Traditional Baja Vehicle: Sportsmobile

[articulate]

What a sweet machine: Sportsmobile. I saw a bunch of these in Baja and a few on Mainland Mexico. Solid axles, massive steel bumpers, dual spare tires, on-board water, sleeping configurations (often pop-up style campers), etc.

What's the story on these things? It seems to me that they are an extension of RVs in the "rugged" direction. Dear Lord they are all over Baja. The only other vehicle more popular (it seems) has two wheels.

At Guerrero Negro, I ran into the beauty in the attached pictures. Totally intrigued me.
:safari-rig:

[FJ Cruiser]

these are awsome. If I had the extra $$$ I would get one for sure.

[Ursidae69]

They are sweet as hell. I ran into one in Baja also. A gray one, lifted, locked, the whole package, it was an amazing machine. I didn't get any pictures. Just chatted with the owners a while, Ron and Terry from Central CA. We ran into them near La Poza Grande in the mangroves.

[flywgn]

Friends of ours who are also "Baja-oriented" friends just purchased one. They had a 4X4 van with camping mods before, but I believe that this is their first Sportsmobile.

I'll link this thread to them and see if they wish to enter into the dialog.

Allen R

[jeff@work]

Check out the Badger's website www.badgertrek.com . It's a wealth of information on sportsmobiles. Erik posts on here under the name etbadger.

[ujoint]

They are awesome, I get excited every time i see one

[Andrew Walcker]

:drool: :drool: :drool:
Those vans are awesome! Ujointclothing, your rig is pretty incredible also! I enjoyed checking out the build-up on your web-site.

[asteffes]

Note the utter lack of a snorkel. :oops:

[ujoint]

Thanks, getting ready for Mojave rd this weekend!! Can't wait!!

[OverlandZJ]

Note the utter lack of a snorkel. :oops:


:xxrotflma

[jgolden]

What a sweet machine: Sportsmobile. I saw a bunch of these in Baja and a few on Mainland Mexico. Solid axles, massive steel bumpers, dual spare tires, on-board water, sleeping configurations (often pop-up style campers), etc.

What's the story on these things? It seems to me that they are an extension of RVs in the "rugged" direction. Dear Lord they are all over Baja. The only other vehicle more popular (it seems) has two wheels.

At Guerrero Negro, I ran into the beauty in the attached pictures. Totally intrigued me.
:safari-rig:


I love the Sportsmobiles as well!!!! One question......what is the interior layout in the red one like? That's the first "hartop" style I've seen...is there still a loft bed?

[imagodave]

I love the Sportsmobiles as well!!!! One question......what is the interior layout in the red one like? That's the first "hartop" style I've seen...is there still a loft bed?


They are made here in Fresno. I have been to the plant a few times. There are several interior layouts and yes a loft too! Last time i was there they just completed a unit for a National Geographic photo journalist. These units are just awesome. I wish I could afford one.

[articulate]

I love the Sportsmobiles as well!!!! One question......what is the interior layout in the red one like? That's the first "hartop" style I've seen...is there still a loft bed?
I have no clue. I only saw it parked. Of all the Sportsmobiles I've seen the red was very striking, though.

How long has Sportsmobile been around? The van conversion thing just screams 1972 (less the bubble windows). Can you beat these things for visibility, though? I doubt it. I suppose the driver's seat position might be why so many people prefer the car-like position you have in a truck or SUV. But they afford so much living space, which is far better than what you'll get in a 4Runner or Xterra, eh?

Anyway, these things struck me as though they were the "vehicle of choice" for Baja travel - I saw a bunch. Then ol' Nat'l Geographic Adventure mag had a (very strange) article about spring clothing for Baja, and they had used two white Sportsmobiles in the photos.

[blupaddler]

Yeah, what was up with that article? Oddly they went to Picacho del Diablo area. (ask your bro about that one)


Back on track...
There is a member on here, who lives in San Diego ironically, and we got to check out his last summer during a meet-n-greet. Very well built, and thought out. Attention to detail is evident in every detail.
The 4x4 models now come with Dana 60's, Atlas twin stick transfer cases, and a slew of other goodies I can't remember.

That being said, I think they are ideal for Baja. Maybe a little long (Extended Body version), and wide for some of the trails we tend to frequent. But, I would buy one in a heartbeat (I just need the CA real estate market to bounce back ; )

[BajaTaco]

Scott, Stephanie, Sharon and I just had dinner last night with Erik and Amy of Badgertrek fame. Very cool people! Their version of the SM (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=29900&postcount=107) is very striking when you see it in person. What an absolutely killer looking machine. :costumed-smiley-007 There is definitely a benefit to the size and configuration of the vehicle. A nice blend of livibility with trail capability. I led them to a nice little "secret" campsite outside of town after dark, and the approach trail would certainly not lend itself to a typical small RV. Yet they negotiated it with ease, and pretty much had the comforts of an RV when they got to the campsite.

http://www.bajataco.com/badgervisit01.jpg

http://www.bajataco.com/badgervisit02.jpg

[Scenic WonderRunner]

I WANT ONE......................!:friday:




.

