SOLD: Sportsmobile Full Campervan w/Third Seat Philadelphia area

[BrianW]

Posting it here first before going out to the masses! Selling our long-time van only because we recently bought another van. I have no idea how to sell a van during Corona lockdown, but we can figure it out together if you are interested. Questions from serious buyers are welcomed, we can do a Skype walkthrough or whatever you want. I'm a long-time SMB Forum member and enthusiast and am happy to help with any education needed. Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. Price is $25,500.

Sportsmobile “EB-22” campervan built on a Ford Econoline extended-length E-250. Very livable walkthrough design with forward-facing captain’s chairs/seatbelts for three and sleeping for four (2 downstairs and 2 in penthouse). Seats a total of seven counting side-facing dinette benches with lapbelts. A very well-cared-for 1998 van with 117k miles (truly almost all highway) in very good condition. And… NO RUST! Strong 5.4 V8 gas engine, 3.73 Dana limited slip rear. 2WD. Power windows and locks, cruise control, lighted visor mirrors, etc., in the cab. My family of three has done several month-long cross-country trips, week-long trips, and lots of weekends in the van and it’s never let us down. An in-depth look at the things you’ll most likely want to know is below.

Located in the Philadelphia, Pa., area. Price is $25,500. I’m not desperate to sell and have priced it fairly (I think) given the condition of the van and the upgrades noted below. Only selling because we unexpectedly found a late-model Sportsmobile for sale locally and just bought it.

130+ photos at https://www.flickr.com/photos/111684...57713796695101

• I’m the second owner and purchased it in 2012 directly from the first owner (a retired surgeon) with 73k miles on the van. I have ALL receipts since day one, including the original SMB build sheet, manual, and other paperwork. I believe in preventative maintenance, as our primary use for the van is week-plus trips and I want it to be dependable. Most common E-van pain points have been addressed either as a fix (although this van rarely has given us problems) or more commonly as preventative maintenance. Spark plugs replaced at dealer around 100k miles (no issues). I know everyone says this in ads, but I’d honestly feel comfortable driving it cross-country tomorrow (that’s what we keep it maintained for).
• Third captain’s chair professionally installed behind passenger seat, complete with three-point seatbelt firmly attached to van body. Suitable for car or booster seats for a child (we put it in for our son). Don’t need the seat? I’ll keep it and knock $400 off the price.
• Big upgrade: front end suspension and brakes professionally upgraded to OEM 2012 E250 new-style setup, including MUCH better and larger brakes, sway bar, etc. Parts were new takeoff with zero miles installed in 2012 at about 75k miles on the van. Bilstein shocks and 2012 OEM Ford alloy wheels were also installed at that time. (OEM parts sourced from Quigley, which pulled them from a brand-new van to install their 4x4 setup.) Rear springs updated in 2017 with a new custom five-leaf set, hangers, shackles, and hardware from ATS springs. Rear swaybar from an E450 added. Front Firestone airbags installed inside the coil springs, but never used. The van handles extremely well for its size and weight, even in the wind and at highway speeds.
• First-row driver and passenger seats swivel.
• Currently has 225/75r16 Michelin LTX E-rated tires with good tread; I’m sure it would easily fit two+ sizes larger if you wanted to go that route. Spare tire is a matching LTX that’s basically new.
• Underneath is very clean, with no rust that I can see on frame or body (and I’ve looked pretty closely). See photos. Although it’s an East Coast van, neither I nor the first owner (from interior North Carolina) ever drove it in the winter (I store it from November through March). Frame has been painted chassis black for appearance, not to cover anything up (before-painting pics are available if you’re concerned). It is NOT undercoated. My mechanic says it’s the cleanest Econoline of its age underneath he’s ever seen.
• Reliable manual penthouse top that goes up and down easily. Penthouse bed platform sleeps up to two people. Screens, canvas, and lifting tubes in very good condition.
• Rear dinette folds down to a comfortable, roomy 54” double-width bed. A lot more width compared with a standard Sportsmobile “gaucho” bench. Insets in the side walls provide additional length to stretch out. Coupled with the removable center table and side windows with screens it also makes a very comfortable place for four people to eat or hang out during the day.
• TONS of storage in this van. Really… if you can’t fit everything you want to bring, you’re doing something wrong! Lots of storage in the kitchen area, including a full-height pull-out pantry. Two rear cabinets are amazing for clothing storage and make staying organized while traveling easy. Significant storage under the dinette beds. Storage spaces inside the door cavities, including an extra-large space in rear door. Space for Porta Potty Curve (included if you want it) in one rear cabinet. Additional storage space behind rear cabinets for bag chairs and other items. Also a “security cabinet” (hidden space) for storing valuables when away from the van; easily fits a camera bag, computer, etc. My wife, teenage son and I have done five-week-long roadtrips and had more than enough room for everything we wanted to bring, including gear for hiking, biking, etc.
• Large rear underfloor storage area to store needed stuff you don’t want inside the van. Tire relocated to rear of van.
• Fully functional and upgraded Sportsmobile “Starcool” rear air conditioning system that works on 12-volt DC while driving and 110-volt AC while parked. System has been well maintained and upgraded over the years with new fans, relays and capacitors, an added Surco Boost “hard-start” capacitor, etc. Convenient on-off switch added to front dash. The 110-volt side requires a 30-amp or better service to run (typical at campgrounds). It worked fine last fall when we used it at a campground and I see no reason why it would not now, but I have no way to test it.
• All-electric build from Sportsmobile (no propane), including a 1500-watt inverter (with remote panel) and two Duracell Group 27 AGM batteries in good condition (two years old and always kept on a multi-stage charger). There’s dedicated space to add a third battery, and you could fit up to five in the space without too much trouble. Microwave can run for short time off batteries if needed (we usually run the engine when using the microwave). We actually liked not having a propane tank, as there was never a worry about tunnels with prohibitions, etc. (We used a stand-alone propane stove and bottle, which stored easily in the rear of the van.)
• Standard 2.7 cubic foot refrigerator will run on 12v or 110v.
• Four 12v powerpoints in rear of van and two on dash. Several 110v AC outlets in rear, including one on the outside near the barn doors. Exterior 12v “porch light” outside the barn doors.
• Van originally had a sink and cabinet inside just inside the barn doors, which were removed to make space for the added captain’s chair. Water system is still fully intact and usable (gray tank removed but included), with a newer water pump and a convenient shower hose/head accessible from the side doors. I still have the original sink, cabinet, gray-water tank, and other parts if you want them (cabinet is disassembled but all there).
• Kenwood double-DIN DVD stereo headunit with integrated Kenwood backup camera (mounted on Penthouse top for great field of view). Pre-wired for DVD output from the headunit to a monitor in the rear or on cab headliner (not installed or included but would be an easy add). Wired by SMB for cable TV, with exterior and interior hookups. Wired for CB radio (not included) in front headliner shelf and antenna mount on fender.
• OEM Ford running boards make it easy to get in and out. Rear step bumper. Factory tow package (wiring), but the van has never been used to tow.
• Rare and desirable OEM rear pop-out window with screen installed on driver’s side. Makes for great airflow when driving with front windows open! Also a pop-out window with screen on the “60” side barn door.
• All interior curtains are intact and function well. We much prefer the curtains over the “day-night shades” in our newer Sportsmobile, as they are easier to open and close and keep the van much darker at night (nice for sleeping late in the morning!).

