A New Member - GREAT Site

[LenS]

A hi to all,

We came across this wonderful site while researching Sportsmoble. Our van is a 2000 Chev Express Extended and we are going to add a penthouse this spring. We visited the Huntington plant this last week. Pictures our rig are posted on "my album" ... I think if you click on my name "LenS" you will go there. If not that way you can get to them via the "Memberlist" button.

Just the kink of info I have been looking for.

 

[BroncoHauler-SMB]

Welcome, and nice to have you aboard. It's especially nice to have a Chevy based rig here for a little more variety.

Your gallery can be accessed via the Gallery button, directly below your signature.


Herb

 

[Psomaki]

Welcome, and thanks for all the great pictures (I still haven't posted any of our rig). I am impressed by how much you've managed to get into that van, and how efficiently it's designed.

 

[adventureduo]

Welcome! Cool layout in that Chevy!

 

[LenS]

Thanks,

It is great to be here. A real wealth of information.

I just added photos of our visit to the Huntington SMB plant. We wanted to talk to them about a penthouse addition to our van and how much of my existing stuff I needed to take out prior to the job.

 

[jage]

When you were there did they mention that a fixed top would give you more storage?

:b1:

 

[LenS]

No they didn't bring it up. We told them we were interested in the penthouse and that was all they really showed us.

We have a canoe we still want to take with us and we think the penthouse makes the most sense for us.

 

[jage]

Oh, I think the penthouse with the electric lift is the bees knees, just looking at your actual van I though more storage might be a draw to the fixed top.

 

[Psomaki]

Jage, where on earth did a young feller like you learn to cite the bees knees? That phrase was current in MY dad's day, when a "camper" was somebody who hauled a tent around in a Model A. Yes, I know I'm :g3:.

 

[surfgeek33]

lenS,

Welcome to the Forum. Awesome looking rig!

 

[LenS]

Well we did it.....almost that is. Joanne called SMB-Indiana today and we have an appointment for getting a penthouse installed in mid-March. They could have done it at the end of February but that was to soon for us (I have to strip out all my paneling and and cabinets that are at ceiling level and the warmer weather the better).

Also want to get a swivel seat base installed on the passenger side. Not clear if they can or are willing to do it.

 

[jage]

The swivel seat base should be a lot easier than anything else, but you probably run the risk of it being overlooked, with the top install consuming so much time. Schedule both, leave yourself an extra day, then let them focus on the top install. If the van comes out without the swivel seat you'll have the time to let them install it.

 

[Joanna-SMB]

LenS,
Welcome! I look forward to seeing your rig when the photos are accessible again.
How are you getting your canoe on the penthouse?
I'm buying a 15 foot boat and have pretty much resigned myself to a trailer.

 

[Greg In Austin]

Lens,

Jage is right.... the seat install is quick.

When I had SMB TX install out no-drill RAM laptop mount they removed and reinstalled our passenger seat all during my lunch break.


Joanna,

There are a couple of nifty roof rank items that can help a lone individual load a long boat. Check the Yakima site. They have rollers and a newer slide out gizmo too.

 

[LenS]

Our canoe is a kevlar Mad River model that ways in at 50lbs. We will tie it to a pair of cross bars on the roof w 1 inch cargo straps that are doubled up. Have used this method for years. I have a portage yoke attached to the canoe so it is fairly easy for one person to carry. I do note though, that each year for some reason the canoe does put on weight.

 

[LenS]

The problem with the seat base appears to be:

1. They seem cool on doing the job.
2. Not sure they have a base that would fit a 2000 Chev. van.
3. They seem cool on doing the job.
4. Maybe they might sell the base to me to install if I would sign a waver....
5. Oh ya, they seem cool on doing it ...if they had a base...not sure they have the right base...would have to check.

I agree, I think I could install it in 30-60 minutes myself IF I had the base in my hot little hands.

 

[Joanna-SMB]

I do note though, that each year for some reason the canoe does put on weight.

Ha!
Your canoe isn't the only one!
I've looked at the roof systems, but my boat isn't exactly a canoe. It's a 15' guideboat, weighing slightly less than 70 lb.
Plus I don't have a wife to help me.

 

[LenS]

My wife doesn't help. It's a "man" thing. But our previous canoe was an 18 foot Grumman aluminum and it weighed in just north of 70 lbs and that DID require both of us to get it on and off the van.

If you want to see our van go to "www.RVForum.net"
Then "Enter RV Forum" on left near top
Scroll down "RV Message Boards" to "Van Conversions"
Then open thread titled "Thoughts About Van" and you will see 15 photos 2/3rds of way down thread. That is our van.

The RV Forum is mainly (99.9999%) about class A's. Sportsmobileforum.com is MUCH better for us B's.

 

[Sam-SMB]

Len:

You did one heck of a nice conversion on your van!

Sam

 

[LenS]

Thanks.

I do regret that I never took the time to take photos of the job as I did it. It has really been fun looking the the pictures other people have taken as their home grown SMB conversions have taken shape.

We are getting a penthouse installed at the end of March, so I have to remove most of what I put in. I will try and slow down and take the time to take photos then. If played backwards would look like original installations job. :b1: