86Scotty
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2011
- Posts
- 10,588
I finally put a tag on the new-to-me 95 SMB and loaded it up for a quick overnighter. The kids and I went down to Conasauga Lake in N. Georgia where it was a blessed 50+/- degrees in early mid Sept. That just doesn't happen much here. It's about the most remote camping you can find here with about 20 miles of gravel in, and I actually needed 4WD to get there this time.
We snagged a flat spot on the lake. All was good
It's a really pretty and quiet place which is almost impossible to get a motorhome or 5th wheel into, which makes it pure gold for this part of the country. It's a pristine 19 acre lake as well with sweet hiking and fishing
Of course, the SMB got a lot of attention (from the other 10 people there) because SMB's don't exist here
Impressions of the SMB (vs. CCV extended van):
PROS: I love the simplicity. Back it in and pop the top, unless you have an awning, you are really done. Drag out a chair or two maybe.
The lip on the inside of the PH is really great to store stuff while camping.
A Fantastic Fan fits perfect in the front window and hangs from the hooks already there.
Factory curtains are really nice, no big need to store Reflectix unless it's hot out.
This van is incredibly solid and strong and it is dead quiet and rattle free on the road. SMB engineering vs. homebuilt cabinets etc. I'm sure. It has some surface rust underneath which I hate and will be addressing but man it's nice to feel so surefooted and have more clearance. I actually like it better on the road than camping because:
CONS: It is small.
It is high up and not nearly as easy to climb in and out of. I'll be addressing this with steps and a step stool (which I forgot).
It is much darker inside than the CCV van. I guess this is the size of the windows and the lack of a rear PH window, but it's kind of dark and claustrophobic. Colors aren't to blame, they are both gray interiors.
The Suburban furnace is SUPER loud compared to my Atwood. It was a toss up between the two for me when I built my van. I'm glad I chose the Atwood.
Why would SMB put deep pile residential carpet throughout a camper? This is the stupidest thing I've ever seen. It's coming out soon. I hate it. :a7:
Door panels and cabinets must be updated if I keep it. The mid 90's stuff is just subpar to the newer Ford interiors, and the particle board cabinets can't get wet, even once, or they swell up and die.
I'm still undecided about this van vs. my CCV van. It has everything mine doesn't: more power, low miles, 4WD, great paint, factory water and propane system with tanks
And it needs what mine has: newer interior, creature comforts like cupholders, TV, fridge, and room. Oh, did I mention room?
Sheesh. Sorry for the long rambling post :c1:
:b5:
We snagged a flat spot on the lake. All was good
It's a really pretty and quiet place which is almost impossible to get a motorhome or 5th wheel into, which makes it pure gold for this part of the country. It's a pristine 19 acre lake as well with sweet hiking and fishing
Of course, the SMB got a lot of attention (from the other 10 people there) because SMB's don't exist here
Impressions of the SMB (vs. CCV extended van):
PROS: I love the simplicity. Back it in and pop the top, unless you have an awning, you are really done. Drag out a chair or two maybe.
The lip on the inside of the PH is really great to store stuff while camping.
A Fantastic Fan fits perfect in the front window and hangs from the hooks already there.
Factory curtains are really nice, no big need to store Reflectix unless it's hot out.
This van is incredibly solid and strong and it is dead quiet and rattle free on the road. SMB engineering vs. homebuilt cabinets etc. I'm sure. It has some surface rust underneath which I hate and will be addressing but man it's nice to feel so surefooted and have more clearance. I actually like it better on the road than camping because:
CONS: It is small.
It is high up and not nearly as easy to climb in and out of. I'll be addressing this with steps and a step stool (which I forgot).
It is much darker inside than the CCV van. I guess this is the size of the windows and the lack of a rear PH window, but it's kind of dark and claustrophobic. Colors aren't to blame, they are both gray interiors.
The Suburban furnace is SUPER loud compared to my Atwood. It was a toss up between the two for me when I built my van. I'm glad I chose the Atwood.
Why would SMB put deep pile residential carpet throughout a camper? This is the stupidest thing I've ever seen. It's coming out soon. I hate it. :a7:
Door panels and cabinets must be updated if I keep it. The mid 90's stuff is just subpar to the newer Ford interiors, and the particle board cabinets can't get wet, even once, or they swell up and die.
I'm still undecided about this van vs. my CCV van. It has everything mine doesn't: more power, low miles, 4WD, great paint, factory water and propane system with tanks
And it needs what mine has: newer interior, creature comforts like cupholders, TV, fridge, and room. Oh, did I mention room?
Sheesh. Sorry for the long rambling post :c1:
:b5:
