My SMB Indiana Sprinter building experience

[llamadave]

NOTE ADDED NEAR END OF BUILD: If you have not read this thread yet, you might want to just skip to my web site where I describe the final product in great detail and post lots of photos.
http://davidelmore.com/Sportsmobile.php

My Sprinter has arrived and building starts next month so I am starting a thread to document everything. No, I don't expect to provide as many details and insights as Chumley, and I do expect that there will not be any big problems. After all I have visited Huntington five times and and made detailed drawings so what can go wrong?

We picked up Vanessa from Rod Miller at World Wide Motors in Indianapolis last Thursday. Here she is:

[photo:8gp8so18]21545[/photo:8gp8so18]

[photo:8gp8so18]21546[/photo:8gp8so18]

Here are the options we selected:http://davidelmore.com/Sportsmobile/Elmore v3.pdf.

I can only say great things about Rod Miller and World Wide Motors. This new Mercedes dealer in Indianapolis is not the one SMB Indiana uses, but from the start Nancy said we could buy anywhere and either pick up and deliver ourselves or have it shipped directly to Huntington. Rod has been easy to reach (he answers emails on weekends!), very knowledgeable (he only sells Sprinters), and very detail oriented (every question, no matter how minor, gets all his attention resulting in printed literature and advice for example on aftermarket services). If you are thinking of a new Sprinter SMB from Indiana, even if you do not live near here, I suggest you give Rod a try.

The ride home confirmed my choices for options. The ride was firm but smoother than our F550 hauler for our big rig (combined weight 25,000 lbs!), now sold. The dual rear wheels and stabilizer bars left me feeling very comfortable on curves, in contrast to the Great West Sprinter we rented a few weeks ago (read here if you missed it).

When driving and parking it it is easy to believe that the van has a smaller footprint than the F550. When looking at it, however, it is hard to believe that it is smaller so I had to get a photo comparison:

[photo:8gp8so18]21548[/photo:8gp8so18]

[photo:8gp8so18]21547[/photo:8gp8so18]

The length is the same within a few inches, but the F550 is wider and has a longer wheelbase.

The construction specifications and equipment list for Vanessa that I have worked out with SMB Indiana are posted here: http://davidelmore.com/Sportsmobile.php. I am not posting on the forum since they change every week. I will, however, post photos as things progress. Nancy last told me construction would start mid November and be finished by Christmas. However, the start date has already slipped twice from October to early November to mid-November so no telling when it will be done.

Questions and comments are welcome. Soon it will be too late to make changes, so now is the time if you have any ideas for me.

David

 

[tonyvoudy]

David, Can't wait to follow along with the progress of your build!

Do both the front and passenger seats swivel? Make sure there is room for them to swivel in your design. Mine ended up a bit short there the driver side can't swivel all the way around.

tv

 

[llamadave]

tv,

Yes, they both swivel, and I am making sure the design allows for that. Much more on this topic here: http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9937. The driver seat will swivel about 135 degrees, not all the way around, but I don't see a problem with that.

David

 

[JayBea-SMB]

David,
Great looking design. Surely you've thought of everything. Pay attention to insulation in the "forehead" of the cab. I was astounded to pull the light panel and find that there was absolutely no insulation behind the headliner. Bringing the van home in July from SMB in Austin we could definitely feel the radiated heat.
We love our Sprinter and are confident that you will as well.
JIM

 

[Ultrasport12]

David,

The Vanessa looks great I wouldn't mind having one equipped almost the same way...

Seems like you did a good job checking the right option boxes...

I think your build will go well mostly because you are intending it to go well already...

I am looking forward to your updates, thanks for sharing your build with us...

Its going to turn out great...


...Jamie

 

[DonSt]

David,
Great looking design. Surely you've thought of everything. Pay attention to insulation in the "forehead" of the cab. I was astounded to pull the light panel and find that there was absolutely no insulation behind the headliner. Bringing the van home in July from SMB in Austin we could definitely feel the radiated heat.
We love our Sprinter and are confident that you will as well.
JIM

Jamie,
I discovered the lack of insulation above the headliner in my Sprinter. It seems that in cold temps below 30degrees, condensation occurs up there with all that airspace and drips out near the top of the windshield. Were you able to insulate that space. If so, what did you use? Thanks.

