SMB West Factory Visits

[TomH]

The prototype had some water issues and they took 2 or 3 years trying to iron out all the kinks. When I was there in Feb. and again in March there were 2 classics in differing stages of production. I have pictures in another thread and other people have pictures in a still different thread, but I am not aware of pictures existing for any other than these two Classics. You are not the only one to make this observation. One possibility is that they have encountered more problems. Another possibility is that they may be considering not continuing the Classic and moving on to another E-350 cutaway model which they had been investigating back at the first of the year. This was going to be a monolithic cabin subcontracted to a European builder (I know it was not Hymer as I asked). This model would not have seams, would have plum (perfectly vertical) walls, have interior width of 73", and have a high roof with no pot top. Maybe problems with the Classic have motivated the move to the other vehicle. I admit all of this is pure speculation. I will also say that it was really hard to get feedback from them while the Sprinters were impounded by the EPA.

I wish you good luck. Please keep us updated.

[Glider]

Originally Posted by daveb

I just looked at one the other day. I was told they have orders and are starting them. Looked like they made some changes from the original prototype. For whatever reason I didn't take pictures

What kind of changes? Anything interesting?

[daveb]

The top was one. I looked at both side by side and the new one looked larger. I guess they made some structural changes inside but didn't go into any details about it. They sure had some big tires and wheels on it. Looked like they will need a fender trim. Sorry I'm stuck with my poor old van so the new stuff is just eye candy and that gets you in trouble.

[sjappers]

I keep hearing they have a white one and a grey one with just the shell on back (or maybe one was finished inside, cant remember)?
Is there a different one now Daveb? So more than the two that seem to have been there for quite awhile
?

[daveb]

Both were grey. I have pics in my album of the prototype IIRC. Nothing of the newer one though. Sorry.

[TomH]

I think the almost finished one I saw in Feb. was grey. Pictures of the second one (white) can be seen here. Someone else posted a photo of that one finished in April. If Dave B saw two grey ones recently, that would mean at least four have been built.

[daveb]

Tom. I think that one of the two was the original vehicle they built a year or so ago. Like I said I didn't really pay much attention. It was kind of a hot day and my goal was to get home. With that said I never walked around the shop much. The only thing that caught my eye were those mini van cars.

[eddyturn]

Heading out to SMB West for some work that needs to be done on Bigly van later this week. Not sure if they will need it for one or two days but wondering about where to stay close to SMB. Not even sure if that's a good neighborhood or a good area to stay in but I'll be someone else knows.

Unsure if I will rent a car or not but could head up to King's Canyon and play like a tourist. I could bring out a large MC on a trailer and play on some twisty roads east of town but towing out from Durango CO seems like it would be a waste for such a short amount of time. Have a pseudo dirt bike that I could put on a hauler instead but not wanting to do a lot of pavement with that bike. Could do a mountain bike but not familiar with any trails in the western Sierras.

Just looking for some input from those that have been there. Gotta be in Wyoming for the eclipse show a couple of days before so not sure what kind of time I will have post SMB.

Thanks in advance.

[daveb]

Anything close is going to be hot. Lakes like Millerton and Pine flat have camping if the heat doesn't bother you.

There are a couple of casino's like Chukchansi gold resort casino that has RV parking. Table mountain is another but allows those at 18 to gamble IIRC.
The Harris Ranch might be a good choice to stay at.


Highway 41 takes you to Yosemite but above Bass Lake offers an escape from the heat. Sierra Vista Byway is close by and offers a lot in the way of camping. The Shaver Lake area also is high enough to beat the heat. A few private camps offer full hookups. Some of the members got together for a forum meet up that way a few years back and I wrote about it here along with other trips in the area: Sportsmobile 4×4 Adventures

I'm not too sure about stealth camping in Fresno. Enjoy the trip and eclipse

[rallypanam]

Sooo much good riding east of there.. Bring a bike!

Dirt, street, doesn't matter. You can be on great forest dirt roads/small farm pavement roads in about 50 miles from Fresno. Pavement stuff is awesome.. 245, The Mighty 190, etc etc.