Greetings from Delaware!

[dave_in_delaware]

Hello everyone. I just joined this informative forum today, and began reading some good posts on DIY interiors, and enjoying all the photos of people's rigs. :a1:

I found you thanks to a member at RV.net posting your URL. I've been a member there for about 6 months now, originally researching 5th wheels and pickup trucks there. I soon realized that this combination was beyond my financial (and storage) means.

Now, I'm currently researching the "smaller" RV's out there (Class B's, Van Conversions, etc) and after spending some time "stuck" on Sportsmobile's website (and their DYO "game" online) I found this forum!

So far, I'm leaning towards a van conversion like Sportsmobile (as opposed to a Class B RV), because I like the design-it-yourself option, I like the more "stealth" appearance, I like the "normal" and friendly service-ability of them, and.. well, I just like the cool looks of them! (especially the 4x4's). The DIY interior projects intrigue me. A lot.

I, of course, have a thousand questions for everyone here. And I know all of your combined hands-on experience will help answer my questions. But I'll try to use the search function first and just absorb all the information for now.

Thanks for the great forum!

I will start out with a very general question though, and I'd love to hear everyone's honest answers. First, some background info...

I'm in my mid-30's, divorced, w/ 3 kids, and a house (which I'm trying to sell). My kids don't live w/ me FT (they live w/ Mommy); I have visitation w/ them every Wed night and every other weekend. I'm not even close to retiring (at this rate, that'll be when I'm about 132). I work a "regular" fulltime job and then also own my own business (which I run part time in the evenings and weekends - some weeks I'm busy w/ it, and other weeks I have no "extra" work). I am engaged to a great woman who loves traveling, and would enjoy going with me on trips. I've been considering an RV for weekend (and extended weekend) trips for just the two of us. But w/ my financial status (i.e. child support payment of 43% take home pay, increasing utility bills, ARM mortgage, etc) I can only afford to run one vehicle (monthly payment, insurance, maintenance, etc), so the RV would also double as a daily driver.

My question(s), and I want a brutally honest answer from everyone: Given my background info above...

Am I in the wrong "stage" of life to even worry about an RV? :b7:

And sub-questions from that:

Do I have enough time to devote to RVing? (Sure, I could make time, but beyond weekends, I only have maybe one week of vacation from work to devote to traveling)...

Do I have enough finances to devote to an RV? I mean, you not only have to buy the "base" van, but also buy all the RV conversions, too, right? I realize no one will know the true answer to my finances here, but I'm curious how much money it takes to "care" for an RV like a Sportsmobile. I doubt that I'd need a 4x4 (although I like how they look!) around here in Delaware and southern PA....

Is an RV (like a Sportsmobile) even worth considering for a daily driver? I currently drive a minivan, which gets around 15 mpg. I do like the storage space, and room for 5+ that my minivan provides. I'm afraid that a sportsmobile (or any similar sized RV) will force me to work three jobs just to keep it fed w/ gas....

I think you get the idea here - I'm a newbie to all of this and am just wondering if I'm truly ready (given my family/financial/time situation) to dive into the world of RVing, as interesting and neat as it sounds....

Your thoughts and opinions (and of course experiences) are greatly appreciated!

 

[jage]

I think they're fine as a daily, although I hate to put the miles on it the van is a lot easier to drive and park than my F250 crew/longbed. Bumper to bumper they're the same lenght but the van is just so much easier.

Now you realise where you're asking this question right? I just asked if I should fly to Washington and spend 20 hours driving a J10 home on a jeep pickup board and of course they all said, "Do it do it do it"....

That said, can you afford NOT to have one? When that precious weekend comes around do you want to spend time getting a tent, trailer, or cooler ready or do you want to hit the road and be camping?

The 4x4 versions are a little less stealth as they draw a lot of attention but they'd still work as a daily driver. Your friendly neighborhood association would have to be really bad to no allow it as your car, whereas your most basic RV even in a B is going to be good for neither of those things.

So yeah buy one. I'm sure others will give you more and better reasons.

Oh yeah, and don't forget you can go older and save some $$ that way.

 

[dave_in_delaware]

Thanks jage!

Yeah, I realize where I'm asking my questions. That's why I specified wanting "honest" answers (not biased!). LOL.

