My first post here. My wife and I are in the planning stages of our new SMB and would like to request some help. SMB North will be doing our van (from Madison, WI). So here goes:
What we'll use it for. Lots of traveling out west, up north (well farther then we are, Wisconsin), and into the south. We'd like to make it into remote areas and with winter use in Wis we'll want the 4x4. We're planning on Quigley
http://www.quigley4x4.com doing the conversion, don't need the super duper conversion like SMB west does. When traveling we'd like to just be able to pull over and sleep (sometimes in places where stealth camping will come in handy). I'd say our travels will be 80% just the 2 of us and 20% with 2 sons or 3-4 guys.
I'm also a ski patroller so I'll be using it for snowboarding and skiing in the winter. We plan on selling our suburban and keeping just our honda pilot so the SMB will become our 2nd vehicle if we need it. (we don't need a second vehicle much now that our boys are mobile on there own and we both have motorcycles so for 7-8 months we can cycle). We also have a 4200 lb Mastercraft X10 rig for wake surfing and plan to tow it around Wisconsin at times.
On to the build:
Van: Ford V10 E350 EB 4:10 axle with limited slip (we aren't planning on severe rock crawling like some of nuts guys)
Roof: penthouse seems the only choice. I really need to put this in my heated garage. Have an 8' door now and with the PH and quigley 4x4 it'll just fit with nothing on the roof. I'm planning on using a yakima box and carrying windsurfers at times (will try to remember to remove before driving into garage) so the thule strips on top will be needed. I'm also trying to decide if I'd like to go with the safari rack and being able to stow more gear and equipment up there. This would mean that I'd need to redesign/build my garage door to a 9 footer (I have a 10' ceiling so this should work).
Sleeping: I'm only 5'10" 150 lbs and my wife is 5'7" 120 lbs (don't tell her I posted this). So we're both on the smaller side. One of my sons is my size and the other is 6' 190 lbs. They'll travel with us at times, but not too often and we'll throw the tent out for them when extended camping or if they smell bad. For stealth and winter (with just two) we'd keep the PH down to keep the heat in better and not LOOK like we're camping. Remember that Wisconsin can get below zero at times.
Floor plan: I really want/need a walk through design. I haul 4x8 sheets and 8' to 10' lumber at times and want to be able to slide these into the van (I use the suburban now, but we'll be selling it). So am trying to decide between EB14, EB19, EB44, EB82. The shower/bath is non negotiable (happy wife, happy life). I want the porta-pottie so we can empty it anywhere and not worry about freezing (have one for tent camping, works great). Will be getting the awning and using this for cooking area outside of van. Does any floor plan allow for easier access to the PH? (At my age I need to get up in the middle of the night and being active I'm sometimes sore.) My pros and cons for each plan.
EB14. Pros: w/ 3rd seat 7 people transport (may not get unless it removes easy and doesn't leave attachment junk behind). The dinette doubles as a eating, laptop using, card playing area for 4 during rain or in the winter. Can also leave in bed down position. Can get the door cabinet if no 3rd seat (does the door cabinet remove easy?). Will want to shrink the bathroom down to see if we can fit the pantry next to it (don't want bath sink). Water lines will all be on one side of the van and might be able to use if the temp isn't going to get too low. Lots of window light. Cons: not sure if the boys will fit in the PH or the back bed (seems more for couples only). This would apply if I go skiing with a buddy or son (will not want to snuggle) and PH seems to lose too much heat to keep up or if stealth needed. Won't be able to open side door and use the van and awning area together (someone sitting in the van and others under the awning, EB44 would do this). The same holds true with someone sitting in the passenger seat and someone at the table…but would be a pro if you're not getting along. Not easy to climb into PH(guessing)? Not as much cabinet space as EB44. 3rd captains seat limits side door access.
EB19. Pros: Bed is bigger so boys might fit. Still not sure about 2 small non-snuggling males though. Area flows to outside better than EB14 and EB82. Need frig and micro to fit across from bath (?). 3rd captains seat possible (see above). Side door cabinet could be used instead of cabinet next to couch. Water system on one side of van. Good eating, laptop using, card playing area for 4. Can transport 6-7 people. Cons: not as much cabinet space as EB44. Can't leave bed made up. Frig and stove a ways apart. Not easy to climb into PH(guessing)? 3rd captains seat limits side door access.
EB44. Pros: sitting area and awning area more together. More cabinet storage space (no second couch). Can have side door cabinet. Easier to climb into PH with couch(guessing ?).Cons: water system needs to be on both sides of van. No good card playing area for 4. Sleeping still won't fit 2 boys or non-snuggling males with PH down. Can only transport 4-5 people. Would not want to leave bed made up.
EB82. Pros: Can sleep boys or 2 non snuggling males in couches. Best choice for winter with a buddy or son for this reason. Lots of space under couches. Great eating, laptop using, card playing area. Can transport 6-8 people. Cons: like EB14 area inside of van doesn't share/flow to outside awning area. Water system on both sides. Very little cabinet space. Can't have door cabinet for outside cooking. Inside cabinet sticks into side door area making access cramped.
