New Sportsmobile owner

[Jim D]

My name is Jim...



Like someone else here (from NM... I think), I'm a new second owner of a SMB. My wife has *really* wanted a SMB, for at least 20 years, and a customer of mine was the original owner of a 2006 6.0 4x4 passenger van, and my wife pestered him into selling it to her (us). So now i'm learning about Ford vans, and SMB's.



I own, and repair, about twenty diesel engine pieces of equipment and trucks, in my business, but this is the first 6.0 that i have been blessed with... so I have many questions to ask on the forums.


My wife and I are (not yet retired) over-the-road vacationers, when we travel. But we're not, yet, off-road travelers. So I am, so far, unsure about venturing too-far remotely, with a 12+ year old 6.0 powerstroke. (so more questions to ask...)


A year ago, I broke my successive chain-of-purchases of pickup trucks (for work), and i bought a white Chevy Express AWD passenger van, for travel and work. So, with the SMB, strange to say, my wife and I are a dual-van family.



FWIW, we live on the Sierra crest, in California, so i know a little bit about snow. But i know nothing about the SW and mid desert, NM, AZ, CO, UT, where we plan on traveling to, so... more questions...


I'll post a few questions, as i'm able to, so thank you all, in advance, and, thank you for what I've read so far, in the forums.

[Twoxentrix]

You'll have a lot of fun with your new acquisition. If i read your post correctly, it seems you're relatively new to the off-road environment. If that is the case, I suggest a couple things:
1. Always use common sense, and error on the side of caution
2. Invest in basic recovery gear
3. First couple trips in unfamiliar off-road environments it would be best to travel with another vehicle.
4. Highly suggest you look into taking a couple classes with an outfit that offers off-road training - they aren't that expensive, and you'll gain valuable & practical knowledge...use you SM if possible.
5. I have found it beneficial & enlightening to review some of the clips shown on YouTube - just search something along the lines of "off road recovery techniques"
6. Couple great Threads on this Forum which experienced members have contributed to identifying some tools to have in your arsenal.

Happy trails!

[Jim D]

Thanks!

I've been thinking (google-ing) about your suggestion of off-road training, it is an excellent recommendation. I'll/I'd look for something where we can use our own vehicle, if anyone has a suggestion...

I'm, right now, building a rear-receiver-hitch dirt bike carrier, for recovery gear...

[daveb]

You might consider something like this:
http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/for...ile-22727.html


It's a bit expensive but you can learn a lot form some of these kinds of events. Other similar classes are around. Some of the meetups we (forum members) do from time to time also are great to attend to learn some basic off road travel. Look at the trip reports members have done. You'd be surprised how far you can take a SMB off road. One of the biggest group meet was one that Mac set up. Google Valley of Fire Sportsmobile group meet. Every group meet is special and I've missed a few good ones but any you can attend are usually well worth the value as far as learning from others. And they're free.

[Roamoverland]

We too are new SMB owners from California with the same van you have and are attending the RawHyde event Daveb sent the link to. Maybe we will see you there. Welcome!

[Roamoverland]

Saw this video about RawHyde today:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=...&v=1tpSNJbgEbs