In all honesty, yeah I think I could afford NOT to have one right now, especially w/ a house (and associated utility bills) to worry about... but once that's sold, my financial burdens lighten up a bit. And I can't wait for that!! So, for now, I'm just window shopping, and dreaming.

So the 4x4 versions can be used as a daily driver? That's good to know. Is the 4x4 mode set all the time, or is there a selector for 2wd, too? After I sell my house, I'd be moving in w/ my fiancee (I live there PT now anyway), and I'm sure her neighborhood assoc (if there even is one) would allow an E350 type van to be parked in the driveway (or on the street), especially since I've seen some big pickups around, and a van conversion, and even a small work trailer, all parked on the roadside.

As for "how" to buy, I'm sure I'd have to buy used anyway, just to afford the initial purchase (or monthly payments). I've also thought of buying a "bare base model" and doing all the firniture and cabinets myself, the exact way I want them. I'm sure a B.Arch degree and CAD experience would come in handy for that project.

Thanks again for the post and comments!

 

[BroncoHauler-SMB]

First, decide if you really need/want 4 wheel drive. You can still camp most places with 2wd.

Everyone here, I think, has some form of camper conversion from Sportsmobile, but some have their 4wd conversion from Sportsmobile (SM, some from Salem-Kroger in northern Calif, some from Quigley (back east) and some from Quadvan in Oregon. There are a number of posts on this forum regarding the virtues of each.

The SMB 4wd conversion uses an Atlas transfer case with manual shifters, I'm not sure about Salem-Kroger and Quigley, and Quadvan gives you the choice of a selector switch or a shifter.

The degree of stealth can also be increased with a Quadvan conversion which you can get with a 2" lift. Confused yet?


Herb

 

[dave_in_delaware]

Herb, thanks for the post, too!

No, I'm not confused yet. Any tidbit of pertinent info goes into my database I've been creating on the subject of RV's. That way I can see it easier, all at once, and I can always look at it when I need to. It lives on a portable hard drive which goes back and forth to work, my house, and my fiancee's house w/ me. (Yeah, I'm a bit of a geek I guess)...

At this point, the 4x4 option isn't necessary, but if I find an affordable SMB that has it, I won't pass it up. My only concerns w/ the 4x4 are:

1. Can I add the 4x4 later if I get a 2wd from somewhere else?
2. Which engines can handle the 4x4? Must I get the diesel?
3. Where can I get it serviced?
4. Cost of "ownership" vs. 2wd vehicle
5. What's the "standard" lift height w/ a 4x4 package?

Sounds like Quigley is the only facility even remotely close to me who could do the work. It's only about 2 hours from me (past my parents' house even).

I've read a lot about the "need" or desire to be more stealthy. Is that only for being in certain camping locations so people don't kick you out (compared to, say, looking totally like a Class ? Or is it so people don't truly know you're an RV and try to break in, assuming you have all your costly possessions inside? Of course, using that logic, any large van like the E350 could be a contractor, plumber, etc who typically carry $1000's worth of tools w/ them. Hmmm....

Thanks for the posts. Keep them coming!

 

[lowracer]

Our homeowner association (HOA) specifically prohibits RVs parking in our neighborhood. We've parked the SMB there for over a month now and no HOA nazis have complained. And we have the president of the HOA living on our cul-de-sac. So they see it but like most people they just see "van." Were they to look closely we might be in trouble. This HOA is quite actively patrolling the area for violations. They have a guy in a car who drives the neighborhood looking for stuff to write up.

So something else to consider. If you ever move to a place with an active HOA, you might be able to slide by with the SMB.

 

[Joanna-SMB]

Dave,
The SMB makes a great love hut, but for justification purposes, how old are your kids?
In my opinion, camping with your kids, even if only over the weekend is the cheapest and most fun way to spend time with them away from the TV, the chores, etc.. We've spent alot of time backpacking which was wonderful, but it was only a couple of times a year; we would have gotten out of town more often for short breaks if we'd had a way to avoid motels; and if you can't get away, the van makes an awesome clubhouse.
Joanna

 

[BroncoHauler-SMB]

Dave,

Like most answers, "it depends".

SMB, at least the one in Fresno, will only do a 4wd conversion on a vehicle within a few years of the current year's version.

