Canadian Sportsmobile Owners

[cdnriverrat]

Are there any Sportsmobile owners out there who have the 4X4 version? I'm curious if they are passing the federal inspection process upon their arrival into Canada.

Cheers, Eric

 

[Silver350]

http://www.riv.ca

There you will find a list of vehicles approved for import into Canada plus more helpful information.

If it has to be an SMB 4X4 I think you're SOL.

 

[billwilson-THOR]

Whats the deal taking a SMB 4x4 or 2wd to Canada?

why the big deal?

 

[jage]

why the big deal?

Canukida has standards?

 

[Silver350]

Whats the deal taking a SMB 4x4 or 2wd to Canada?

why the big deal?

You have DOT we have Transport Canada.
A sovreign nation with its own red tape, go figure!

SMB probably figured that the Canadian market is too small to worry about getting Transport Canada approval for their product so importing one becomes difficult if not impossible. Besides there are people building the same product in Canada. Same is probably true for 4WD conversions. BUT you can probably import a kit as a private citizen very easily. Like a U Joint kit or something.

 

[vwteleman]

If you buy a new van through SMB, they start with an unfinished van with an incomplete VIN. When SMB completes the conversion, they also complete and register the VIN. Transport Canada doesn't recognize the VIN as an authorized vehicle for import. As mentioned, SMB could apply to TC to get approval, but they haven't done so yet.

I don't think there's a problem with 4x4 conversions themselves (but I may be wrong).

Brent

 

[jage]

If you buy a new van through SMB, they start with an unfinished van with an incomplete VIN.

You can also buy a complete van and provide it, or a new van with a complete vin, neither of which helps you with Transport Canada is my understanding, because it's still constructed here by a non-approved company.

 

[johnkitchen]

Here's what we did. I bought a Canadian Ford van from a local dealer in Kamloops BC so that we had a Canadian VIN number. I had it licencsed in BC. I had Sportsmans Light Truck Ltd www.sportsman4x4.ca in Kamloops do the 4x4 conversion and install the bumpers, bush gaurds, baja box and ladder. They drove it down to Sportsmobile for me. We had Spotsmobile do the interior and penthouse roof. We drove it back across the border, paid the GST on the roof. Got it insured.
No problem. The guys at Sportsmens 4x4 did a great job on the 4x4 Clydesdale conversion.

 

[jage]

The guys at Sportsmens 4x4 did a great job on the 4x4 Clydesdale conversion.

They don't have digital cameras up North, or what!? :a2:

 

[johnkitchen]

some pics attached

 

[saabman]

:a4:
Interesting front axle set-up
:b5:

 

[Silver350]

:a4:
Interesting front axle set-up
:b5:

I believe that is a Ford "Twin Traction Beam" it was popular in the 90's I'm not sure it is still offered. It was also available with leaf springs, I believe.

 

[vwteleman]

I think that's Sportsman/Clydesdale's version of IFS. It is listed as Twin Traction Beam on their website.

Brent

 

[cranny]

If you want to go with SMB then buy the van in Canada and drive it down for the conversion. I have a Canadian friend who bought one and was not able to import it. He then licensed it out of Montana and drove it in the US for a big trip and had to turn around and sell it.

Or get a Quadvan 4X4 (what I did) and it imports seamlessly.
Personally, having driven a Clydesdale and compared them to Quadvan, Salem-Kroger and SMB, I wouldn't recommend Clydesdale to anybody.

 

[Silver350]

So did you have a Canadian van converted by Quad Van or was it a used one you found down there?

 

[Advanturetrek]

Does the importation issue also affect the ability to visit Canada with an SMB?

 

[Silver350]

Does the importation issue also affect
the ability to visit Canada with an SMB?

No. If your vehicle is properly licensed and insured you won't have a problem.

However, if you have a DUI in your past, you may have bigger problems than your vehicle. A DUI is a felony in Canada so its best to clear that up before you cross if you have one.

 

[daveb-SMB]

Really, they hold US law to theirs? People flee to Canada to escape US law but can't if they got a DUI? :a1:

 

[bitburger]

Continuing off the initial track (offroad if you will :a3: ).

You also need to be aware that if you have kids in the vehicle but only one parent, you should have a letter written by the absent parent that they are OK with you visiting Canada without them.

Odd (and easy to forge) but awkward if you don't have it. My kids went through secondary interviews to ascertain that I wasn't a taking them away as part of a custody dispute. Happily, neither of my kids took that opportunity to give wise-a** answers.

 

[Silver350]

Really, they hold US law to theirs? People flee to Canada to escape US law but can't if they got a DUI? :a1:

Not holding US law, recognizing a valid US conviction. Many Americans do not realize this and it sure could ruin an otherwise well Planned vacation.