New Sportsmobile

[cobblecrazy]

We've been in the process of getting our Sportsmobile and selling off the old RV setup. Finally got some pictures worth posting :wings: so I figured I'd get a thread going as it goes along.

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[DaktariEd]

Cool! And welcome to ExPo! :wavey:
I liked the Sportsmobile article in the recent issue of Overland Journal.
Should be fun to watch your vehicle take shape...

:sombrero:

[BajaTaco]

Right ON! Welcome to Expedition Portal. :)

A new adventure rig is born.

[ujoint]

Sweet, can't wait to see the final product!!


Also, do you know what kind of material is being used on the walls?

[cobblecrazy]

I'm not sure what they're using for the walls, but the cabinets were they typical hardboard you normally see and seemed to be very stout...

The van is supposed to go to the cabinet installation in the next few days, then off to the 4X4 conversion.


Sweet, can't wait to see the final product!!


Also, do you know what kind of material is being used on the walls?

[Red Zebra]

:lurk:
I'm not sure what they're using for the walls, but the cabinets were they typical hardboard you normally see and seemed to be very stout...

The van is supposed to go to the cabinet installation in the next few days, then off to the 4X4 conversion.


:lurk:

[ujoint]

If you don't mind, see if you can find out the type of material used for the walls, I'm curious!!! Thanks--------Chris

[Carl]

curious of "real" cost of a sportsmobile well equipped in 4x4?

[ujoint]

Not really, I know they put allot of work into those vans, and I know how hard it is being in the aftermarket when everyone & their brother thinks they can do everything cheaper or better. I just want to know the material because I'd like something similar for my rig.

[Scott Brady]

Congrats on a great rig purchase. I look forward to seeing the pictures of your first adventure with it!

[cobblecrazy]

Not really, I know they put allot of work into those vans, and I know how hard it is being in the aftermarket when everyone & their brother thinks they can do everything cheaper or better. I just want to know the material because I'd like something similar for my rig.

When we started looking at an RV setup several years ago, we wanted something that could travel off road to the places we like to go, but it also had to function as a 2nd vehicle (I usually ride my GS Adventure) when either the weather, or circumstances, warranted a change of vehicle. We found a nice pop-up style cabover and a Tundra (we started off with a Tacoma) which allowed us to tow the GS & have our mountain bikes available. This whole set-up was about $45K. As time went on I found the stock off-road capability was limited (as I knew from the beginning) due to a number of factors. Now, I'm not highly technical, but I know the people to go to, and I try to do research on what's out there, and the upgrades I needed to do would be costly. And don't even get me started on the gas mileage.

I grew up with the VW camper vans, and we used to travel the Alcan, all around Alaska, and in the upper portion of B.C. and the Yukon. I had a few VW vans in my adult life, and I always liked the set-up, but it couldn't get me to some of the other places I wanted to go. I had seen the Sportsmobile before, but I only recently looked into it as a serious venture.

I'll agree there is some sticker shock when you start out, but I went to the factory, and Alan Feld showed me the whole process. I was impressed not only with the quality of work, but the attention they give each of the vehicles in the build process. Needless to say I was hooked, but I also started doing research and found a lot of information from current owners and tech people. Even the bad stuff was reported to not be a very big issue, and I didn't find anyone who was sorry for the purchase.

Now, when I began looking at a 4X4 RV (some Class B, and Class C), the prices were the same, or considerably higher, and a 4X4 with a camper was also in the same ballpark, but with the drawback of not really being a vehicle you'd want to drive around town. I'd agree the Sportsmobile is big, but nowhere near a lifted 4X4 dually with a cabover camper. Comfort is a relative thing. I still tent camp (motorcycle,bicycle, or backpack), but I'll tell you when you get into the two week range a little bit of comfort goes a long way (not to mention not having to pay the $200 a night for a motel).

Well, hopefully I'll have a few more pics soon.

[cobblecrazy]

Here are the updated photos. The interior is on the way to almost being complete. Next stop 4X4....:smiley_drive:

[cobblecrazy]

If you don't mind, see if you can find out the type of material used for the walls, I'm curious!!! Thanks--------Chris

According to Sportsmobile the material is a medium density fiber board with a "Wilson art laminate" (which I believe is the countertop). Hope this helps...

[ujoint]

Thanks, I'll see what I can find.---------------Chris

[calamaridog]

Thanks, I'll see what I can find.---------------Chris


Look at the different products used for boat interiors too. You can work the stuff just like wood.

Like this stuff:

http://www.kingstarboard.com/Default2.aspx

[calamaridog]

We've been in the process of getting our Sportsmobile and selling off the old RV setup. Finally got some pictures worth posting :wings: so I figured I'd get a thread going as it goes along.


I was lucky enough to crawl around one of the members Sportsmobile and they are awesome. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

[spencyg]

I'm curious what happens to the canvas in the penthouse when the top is brought down? Does it fold into itself? Do you have to guide the cloth as the top is lowered? If its wet, will it make the bedding in the penthouse bed wet?