[asteffes]

From their website, Sportsmobiles sound like gigantic pieces of junk. Are they all as described?

[Christian P.]

I have started "deconstructing" the interior of my Sportsmobile, for those of you who are interested in seeing the details of the inside. Given mine is 10 years old, but I don't believe they have changed much of the construction method.

More pictures here:

http://1996sportsmobilebuildup.blogspot.com/

I will add more pictures as I progress on this low-budget Sportsmobile project.



Christian

[Christian P.]

From their website, Sportsmobiles sound like gigantic pieces of junk. Are they all as described?

Portion of the issues lay on the 6.0 Powerstroke...which is outside of Sportsmobile control. From what I have read, the 6.0 is not as good as the previous 7.3 diesel.

[BajaTaco]

From their website, Sportsmobiles sound like gigantic pieces of junk. Are they all as described?

Erik has definitely had some issues that needed to be resolved and he has made some vast improvements to the original. He gave me a tour of the van last night at camp (need to finish the tour today) and he has done some really cool stuff to it, and made a lot of improvements. I would consider it a "Badgermobile" more than a "Sportsmobile" now. :D They should hire him as a consultant.

[asteffes]

Portion of the issues lay on the 6.0 Powerstroke...which is outside of Sportsmobile control. From what I have read, the 6.0 is not as good as the previous 7.3 diesel.

I understand the engine is Ford's problem. I'm thinking more about the Sportsmobile bits... the plumbing, electrical, 4x4 conversion, cabinetry, etc., all appear to be of incredibly poor design and execution. They flat-out ignored several things Erik and Amy wanted (and presumably paid) to have included.

[asteffes]

Erik has definitely had some issues that needed to be resolved and he has made some vast improvements to the original. He gave me a tour of the van last night at camp (need to finish the tour today) and he has done some really cool stuff to it, and made a lot of improvements. I would consider it a "Badgermobile" more than a "Sportsmobile" now. :D They should hire him as a consultant.

Right, but considering the pricetag that comes with one of these machines aren't they supposed to be much better without all that extra work?

[BajaTaco]

Right, but considering the pricetag that comes with one of these machines aren't they supposed to be much better without all that extra work?

Absolutely, for the price, they should be. I'm sure Erik would agree with that assertion.

[etbadger]

I suppose I ought to throw in my two cents...

I absolutely love the concept of the Sportsmobile. It has enabled us to live a lifestyle over the last couple years that I didn't even imagine when we first started considering our vagabondish ways 6 or 7 years ago.

From a size perspective we find it about ideal for being small enough to get into very tight places, maneuver in town, and generally take any 4x4 trail we have had the desire to try to date. Conversly it is large enough for us to carry quite a few toys, not feel cramped when the weather is inclement and we are stuck inside, and with the top up it is absolutely roomy.

On the construction side I do have my fair share of beefs, which are pretty well documented on our web-site, and I won't reiterate here. My feeling is that the quality of execution on those great ideas suffers some on both the engineering side and the actual construction. I cannot say how many of the issues we have encountered are unique to our van, and which ones are more universal. I do know that we use the van much more than their average customer, and are thus bound to run into issues more often and sooner. We also take full advantage of the 4x4 system while many owners I believe just have it as an insurance policy for snowy roads or whatever.

I have heard back from a few folks who purchased Sportsmobiles after reading our site, and made requests to the company based on our information. They were happy with what they got in the end, so experiences may have changed.

Also, please note that there are 3 Sportsmobile facilities, and I gather they are somewhat independent, though with a common name and some interaction. Our van was constructed at the California facility.

For what its worth,
-Erik

[jgolden]

What a sweet machine: Sportsmobile. I saw a bunch of these in Baja and a few on Mainland Mexico. Solid axles, massive steel bumpers, dual spare tires, on-board water, sleeping configurations (often pop-up style campers), etc.

What's the story on these things? It seems to me that they are an extension of RVs in the "rugged" direction. Dear Lord they are all over Baja. The only other vehicle more popular (it seems) has two wheels.

At Guerrero Negro, I ran into the beauty in the attached pictures. Totally intrigued me.
:safari-rig:

I really dig this sportsmobile.....is that an AC unit on top?

[black rhino]

I think I want one. My birthday is coming up soon...

[notaco]

I love the Sportsmobiles as well!!!! One question......what is the interior layout in the red one like? That's the first "hartop" style I've seen...is there still a loft bed?

Some interior shots here...

http://www.sportsmobile.com/z-PO_calif.html