Our new SMB...

[tomesd]

We finally made it home with the Magicbus- over 7 months worth of planning, saving, mind changing, and headaches! We took possession in Vegas and drove it to Jefferson City, MO seeing some sights along the way. Everything turned out absolutely perfect! Jeff at SMB West, Josh the transporter, Alan, John, Dave at Aluminess, Rob and Randy the sound guys were fantastic! The Raingler netting in the rear turned out great making the rear extremely useful and modular.

Some specs:

6.0 PSD, modified RB 13 in EB
front/rear ARB lockers
Rear free float
3.8 gearing in the transfer case
extreme on board air
leather with heated seats/lumbar support, Leather dinette
solar panels x2
power PH
amsoil
Hella TPMS
Kenwood with GPS, 15" flat screen, 5.1 surround, CB
Full insulation with sound deadening
Rear Firestone air bags
2000W inverter
propane heater, espar hot water heater, Starcool air conditioner
26 gal fresh water
Aluminess rack with solar panels, solid deck in rear, rollers for kayaks/canoes, golights x2, front/rear bumpers
ATX artillery 18's with Nitto trail grapplers 35x12.5x18

Here's some pics:

http://sportsmobileforum.com/gallery/images/upload/82b8bfa3a7c8496fa1ea7e6ffc8a9604.jpg
http://sportsmobileforum.com/gallery/images/upload/70a87bf9d1705ede0389c5971921c544.jpg
http://sportsmobileforum.com/gallery/images/upload/9c2fa8cb1a927a4cd08c6f2335f899e3.jpg
http://sportsmobileforum.com/gallery/images/upload/fcd943c83248ff278f91a73f508e668d.jpg
My beautiful wife...
http://sportsmobileforum.com/gallery/images/upload/f1a75c8848ab6f38058882a06e7c0134.jpg
http://sportsmobileforum.com/gallery/images/upload/85128bda17ea213e23d9dce9dfd78451.jpg
http://sportsmobileforum.com/gallery/images/upload/7f6e9586168c8f1758bfb84988ce28bc.jpg
http://sportsmobileforum.com/gallery/images/upload/4a03c9d2db49a97f528b3d07aaf408ce.jpg
http://sportsmobileforum.com/gallery/images/upload/03ae4de2b5ba5773c3336a804f282b5d.jpg
http://sportsmobileforum.com/gallery/images/upload/3db5e7cac7958f430872e905cee3a1c4.jpg
http://sportsmobileforum.com/gallery/images/upload/42dc38c83d8003e189c9440c86a974e3.jpg
http://sportsmobileforum.com/gallery/images/upload/8326a6cc82a7ce5c731a3dd25ff1be96.jpg
http://sportsmobileforum.com/gallery/images/upload/9796fc4132ba556ecb8890392a2ab915.jpg


We didn't get into anything crazy this trip but used it as a getting to know you trip. We couldn't be happier- Thanks to SMB!!

[HMR]

Very cool! That thing has "Adventure" written all over it. The netting in the rear looks like a great idea.

[tomesd]

Thanks, my wife is a MTB'er and wanted space in the rear for a couple of her bikes so we came up with the removable Raingler netting for storage. I works out perfectly!

[dsw4x4]

tomesd,
Congratulations on your new van. It turned out really sharp. I like it when people modify the layouts to fit their own needs.
Derek

[adventureduo]

Looks good! We miss ours. Do you have any close ups of the porch light? Looks like they changed that to a different style now? Maybe LED?

[ujoint]

What a beauty!!!!

[tomesd]

Looks good! We miss ours. Do you have any close ups of the porch light? Looks like they changed that to a different style now? Maybe LED?

I don't have any now but I'll snap one for you here in a few. It was a brand new option. It is LED and its motion sensing as well. A neat security aid.

[tomesd]

Here's that pic- very sunny out but...

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc177/gassyinmo/iphone090.jpg

[RocKrawler]

Looks like a fairly affordable accessory to retrofit onto the DIY units: http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-lights/motion-security-light.htm

[tomesd]

Looks like a fairly affordable accessory to retrofit onto the DIY units: http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-lights/motion-security-light.htm

Sure does- I think SMB quoted ~$150 for it with the LED. That's a good price in the link.

[RocKrawler]

Do you have a dimension on the case of the light & how far it protrudes out from the mounting surface?

[ThomD]

Do you have a dimension on the case of the light & how far it protrudes out from the mounting surface?

Full product specs are here (http://www.starlightsinc.com/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=11&idcategory=)

[dsw4x4]

I have these lights for sale through Colorado Camper Van for 85.99 halogen and 100 for led version. Someday I will have an on line catalog/store but until then you just have to call me and talk to a real person!
http://coloradocampervan.com/index.php?p=1_16_Van-accessories
Derek

[RocKrawler]

Full product specs are here (http://www.starlightsinc.com/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=11&idcategory=)

Thanks - found that page but missed the spec download button :victory:

[Hill, Bill E.]

Nice SMB!!

A 'motion sensing porch light':Wow1: That's pretty trick!:coffeedrink:

[jammyauto]

Here's a source in Goleta Ca.
http://www.starlightsinc.com/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=11&idcategory=4

[AxeAngel]

Gorgeous.

I can't stop drooling.

-Sam

[tomesd]

Thanks a lot- we're sure proud of it!

[CSG]

Congratulations, great van! I think SMB must be one of the best solutions for people who want to get off the road a bit and to more remote places with a rig they can design themselves. Not too many options out there compete with a well-designed SMB for one or two people.

BTW, it's great your wife is so into it and not from namby-pamby land!

