SMB in LA area --asking for comments

catinmoon · 11-16-2013, 08:06 AM

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/rv ... 81403.html

Saw this van on Craigslist -- it has many of the features I am interested in but no propane heat/stove. I'm assuming that can be added later? Or is that a huge problem.

What do you folks think of the price given the features and lack of 4 by 4? Just curious -- I've been looking for a while but not long enough that I have lots of comparables in my mind. I think with the Limited Slip I will be ok for my anticipated use.

thanks
Stephanie

Ocsmb · 11-16-2013, 08:48 AM

I don't care for cooking inside. I do 100% of my cooking outside with a portable single butane burner.

Even when weather sucks I bust out the awning and cook under it.

$35k plus $15k to add 4 x 4 = $50k for a low mile v10 4x4 smb doesn't sound too bad. $30k sounds about right for me however.

**macmcintire** · 11-16-2013, 09:21 AM

I have a stove in my SMB that I have never used. I cook outside or use the microwave. I also very seldom use the heater in my van.

SMBTIGER · 11-16-2013, 09:44 AM

I bought my 2006 FORD SMB recently for 25kish but I had to fly/drive to Florida to get it and drive it back to LA CA plus put $500 in shocks on it so far,(so I'm in it 27Kish) plus mine has double the mileage but does have a Onan generator.....I contacted this seller and he offered to take $50 less, and was a smart ass about it, hey it's free country. I think you could do allot better if your patient .

I think some deals may show up in the Spring...I personally would not pay more than 30k for it, I would put it through a serious inspection. Contact me if you want some help in what to look for, or you want a look at mine .....

I had a great seller, who was a big help!

My SMB has no propane either, the seller told me their were certain tunnels in parts of USA that forbid RV's with propane, I HAD NEVER HEARD of this, but Googled it and found on several RV forums to be true. Their is huge fine$ if your caught. After having 2 SMB's before, I never used the stove, but I did use the propane heater and hope I won't miss it.

jage · 11-16-2013, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMBTIGER

My SMB has no propane either, the seller told me their were certain tunnels in parts of USA that forbid RV's with propane, I HAD NEVER HEARD of this, but Googled it and found on several RV forums to be true. Their is huge fine$ if your caught.

You mean apart from New York?

SMBTIGER · 11-16-2013, 04:52 PM

NO PROPANE POSTING..SOME IN NY AREA,Different tunnels different rules, the tunnels into and around New York City and the lower level of the George Washington Bridge, NO PROPANE. The Baltimore Harbor tunnel, NO PROPANE, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, PROPANE MUST BE TURNED OFF. PA Turnpike, I think it must be turned off, but I'm not sure on that one. If you know that you are going to be going thru a tunnel and are not sure, call ahead, (Tunnel Authority, Police)It's worth the call, the fines are heavy.

NJ..The new Rt. 29 expressway through Trenton, NJ prohibits propane in its tunnel section, RV's included.

MARYLAND..According to Maryland's Department of Transportation (DOT), all vehicles carrying bottled propane gas (LPG) of 10 pounds or more, per container (max 10 containers), are prohibited from using the Fort McHenry and Baltimore Harbor Tunnels (I-95 & I-895). The alternate route is the Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695). Also, vehicles that are taller then 13' 6", wider then 8', or are carrying bulk fuel, explosives, significant quantities of radioactive material and other hazardous material are prohibited from these tunnels.

SOME IN VIRGINIA, here is Virginia area warning..
What to do if you are traveling with hazardous materials Motor homes traveling through tunnels must stop to have propane tanks checked before entering tunnels. There are specific regulations on transporting hazardous materials through state-owned tunnels. Contact VDOT at (804) 786-2848. Report hazardous materials spills and incidents to CHEMTREC at (800) 424-9300 24-hours a day.

Boston area.I-93 tunnel (the Big Dig) through Boston prohibits propane. I would be interested to see if anyone on the forum has actually been stopped in any tunnel for carrying propane. On most motorhomes the propane tanks are internal and might not be subject to a stop...

DETROIT AREA..The Detroit Tunnel prohibits any kind of propane tanks to go through it. All campers with tanks MUST use the Ambassador bridge. It's a real plain to cross that bridge since more trucks cross there betwixt the USA and Canada than any other customs bridge. RV, TT's and 5er's must cross over with the trucks while going through the boths and the bridge. We now cross at Port Huron/Sarnia. The wait on off holidays is only 10 mins at most vs. over an hour at Detroit.

These are examples of reported NO Propane travel routes in USA, each state has different regulations

jage · 11-16-2013, 05:12 PM

Anywhere that I'd want to go that doesn't allow propane?

SMBTIGER · 11-16-2013, 05:18 PM

VERY FUNNY....probably my next SMB will have propane, just I picked mine because of the generator option

Don't you all buy these SMB'S to park them in Vegas Casino RV lots to watch Scandal & MadMen next to the 43 Foot BlueBird Wanderlodges on the BIG Screen?

**BroncoHauler** · 11-16-2013, 05:30 PM

Not a bad rig, especially if there's just one or two of you, otherwise you have passengers sitting sideways on the gaucho which for most people is not fun.

Herb

catinmoon · 11-16-2013, 08:03 PM

Thanks for all the comments -- I had never heard of the no propane rule but I guess it makes sense. However I'm more of a western traveler so will probably continue to look for propane. Currently I'm living in a casita with no stove so am using propane stove outside, which is ok, but I'd like to be able to have an inside stove.

I'm going to keep looking, maybe he will repost with a lower price.