[Grampswrx]

Looks amazing. This is really one of the best layouts. Gives distinct space for driving, eating, etc. Good luck!

[BrianW]

Originally Posted by Grampswrx

Looks amazing. This is really one of the best layouts. Gives distinct space for driving, eating, etc. Good luck!

Yes, we really love the dinette layout! It makes for a great hang-out spot and a good-sized bed. Traveling with kids the adults can sleep "downstairs" and kids "upstairs" to give everyone their own space. I think we may have a hard time getting used to the gaucho in our new van, not to mention the fact that it has less storage than this van, too.

[BrianW]

A lot more fun times left in this van for you and your family!

[bigriver]

Really nice rig Brian... lucky find for the next owner. GLWS.

[BrianW]

Corrected price: $24,500. Wanted to go back and change it after I posted but I guess the thread locks out after a certain point :-(


Easy update to 4x4 if you want to go that route, since it's an E250 with 8-lug wheels. U-Joint is only a day's drive away!

[BrianW]

Pending sale to @w33kndwarrior

[arctictraveller]

Congratulations on the sale. Since I too have one for sale, I'm curious how you handled showing the van during this Corona lockdown.

[bcrittendon]

What is the length of the dinette?

[BrianW]

Originally Posted by arctictraveller

Congratulations on the sale. Since I too have one for sale, I'm curious how you handled showing the van during this Corona lockdown.

The buyer is somewhat local (hour away) and came by. We handled it more or less normally, but wearing face masks and trying to keep distance as much as possible. Not perfect, but I think we did ok. We’ll meet later this week to do the final handoff.