Heater & A/C: Really don't think we'll need the A/C. If we are down south and return to a hot van I'd let the van run for awhile and cool things down. My wife hates A/C and I would only use it to sleep, but the PH seems like it would have lots of ventilation. More of our traveling will be more north or in the mountains. Heater is a must have (and not one that depends on electric, solar will not work very well in Wisconsin during the winter time). So the Propane 19,000 BTU seems to be the best choice. I really want to see if SMB can insulate the van really well. Some of the forum posts have me a little concerned about them doing a good job. Any comments about recent builds from SMB north would be appreciated (for side walls, water lines, water tanks, and floor).
Windows: The more the better. We both like light and sun. Haven't read/researched if there are different types (awning, slide, etc), but would like to keep some open for ventilation and not worry about rain coming in. But would also like good ventilation. Don't like bugs while sleeping (I think we'll have no-see-um friends at times). Are the zipper screens in the PH sturdy? (we both are photo buffs and catching wildlife without opening doors would be nice). I read about some of your window coverings for heat loss and will be looking into these more (less furnace use will be nice). Will go with all the shades/blinds from SMB for privacy and safety.
Electric: will go with 2 house batteries, but no solar (maybe wire for in case we sell). Wisconsin clouds and tree canopy will negate it's use. I have a 1000w Honda generator already, but thinking about the 2.8k gas generator. Wife would like to flip a switch and use hair dryer, microwave, etc (happy wife…). It would also be nice to flip the switch in the winter time and recharge the house batteries after the furnace fans drain them at night. Too lazy to set the generator up all the time. This would also allow us to go with the Danhard A/C, but at $4k would end up being a waste of $ if hardly ever used. A fan at night if it's hot is all I'll need. Would the Fan-Tastic Vent 01100WH Endless Breeze 12V Fan be able to run all night without draining the batteries?
Water: Wife really wants hot water. Want to go tankless Girard Tankless RV Water Heaters
http://tweetys.com/girard-tankless-rv-w ... bAodtltkow with winter use device. Nancy at SMB is looking into this, they haven't done this yet and not too excited about being their first. Will go with the PROPANE 6G W/bypass valve if not Girard or better idea. Thoughts out there??? I'm guessing that I will choose to winterize if things get too cold. Remember that my SMB baby will be sleeping in a heated garage when at home so it'll only sit in the elements for day use or when we're camping.
Frig: Either the standard REFRIGERATOR “3E” Electric, Norcold 2.7 CF SMB build or possibly the Engel SR70 Built-in Refrigerator
http://www.engel-usa.com/index.php?page ... &Itemid=59 . My wife is a light sleeper and some folks say the standard frig is noisy.
Microwave: The SMB microwave/convection should work fine for us.
Outside: Aluminess bumpers both ends. I'm a brush guard guy and these are a non brainer for me. Will also go with the tire carrier and the big box. Side ladder for roof access. Awning for bad weather. Might do the bike rack on the back box for the mountain bikes. I have a really old receiver hitch rack, but if we tow the boat it won't work plus it might not fit well with the box on and it makes the vehicle even longer. Might go with the aluminess safari rack on top(anyone have a final height on this, will it fit in a 9' garage door?) or at least need the thule strips. Also might add the winch to the front end at some point. Roof lights on the front and back would be nice for night time setup, but would like to keep them at the PH roof height if possible (8' garage door). Might wire for a light bar on top, but don't think I'll need it at the beginning. I'll wait to see if I'd use it much then add it. Wide hoops steps all around.
Tires: looks like I'll have 17" from quigley, but not sure which size and manufacturer that I'd go with. Recommendations needed (remember snow use and light off road, very little sand, and no heavy rock crawling). Might get the compressor at some point and mount it in the rear bumper or just get the travel in box extreme air.
Rear Suspension: I'm hoping the SMB north has this nailed because I'm planning on having a loaded rig and don't want a sagging rear end like that other guy (was is Jag?). I always seem to bring everything I can (I'm already wondering if my 2 scuba tanks will fit in the rear bumper box or be too heavy).
Security: would like to have a nice alarm system, not sure which one though. Would also like a spot to hide our handguns, but keep them readily accessible. A safe spot for important documents and cash would also be nice.
Entertainment/navigation: Don't want to go with the build in navigation. Rather have a handheld/removable gps that we can take with us hiking/biking etc. May get a laptop mount and go with navigation software. Will probably just go with the standard stereo, Ford now has the aux jack for an iPod so this will work good as we love music for traveling. Would like to be able to listen to music while in camp if no one else is near by so extra speakers in side doors would be nice or ones that project to outside. Don't need it very loud. We watch movies on a MacBook pro 17" with an external HD loaded with movies (so no TV needed). Also have a usb TV tuner that works great with an HD antenna for light TV use.
Did I get everything?
I look forward to all your comments (even the snide ones) and thanks for reading this whole post. Can't wait to place our order and then wait, wait some more, wait a little more, and then have fun.
Steve Mac
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