work at a random gas station 500 miles away from home, also the alternator too.

[samsara]

Get your alignment checked.

Make sure you get good locks so equipment dosen't get stolen.

Carry a fire extinguisher.

[patrickhowell]

Make sure you get good locks so equipment dosen't get stolen.

Yeah, since you guys will probably need a trailer, make sure to get locks for the hitch, the door, and the wheel. Nothing is totally thief-proof, but if you're locked up well then they'll just move on to the next trailer that's not locked.

[miketrondson]

Make sure you get a power converter for the van with a power surge so you can charge laptops and cell phones while driving. We usually had two plugged.

Get the best battery you can get as well. We used an RV battery and it never gave us an issue.

Carry a fire extinguisher.
Some of the damage from our van fire... On our first time on tour.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/iheartphineas/Van%20Fire%20Excitement/DSCF2097.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/iheartphineas/Van%20Fire%20Excitement/DSCF2098.jpg