Spence

[cobblecrazy]

I'm curious what happens to the canvas in the penthouse when the top is brought down? Does it fold into itself? Do you have to guide the cloth as the top is lowered? If its wet, will it make the bedding in the penthouse bed wet?

Spence

It pretty much folded in onto itself. The top is much like the old VW van where it has a little gap between the top of the van and the pop top. I'm not sure if it works the same as the VW, but in the rain the top almost acted like a rain cover of sorts so the top didn't get too bad.

[cobblecrazy]

We had a chance to go to Sportsmobile to see our van. Here are some pics...delivery date is beginning of October:wings:

[cobblecrazy]

here are a few more....

[HMR]

:drool:

[ujoint]

man, you've got to be getting verrrrry excited!!!!!!!!!

[spencyg]

Can somebody explain to me why a track bar is both necessary AND a good design in a leaf spring front end? The track bar moves in a radius while the springs want to move linearly up and down. There doesn't appear to be any allowance in the springs (other than the rubber bushings) to accommodate the rotational movement of the track bar radius (i.e. orbit eyes). I read through Badgertrek and his track bar broke presumably because of the issue with the geometries of the two systems not "talking" to each other. It just seems foolish. The springs are hard mounted to the axle which will prevent them from moving side to side....whats the deal?

Spence

[ujoint]

I don't run a trac bar. It helps, especially as the leaf spring bushings start to wear. Springs will "twist" under articulation, but the amount of twist depends on the spring. ------------The steering geometry is the deciding factor on a trac bar. If the drag link is as parrallel to the ground as possible, you don't need a trac bar. Look under a Superduty, the drag link connects below the pass side spring, and it has a pretty good angle to it. If it didn't have a trac bar, it would be all over the road, classic bumpsteer.

[cobblecrazy]

man, you've got to be getting verrrrry excited!!!!!!!!!

I was in the middle of a camping trip when I stopped by Sportsmobile. If I could have I would have thrown out the sleeping bag and spent the last few weeks right there....:camping:

[ujoint]

You should have told them "where I come from, we don't go home @ 5. We can bust this thing out in a couple days if we hustle"

[cobblecrazy]

You should have told them "where I come from, we don't go home @ 5. We can bust this thing out in a couple days if we hustle"

A few times through the process I've thought about suggesting a "made by buyer" section at the factory....just come down and work on it yourself :Mechanic: when you have time, and they can work on it when I'm home....

[Railvan]

Congrats on getting a Sportsmobile! We've had one for a year and a half and are very happy with it. Looks like you are getting the RB50 floorplan. Are you getting the diesel engine?

Regarding the top folding down, it does so in an accordion fashion. There are two bunge cords around the top that pull it in and it folds as it drops. They suggest you stop half way down when lowering the top and push out the front corners to make it fold neatly. It seems to work well.

Some photos of our van and the Sportsmobile West factory are at:

http://www.pbase.com/railbat/root

Look under the Travel and Sportsmobile project folders.

Regards,

Brian Rutherford

[dieselcruiserhead]

Wow, cool to see it built up. Also an Atlas, cool!

[etbadger]

Can somebody explain to me why a track bar is both necessary AND a good design in a leaf spring front end? The track bar moves in a radius while the springs want to move linearly up and down. There doesn't appear to be any allowance in the springs (other than the rubber bushings) to accommodate the rotational movement of the track bar radius (i.e. orbit eyes). I read through Badgertrek and his track bar broke presumably because of the issue with the geometries of the two systems not "talking" to each other. It just seems foolish. The springs are hard mounted to the axle which will prevent them from moving side to side....whats the deal?

Spence

There is sufficient play in the spring mounts on the SMB front for the front axle to travel about 1/2" side to side with alternating articulation. For the Atlas transfer case and location of the pumpkin on their front axle this allows the front drive-shaft to impact the transmission filter housing when the track-bar is disabled (broken).

We also noticed a slight but noticable decrease in the ability for the van to hold a straight line at highway speeds when the bar was broken.

The front axle does not have a lot of vertical travel (about 1" up before it starts to hit the bump-stops), so the arc swept by the track-bar is not all that great. I suppose at extreme articulation it could be an issue, and I have noticed some jeeps have quick-disconnects on their track-bars for off-road travel.
-e

[cobblecrazy]

Congrats on getting a Sportsmobile! We've had one for a year and a half and are very happy with it. Looks like you are getting the RB50 floorplan. Are you getting the diesel engine?

Regarding the top folding down, it does so in an accordion fashion. There are two bunge cords around the top that pull it in and it folds as it drops. They suggest you stop half way down when lowering the top and push out the front corners to make it fold neatly. It seems to work well.

Some photos of our van and the Sportsmobile West factory are at:

http://www.pbase.com/railbat/root

Look under the Travel and Sportsmobile project folders.

