Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-31-2010, 05:29 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Western Colorado
Posts: 1,228
Our 1 year of ownership report

Well we've now had the SMB for 1 year. So after a year we still love it and plan to have many more travels with it. It's so easy to throw some food and clothes into and head out regardless of the weather!
Here is a breakdown of our year of ownership:

Total miles for the year: 13,000
Average MPG: 14-16
Nights camped out in the SMB: 59
Longest trip: 4,200 miles
Hottest temp while camping:92
Coldest temp while camping: 7

Things added to the SMB:

Side ladder
85 watt solar Panel & controller
Coolant filter system
Rear transverse bike rack (homebrew)
Hi-lift
315-75-16 BFG's
Welded shackle mounts to front bumper
Dual steering stabilizers

Mechanical Problems:

New turbo
Fan clutch
Rear crankcase oil seal

Wants and wishes:

315-75-16 Toyo E rated tires
Winch
Deaver Springs

Lessons learned:

Mice can get in
The van has badonkadonk
Make sure the roof cargo carrier is latched
Be prepared for comments from nearly everyone who walks by it
Stake down the awning (especially when drinking)
People pull over and make room for you on narrow dirt roads
It's nice to sit inside and watch a movie when the wind is blowing at 40 mph.

I think that's about it.

__________________
Desert Solitaire
2003 7.3L EB 4x4
Timberline 4x4 conversion
saline is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2010, 05:49 PM   #2
Site Team
 
daveb's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turlock Ca
Posts: 10,407
Garage
Re: Our 1 year of ownership report

Are you sure that's it? Seems never ending for me.
I still need to work on a better transmission cooler.
__________________
2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer

Sportsmobile 4X4 Adventures..........On and off road adventures
daveb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2010, 07:41 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Western Colorado
Posts: 1,228
Re: Our 1 year of ownership report

Oh ya, forgot.
I want to add hood/fender vents and a larger transmission cooler.
__________________
Desert Solitaire
2003 7.3L EB 4x4
Timberline 4x4 conversion
saline is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2010, 09:24 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Roonie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: PNW WA
Posts: 618
Re: Our 1 year of ownership report

I really like your van through your gallery. I have been watching the used section for awhile now looking for one like it. Also have an inboard boat to sell before we purchase. Great to hear that you still really like it and have fun as it is a big ticket item and a leap of faith as I have never actually seen one yet in person. Thanks for posting.
Roonie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2010, 09:32 PM   #5
Site Team
 
WVvan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,293
Re: Our 1 year of ownership report

Quote:
Stake down the awning (especially when drinking)
Got a story?
__________________
Open the pod bay doors Hal.

Once I exit Hal, this is what I do.
https://larry.wvnet.edu/~van/pics/lic...late-small.jpg
WWW.WVBIKE.ORG
WVvan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2010, 11:50 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Salad Bowl, Cali
Posts: 140
Re: Our 1 year of ownership report

"badonkadonk" lol, spit out my beer!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
2010 EB E-250 2wd Homebrew
Transformer style build w/AV lift!
floorguy_724 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2010, 08:53 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Azusa, California
Posts: 1,092
Re: Our 1 year of ownership report

Saline ,
You are officially on your way ! Congratulation's
Greggde
Greggd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2010, 05:51 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Helena, Montana
Posts: 613
Re: Our 1 year of ownership report

Congrats Saline on a successful first year. But 59 nights in the SMB? Did you go to work at all, or are you already retired? We hope to break 40 nights camping this year, if work permits.
__________________
2006 Baja Tan SMB 4X4 EB50 PH 6LPSD
Mohawk Royalex Solo 14 foot canoe (light white-water)
Mad River Kevlar Explorer 17 foot canoe (flat water)
Dagger Royalex Legend 16 foot canoe (white-water)
Maravia New Wave 13.5 foot raft (fishing and white-water)
Ed in Montana is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2010, 05:58 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Helena, Montana
Posts: 613
Re: Our 1 year of ownership report

Roonie posted:

Quote:
it is a big ticket item and a leap of faith as I have never actually seen one yet in person.
I still get a chuckle out the of the conversation in Fresno when we picked up our SMB. A young SMB West employee picked us up at the airport and we got to talking about cars, trucks and assorted vans.

He said: "I still can't believe that people fly in here, plunk down tens of thousands of dollars to buy an SMB without ever having driven one before".

I replied: "We just flew in here, about to plunk down tens of thousands of dollars to buy an SMB without ever having driven one before".
__________________
2006 Baja Tan SMB 4X4 EB50 PH 6LPSD
Mohawk Royalex Solo 14 foot canoe (light white-water)
Mad River Kevlar Explorer 17 foot canoe (flat water)
Dagger Royalex Legend 16 foot canoe (white-water)
Maravia New Wave 13.5 foot raft (fishing and white-water)
Ed in Montana is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2010, 06:37 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Western Colorado
Posts: 1,228
Re: Our 1 year of ownership report

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed in Montana
Congrats Saline on a successful first year. But 59 nights in the SMB? Did you go to work at all, or are you already retired? We hope to break 40 nights camping this year, if work permits.
Thanks all! Of course I work Ed, sheesh. I work ten 24 hr. shifts a month and my wife makes her own schedule. Lots of time to goof around.
__________________
Desert Solitaire
2003 7.3L EB 4x4
Timberline 4x4 conversion
saline is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:20 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.