My SMB Factory Tour (pics)

Jeffrey · 05-11-2007, 11:54 AM

I spent the day at the Sportsmobile factory in Fresno on Thursday, nearly finalizing the details of my van to be built. The place was buzzing. My rep, Greg White, was the friendliest and most helpful person I have ever worked with in a car dealer type situation. There were dozens of units being built, in every stage of development. There we also numerous finished vans awaiting pickup, many in nearly identical configuration to the one I'm ordering. By that I mean pretty well equipped and optioned out. Generally, I was impressed with the design and quality of the build. In the following pictures you'll see a few of the different production lines, each with six or more vans in process. One image shows a new 4x4 front end install almost finished. Another compares the different of side steps and nerf bars available. The shot of the silver van with the big bumpers, ladder, and 35" tires is very close to my order. One pic shows a RB-50 galley without the stove and with microwave, as mine will be. I will soon get around to listing my entire build specs, but it's too involved to do now.

Buji · 05-11-2007, 12:09 PM

I take it the nerf bars on the right are the powered amp steps?

Note: the frontend,jpg isn't coming up

Jeffrey · 05-11-2007, 12:18 PM

Buji,

Not sure what you mean by 'powered amp'. It's not a stereo! Neither of the steps or nerf bars shown are powered in any way, if that helps.

I fixed the frontend link. Thanks.

kzemach · 05-11-2007, 12:22 PM

Jeffrey,

On your last pic it looks like there's some sort of removable carpet that lays down on top of the hard floor. Is that an option that I didn't know about?

Thanks,

Ken

Jeffrey · 05-11-2007, 01:01 PM

You're right, Ken. For another $134, they will custom cut and trim a rugged floor mat that fits exactly and matches your color scheme.

kzemach · 05-11-2007, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

You're right, Ken. For another $134, they will custom cut and trim a rugged floor mat that fits exactly and matches your color scheme.

Oh, that would have been worth it. We did effectively the same thing with some grey roll carpet we got at OSH Hardware. It made a HUGE difference in internal vehicle temp and temp loss in the winter. I was shocked at how much it helped, so we ended up putting carpet in the back as well to help insulate.

Buji · 05-11-2007, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

Buji,

Not sure what you mean by 'powered amp'. It's not a stereo! Neither of the steps or nerf bars shown are powered in any way, if that helps.

I fixed the frontend link. Thanks.

heheh... no the company is AMP research, and they are powered nerf bars than run the lenth of the van and lower when a door is opened. I'm getting them on my van and they look similar.