Regards,

Brian Rutherford

Brian,

I've looked at your site on a number of occasions. Great pics. Your latest post under travel has some photos at the Sportsmobile factory from the 3rd of September. I think our van was on the rack and the second tan one from the end.

We're getting the 6.0 Diesel engine in ours. This will be my first diesel vehicle, although my folks had two when I was growing up.

BTW - I see your from the Bellingham area. I lived in Port Angeles in the 80's, born in Vancouver, Wa.

John

[ujoint]

It's a brand new van with the 7.3? I'm confused......

[cobblecrazy]

It's a brand new van with the 7.3? I'm confused......

I should never let my fingers do the talking....correction made :oops: :oops: .

[ujoint]

Ok, good. That would start a whole new thread!!

[cobblecrazy]

Well, finally finished. Orientation today, delivery tomorrow. We're trying to decide where to go first....:smiley_drive:

[Railvan]

Well, finally finished. Orientation today, delivery tomorrow. We're trying to decide where to go first....:smiley_drive:


That's great! I remember being in awe that I was buying a 4x4 camper van, as I had wanted one for sooo many years. Hope you get many great years of fun out of it. If you pass through Bellingham, feel free to stop and say hi.

Brian Rutherford

[ujoint]

Awesome! Is that a factory color?

[kcowyo]

Man oh man.......

Sell the house, put everything else in storage and bon yoyage!

Congratulations on taking delivery of your Sportsmobile. You must be elated. I would be.

And the question isn't, "Where do we go?" The question now is, "Where won't we go?"

:beer:

[cobblecrazy]

Awesome! Is that a factory color?

Yes. Its Pueblo Gold...

[cobblecrazy]

We took our first shakedown cruise to Mammoth for the weekend. Made sure everything worked. Snowing when we arrived, but the weather was great for the rest of the weekend. Too bad we had to come home. Here are some pics.

[DaktariEd]

Awesome! :wings:
Congratulations!
You must be as excited as kids at Christmas!

http://www.bajataco.com/smileys/safari.gif

[CLynn85]

Wow, very impressive rig. Congratulations, I'm looking forward to seeing the places this thing goes.

[ujoint]

I'm jealous, I should have went to Mammoth!!!!!

[Explorer 1]

Picked up my SMB last Friday. Never realized that such a color would be so popular.

Now if I can only figure out all the button, dials and gagets inside I might be able to take it out this winter!

At least I know how to engage the 4wd and lockers!

Thanks
Fred
Explorer 2

[Topher Walters]

I don't want to hijack your thread but I have had my Sportsmobile since September and I have spent 30 wonderful nights in it. I love it and know you picked the best color. They are amazing vehicles.

[erod]

awesome rigs guys!

[ujoint]

I only notice that color on Sportsmobiles, it's perfect for them, especially with the black rims. It really looks good.

[Explorer 1]

Isn't that the way it goes....you think you've got something really unique until you buy it and then your amazed how many have pretty much the same!

Fred
Explorer 1

[jeff@work]

Congrats on the new purchase, awesome sportsmobiles :bowdown:

and uhh... so where do you guys park at night and how tough is it to get those bumpers off? :p

[ShearPin]

I saw my first Sportsmobile in person while in San Diego this October - really nice machine. Congrats.....

Henry
www.4x4freedom.com

[Explorer 1]

Mine stays in my enclosed backyard, I've got to build a covering for it as the sun is so hard on paint and the interior. As for the bumpers, at least mine are aluminum ( I assume most SMB are the same) so that cuts down on some of the weight. Still I think it would take two or three guys to lower them. I did find out the unladen weight of this beast was 9000 lbs,, hence the addition of the winch!

Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1

[Topher Walters]

I have acouple of fenced arces in the back yard to park the van and I am also working on a enclosed garage to keep the rain/sun off. One thing I have noticed while driving through the Bay Area to new areas away from the cities alot of people like to check out the van. I'm sure that is the case with many of the modified vehicles on this board but I have had two close calls with drivers checking out the van and not watching the road.

[ujoint]

Get used to it, the questions will never stop.

Is that a Pathfinder?

Did it come from Ford like that?

How'd ya get a diesel in it?

What frame is it? (yes, I've been asked that)

Is it a Quigley?

What kind of mileage do you get?

The best for me is when I get the looks of total disgust..... I love that!!!!

[Topher Walters]

The classic was a couple with the man driving and looking over his shoulder at the van and his wife wacking him with a magazine while he swerved around on the road. She must have been saying "don't you even think about it" or "you've got to be kidding." They nearly smacked into the car next to them.

[cobblecrazy]

Before we picked up our Sportsmobile, I would see other Sportsmobiles driving down the road and I would feel compelled to get close to the van to look at the options they picked out. The first couple times my wife was enthusiastic, but, after a while, I would get the roll of the eyes when I would start rambling on....

Now I see couples walking through the parking lot looking at the van, and I can see the dreaming in their eyes (well, mostly the guys).