-don

 

[JayBea-SMB]

Don,
I suppose that the best way to insulate this area would be to remove the headliner first (something that SMB could do to add value). However, I was able to detach the cab headliner from the SMB installed van headliner. I then cut 2 strips of 24" wide Reflectrix to fit the outside portions and one 36" strip for the center. By pushing and pulling (through the light panel opening) I was able to get these strips all the way above the windshield.
This seems to help alot so far but it has been so dry here that I have never experianced the condensation problem that you mentioned.
Good luck,
JIM

 

[llamadave]

SMB will make an overhead cabinet in this area over the front seats. That together with the padding under the cabinet should provide plenty of insulation. Also we will store the insulated window shades in this cabinet.

David

 

[DonSt]

Dave,
I have the forward cabinet that Sportsmobile installed under the cabin headliner as well. And it is stuffed with window curtains, blankets etc.

In my case, I still get condensation up above the stock MBZ headliner. I think that all of that space up there holds whatever humidity is in the outside air as you are using the van during the day. When the outside temperature drops, that moisture clings to the bare metal and starts dripping along the contour of the bare metal ceiling. Here is a pic of the space above the dome light, as you can see there is lot's of space up there.
The problem of course is rust. But a more immediate problem is water dripping on the electronics inside of the dome light assembly (factory alarm, auto windshield wiper control, etc.)

-don

 

[llamadave]

Don,

Thanks, I will discuss with SMB next time I go to Huntington. They are scheduled to start my build in about a week.

David

 

[llamadave]

They started on our van! Windows are in, solar, A/C, and antennas are on the roof. Working on rest of wiring now before the ceiling goes in. I will visit in a couple of days to get photos.

They called me today to say that they can't put the PowerTech diesel generator in my van. It is a dually WB=170" regular Sprinter. It would fit if it were the extended version or not a dually. We checked with PowerTech and they agreed. SMB Indiana has never had anyone who wanted the diesel generator in this model Sprinter so they thought it would work until today. Now we know why Roadtrek does not offer the diesel (they only use duallys with Sprinters). So we will have to go with the propane Onan generator. On the plus side it will be quieter, smaller so less chance in damaging it on curbs and driveways, and costs less. The big down sides are that it will run the air conditioner only about 24 hours on a 40 lb tank of propane and the propane is harder to get filled compared to diesel. So we will have to rely more on the fan when not plugged in.

The other minor change is that they can't put a 110V outlet in the bathroom (even with GFI). Understandable since it would be inside the shower. No problem, we don't really have a need for it.

Good news that they are checking with me on big and small problems. And all the delays in getting started probably means they are going slow to get it right the first time.

David

 

[k9sprinter]

They started on our van! Windows are in, solar, A/C, and antennas are on the roof. Working on rest of wiring now before the ceiling goes in. I will visit in a couple of days to get photos.

They called me today to say that they can't put the PowerTech diesel generator in my van. It is a dually WB=170" regular Sprinter. It would fit if it were the extended version or not a dually. We checked with PowerTech and they agreed. SMB Indiana has never had anyone who wanted the diesel generator in this model Sprinter so they thought it would work until today. Now we know why Roadtrek does not offer the diesel (they only use duallys with Sprinters). So we will have to go with the propane Onan generator. On the plus side it will be quieter, smaller so less chance in damaging it on curbs and driveways, and costs less. The big down sides are that it will run the air conditioner only about 24 hours on a 40 lb tank of propane and the propane is harder to get filled compared to diesel. So we will have to rely more on the fan when not plugged in.

The other minor change is that they can't put a 110V outlet in the bathroom (even with GFI). Understandable since it would be inside the shower. No problem, we don't really have a need for it.

Good news that they are checking with me on big and small problems. And all the delays in getting started probably means they are going slow to get it right the first time.

David

Texas installs the Powertec on 170 duallys
ALL THE TIME, even on 140 and 158 dually wheel bases. Are you having something else installed that's in the way?

