After a stellar week in Powell, I came home to my new rig...
After lurking on the forum and searching craigslist, we found a rig that was exactly what we wanted.
I have read many posts about purchasing SMBs and thought I would share the experience....
EASY... Bought the vehicle site unseen.
Financing was a bit tricky... my advice is to be on the phone with the lender and walk them trough the valuation. This seemed to be the most problematic... I have my computer open to Kelley Blue Book and NADA as well as the Sportsmobile website. Walk the underwriter through the chassis and engine first... Then add the Sportsmobile conversion. Then direct the lender to the SMB website and walk them through the 4x4 price lists - primarily for the 4x4 conversion... After a bit of hand holding - bam - we had our value and sent out our deposit. All in all took less than a week.
Our other problem was getting the van since we are in CO and the SMB was in Idaho. After researching rental cars, flights, etc. We decided to ship the vehicle. We used Around The Globe Auto Transport. They were the least expensive (less than flying up and driving back) and did exactly what they said they would.. Picked up the SMB a day early and had is sitting behind my office when I returned home. I couldn't really check up on them while at Powell. They communicated well and I could have been happier.
Can't wait to get on the road (off the road) in the new SMB.