The diesel is great, but by no means necessary. The V10 is an excellent choice as well, but the V8 MIGHT not be enough dependin on your planned usage. These base vans plus the conversions, are heavy. The choice between diesel and gassers is a personal one. I wanted the diesel because I felt it better suited my towing needs.

Servicing of Ford parts should be done at a local Ford dealer. Some dealers are much better than others when it comes to a modified vehicle. Some blame EVERYTHING on the conversion, some don't hesitate to fix a Ford issue if there's a Ford part at fault. The SMB parts/mods you'll need to maintain yourself (with SMB tech help) or send to a competant mechanic, but SMB will get you replacemenbt parts if needed.

4wd is more expensive to maintain, and 4wd, even part-time, does cut into your fuel mileage. How much....?

Believe most 4wd conversions are a 4-4.5" lift.

Sometimes I'm a little California centric, since that's where I live. SMB also has "factories" in Texas and Indiana.


Hope this helps,
Herb

 

[dave_in_delaware]

... HOA nazis ...

That's funny. I know what you mean though - it sounds like the HOA's just want something to do (i.e. get more money) to pass the time, and act like they're important. Luckily, most neighborhoods in DE don't have HOA's. But it is a good point and something to "worry" about when thinking of a new place to live. Thanks!

... for justification purposes, how old are your kids?
In my opinion, camping with your kids, even if only over the weekend is the cheapest and most fun way to spend time with them away from the TV, the chores, etc...

My kids are young: 8, 6.5, and 5. We do go on local "hikes" together on the trails near my house (2500 acres of dirt trails for horseback riding, mtn biking, hiking, jogging, etc). It's great exercise, gets them away from their precious TV (i.e. OUTside), and enables great (and needed) Daddy/kids time. Having the RV certainly would allow us to go to other places and have fun, too!

SMB, at least the one in Fresno, will only do a 4wd conversion on a vehicle within a few years of the current year's version.

The diesel is great, but by no means necessary. The V10 is an excellent choice as well, but the V8 MIGHT not be enough dependin on your planned usage. These base vans plus the conversions, are heavy. The choice between diesel and gassers is a personal one....

Servicing of Ford parts should be done at a local Ford dealer... The SMB parts/mods you'll need to maintain yourself (with SMB tech help) or send to a competant mechanic, but SMB will get you replacemenbt parts if needed.

4wd is more expensive to maintain, and 4wd, even part-time, does cut into your fuel mileage.

Thanks again! ... My planned usage does not include towing anything big. If anything, I would add a lightweight travel trailer or pop-up tent for additional sleeping/bathroom facilities for the kids, but that's it.

I'm sure these SMB's are heavy, especially w/ all the wood inside for the cabinetry and beds! Plus, of course, any propane, water, batteries, etc. Could the weight be reduced by using a different material for the woodwork inside by DIY??

It's good to know that SMB has decent customer service after sales, and will send replacement parts and provide tech support. That's a relief. And Ford being able to work on them is a real plus! There's actually a Ford truck dealer/service facility only a minute down the road from my fiancee's! They sell and service the F and E series trucks! :a1:

Only a 4-4.5" lift? The pictures I've seen make them seem higher I think. I was thinking it's more like 10" or something. Oops. Regardless, it sounds like the 4x4 option isn't something I need right now, especially around here, and especially for the kind of driving I'd be doing and the locations for camping that are close to here.

Thanks for the posts everyone!

 

[BroncoHauler-SMB]

Dave,

The 4-4.5" lift is suspension lift only. Most everyone has larger tires as well, adding to the overall height. The penthouse rood adds some height as well.


Herb

 

[deminimis]

One thing to consider, which it looks like you already have, is although a SMB is a "RV," it ain't your dad's RV. Even a Minie Winnie can't do a fraction of what a SMB can do. Its an Adventure Vehicle that goes most anywhere (including the office) and sleeps four as well. And they are just damn cool too boot. Good luck with the search.

 

[dave_in_delaware]

One thing to consider, which it looks like you already have, is although a SMB is a "RV," it ain't your dad's RV. Even a Minie Winnie can't do a fraction of what a SMB can do. Its an Adventure Vehicle that goes most anywhere (including the office) and sleeps four as well. And they are just damn cool too boot. Good luck with the search.

I originally started looking at "true" Class B RV's, and didn't really like how they looked. Sure, I know you have to buy something like this based on many other factors, not just looks, but I'm in my mid-30's: I want a functional AND "cool" RV (so I, my fiancee, AND my kids can brag about it)!

