After several months watching CL and the SMB forum we finally found a 1996 EB. The original owner had passed away and his children were selling it as part of the estate. Unfortunately, they didn't really know much about the van and having never owned a SMB or any RV before we are trying to figure out how everything works. We do have the original manual but some things just aren't clear. So--we will probably be asking for lots of advice on the forum as time goes on. But my first question is something really simple. How do you remove the plastic cover on the floor where the dinette table pedestal gets inserted. We've tried prying it off and it started to crack (and it's already a little cracked). There is a small hole in the top and we thought maybe there is some kind of tool that needs to get inserted into that to release the cover but don't see anything like that in the van. It's a mystery! If we can't even figure this out you can imagine how stymied we are by the electrical system! Thanks for the help!

Congratulations on your find and welcome to the group. Unfortunately I cannot answer your question because mine does not have that cover.

Post some photos when you can.

__________________
Larrie
Read detailed trip reports, see photos and videos on my travel blog, luinil.com.
Current van: 2002 Ford E350 extended body camper with Colorado Camper Van pop top and Agile Offroad 4WD conversion.

Every Sportsmobile is unique, so posting some pictures of your cover would help. Mine does not have a dinette, let alone a cover for the dinette pedestal. Also, you can always give Sportsmobile a call. All their phone numbers can be found at sportsmobile.com.

Welcome to the club!

Steve in L.A.

__________________
2010 Red EB50 V10, Quadvan 4WD (El Guapo Rojo)
1978 VW Westfalia Champagne Edition (Pepe - gone, but not forgotten)

My van has a cast piece in the floor to mount the table pedestal. There is a ~3" round plastic cap that covers the hole when not in use.

I'm not sure that is exactly what you are talking about.

A picture would be very helpful to show us what you have.

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

Mike- that sounds like what we have. How do you remove the cap? I can take a photo in the a.m. (I'm not sure how my post ended up in Electrical/Electronics--I thought I'd posted in Interior)

Thread moved.

Herb

__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.

My plastic hole cover is just a cheap piece of plastic - if it was cracked, I'd pry it out and throw it away. It's only purpose is to keep debris out of the hole.

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

Yep, what Mike said, if we are talking about the same thing. My 95 has the same covers, or it did. One is missing and the other one is cracked on mine, about to be thrown out. Just yank it off and you will see why it didn't want to come out easily. There is a spring/clip thing attatched to the floor flange to keep the table pedestal more snug, and it doesn't get along at all with the plastic covers in my experience.

Ask away with any questions, no matter how insignificant. You'll find a wealth of knowledge here and friendlier folks than any forum you've been on.

Thanks for the help! My next questions will be in Electronics. That seems to be the most challenging thing to figure out. We want to make sure we don't find ourselves in the middle of nowhere having run all our batteries down!

You should post where you are located. Maybe a local, experienced SMBer would be willing to meet you in person and walk you through some of the basics. I know I'd be happy to if you are near me (Philadelphia, Pa., area).