 

[k9sprinter]

PS..... I looked at your factory options, the only thing that I see that might blocking the install of the powertec in the 170, is QA2, which is part of the factory HD hitch(7500lbs) maybe the cross member is taking up the space. I have a oem hitch, that was installed by sportsmobile. 170 ext cannot get the HD hitch, only the 5000lb.... I know Powertec don't know their equipment as well as they should......I called them for help on my 1st oil change. The manual said to use one type of oil, the online manual had a different oil, and when I called for Tec help, the Tec told me over the phone that they don't use either !!! But the generator is fantastic!!! We lost power at the house during Sandy, I ran it for close to 2 weeks non stop, to power the house. It would run for almost 4 days before I fueled up(not letting it go below 1/4 tank

 

[llamadave]

Yes, I have the factory 7500 lb hitch. Chad at SMB told me that to install the PowerTech generator they would have to cut one of the framing members (I assume for the van, not the hitch) and this would void the MBz warranty.

I will drive to Huntington tomorrow and will report back with photos.

David

 

[DonSt]

Dave,
Congrats on getting your build started. Reading your earlier posts shows that you have thought everything through.
I think you will be happier with a more quiet generator. Most camp sites that my wife and I go to don't usually have lots of space around them and running a loud generator can be annoying to others. Not to mention the diesel fumes which will also drift into neighboring campsites. Not too particularly appetizing as you and others around you are cooking dinner.
Maybe others can comment on the RV diesel generators but the ones that I have been around have a lower pitch, but I could hear them from far away.
The stock Onan makes less noise than the diesel and there are mods on the web that you can do to make it even more quiet. (addition of exhaust resonator, and spark arrestor)
I'm sure you will be happy when it's done. I'm interested in the screen door and plumbing mods that you talked about doing yourself in an earlier post, as I can see that they are worthwhile projects that others (including myself) will want to copy.

-don

 

[llamadave]

I think you will be happier with a more quiet generator. Most camp sites that my wife and I go to don't usually have lots of space around them and running a loud generator can be annoying to others. Not to mention the diesel fumes which will also drift into neighboring campsites. Not too particularly appetizing as you and others around you are cooking dinner.
-don

Thanks Don, I agree quieter is better. In our previous big rig we had a 7.5 kw Onan Diesel and it was wonderful, just hummed along and we would even forget it was going. When in campgrounds we will usually be plugged in so the noise is not an issue. When on the road, in truck stops, and in rest areas I think the diesel will be about the same annoyance as the semi's with their engines going. When in remote locations away from other campers we will run it while we are hiking to charge the batteries and at night only if the heat is unbearable and the fan doesn't help. The trouble with the propane generator when in the wilderness it is no help when it runs out of fuel after 24 hours use. The diesel will run 100 hours at 75% load on a full tank (20 out of 26 gal from full to 1/4 full) and diesel is easier to find.

David

 

[DonSt]

I see your point. Out here in California, the majority of state campgrounds do not have power or dumps at the campsites.

-don

 

[k9sprinter]

I think you will be happier with a more quiet generator. Most camp sites that my wife and I go to don't usually have lots of space around them and running a loud generator can be annoying to others. Not to mention the diesel fumes which will also drift into neighboring campsites. Not too particularly appetizing as you and others around you are cooking dinner.
-don

The trouble with the propane generator when in the wilderness it is no help when it runs out of fuel after 24 hours use. The diesel will run 100 hours at 75% load on a full tank (20 out of 26 gal from full to 1/4 full) and diesel is easier to find.

David

And for the few times your gonna need a extended stay,,,,,, its pretty easy to carry a few 5gal containers of diesel, and your set for at least a week

 

[llamadave]

I see your point. Out here in California, the majority of state campgrounds do not have power or dumps at the campsites.

-don

Don, do these campgrounds without electric allow generators during the day (to charge batteries)?

David

 

[DonSt]

I see your point. Out here in California, the majority of state campgrounds do not have power or dumps at the campsites.

-don

Don, do these campgrounds without electric allow generators during the day (to charge batteries)?

David

Yes, they do.