Purchasing a SMB out-of-state?

[dcoblentz]

Looking for advice and lessons-learned about purchasing a sportsmoblile (used) from out-of-state. What are the logistics of insurance/temp registration? Are remote vehicle inspections worthwhile/useful? Any “gotchas” to look out for?
It seems like a leap of faith not for the faint of heart!
Tell me your good (and bad) stories!
Thanks!

 

[doublevan2]

Yup - lotta "gotchas" out there - consider researching a local garage in the area of the subject vehicle - and pay for an inspection before plopping down bigger bucks. Before I bought my 3rd van I was looking at a used Chinook in Ohio. I drove there and paid a local garage like $600 for a written engine/compression inspection - all was good - but finally decided on a van out in Utah (VERY) low mileage - and so far all has gone well - no major surprises - be sure to do your own inspection too if you are qualified - or spend the bucks !

 

[BrianW.]

Over the years I've looked at a few vans for sale locally at the request of other forum members, and even did a facetime walk-around for one. Many members are likely happy to do something similar. I just looked at it for general condition and red flags, though, not a mechanical inspection. For any $$$ purchase like this I'd buy a plane ticket and go to buy in person. Worth the small incremental cost IMO.

 

[doublevan2]

I agree with BrianW 100 % !

 

[Twoxentrix]

I'd also suggest making the trip after you've engaged in thorough conversation(s) with the owner, lots of Pic's & even a face time as BrianW suggested.
It's a big purchase and you'll want to make sure everything meets YOUR expectations...so I'll endorse having a mechanical inspection completed to help alleviate potential '$urprises'.
I ended out looking at 5 (flew to Colorado 2x, Florida, and Utah before purchasing mine out of Napa California), and It's amazing how different each rides - you'll also learn a lot through the comparison(s).

Other than the obvious 'testing' of each appliance to confirm normal operation, IMO these warrant serious consideration:
***Inspect the roof carefully with any Sportsmobile; looking for any rust developing in the drip rails, front corners of the windshield, and where the canvas meets the roof.
***any evidence of water intrusion inside the van?
***Any evidence of fluid leaks?
***If 4x4, go through the process of exercising ALL components (even the lockers).
***Can the owner provide documentation the fluids & filters were changed regularly?
***Would be very useful if the owner has the original Sportsmobile Binders to pass on to you.
Call Progressive or Good Sam to discuss Insurance ahead of time. If the Van you're interested in has a RVIA sticker then securing Insurance will likely be easier (most Sportsmbiles will have the RVIA sticker, and usually located just below the rear tail light)

EDIT: some of the older RVIA stickers (due to age) may be illegible when you try reading the RVIA number, but you can acquire a replacement - I contacted Sportsmobile and they were able to issue me a new sticker for a nominal fee.

 

[dbhost]

I bought mine from a seller in Florida and had a remote inspection so I more or less knew what I was getting into. Mine had the roof rust previously repaired. Needs to be done again though... (not super well done repairs...). Mechanically sound enough. I wanted to refresh things. I KNEW the trans was iffy but that was figured into the price... I was hoping to make it to the 4x4 conversion before I had to have the trans done. No such luck...

 

[larrie-SMB]

We bought ours from the an owner in the Georgia. I flew out to Atlanta and the owner picked me up and took me to the van. After inspection I drove it home on our regular auto insurance. In our case the van was originally bought and converted by forum member 86Scotty and we had seen it at a meet and greet so we knew what we were getting.

Another thing to consider is the money transfer. Does the seller want a personal check, cashiers check, money order, wire transfer, Zelle, PayPal or cash. I would be interested in how others have handled the money transfer as well.

 

[BrianW.]

I would never take a personal check, cashiers check, or money order. All can be easily faked or manipulated. As a seller and a buyer I've done cash or wire transfer while both buyer and seller are in the bank and get confirmation.

 

[86Scotty]

Shop sellers, not just vehicles. Seller responsive? Seller a good communicator? Seller sound like a realistic human being or a Karen? Don't just look at the vehicle. There is ALWAYS another one.

Price a RT plane/travel ticket and/or be fully prepared to walk away. Remember that if it was not meant to be it was not meant to be. I prefer one-way car rentals but over a few hundred miles this becomes an issue. I've flown countless times and taken leaps of faith on vehicle purchases, many of them campers, SMB's and random other vans.

Be realistic yourself. If you are unable/unwilling to spend a little money and time going to check one out for yourself then it likely wasn't meant to be.

Never impulse buy before sleeping on it, unless you truly know what you're doing. The second one of those comes from not doing the first a few times and dealing with regrets and bad experiences.

I have driven many, many vehicles across the country with old plates, no plates, etc. I'm fine with a signed title and/or bill of sale and valid insurance on the vehicle. I've never had a problem. I obey the law bringing a vehicle home.

Do your Google sleuthing. Is the seller on this forum? Can you find out anything about the vehicle from Quigley (if so equipped), Agile or one of the SMB locations? Can you run a Carfax? I have absolutely no problem learning about sellers by looking at their social media.

Howbout the pics in the background? Do they keep their **** together? Sorry to sound like a jerk but if the pics show a junky life then expect a junky SMB. Remember, they lived in it. With their kids. With their pets. With their habits.

Sorry for the novel. I've just done this a couple hundred times. I'll leave you with one last tidbit. Find a mentor, especially if you are not keen on vehicles, specifically older Ford vans. If this is an E-series SMB it's at least 10+ years old and maybe 30. Private messages are your friend. Don't tell the world what you've found on this forum, people here can and will help you privately.

 

[batgirls]

Hi,

All the points everyone makes above are 100% on point, especially paying for an inspection, responsiveness of the seller, and flying out with a round-trip ticket and being willing to walk away. Oh, signs of water intrusion,too (puffy MDF, wrinkled pseudo veneer/vinyl surfaces).

On the inspection front, I suggest paying for a mechanic and an RV-shop to inspect it. If it's older, expect a dead/dying house battery, failing water heater and many broken items like convertible couches/ bunks, pulled-out hinges, cracked drawer boxes, broken reading lights … it goes on an on .

On insursance, plates, etc. you have to check the rules in your state and the state where the vehicle is registered. When I picked up our van in New Mexico and moved it to Colorado, I had to go to the DMV in NM (make an appointment wherever you're going!) to get a temporary transit plate and (i think) a title review/release so I didn't have to pay sales tax in NM.

Once in Colorado, I went to the DMV with the NM title, paid the sales tax and got a new CO title and plate.

Make sure the vehicle is re-titled as an RV not a conversion van. If it's a real Sportsmobile it will have been titled (originally) as a Class-B RV. That is key to getting insurance. In CO, Progressive declined to insure the vehicle at all. We ended up with Safeco/Liberty Mutual. If you qualify for USAA, I hear they're the best-est.

Good luck with you hunt!

 

[marret]

Lots of good advice. Some states will issue temp plates/transit plates for vehicles purchased in that state. I have done this twice. Some sellers will let you use the plates on the vehicle and send them back.

Like others here I have done this multiple times for various vehicles including not purchasing and going home.

Never put yourself in a situation where you “have to buy”. The inconvenience up front is a whole lot better than buying a mistake.

 

[quietglow]

All the above is great. If the OP is considering buying from Sportsmobile themselves, I just did that and can provide some insights.