Getting back to the original topic:
We bought our van used and are very happy with it the way it came. But, if I were to change things or could have designed it myself, here are the things I don't need:
1) Stove. We never cook inside the van. We carry a portable stove that fits perfectly under the bed in the van.
2) Air conditioning. Although we live in Las Vegas the air conditioning can only be used when we are plugged in to land power. Since we never camp in sites with electrical hookups, we've never used the air conditioning. But we have used the little white fan that so many others don't seem to like.
3) Manual lift for penthouse. Sure wish we had the power hoist. The wife cannot lift up the top alone.
4) Speaking of the top, we wish it was the color of the van instead of white. Whose idea was that?
5) The large solar panel is centered on the roof lengthwise. This makes it impossible to add a rack or basket. Again, whose idea was that? It could have been put on the roof up front and cross-wise, which would have left room for our two kayaks behind it.
6) Refrigerator. We used it once and it rattled so much at night we stopped using it. We carry a cooler instead; which takes up too much room in the van. I've read all of the information on this website about how to make the fridge quieter, but I am far too unskilled to attempt a project like that. But I'd be happy to pay someone to do it if I knew the fridge would be quiet enough to actually use.
That's about all. We really love our Sportsmobile. But I wonder whether Sportsmobile reads these logs in order to improve their product. If I was paying $100K for a new van I would expect it to be flawless and built to the highest quality standards. I wouldn't expect to have to upgrade anything to make it better.
whether I use it much or not, qualifies as an item to classify my rig as an RV because I have no propane cook top. An insurance issue I believe.
