New Member

[FordJunky]

Like most I have been a long time lurker.

I have always liked SMB's but never really wanted another vehicle to maintain, that has changed.

I do most of my camping in the winter.

I had a 4 wheel pop-up camper for a couple years but had to lift the top to cook or sleep 2 people. I had issues with snow freezing and not being able to get the top closed. I had to break the bed down to drive from camp spot to the resort (1st world problem but it is a PITA).

I bought a hard sided truck camper and it is much better for winter camping. Don't have take the bed down and cold windy nights don't bother me. The issue I have is that to chase powder I usually have to drive through really bad weather with strong winds, not fun driving the giant wall that is my TC. I have spend many hours white knuckling and butt puckering to get fresh POW. The other issue is I can't keep the camper on the truck all the time so I have to load it and unload it almost every time I use it.

I would like to hear others opinions, is the SMB going to finally fit my needs?

[simplesez]

It is my choice for chasing powder. Hard side works great but in the wind it is sketchy. Kinda warm so it was nice to pop thr top today. I would not be stoked to take a camper on and off frequently. With the van we just put the bags in and the boards on the roof and go.

[Otter]

Back in the day, when I was trying to decide which way to upgrade our tent camping, I test drove a nice truck camper. Loved the layout but couldn’t stand that top-heavy sensation. Finally went with a great little trailer for a few years but got tired of the hooking-up process and always wondering if I could make it down a given road without backing up. I recently sold it to invest in upgrading my van and it’s the best. You just hop in and go and it’ll go anywhere. I like the low profile of the Econoline, especially in our windy Gorge, unlike the higher Sprinters/Transits.

I’ve spent all of my life skiing and snowshoeing. The rig has wound up in some bad snowstorms. Once, by the time I got back to it, I could barely find it, snow plowed into a corner and covered in two feet of fresh snow. Dug through to the door, started it up, poured some coffee, walked to the back to use the facilities, and then drove through a wall of hardened snow. I love my van.
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