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10-27-2013, 09:51 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 26
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P/H top question
Since I can't afford the $40,000 that Sportmobile wants for a full conversion I've chosen to "do it yourself". My question is about the Penthouse top on a E350 EB.
Sportmobile gets $7,000 + for the top including installation [top, screens, & bed]. That seems inordinately costly. But I recognize that this is one part of the conversion that I can't do. Does anyone know if Sportmobile will give seniors on Soc. Sec. any "love" on the costs? I haven't asked yet.
Any other suggestions? [I live in So. Calif.]
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10-27-2013, 10:11 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,715
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Re: P/H top question
Just ask. But discounts aren't in their vocabulary.
Seriously consider an e-pop top before you pull the trigger.
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10-27-2013, 11:49 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,177
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Re: P/H top question
Blunt opinions.
There aren't many manufacturers of penthouse tops (SMB, Colorado Camper vans) so there little competition, and little incentive to give discounts.
Look through through this forum about the build threads, and the threads where someone transplants a penthouse from one vehicle to another. There's a LOT of work involved.
If you're implying to us and to SMB that your only source of retirement income is Social Security, to be frank, I don't think converting a van is a wise choice. I'd also guess that quite a bit of SMB's customer base are retirees, so again, not much incentive to give discounts.
Herb
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
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10-27-2013, 09:50 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turlock Ca
Posts: 10,407
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Re: P/H top question
I have to agree with Herb and Jacko on this. I just can't see discounts on recreation vehicles. Possibly something for disabled people but even then I doubt it. Never hurts to ask though.
__________________
2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer
Sportsmobile 4X4 Adventures.......... On and off road adventures
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10-27-2013, 10:50 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Bend, OR
Posts: 800
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Re: P/H top question
Suggestion? Keep an eye out for that low mile, well cared for 2wd EB PH Sportsmobile fitting your floorplan needs that comes as a fraction of the cost of putting one together as new. The extra $2-3K you might spend in mechanical upgrades and maintenance on the running gear will be way cheaper than starting the venture from scratch. It all depends on where you are starting from and what your final goals are.
__________________
Josh
2009 Express AWD, CCV Top & 50-ish home build. Daily driver/camper/kid hauler
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10-28-2013, 03:28 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,715
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Re: P/H top question
Agreed with rockbender. So much value to capitalize on buying a used smb.
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10-28-2013, 08:39 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 26
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Re: P/H top question
Thanks for the input,,,, buying an "experienced" SMB is the obvious way to go even if I have to "gut" the interior and start over on my "plan".
So I'll be looking for a Ford E-250 or E-350, SB or EB, up to about 2010, 5.4 V8 [gasoline] with the P/H top.
Trent
Southern California
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10-28-2013, 10:18 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Washington - Ridgefield
Posts: 4,728
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Re: P/H top question
Have you looked at Eric's van:
viewtopic.php?f=34&t=12136
Nice van, nice people. CCV top (power, goes up higher than SMB top)
Mike
__________________
Alaska to Key West, Labrador and more
Prostate cancer survivor. See Thread Prostate cancer and Sportsmobiles
2015 VW GTI 2020 Fiat 124 Spider
2012 E250 Hitop camper
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10-28-2013, 10:24 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 26
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Re: P/H top question
Thanks,,,,, but unfortunately I have to have either a P/H top or get a new garage! The high top one's won't fit.
Cheers,
Trent
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10-28-2013, 03:51 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Posts: 2,552
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Re: P/H top question
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trent4444
Thanks,,,,, but unfortunately I have to have either a P/H top or get a new garage! The high top one's won't fit.
Cheers,
Trent
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How tall is your garage door? Just curious because my 2wd SMB with penthouse top wont fit in my garage.
__________________
2005 E350 Chateau - V10 - Agile Offroad 4x4
2012 CTS-V Wagon - For the baby...
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