Lots of SMB's for sale on the SMB website, what's going on? - Page 2

86Scotty · 11-11-2015, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jydog

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

I think it's a little bit of everything mentioned. I must agree that it seems like a lot of folks on here are selling or have sold in the last year, and there is definitely an uptick in new members to fill in the gaps.
I'll be selling mine soon, too, after I fix a few things, but only to get a newer and bigger van. There are probably a few others like me as well. Audisnapr and 1der come to mind. Many homebuilders like myself build one from scratch and then want to replace it with a genuine SMB when they see an opportunity. Like I said, I think it's a little bit of everything.

Just curious what you would be looking for? I kind of admire that you have one of the rigs older than 97. Just wondering what you are looking for in the newer model? I've gone back a forth about this myself especially about the engines. The older 351w and 460 are simple and reliable and cheap to replace and rebuild. The newer 4.6 and 5.4 s are expensive and a pain to work on. I have no experience with 7.3 or 6.0 diesels but I think for my use I will stay away because of the weight and expense. I just wish the dash would swap out with the newer model.

Well, I don't mean to hijack. I was actually about to agree with CTB, but I don't think it's a sad post. It's just a post about some people changing their direction a little and others wondering why. The bright side is that every SMB (or offroad camper van) I see for sale lately gets sold pretty quickly to a new enthusiast. I don't think the Econoline is going anywhere fast. Ask Chris at Ujoint. He pretty much does only Ford and is covered up for the next year or so converting them.

Anyway, Jydog, many here know I took a risk with my SMB. I found it and was lucky enough to grab it at a good price before someone else did, even though I was enjoying my homebuild van I had previous. Our SMB is just too small for us 4 plus dog for the long trips we take. Also, it is older technology, no OBDII, and our biggest complaint is the older front seatbelts which you either never notice or they choke you constantly. I just want to upgrade to a fixed top EB van. Since I travel out west at least once a year I want better stealth camping ability too. In other words, pull over and lay down, get up and drive away. No setup. No top to pop. It's different for everyone but it's what I'm looking for. All that said, I love my SMB. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just not the floorpan and setup I want to keep forever. Then there's the fact that I really enjoy building them, so I've got some new things I want to try with the next one. I can't afford to keep multiple vans around and don't have the space anyway.

REF · 11-11-2015, 07:20 AM

Eric-how bout this one, was already posted on the forum, as I said, if I had the funds i'd take it on as a project. Sorry to derail......
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5304990333.html

JoeH · 11-11-2015, 09:31 AM

I don't find it sad at all. I would be, however, if I was in the market for a 4 or 5 year old SMB, especially with the 6.0. Never thought I'd say that.

I like the fact that my rig isn't depreciating much, if at all. What's not to like if you already have one?

carringb · 11-11-2015, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jydog

I've gone back a forth about this myself especially about the engines. The older 351w and 460 are simple and reliable and cheap to replace and rebuild. The newer 4.6 and 5.4 s are expensive and a pain to work on. I have no experience with 7.3 or 6.0 diesels but I think for my use I will stay away because of the weight and expense.

My experience has been just the opposite. The Triton motors are much more reliable than the old pushrod motors, and that extends to the accessories bolted to the motors as well. The one service item that takes longer on the Triton motors is spark plugs, but they only need to be swapped every 100,000 miles vs 30,000 miles on the pushrod V8s. A replacement Triton motor does cost more than a Winsor 5.8L, but those were about a 250,000 mile motor. The Triton motors can easily go 1,000,000 miles with maybe a timing chain at 500k if its used hard (I just did mine at 412,000 because mine sees unusually extreme duty).

Anyways.... to the OPs point.... I think the high for-sale count is mostly due to average ownership durations... I'll be most of those are getting sold so the owners can upgrade to a new model. '05-'07 were really strong sales years for RVs and other toys in general because there was a lot of extra disposable cash laying around (even if it was often from loosely & generously issued HELOCs).

ctb · 11-11-2015, 03:15 PM

Ps sad as in pessimistic, not optimistic like I'm sure most of us are? (optimistic...) I would think that most of the users of SMB are more optimistic/positive... isn't that the adventurer in all of us, and that's a pretty exciting life (from experience, anybody that knows us are ALWAYS living vicariously through our tales of SMB adventure and constantly ask where you going next, tell me about the last trip)...that's why we purchased this particular brand, eh? We like to get out there and see cool stuffs that we look forward to discovering, photographing, camping in Knowheresville, etc...repeat as often/soon as possible? That's all I was stating, I was just sad there was even a negative connotation in ole SMB land that wasn't a real story or problem you all would fix by past experiences etc....sorry if I ruffled a feather.... cheers mates!

Ford_6L_E350 · 11-12-2015, 08:39 AM

I sold my SMB (on this site, not on SMB site) so I could get a newer van with different features. It served us well and the new owner is very happy to have it.

Mike

jage · 11-12-2015, 05:55 PM

Wait, parking it and not using it for upwards of two full years is not an option? Nobody told me!

Pntyrmvr · 11-15-2015, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jage

not using it for upwards of two full years

Ouch!