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 08-08-2014, 11:48 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
86Scotty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,222
Re: Sportsmobile vs Conversion Van

I think you can find a great van within your budget. I don't think conversion vans are more comfortable than Sportsmobiles. I think the opposite is true. My definition of a conversion van is lots of fancy interior work, usually a VCR (yes a VCR), a TV, mood lighting and out-of date stripes on the sides. They usually have the standard setup of 4 captain's chairs and a rear bench which converts to a bed. Any Sportsmobile is all that and more. It should be fairly easy to find a model with as many captain's chairs as you need. They are out there with 2,3 or 4, plus not only one bed down low but usually a bonus bed in the pop top or fixed top.

If I were you I would find a Club Wagon Chateau to show your wife. This is as close to a conversion van as Ford ever made. They have 4 chairs and a couch/bed in the back and you could easily convert one to more of a Sportsmobile type set up.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/4550612569.html

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/4605103585.html

no affiliation

Good luck!

86Scotty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2014, 12:07 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 179
Re: Sportsmobile vs Conversion Van

Sportsmobile that I am looking at, 150k fully equipt needs new paint on the hood (due to sun damage) probably new tires 92 Ford and can have it somewhere between 5500 to 6000.

Second one is 01, only has frig and microwave 60k miles and looks really clean. that one is about more than double the first.

Thoughts?

I'd be open to a 4x4 but with a budget topping around 15k I am not finding anything other than a really old
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/4608978058.html

Always appreciate feedback. First Sportsmobile. Thanks!!!!
bshillam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2014, 12:29 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
86Scotty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,222
Re: Sportsmobile vs Conversion Van

those both sound like good deals.
86Scotty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2014, 01:32 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
mikracer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Posts: 2,552
Re: Sportsmobile vs Conversion Van

This GTRV is located pretty close to me. Its very similar to the SMB EB50 layout which is very similar to the VW Westy layout. Its listed at the top of your $20k budget, but it looks clean.

http://slo.craigslist.org/rvs/4588700974.html

**reread your recent post and you said your budget is $15k.**
__________________
2005 E350 Chateau - V10 - Agile Offroad 4x4
2012 CTS-V Wagon - For the baby...
mikracer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2014, 04:02 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 179
Re: Sportsmobile vs Conversion Van

Yeah, recently found a low mileage rig 60k and lower my budget. I did see the 20k GTRV and emailed the owner but got no reply. Oh well .... There are others.
bshillam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2014, 07:35 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 179
Re: Sportsmobile vs Conversion Van

In no specific order, here are the vehicles or like that I have been looking at.

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/4606451537.html

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/4608978058.html

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/4600957962.html

http://www.sportsmobile.com/z-PO_indy.html

As far as conversion hi top vans once you have seen an explorer conversion you pretty much have seen them all. Just choose a color, electronics can be changed out. As usual comments, suggestions, extensions, etc are always welcome.

Cheers
bshillam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2014, 09:05 AM   #17
Senior Member
 
86Scotty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,222
Re: Sportsmobile vs Conversion Van

That fourth one, on SMB's website, looks really nice and looks like a good deal too. Seats and belts for 6, sleeps 4, and everything else you need looks like. If that one is in your budget I would go for it! Maybe they'll even take 15k.

86Scotty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2014, 09:59 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 179
Re: Sportsmobile vs Conversion Van

Going to make another offer on Monday we'll see what happens.
bshillam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2014, 12:35 AM   #19
Senior Member
 
Viva's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 879
Re: Sportsmobile vs Conversion Van

I looked at, and considered, a number of conversion vans before buying my SMB. You asked about differences. The conversion vans I looked at gave me the feel of something an executive might use for a mobile office (circa 1990's ), or a family might use for a road trip in comfort, but more in the way of "a big car," only with captains seats, the ability to sort of move around, and some fancy lighting instead of regular car seats.

The Sportsmobile is more like a miniature RV (although possibly without quite as many full systems). It has lots of cabinets, and less furniture (in general - of course layout dependent). It's more like something you take camping or adventuring (but can take on a road trip too, of course). There are more windows/screens. Possibly fewer forward facing seats, depending on layout. With a pop top, once you raise the top it's sort of like a magical tree house, and you really have two separate sleeping rooms (because it feels pretty private from upper to lower bed once you are lying down). On the other hand, when the top is down, there is not quite as much headroom as a fixed top conversion van or SMB.

My SMB, being a late-90's 2WD (With stripes! So not as cool/rugged looking) was pretty economical to purchase (and run). If you go 1997 or newer (in Ford) you get the modern engine with the ability to run Scangauge, etc. which I consider a plus (speaking of gas engines here). Also in 1997 Ford added the passenger side airbag.
Viva is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2014, 01:40 AM   #20
Senior Member
 
mikracer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Posts: 2,552
Re: Sportsmobile vs Conversion Van

My vote is for the one on the SMB website. That one is pretty sweet with the extra captains chair which I'm sure is removable so you could take it out if you don't need it. Its a desirable floor plan too so if you ever need to sell it down the road, it won't be hard to sell.
__________________
2005 E350 Chateau - V10 - Agile Offroad 4x4
2012 CTS-V Wagon - For the baby...
mikracer 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 03:11 AM.


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