[drbandkgb]

THis thing is wicked...

[shawn_nj]

Wow, congrats on the ultimate van setup! Does that aluminess rear bumper obstruct the rear doors from opening all the way? Been eyeing one up, but being I use my van as a hauler I can't limit the rear doors. Thanks in advance for any info on them!

[tomesd]

The swing arms on the bumper swing out ~120 degrees and allow the van doors to open almost as far. It doesn't restrict anything for our uses.

[scotter]

Absolutely Beautiful Van :drool:

I love your configuation.

[ChuckB]

wow that thing is sweet!

[tomesd]

Thanks! Ran errands in it today and at very place there were 3 or 4 people walking around it and asking tons of question- it definitely draws attention. I'm kinda glad I added all the security and tracking stuff just in case.

[Adventurerider]

Tomesd,

Who made the nets in the rear, (great Idea, tell your wife she came up with a good one!!!) and when you finally settled on a design how long did it take to get your van? So how long once they started working on it to delivery?

I'm really interested in your net Idea, that may work out great for what we are trying to achieve, so any extra info would be greatly appreciated!!!

Many happy miles and adventures to come,

Advrider!!!

[tomesd]

Tomesd,

Who made the nets in the rear, (great Idea, tell your wife she came up with a good one!!!) and when you finally settled on a design how long did it take to get your van? So how long once they started working on it to delivery?

I'm really interested in your net Idea, that may work out great for what we are trying to achieve, so any extra info would be greatly appreciated!!!

Many happy miles and adventures to come,

Advrider!!!

The nets are made by a company called "Raingler". We are extremely happy with how they turned out- so much so that I've called them with plans for additional netting in other areas of our SMB. They make cargo netting for jeeps mostly but can do custom stuff obviously. Very high quality and well made.

It took SMB west 14 weeks total from start to finish. They were supposed to start 4/13 but they actually started around the second week of may. The delivery date evolved into 8/2 and we took possession 8/3 in Vegas. We couldn't be happier with the way it turned out though.

[rctr03]

congrats!!!


jimmy

[jeepn0811]

I'm a Jeep guy, but your van is probably the baddest truck I've ever seen. Enjoy it often!

[BajaBus]

100% badass. I can't even imagine how excited you guys must have been to pick her up. :Wow1:

[tomesd]

Thanks guys- yep, Sportsmobile did an awesome job putting this thing together. Jeff told me during the walk thru that even the workers as they were building it were saying how great it was going to be (I suspect they tell ALL their customers this but...!)

I've put some molle panels on the rear walls and behind the AC cabinet to hang bags, pouches, etc- worked out nice. Again, thanks for the compliments.

[tomesd]

We added molle panels in the rear. This will allow us to attach pouches, bags etc for added storage- figured I'd share.
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc177/gassyinmo/1aaa2f8a.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc177/gassyinmo/3115c27e.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc177/gassyinmo/5cf4f383.jpg

[Scott Brady]

Awesome machine!

Will you guys be at the 24 hours of Old Pueblo race in Tucson? We are going to have an entire "overland" section for the event.

[tomesd]

Awesome machine!

Will you guys be at the 24 hours of Old Pueblo race in Tucson? We are going to have an entire "overland" section for the event.

We'll be in that area for a Wilderness medicine conference in Sante Fe early June- other than that...

[theicecreampeople]

thats one sweet van ..

[alaskaboy]

IF you can divulge, what was the security and tracking you mentioned?

Considering that "plug" featured in Overland Journal vs. active system.

Thanks.

[tomesd]

I've got the normal redundant security systems in place and a Rocky Mountain GPS tracking device installed. If they get it in, then started, then rolling I can track where it's at at all times.

[shawner2713]

Wow. That is sweet! I wish I could afford one of those...

And you are in Jeff City?? I'm in columbia- I'd love to come check it out sometime for the heck of it. or maybe if you take any local "expedition" trips with it I could tag along in my 4runner and oogle over it the whole time. or maybe come down to do some mountain biking with you and your wife at binder or something.

[tomesd]

Wow. That is sweet! I wish I could afford one of those...

And you are in Jeff City?? I'm in columbia- I'd love to come check it out sometime for the heck of it. or maybe if you take any local "expedition" trips with it I could tag along in my 4runner and oogle over it the whole time. or maybe come down to do some mountain biking with you and your wife at binder or something.

Come down anytime- we'll set it up one of these days.

[DrScott]

Where did you source the molle panels? Very nice setup.

[tomesd]

They were made by "Raingler nets and grips"- I sent them the measurements and they made the panels. They are the company that made all the netting in the back of our rig. Great stuff...

[ltngaines]

Thats what its all about. Enjoy.....

[tomesd]

We're getting ready to take a tour of Colorado coming up- thinking about taking our SMB over Mosquito pass to Leadville. Anyone taken theirs over it? Is it even clear yet?

[trailsurfer]

You can make that pass fine, no problem. I have heard that it is open.

[Chris]

Have FUN!!

:coffeedrink:

[mph]

Camping at the bottom of Mosquito Pass in the mining district of Leadville is a blast! Also, check out the mining museum in Leadville. Very nice!

[tomesd]

Thanks- we'll take it then. We were concerned about the switchbacks but we'll just give it a go! Can't wait (to get thru Kansas)!

[Overland Hadley]

Thanks- we'll take it then. We were concerned about the switchbacks but we'll just give it a go! Can't wait (to get thru Kansas)!

Be sure to share some photos with us when you get back.

As for Kansas, I know your pain. But it is better than I-80 through Nebraska.

[ACFaulk]

Thats awesome! Enjoy!