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 08-15-2013, 06:21 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7
SMB in SouthCentral Alaska?

Hello to all. First post here. I have been mulling over SMB and Quigley rigs for about four days now, and it already seems like a lifetime! I am more than a little excited about the possibilities.

I own a fishing guide service in Alaska and frequently drive many miles to destinations. I have been looking at lodging options, from RV's, to cab-over campers, motorhomes, even buying property. Because my locations vary, and are usually between 80-200 miles (one way), having a vehicle capable of towing my boat (21' aluminum - about 2,500lbs), with a bed, toilet, hot water, stove, interior/exterior lighting, basic power generation (laptop and cell phone), small fridge, heater, food and fishing tackle storage, chairs (you know what I mean), would be a great deal for me! I would typically be in the van alone, but my lady friend or a fishing buddy will join me on occassion. On the rare extreme end, we might bring the boys along for an overnighter and sleep up to four.

Anyways, I am considering an order w/ GMC or Ford (EB, V8), Quigley mods, and delivery. Then, over the winter I can get inside and fabricate furnishings and so on. I have looked at a lot of pictures already, but have questions about what materials are best used for building from scratch, items that have served others well, and ultimately, if there are any SMB's sitting in Alaska, preferrably in SouthCentral (Anchorage area) that I could put 'eyes on.' That experience would be invaluable in determining what 'right looks like' for me. Anyone got an SMB up here, or know of someone that I could contact to do some 'tire kick'in' on their rig?

Thanks for any help in advance,
Phil

PhilG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2013, 07:24 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Pschitt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 1,018
Garage
Re: SMB in SouthCentral Alaska?

Welcome aboard Phil.

It might be too late for your project but I will very likely head to Alaska next summer. So if you don't find somebody else before, I would be pleased to meet you and show you my VivaLaVida, which is a "custom SMB"...
__________________
Travelling in VivaLaVida (custom 2010 6.0 Ford E-350 Extended with U-Joint 4WD conversion)
Pschitt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2013, 07:58 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Ford_6L_E350's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Washington - Ridgefield
Posts: 4,728
Re: SMB in SouthCentral Alaska?

Phil,

I think you should ask some of your questions in the Homemade section. Experience with SMB built vans won't answer most of your questions.

You should contact Bones_GSXR, he is near you and works at Alaska Leather in Anchorage - or least he did last time I talked to him.

Mike
__________________
Alaska to Key West, Labrador and more
Prostate cancer survivor. See Thread Prostate cancer and Sportsmobiles
2015 VW GTI 2020 Fiat 124 Spider
2012 E250 Hitop camper
Ford_6L_E350 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2013, 01:56 PM   #4
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7
Re: SMB in SouthCentral Alaska?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pschitt
Welcome aboard Phil.

It might be too late for your project but I will very likely head to Alaska next summer. So if you don't find somebody else before, I would be pleased to meet you and show you my VivaLaVida, which is a "custom SMB"...
Regardless of the timing Pschitt, if you get up here, give me a shout so we can get together for a few beers, talk SMB, and liv'in good in Alaska!

Regards,
Phil
PhilG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2013, 02:01 PM   #5
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7
Re: SMB in SouthCentral Alaska?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350
Phil,

I think you should ask some of your questions in the Homemade section. Experience with SMB built vans won't answer most of your questions.

You should contact Bones_GSXR, he is near you and works at Alaska Leather in Anchorage - or least he did last time I talked to him.

Mike
Thanks, Mike. I just called Alaska Leather. Bones still works there. He was out running around town, but I left my number for him to give me a call.....

Phil
PhilG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2013, 05:05 PM   #6
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7
Re: SMB in SouthCentral Alaska?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350
Phil,

I think you should ask some of your questions in the Homemade section. Experience with SMB built vans won't answer most of your questions.

You should contact Bones_GSXR, he is near you and works at Alaska Leather in Anchorage - or least he did last time I talked to him.

Mike
Mike,

Bones just called! We are going to meet at 6pm. Will let you know how it goes and after I review what his conversion looks like.

Thanks!
Phil
PhilG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2013, 06:10 PM   #7
Site Team
 
BroncoHauler's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,177
Re: SMB in SouthCentral Alaska?

Bring a ladder.


Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilG
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350
Phil,

I think you should ask some of your questions in the Homemade section. Experience with SMB built vans won't answer most of your questions.

You should contact Bones_GSXR, he is near you and works at Alaska Leather in Anchorage - or least he did last time I talked to him.

Mike
Mike,

Bones just called! We are going to meet at 6pm. Will let you know how it goes and after I review what his conversion looks like.

Thanks!
Phil
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
BroncoHauler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2013, 07:59 PM   #8
Site Team
 
daveb's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turlock Ca
Posts: 10,407
Garage
Re: SMB in SouthCentral Alaska?

Don't let him talk you into plowin roads this winter
__________________
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 08-18-2013, 12:13 AM   #9
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7
Re: SMB in SouthCentral Alaska?

So, met w/ Bones_GSXR tonight (Mike, thanks for the hook-up) in Anchorage. He is a super nice guy. We talked about his rig for about 45 minutes, he shared some photos with me, then threw me the keys. WOW! 8" lift on 37" 'meats'! This van is a BEAST...yet drives very mellow. He plows snow and goes off road with it all the time. It is both HUGE and PRACTICAL. Looking down at my Dodge Ram 2500 (w/ 5" lift and 35's), I backed out of the parking lot. Smooth, authoritative exhaust note, brakes that STOP on a dime, and a turning radius that my Ram will never even come close to. She handles very well, and with enough room to put a sheet of plywood in the back (in an RB!), I was really impressed. Hell, I think I just went from pick-ups to being a "Van Guy." I've been missing it all along. I guess I've been looking at the wrong vans. Don't get me wrong, I still personally can't do the 'grocery getter.' But, anything with a 3-6" lift, w/ 4x4 and some 'meats' on it......I'm on that like a bum on a ham sandwich! Sold. Done Deal. Let the building begin! Shopping local and online. I am going to do this. I'll keep you guys posted. So, I know what make and model I want (Ford E-350, EB). Powerplant is decided (V10). Suspension is known (I'll do the U-Joint kit if the price is right - simply because I can have it mailed to me and do it in my garage this winter). Now I have to determine what floorplan is right for me, figure out the correct materials to use, make the purchase and get to it.

Phil
PhilG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2013, 08:31 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Pschitt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 1,018
Garage
Re: SMB in SouthCentral Alaska?

Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilG
Regardless of the timing Pschitt, if you get up here, give me a shout so we can get together for a few beers, talk SMB, and liv'in good in Alaska!

Regards,
Phil
I will definitely do it Phil! Good luck for finding/building the van you need.
__________________
Travelling in VivaLaVida (custom 2010 6.0 Ford E-350 Extended with U-Joint 4WD conversion)
Pschitt 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 05:16 AM.


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