Long time lurker, first time posting

[Wirehead]

Howdy from NorCal,
I've lurked around on this site for quite awhile reading and learning and I finally decided to register and ask some questions.

I've been enamored with Sportsmobiles for many years as I see them regularly driving around on the roads. Just been too busy putting kids through school etc to be able to afford one. I figured that I'd wait until retirement to actually commit to buying one. Due to some changes in life's circumstances I reevaluated my position and decided to jump into the deep end. I still can't afford a new one so I'm looking at used and/or building my own.

Thanks to all the wonderful information here and on Expedition Portal I'm at least at the stage of asking (hopefully) the right questions.

My goals are are to have a easy to drive on the road vehicle but the ability to go off road to get to some good camp sites. Not rock crawling or serious off road but perhaps up some not so great dirt roads. I'm 6' 3" so I think that's going to limit me to a extended bed and a pop top. I've always liked the Transformer style over the full RV as I will be using this a daily driver.

Thanks for letting me join and you'll be hearing more from me.

Terry Evans "Wirehead"

 

[gordon-SMB]

Welcome Terry,

Just for reference, I'm 6'5". We have an RB-50 and I can sleep on both the folding couch bed and the standard penthouse bed without any problems.

-- gordon



-- Gordon

 

[86Scotty]

Welcome Terry, ditto on what Gordon said. I have no problems sleeping on an RB upper bed at 6'2" but I would only buy an RB if the right one popped up. I recommend an EB even for one or two people for many other reasons.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wirehead]

Thanks Gents,
It's good to know about the ability to fit in an RB. I measured a van at work and it seemed like a bit of a tight fit if I wanted to put anything else in the van. I think I would have to go with the the Sportsmobile built in couch/bed to make an RB work for me.
I think I'm going to stick with the idea of an EB where I should be able to have a platform bed in back and leave the front passenger seat as a seat. Just a thought as I'm still working out all the possibilities.

Probably something like an EB V8 or V10 gasser set up in the Transformer style with a Colorado Camper van high top. An Agile Off Road 4x4 conversion would round out my needs. A million more details I'm sure but that's the direction I'm leaning in.

 

[Wirehead]

I have a van!

Thanks all for all the great feedback. I now have a van in my possession. Let the spending begin (it already has...)
I have purchased 1der's Beastie II and it is a great fit for what I was looking for. Thanks Ray!

 

[rallypanam]

Congrats, that's a nice van!

 

[boywonder]

Probably something like an EB V8 or V10 gasser set up in the Transformer style with a Colorado Camper van high top. An Agile Off Road 4x4 conversion would round out my needs.

I have purchased 1der's Beastie II and it is a great fit for what I was looking for. Thanks Ray!

I think Ray's van meets all of the requirements above...exactly the setup I would do if I had to do it over.......

 

[Wirehead]

Yep, it was like going down a list, check, check, check... Especially now that it has a CCV high top on it.

 

[Wirehead]

Ray has been extremely helpful answering all my questions and discussing the pro's and con's of the various things he's tried. Lot's of knowledge transfer.

 

[mikracer]

Yep, it was like going down a list, check, check, check... Especially now that it has a CCV high top on it.

Lets see some pics!

 

[rallypanam]

A little bird told me this is it.

 

[Wirehead]

Yep, Ray has better pictures than I do :n5:

 

[JB1RD]

Congrats, from my interaction with Ray you are well on your way to an AMAZING rig!!!

*Does this mean you are building a High Top Ray???? Inquiring minds want to know!!!

 

[86Scotty]

Congrats, from my interaction with Ray you are well on your way to an AMAZING rig!!!

*Does this mean you are building a High Top Ray???? Inquiring minds want to know!!!

Oh yes, yes he is. I think it's about done and he should post pictures of it!

Great van, Wirehead, congrats on a good find from a solid PO.

:b5: