Sportsmobile options, split from E-Trek topic

[Mike]

Originally Posted by booster

He also drove it a lot in a short time.

Maybe. Back and forth a few times from Phoenix to New Jersey or Pennsylvania?
I didn't see it say anywhere he presented a brand new chassis to Sportsmobile to convert. He calls it a 2011, but is that the chassis date or the conversion date? It may have been a "gently" used chassis, in good shape, and with relatively low mileage, perhaps a repo from a fleet or a contractor/courier business. The wheels/covers look pretty pedestrian in the picture from RVTrader, like the type I'd expect to find on a base model.

That's another plus for using Sportsmobile to build the van of your dreams. The starting point doesn't necessarily have to be brand new, if I understand their process and it's requirements and limitations. If I could find a gently used Sprinter chassis, and then spend a few bucks on it to do what that ad suggests has been done to that 2011 conversion, it might be worth the effort to start looking around for one.

btw, I'm working on what he had for lunch.......

[Graydon]

I just googled my name to see what potential employers might find and came across this thread. To answer your burning questions a year later:

1. My phone number was a cell from PA, and I deployed from AZ which is where I left the RV.
2. I bought the 2011 Sprinter new and did the spray foam myself. I needed it for staying in -20F temps, but Sportsmobile refused to do spray foam.
3. I sold it because I lived in it for 2 years and kind of got sick of it, and I was deploying overseas for a year & prefered having the money.
4. It had a lot of miles because I crisscrossed 48 states and several provinces during my 2 year adventure.
5. It sold 4 months after the last post, there was plenty of time to go see it!
6. It's scary how much you guys were able to find out about me!
7. I had chili for lunch.

[markopolo]

Thanks for the update Graydon. It's interesting to know the whole story.

Would you get another Class B? Would you go the DIY route again? Any advice for others considering DIY?

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Graydon

I just googled my name to see what potential employers might find and came across this thread. To answer your burning questions a year later:

1. My phone number was a cell from PA, and I deployed from AZ which is where I left the RV.
2. I bought the 2011 Sprinter new and did the spray foam myself. I needed it for staying in -20F temps, but Sportsmobile refused to do spray foam.
3. I sold it because I lived in it for 2 years and kind of got sick of it, and I was deploying overseas for a year & prefered having the money.
4. It had a lot of miles because I crisscrossed 48 states and several provinces during my 2 year adventure.
5. It sold 4 months after the last post, there was plenty of time to go see it!
6. It's scary how much you guys were able to find out about me!
7. I had chili for lunch.

Hi Graydon.
Mea culpa on the internet sleuthing bit.
It is amazing what you can determine from google and a few well chosen keywords. Like a name?
Shame you had to let it go, as it was outfitted really well for some effortless, lengthy, off grid camping, which is a popular choice for a few of us on here.
Did you design it yourself, or did you get some input from elsewhere. I was impressed by your equipment choices. If you did it solo, you could always get work as a design consultant for SMB, or the like, after your tours are over.
BTW, was the chili canned or home made? I couldn't dig that part up.

[mlts22]

As for Sportsmobile, I have not heard much since I went to see them back in January. I wonder how they are going on the ProMaster upfit, as well as how the Transit is coming. For my needs, the core floor plan would be a gasser, high roof Transit with the EB154S floor plan (the one that is similar to the RT RS Adventurous and most "B"s.) I have dreams of a false floor, but realistically, that would take too much engineering for a one-off, so it would likely mean larger overhead storage compartments, maybe even a spot for a flip-down TV like in the RT CS Adventurous model. The higher roof would allow me to have more space for a closet with a pull-out rod to stash renaissance faire stuff like leather armor and such, as well as better positioning of a tall, narrow absorption fridge (similar to what the Winnebago ERA has.)

For the gasser, it would be the usual "B" with an Onan generator teeing from the fuel tank. Other customization work would be an EMS, a Magnum Energy converter/PSW inverter (if room, the hybrid model, if not, the 1000 watt "dogbone" model), a non-obvious spot for a laptop strongbox (as I discovered that newer MacBooks don't have a lock slot.) From there, Dometic/SMEV has sink/stove combined cooktops (the type that have the glass cover.) A minor, but useful thing I want are the push-to-lock fasteners that Airstream and Winnebago use.

One thing I wonder about is a feature found in the Airstream Grand Tour EXT... turn around the driver's seat, flip out a desk, and one has a mini office ready to go. That would be extremely useful, if something similar could be designed by SMB. This would allow me a lot more usable space.

A diesel model would allow for more customizations and a propane-free rig... but won't be happening at this stage.

[wabbit]

Originally Posted by mlts22

One thing I wonder about is a feature found in the Airstream Grand Tour EXT... turn around the driver's seat, flip out a desk, and one has a mini office ready to go. That would be extremely useful, if something similar could be designed by SMB. This would allow me a lot more usable space.

The Roadtrek Agile has a pull-out table (small) available to the driver's seat. It pulls out of a drawer in the cabinetry behind the seat. I find it useful for a laptop.

[mlts22]

That is interesting... what year agile?

[Davydd]

I think it is on all Agiles. It is not that convenient as you can sit directly straight up to it from the driver's seat to use it with a computer.