Outfitting a SMB

[Jdkh2001]

Hey I was curious if anyone else out their has had a similiar experience as me. So I have been shopping for major purchase items for my SMB these include,
Roof rack, ladder, bumpers, cargo boxes awning etc..
It seems like when I am able to get in contact with a salesman or an install shop as soon as I start asking questioning about costs and installation it’s the last I hear from them. I’m really getting the impression that thanks to our booming exconomy unless you show up with cash and take the estimate as gospel and be grateful they will even deal with you they won’t also what’s up with Aluminess and their monopoly on products and an 8-12 week delivery time. I would appreciate hearing from our members. The pictures are from me and my bubby Aspen first trip over berthoud pass to Winter Park.

 

[86Scotty]

My take is they are just busy and it's coincidence. I've never had a problem getting a price out of anyone. If you're comfortable doing so post what you're looking at/for here and others can tell you what they paid or at least what they know.

:b5:

 

[boywonder]

what’s up with Aluminess and their monopoly on products and an 8-12 week delivery time. I would appreciate hearing from our members.

The same applies to pop-tops......who's going to spend the time and $$ for tooling and design for something that goes on a vehicle that was discontinued 4 years ago?


....there's a lot that goes into both the Aluminess bumpers/swingarms and pop tops....I'm speaking from experience here; I've transplanted an SMB top and designed and fabricated a rear bumper/swingarm/box setup. At least with tops, we now have at least one alternative...Colorado camper vans...and perhaps another that a few members here have been working on....bumpers..not so much.

 

[opie-SMB]

With the #vanlife craze, all the upfitters and component manufacturers are inundated. The price is the price, the wait is the wait.

Don't like it? No soup for you.

Next!

 

[Jdkh2001]

Sounds like we need some international competition. It’s that way in the building industry as well. To everything turn turn turn there is a season.

 

[Jdkh2001]

I have gotten prices and been treated very professionally by SMB and Aluminess. I just thought it worth checking to see if any of our experts had some input and thankfully they do.

 

[Jdkh2001]

Exactly right - and they ate and drank and made merry since they thought it would never end.

 

[aluminess-SMB]

Thanks for the kind words re: our customer service contacts! We are working very hard at fulfilling orders in a timely manner...we added a second shift some time ago and we have a production facility up and running in Idaho to meet the demand. Thanks again for your interest and patience!

 

[Jdkh2001]

Hey I can leave for Idaho tonite with my son and our ingenuity and tools. I would go to work in the morning and pull 20 hour days to pay for my Aluminess outfitting.

 

[Vanzila]

Likely More Econolines on the Road than any other Modern Vehicle. It s a Huge Market. Discontinued or not. Econolines are still roaming the World in Huge Numbers.

 

[dirtanddogfur]

Not sure about bumpers, boxes (I have aluminess) but plenty of options for roof racks these days.



Just installed a Rhino Rack Pioneer Tray on my E350. Love it so far. The T track makes it easy to make your own mounts, etc. I also used the SMB installed Thule tracks so the install was pretty easy.


Also: I had an issue w a cracked Aluminess bumper from frozen water in the tubes. Customer service was great. I talked to an actual human when I called and they didn't even bat an eye at repairing and repainting it. No charge.

 

[Vanimal]

The same applies to pop-tops......who's going to spend the time and $$ for tooling and design for something that goes on a vehicle that was discontinued 4 years ago?


....there's a lot that goes into both the Aluminess bumpers/swingarms and pop tops....I'm speaking from experience here; I've transplanted an SMB top and designed and fabricated a rear bumper/swingarm/box setup. At least with tops, we now have at least one alternative...Colorado camper vans...and perhaps another that a few members here have been working on....bumpers..not so much.

Agreed on the bumper comment but there are many options! For example my front winch bumper is an F150 winch bumper. I shortened the returns and it pretty much bolted up with small mount and radius trimming on the deck. I paid $125.00 5 years ago. My rear I built from scratch splitting and sectioning a wave runner trailer front storage box for my Baja box. The dbl swing arms latch in the middle, the spare tire carrier combo/ladder dbls as a cradle that swings up into position so I do not have to manhandle the tire up to the mount! My point is there are many products out there that exist that really need little or no modification to fit. The secret is patience and a tape measure!