Our SMB build has recently started here in Austin, Texas. My wife and I live here in Austin so we have the luxury of visiting Sportsmobile quiet often.
The information on this website has been great and has helped us immensely during our planning process. I don't plan on being too verbose in my reports, but feel free to ask questions and I will answer as best I can.
I'm mainly creating this thread to hopefully give back and provide some info for other considering the Chevy Express platform (which is not generally discussed as much here). Apparently SMB Texas has two other Express builds lined up right behind us though.
Chevy Factory Options:- 2013 Chevy Express 2500
6.0L Gas
2x4
Convenience Package
Tow Package
Keyless Entry
Remote Start
Backup Camera (Rear view mirror)
Aux fuel pickup
Dark Tinted Glass on side and rear cargo doors
Swing out windows on side and rear cargo doors
Power Drivers Seat
Locking Rear Differential
We are not converting to 4x4, but we did get the factory rear locking differential. We don't plan on traveling any roads/trails that require 4x4. The locking differential was a relatively cheap option when we ordered the van so why not.
SMB Options:- RB-50 (Standard Package includes propane, water, inverter, house battery, refrigerator, etc)
(The list below is all the stuff we added or removed from the standard RB-50 equipment)
Delete propane system and propane cooktop
Delete rear passenger side RB-50 overhead cabinet
Two Awning windows (Two windows come standard, this is just my window type selection)
Powered Penthouse top with Bed (Adding 4" to standard penthouse bed length)
Danhard AC
Microwave
Swivel passenger seat
Underfloor storage with locking door
Yakima Roof rack 119"
Aluminess Tire Carrier
Londeck Flooring
Battery Monitor
Wired for Solar (No solar controller, just wiring)
Stainless electrical inlet
External outlet
A few extra inside power outlets (110 and 12)
All LED lighting
Privacy sliding curtain (behind drivers seat)
Adding removable Shelves in rear hanging closet
Cabinet in place of RB-50 slide out pantry
Airline aluminum tracks on back passenger and back drivers walls for hanging items
Penthouse top protective tape
We are upgrading from an Aliner hard sided popup camper. We've learned a few things about what we wanted in the SMB from our experience with the Aliner. We have a propane stove in the Aliner that we used once or twice when we initially got the camper. After that we preferred using a portable cooktop outside the camper or the microwave. We don't have a heater in the popup. We've been using a portable electric heater when we have hookups or just bundle up in our down sleeping bags when we don't. We have been in below freezing weather (nothing extreme) and it has been working for us. This was our main reason for deleting the propane system and not getting a built in heater.
SMB just started the convertion so here are a few picture in stock form, and a couple from the very beginnings of the conversion.
Upgrading from an Aliner:
Stock:
Penthouse roof hole and flooring started: