SMB Cutaway Project? - Page 4

carringb · 09-12-2014, 01:47 PM

My van was $3200 to paint at MAACO. Anywhere else wanted close to 8g. And that was 5 years ago

Steve_382 · 01-04-2015, 03:40 PM

Anyone heard anything recently on the SMB fiberglass body E350 replacement? I haven't seen anything on the SMB website. How about the Fuso rigs. Looks like the Earth Cruiser and the All Terrain Warriors are similar ideas and similar pricing at around $220,000. That's a lot of money, but not compared to Earth Roamer at nearly $500,000. I would still be concerned about the highway performance as mentioned by others in this thread.

http://earthcruiser.com/

http://allterrainwarriors.com/

Steve_382 · 02-17-2015, 05:24 AM

As far as $8,000 for paint, looks like EarthRoamer will paint their body for as little as $1,070 depending on the color.

http://www.earthroamer.com/pricing/2015 ... ptions.pdf

k9sprinter · 02-17-2015, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_382

As far as $8,000 for paint, looks like EarthRoamer will paint their body for as little as $1,070 depending on the color.

http://www.earthroamer.com/pricing/2015 ... ptions.pdf

Dont forget the optional $544 Keurig Coffee Maker

Tapatio · 04-01-2015, 11:59 AM

I was at SMB West on Monday and got a tour of the new cutaway model. Testing is going well and they are getting close to putting the final version into production. A few more tweaks are needed to get the interior dimensions perfect but overall it's an excellent prototype.

What really struck me is how integrated it looks. Notice how the penthouse mates up with the body, no rain gutter and rubber trim. The body doesn't bow in like the vans, it's perfectly square all the way to the back. The composite body seems very stout, I thumped it hard and it felt very solid. They added about an inch to both sides so the interior is a bit wider, hardly noticeable when I was inside though. Aluminess designed some new bumpers for it, nice! The barn doors are factory, Ford is still making them or has enough in stock. Full float rear axle is also standard. Pricing is not available yet but it will cost more than the van conversions, no surprise.

Might have to transfer my license plate to one of these, it's awesomer!

**BroncoHauler** · 04-01-2015, 01:13 PM

Looks like new awning mounts and ladder mounts are used.

Rear of the van body is interesting. Is SMB going to strictly rely on bumper mounted brake and turn signals, or will they add some to the van body itself?

Herb

**daveb** · 04-01-2015, 01:16 PM

Not from what I was told. Wiring is part of the cutaway.

carringb · 04-01-2015, 02:13 PM

I like it!

I do think it needs something where the taillights go.

Also, the extra width makes me think it needs clearance lights (the 3-center lights and corner lights) to be DOT compliant, just like the Raptor or Promaster.

**BroncoHauler** · 04-01-2015, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carringb

...I do think it needs something where the taillights go...

Both for aesthetics and I think it would be much safer, especially if someone had a bike carrier or something in the trailer hitch. Those bumper mounted brake/turn signals could easily be obscured.

Herb

Viva · 04-01-2015, 02:24 PM

Looks very nice overall.

I agree on the taillights. Dating myself here, but I remember when the Datsun mini pickups had their taillights down where the rear bumper was (vs. on the corners) and they were always so easy to "ignore." Granted, the SMB ones would be up higher since it is a taller vehicle, but why not take advantage of the even higher corners of the rig? Also I think in snow country those might quickly be obscured by the crud/grime that always sucks onto the back of a vehicle when driving through it.

Also, there are so many ways it's easy to ding a corner. Even thought taillights aren't cheap, I'd always rather replace a lens than have to do body work.

Now I just want a high top version