Looking for our first RIG
Hey there,
My name is Steve and my wife and I are looking to pick up a used Sportsmobile poptop for our family of 4 (kids 8 and 10).
We live in Encinitas (San Diego) and are choosing to homeschool our kids this year and take the opportunity to really see the country in our spare time.
We love the outdoors, camp often, and have a family cabin in the western sierras (luckily it was spared by the creek fire). We recently picked up a 1978 Starcraft pop up camper and love it. But at the same time we see the advantages and convenience of the mobility of having a van.
Quick question... is there any way to add a second shoulder seatbelt to the cabinet side of the rear bed/bench? We have been going back and forth as we really want to have a second one for both of our kids.
I can only assume that it would either need to be installed similar to the other side and Attached to the framing of the ceiling edge (not pop top portion) or the side frame of the van itself (which would require cutting into the cabinet back).
We have gone back and forth between a newer build and older used models. We really like the form factor of the original SMBs with the front facing benches and the pop top.
The lack of a second shoulder belt in the back is a Deal breaker for us.
We have seen some vans with the additional captains chair which would allow for the extra shoulder belt. But we also like the openness without the chair.
We are almost thinking it would be better to buy a stripped van with an existing poptop, adding the bench/bed we want (with appropriate seatbelts) and building out from there. We are not afraid of DIY projects. But figure if you have the right “bones” in your rig, you can do anything.
Thanks for your advice. I am on this forum everyday to look for used rigs to purchase. It’s kind of a weird sickness. Lol
Have a great one,
STEVE
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