Newbie researching what to buy

[Sarahsmith-SMB]

Hey there. I’m Sarah. Middle aged, married to a very handy guy, and looking to buy a van that can sleep 3. I want a van because I’m a bad driver and don’t want anything bigger.

We don’t want to spend $70k on a new van. We don’t plan on using it enough to warrant spending that much. Our plan is to take it out for a week each summer and some long weekends throughout the year. Most likely at a campsite. But who knows if always at a campsite.

While my husband is more than capable of building one, a neck injury prevents him from doing that much manual labor.

So I would love to find something for $20k-30k. A van with a pop top so if we take our 20 yr old daughter along she’ll have a place to sleep.

I was so excited when I learned of these older vans. They have a backseat that folds out to a bed, a small kitchen, and a pop top so you can stand in the van and it’s an extra sleeping area. Like the pleasure way traverse. But I quickly became confused.

Is the older sportsmobile made by pleasure way?
What is the difference between the traverse and sportsmobile?
Are the traverse Or sportsmobile regular vans that a company coverts?
Are there others that will meet my needs?

Thanks ahead of time for any info you can give a complete newbie!

 

[Twoxentrix]

Best knowledge is gained by conducting some research so you have a visual of the differences - options on each vary based on what the initial owner felt important & budget.
You can start with these, but there are many sites where you'll find used ones listed (Craigs list, Facebook, RVT, Ebay, etc)
https://www.rvtrader.com/Sportsmobile/rvs-for-sale?make=Sportsmobile|4906233

https://www.rvtrader.com/Pleasure-W...Pleasure Way|2290498&model=TRAVERSE|764847305

Your budget limits you since many of these go quickly and for substantially more...deals come up periodically so you'd have to have the funding in place to be a contender.
Good luck on your search.

 

[N147JK]

Is the older sportsmobile made by pleasure way? - No, they are not the same company.

What is the difference between the traverse and sportsmobile? - The Traverse is just one particular model made by Pleasure-Way that happens to have a canvas top that is in some ways similar to the one used by Sportsmobile. Pleasure-Way did (and still does) make many other models.

Are the traverse Or sportsmobile regular vans that a company coverts? - Yes, these are all regular, factory-built vans that these companies take in and convert into campers.

Are there others that will meet my needs? - Yes, the number of camper van models probably number in the hundreds. However, there aren't very many that have the "pop-top" you made mention of. Most are made with rigid fiberglass high tops.

 

[AndrewInSeattle]

Your confusion is understandable, "Sportsmobile" is a loaded term. Formally, it's the name of a specific company that has been upfitting stock vans into camper vans for several decades, but since it was one of the first and most successful, it sometimes gets used as a generic term for all upfitted camper vans, especially on this forum.

Regarding your budget, your timing is unfortunate. Between the #vanlife craze (is it winding down yet? maybe a little?) and the supply chain shortages in new and used vehicles, van prices are extremely high. Due to the constrained space, every van design involves trade-offs and prioritizations. From your description, my first question is how important sleeping 3 really is? If a 3rd person is a rarity, you might consider hauling a tent or rigging up a board across the front seats as a significant savings.

Are there others that will meet my needs?

You might consider a truck camper. They tend to be much cheaper than vans with similar amenities, about as easy to drive, and easier to get. The main downside is the separation between driving space and living space instead of one combined area.

 

[landcruisin-SMB]

In that price range you might get lucky and score a 2wd Ford with a sportsmobile interior. Otherwise look for one of the Dodges, they don't hold value as well.

Other notable pop top options: Tiger Astro, Vanagon. Or just start trolling for an older class B.

For any of the options in that price range, being handy is pretty much mandatory.

 

[BCam]

It's not clear to me whether you should be looking for a Sportsmobile, Sportsmobile clone, a Class B RV, or a minimal conversion of some sort. Your post doesn't sound like you're the adventurous, off-the-beaten-path type that typifies the Sportsmobile crowd.

Keep in mind that, the more extensive the "build", the less useful the van will be for around town use, hauling stuff, people, etc.

