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 01-18-2012, 04:58 PM   #11
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 59
Re: SMB Provan Tiger comparison

I was deciding upon an Tiger or an SMB to primarily use as a tow vehicle for my trailer and an off-road adventure vehicle. I ultimately chose the SMB for many of the same reasons as above (smaller, better off-road performance, etc.) though I have to say that they guys at Provan especially Mark (the GM) and Joe (the salerep) were great to deal with - patient, gave me all the info I needed and were willing to do some customization for me (though not nearly to the degree of SMB). Follow-up, etc. was great - similar to my experience so far with SMB North.

From my experience, definitely a class act.

travelguy2500 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2012, 08:29 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 785
Re: SMB Provan Tiger comparison

Quote:
Originally Posted by TomH
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl
just my 2 cents, but any RV with the bed always "open" causes the need for extra size which is not always worth having. The ability to raise the top on a SMB and/or take the few minutes to make the bed, is well worth the reduction in size. Other thought is that riding in a van you seem to have better visibility.
Ironic, I just left a thread on ExPo where people were discussing how much they loved their SMBs, but traded to an ER to have more inside space:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/t ... ortsmobile
With three growing kids, I do need more interior space than I now have with the SMB.

My fix has been to export the kids to a tent, which fortunately they seem to think is great.

An earthroamer or GXV platform would be ideal. But I don't travel enough to make the numbers work and i really like the SMB on all other criteria except interior space. When we are empty nesters a bigger and more comfy vehicle will be the right choice.

But my wife is already on notice that the SMB stays and will be used on those rugged guy MTB, hunting and exploring trips.

R
__________________
2006 SMB 4x4, EB-51, 6.0psd
EMrider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2012, 10:28 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
jage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 7,643
Re: SMB Provan Tiger comparison

Can't trust those guys...

@EMRider
I'd think a lot of small trailer and vacation time could be had for the differential between an ER and SMB. That and some ATVs. And a Harley Fat Boy for you. And a spare SMB.
__________________
it was good to be back
jage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2012, 09:15 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
twogone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Taylor, Mississippi
Posts: 1,648
Re: SMB Provan Tiger comparison

...and some gas money
__________________
'95 SMB E350 Quigley 7.3
https://www.taylorarts.com
... If you have to ask, you'll never understand...
"... torpedo'd, because we don't generally cotton to bullshit around here." -jage
"... do they ooch apart in the night?" -Dia
twogone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-23-2012, 10:08 AM   #15
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: San Diego
Posts: 289
Re: SMB Provan Tiger comparison

I currently have both, a 1995 Sportsmobile and a 1995 Tiger Provan XL AWD (based on the Chevy Astro van).

The interior space in the Tiger is far better than the SMB, especially when it comes to moving around, cooking, hanging out in the cold or packing up. Tiger has definitely done a good job with the design and layout, everything seems to fit quite nicely. While our Tiger has only seen Forest Service roads it has handled well and there was and still is no creaking or twisting. A newer CX might be a different question, especially since she has already found those online... You will get just as many questions with the Tiger as a SMB, we actually get more questions in in the Tiger.

On a side note our Tiger averages 12-14 mpg with the Chevy 3.4.



My wife prefers the Tiger however, we went with the SMB because of the heavier duty capability of the Ford, especially since our Tiger was based off the Chevy Astro van. Which btw our Tiger will be up for sale shortly.

And with regards to twisting, any vehicle that spends time on Baja washboard will develop creaking and squeaking. Just as our new to us 1995 SMB has already developed after one trip... That is the ultimate question make a vehicle whose cabinets, etc won't start to creak or groan after rutted washboard roads.
__________________
1995 SMB Quigley 7.3 EB
"a quality, stock 460 is a real pleasure" - twogone
blupaddler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-26-2012, 02:42 PM   #16
Site Team
 
daveb's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turlock Ca
Posts: 10,407
Garage
Re: SMB Provan Tiger comparison

3.4 mpg hope that's a typo
__________________
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 01-26-2012, 02:48 PM   #17
Site Team
 
BroncoHauler's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,177
Re: SMB Provan Tiger comparison

Quote:
Originally Posted by daveb
3.4 mpg hope that's a typo
I think he's talking about a 3.4L engine.


Herb
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
BroncoHauler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-26-2012, 04:14 PM   #18
Site Team
 
daveb's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turlock Ca
Posts: 10,407
Garage
Re: SMB Provan Tiger comparison

10-4, thought he had a chevy SMB...makes more sense
__________________
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 01-26-2012, 10:22 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: San Diego
Posts: 289
Re: SMB Provan Tiger comparison

Quote:
Originally Posted by daveb
3.4 mpg hope that's a typo
Yeah, that would definitely suck!
I should have more clear, the Tiger Provan is based on a Chevy Asrro platform with the 3.4 liter V6 engine.













I won't go into how many vehicles I currently own, let's just say they are all being sold in favor of the 1995 Ford Sportsmobile...
__________________
1995 SMB Quigley 7.3 EB
"a quality, stock 460 is a real pleasure" - twogone
blupaddler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2012, 06:08 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 752
Re: SMB Provan Tiger comparison

Quote:
Originally Posted by blupaddler
I should have more clear, the Tiger Provan is based on a Chevy Asrro platform with the 3.4 liter V6 engine.
Just to clarify for those who may not be aware, Provan used to offer Class B motorhomes based on the Chevy Astrovan. They had a raised top version and a pop top version. Around '95 they also began producing Class C motorhomes based on pickups. Around the turn of the millennium, they ceased production of the van based models and have expanded the pickup line. Their first truck model was pop top; that was shortly discontinued in favor of raised tops.
TomH 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 06:42 AM.


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