2011 SMB Extended Bed RB50 4X4 V-10, 41k miles $110,000 OBO

[bolty]

My wife and I bought this with 4,000 miles on it and it had never been offroad – we changed that! The vehicle is a full SMB build with leather interior and cabinets – it’s one of the nicest interiors I’ve seen. We almost always camp alone so it is as reliable as I can make it. We have used it extensively off-road in Death Valley, the Sierras, Baja Mexico, Utah, Idaho, British Columbia, Texas and everywhere in between. We have had some amazing trips to Parashant, Aravaipa, Mojave Road, San Ignacio and Big Bend. There’s nothing we enjoy more than to be where there’s no one else. This is an amazing vehicle to get to the end of the road and camp in the snow when it’s beautiful or to stay warm and dry when it’s raining…just add a cup of coffee!

The vehicle is amazingly strong – if it fits, it will go there. Over time I have added:

• Locking front differential
• Agile custom off road shocks and springs all around
• Steering stabilizer
• Front trailer hitch, currently with 2nd spare tire
• Kenwood stereo with Carplay
• Kenwood ham radio, included (license required)

About a year ago, I took it to SMB West (now Fieldvan) for maintenance and upgrades. We added a propane stove, replaced the carbon monoxide detector, fixed some electrical wiring that got ripped off road, and replaced the house battery. When I got home I replaced the refrigerator and the Extreme Air Compressor. My daughter did back it into a tree in Yosemite so one of the rear doors has been replaced.

We always travel with two full-size spares so our trip won’t be interrupted if we lose one tire. (SMB tires and wheels are sometimes hard to find when you’re out in the middle of nowhere.) The van has some nice features like a switch to join the starting battery with the house battery should the former fail to work – a nice touch when you’ve been camped for days in the middle of nowhere and turn the key to hear…nothing. We’ve never had to use the winch in real life; since we’re almost always alone we also carry a Pul Pal Heavy Duty anchor which we’ve also never had to use – it goes with the van.

2011 Ford E350 Sportsmobile van. Super clean. This van has been well cared for. Ready to hit the road. Title in hand, Located in Thousand Oaks Ca 91361
Custom built by Sportsmobile West using EB 50 floor plan with motorized penthouse lift to provide upper and lower sleeping areas.
6.8L V10 motor only 41,8xx miles
SMB Four wheel drive system with manual locking hubs.
Atlas transfer case.
Dana axles.
Agile custom Fox shocks with custom springs all around (thank you, Ramsey!)
Front locking differential (Eaton electric)
4.10 axle ratio
New Falken Wildpeak AT 285 75 17 tires x 5 plus sixth Nitto spare
Upgraded rims
Aluminess bumpers front and rear w/ Hella flood lights
Large rear cargo box
Front 2” receiver hitch, currently mounted with 2nd spare tire
Front has Warn winch
10 gallon fresh water
rear ac, heater, hot water, outside shower,
Propane cooktop
2000 watt inverter
Aluminess full roof rack
Aluminess side mounted ladder
Zamp 100 watt solar
Kenwood head unit w/Bluetooth and CarPlay (DVD player installed but not currently hooked up)
Hi Lift Jack (although I don’t carry this anymore and use a bottle jack.)
New Truckfridge TF130 4.5 cf, 12v/110v
New Extreme Aire Magnum Compressor w/tank
rear XL storage in floor
Fiamma awning
microwave and sink
full leather seating w/ passenger swivel
Cherry cabinets
seating w/ belts for 5
sleeps 4
privacy curtains
All original owners’ manuals
Original Build Sheet

 

[CarlParr]

Very nice!

 

[Ruthless]

Nice rig! After a couple of flats on backroads, we’re going to start carrying a second spare but we weren’t sure how we were going to carry it. I like the idea of a front hitch. Where did you mount the hitch - below the winch? What hitch mount did you get to carry the spare? Thanks.

 

[bolty]

I am a huge fan of two spare tires. Once you lose one tire, if you don't have a second, you just need to head to a shop or home. I've done both and it kind of interrupts the vibe. One time I was on a trip with 6 or 7 jeeps. I got a flat and fixed it but as I continued along the trail I realized I had all these 33" tires around me and not one of them would fit my Sportsmobile wheel. The nearest town didn't have anything that worked so I just headed home.

The front trailer hitch is a pretty easy install - I just had to cut once to get it to fit right. I don't remember the exact order, but it does fit below the winch. I put a U clamp on it to keep it from moving too much. Never a problem with over heating and always a nice security blanket to have. The front hitch would also be good for a bike, etc.

 

[doublevan2]

bolty -- any chance for few pics of the front carrier showing underneath attaching points - and how this carrier affects steering - dips and swaying (if any) on roads - how much weight it added to front end as to GAWR weight (what is front rated for weight ?), etc ? I've got a 2002 E350 Ext Body - V10 - so VERY interested in doing same ! Much appreciated !