I'm not recommending any of these but here are examples of some of the non-Sportsmobile options:

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/sacramento-selling-1997-camper-van/7442241495.html

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/ctd/d/sacramento-1997-gmc-savana-camper-van/7437709398.html

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/mather-for-sale-98-dodge-ram-3500/7431256895.html

 

[motovan_mn]

Welp, here you go!
https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/f...-way-traverse-new-motor-29877.html#post307331

@OP you might mention where you're located. Might help generate more relevant leads for you

 

[86Scotty]

Welp, here you go!
https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/f...-way-traverse-new-motor-29877.html#post307331

@OP you might mention where you're located. Might help generate more relevant leads for you

Yep, I saw that too and thought of the OP, perfect candidate.

 

[Sarahsmith-SMB]

I’m in New York.

 

[Sarahsmith-SMB]

I would not call myself adventurous. But I don’t mind camping in a tent. Although that’s a once a year event for me. I thought if I had a van I’d be more likely to camp because of the convenience of it. I have the summers off and figured I might plant myself at some campsite with a lake or ocean for a few weeks. And then take a few long weekends. But the comment that we’d need to be handy has me a bit scared. Not that my husband couldn’t fix things, but if things are breaking routinely it might take all the fun out it. Thanks for all the feedback. I have lots to think about and consider.

 

[ctb]

East coast camping (as Two can attest and others out there) is (mostly) different bc you have to stay in campgrounds most of the time, State, NP, FS etc...so off roading or a road that would require 4x4 are rare...I would go with Two's suggestion of the Pleaser-Way route...seems like quite a few lower mile, in your price range possibilities...
if you don't camp much, the amenities of bathroom/shower, stove/range, AC/Furnace, fridge will definitely make you use it more...I don't know how big passenger #3 is, but I am pretty sure they sell an aftermarket bed (single) that stretches across the front seats...
As you move out west to camp explore, there are plenty more campgrounds and places to (maybe/eventually)start your boondocking adventures(no campgrounds, just open-legal places out in the boonies/nowhere)...so my vote is a used Pleasure-way

 

[MarinBlaine]

Sarah, I think you will be fine with your budget if you allow yourself to the top end of your stated budget. We have a 2-wheel-drive Sportsmobile and it takes us most everywhere we want to go. You can get a solid example for under $30k if you’re patient. Use searchtempest.com to search all the Craigslist sites from one place, and also RVTrader. And this site in the classifieds, as members post nice deals they see elsewhere. Pleasureway vans are also very nice…just maybe a bit more nice vs rugged…which sounds like it will be fine for you. If you’re patient you will find something…took us a couple of years to find the right one. Good luck and welcome!

 

[marret]

East coast camping does include some dispersed/boondocking options in national forests (NF) and possibly state forests. More campground availability as stated. Humidity does become an issue in the summer so elevation helps.

There are four wheel drive opportunities, but one can access many/most NF dispersed locations and all campgrounds in 2wd although wet weather could result in mud. Some dispersed locations might require 4x4. I spent some time in a George Washington NF dispersed site recently. There were 4 sites, 4wd not required although clearance would help.

I would say all RVs will require maintenance over time, how much depends on many factors like age, use, complexity, previous maintenance, etc.

 

[TomsBeast]

Schedule to rent one locally for $300/day, try it out for 3 days, experience the whole mini-RV camping thing. It'll be the best money you ever spent.


Then sit down and evaluate to thought of ownership. I'll tell you, owning an RV of any size is like owning an older second house. A house with an engine, transmission, brakes and tires to maintain, registration and insurance and maybe storage to pay, then plumbing and appliances, a roof, that you slowly rattle apart while driving down the road.



If you don't absolutely love the heck out of the camping out in nature part, You'll hate the cost and hassle of upkeep.


If the 'juice isn't worth the squeeze', you can always rent once or twice a year

 

[Sarahsmith-SMB]

Thank you for all the great advise. It’s surely going to help me with my decision. Much appreciation to you all for being so helpful.

 

[Lilnuts2]

Sarah, if a 4wd isn't necessary, look at ads in Florida. There are many retirees down there had exactly the same desires in a van. Then they find out they just don't (or can't) use it as much as they thought they would and they sell them fairly reasonably with little rust.