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02-07-2022, 05:05 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 4
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Newbie researching what to buy
Hey there. I’m Sarah. Middle aged, married to a very handy guy, and looking to buy a van that can sleep 3. I want a van because I’m a bad driver and don’t want anything bigger.
We don’t want to spend $70k on a new van. We don’t plan on using it enough to warrant spending that much. Our plan is to take it out for a week each summer and some long weekends throughout the year. Most likely at a campsite. But who knows if always at a campsite.
While my husband is more than capable of building one, a neck injury prevents him from doing that much manual labor.
So I would love to find something for $20k-30k. A van with a pop top so if we take our 20 yr old daughter along she’ll have a place to sleep.
I was so excited when I learned of these older vans. They have a backseat that folds out to a bed, a small kitchen, and a pop top so you can stand in the van and it’s an extra sleeping area. Like the pleasure way traverse. But I quickly became confused.
Is the older sportsmobile made by pleasure way?
What is the difference between the traverse and sportsmobile?
Are the traverse Or sportsmobile regular vans that a company coverts?
Are there others that will meet my needs?
Thanks ahead of time for any info you can give a complete newbie!
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02-07-2022, 06:12 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,614
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Best knowledge is gained by conducting some research so you have a visual of the differences - options on each vary based on what the initial owner felt important & budget.
You can start with these, but there are many sites where you'll find used ones listed (Craigs list, Facebook, RVT, Ebay, etc)
https://www.rvtrader.com/Sportsmobil...bile%7C4906233
https://www.rvtrader.com/Pleasure-Wa...SE%7C764847305
Your budget limits you since many of these go quickly and for substantially more...deals come up periodically so you'd have to have the funding in place to be a contender.
Good luck on your search.
__________________
TwoXentrix
"AWOL"
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02-07-2022, 08:01 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 451
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Is the older sportsmobile made by pleasure way? - No, they are not the same company.
What is the difference between the traverse and sportsmobile? - The Traverse is just one particular model made by Pleasure-Way that happens to have a canvas top that is in some ways similar to the one used by Sportsmobile. Pleasure-Way did (and still does) make many other models.
Are the traverse Or sportsmobile regular vans that a company coverts? - Yes, these are all regular, factory-built vans that these companies take in and convert into campers.
Are there others that will meet my needs? - Yes, the number of camper van models probably number in the hundreds. However, there aren't very many that have the "pop-top" you made mention of. Most are made with rigid fiberglass high tops.
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02-08-2022, 09:59 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
Posts: 130
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Your confusion is understandable, "Sportsmobile" is a loaded term. Formally, it's the name of a specific company that has been upfitting stock vans into camper vans for several decades, but since it was one of the first and most successful, it sometimes gets used as a generic term for all upfitted camper vans, especially on this forum.
Regarding your budget, your timing is unfortunate. Between the #vanlife craze (is it winding down yet? maybe a little?) and the supply chain shortages in new and used vehicles, van prices are extremely high. Due to the constrained space, every van design involves trade-offs and prioritizations. From your description, my first question is how important sleeping 3 really is? If a 3rd person is a rarity, you might consider hauling a tent or rigging up a board across the front seats as a significant savings.
Quote:
Are there others that will meet my needs?
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You might consider a truck camper. They tend to be much cheaper than vans with similar amenities, about as easy to drive, and easier to get. The main downside is the separation between driving space and living space instead of one combined area.
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02-08-2022, 10:10 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Evergreen, CO
Posts: 512
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In that price range you might get lucky and score a 2wd Ford with a sportsmobile interior. Otherwise look for one of the Dodges, they don't hold value as well.
Other notable pop top options: Tiger Astro, Vanagon. Or just start trolling for an older class B.
For any of the options in that price range, being handy is pretty much mandatory.
__________________
'06 EB 350, Advanced 4x4, 6.7 Cummins + Allison, 24" bubble top.
'05 Pleasure Way Excel TS V10, still boring and 2wd
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02-08-2022, 10:50 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Elk Grove, CA
Posts: 393
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It's not clear to me whether you should be looking for a Sportsmobile, Sportsmobile clone, a Class B RV, or a minimal conversion of some sort. Your post doesn't sound like you're the adventurous, off-the-beaten-path type that typifies the Sportsmobile crowd.
Keep in mind that, the more extensive the "build", the less useful the van will be for around town use, hauling stuff, people, etc.
I'm not recommending any of these but here are examples of some of the non-Sportsmobile options:
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/ct...442241495.html
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/ct...437709398.html
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/ct...431256895.html
__________________
Bob
2005 E350 Super Duty Ext Wheelchair Van
2002 Itasca 35U Motorhome
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02-08-2022, 06:45 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,486
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Quote:
Originally Posted by motovan_mn
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Yep, I saw that too and thought of the OP, perfect candidate.
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02-08-2022, 09:43 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 4
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I’m in New York.
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02-08-2022, 09:57 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 4
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I would not call myself adventurous. But I don’t mind camping in a tent. Although that’s a once a year event for me. I thought if I had a van I’d be more likely to camp because of the convenience of it. I have the summers off and figured I might plant myself at some campsite with a lake or ocean for a few weeks. And then take a few long weekends. But the comment that we’d need to be handy has me a bit scared. Not that my husband couldn’t fix things, but if things are breaking routinely it might take all the fun out it. Thanks for all the feedback. I have lots to think about and consider.
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