:b6:

 

[Ford_6L_E350]

You have alternatives.

- Buy a used SMB. You really limit your choice to what someone chose, but the costs are lower.

- Get a Camburg lift on a 2wd van. $10K cheaper with similar lift and looks

- Buy a used van and have SMB Indiana do the camper conversion. Less money than a new van, still the same interior choices.

- Don't overlook the 5.4L V8 gas engine. A solid reliable engine. Less cost and maintainance than a diesel. Less cost than a V10 and possibly better mileage.

If I were starting today, I would probably get either the 5.4L/TorqShift combo and a 2wd Camburg lift or a GM van with a gas engine.

Mike

 

[dave_in_delaware]

You have alternatives.

- Buy a used SMB. You really limit your choice to what someone chose, but the costs are lower.

- Get a Camburg lift on a 2wd van. $10K cheaper with similar lift and looks

- Buy a used van and have SMB Indiana do the camper conversion. Less money than a new van, still the same interior choices.

- Don't overlook the 5.4L V8 gas engine. A solid reliable engine. Less cost and maintainance than a diesel. Less cost than a V10 and possibly better mileage.

I like having alternatives. LOL.

I'm probably going to end up buying a used SMB somewhere semi-close to me, and hoping the floorplan is close enough to what I want/need.

Or I'll buy a used one and do my own floorplan/work.

I've actually been considering the V-8 gas engine. since I probably won't need the extra power for towing heavy loads, or the 4x4 needs.

Is a lift on just a 2wd a waste of money? Do parts have to be swapped out like in a 4x4 conversion? What's gained other than some extra height/clearance?

Thanks for the reply! I'm learning a lot in just this thread alone....

 

[dave_in_delaware]

Good news! I used the "offer" on SMB's site to get names of people close to me so I can see a SMB up close. Nancy from SMB emailed me the name/number of someone only 15 minutes from me! And I just spoke w/ the nice owner who owns a 2004 Ford EB w/ PH Top. I'll be seeing it on Saturday morning!

I can't wait!

Next thing would be to see an RB and compare "space" requirements.

 

[Joanna-SMB]

Dave, you're a goner. Welcome to the club!
Joanna

 

[deminimis]

Everyone here is so polite and proper. Not me. Dave, got any pics of your Ex-Wife?











(I'm kidding of course)

 

[jage]

That's cause anyone besides me who is rude gets IP banned. :e4:

 

[dave_in_delaware]

Dave, you're a goner. Welcome to the club!
Joanna

Yeah, I think I am. Thanks!

Everyone here is so polite and proper. Not me. Dave, got any pics of your Ex-Wife?

(I'm kidding of course)

Yeah, I hope you are! Yeah, I do. Are you that desperate? LOL. She is an EX-wife you know.... :a7:

 

[dave_in_delaware]

I stopped by my local Ford Truck/Van dealer today on my way home, just out of curiosity to see what they had. They didn't have any E350's... but I got to check out one of their 2008 E250 RB Super Duty vans. For around $23k, I could get a bare-bones model, with just a rubber floor mat. No wood subfloor, no side walls, no nothing.... except for a few pre-installed shelf cabinet things, and a "gate" between the cargo area and cab. I inquired about getting windows installed, and was told I can either have no windows (except for the rear doors) as per their "floor" models, OR I could get windows all around; I couldn't specify a window here or there. Bummer. I was told an EB model would run me about $1500 more. They didn't have any EB models on site - but they could order one for me. I mentioned the whole 4x4 concept, and he told me about Quigley's. Apparently even they have heard about the famous 4x4 conversion place.

Here's the "base" model I was able to get into today...

A view towards the "gate":

Driver's side:

Passenger's side:

Obviously I'd have to add a PH Top, and do the floor/walls, and add cabinets and furniture. But it could be a nice "base" van to start with. Right?

I still want to see the EB model on Saturday. Just to compare sizes.

My guess is that I could save some $$$ if I do the floorplan work myself. Heck, I may be able to find a local company who can do the PH Top, too.

You know, after being inside one of those things (R, it doesn't seem like there's room for a gaucho sofa AND another item on the same side. The DYO program online seems to be a larger floorplan...

Hmmm... the plot thickens......