Sportsmobile Fuso

[McZippie]

Is it just me, or do others also think that this thing is really ugly?

Let face the facts folks... Ford Van based Sportmobiles have a very high 'cool' factor going for them.
This Fuso Trans-Former thingie ain't got 'it'

[kerry]

There is one nice feature of Sportsmobile's FG build--it makes my own look so much better.

[dwh]

When the top is down, it covers the forward gangway, and the rear overhang disappears. Then it's just a box on a truck.

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[DEFENDERBEAM]

If they aren't doing a pass through , their wasting their time IMO.



I'm sure the box is caulked full of tek screws.

[cwsqbm]

I'm not sure I'd like it even if we didn't have the examples of Earthcruiser and All Terrian Warriors of what a FG camper can be. Given that Sportsmobile's claim to fame is their soft-sided pop top, I'm surprised at this turn.

[Jonny]

Thank you for the feedback! It is always essential to get opinions from the community. The internationally supported Fuso chassis is something that many overlanders have brought to the attention of Sportsmobile West during factory visits and other correspondence. We enjoyed talking with many of you and getting feedback at the Overland Expo as well.

While Sportsmobile has always specialized in more of a classic class B motorhome style, it never hurts to explore other platforms and ideas out there. The goal was to have an internationally supported chassis with an efficient diesel motor, hard sided walls for security, factory 4x4, and the ability to fit in a container. With some help from Scott at Trail Manor, a division of Sportsmobile West put together a concept vehicle using the Fuso chassis. It was a fun and challenging endeavor since the targeted completion date was only five weeks out...wanting to have something to play with at the Overland Expo.

The big question is where will this project go from here??? Is a hard sided pop up the way to go? Is the only viable option to have a pass through from the cab? Will Sportsmobile begin to offer a conversion on the Fuso chassis? Did anyone see any logos on the vehicle Sportsmobile or otherwise? Will the world end in December 2012? Only time will tell.

So don't get your winches all bound up, let some air out of your tires, slow down, and enjoy the ride...you may end up liking what the future has in store.

Jonny
Sportsmobile West

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FUSOgrandcanyon.JPG

[Haf-E]

I actually don't think it looks bad - there is a lot of potential there. Compared to a typical lifting roof design you get a lot of additional room with the rear overhang. Some small changes would allow the front to be better used - it would be really sweet if it was possible to keep a bike on that front deck area when going down the highway - much better protected and weight distribution than hanging one off the back.

I would think that its possible to do a lot with this approach - its great to see new ideas and approaches.

Thanks for the response and the photos of the unit closed up.

[dwh]

Personally, I like it a lot. But then again, it's VERY similar to a back of the napkin design I did after seeing dzzz's Alaskan on a Mog:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...878#post874878


I thought to myself, "What if you turn the camper around so the door is in the front?"

Then you have a gangway, and can also hang stuff off the rear of the truck. You could box in the sides, put a sliding door in the back of the cab and have a...not a crawlthrough, but a walkthrough. It would be awkward with dzzz's crane rig, but that's just a minor engineering excersize.

Also, with the sides boxed in by raised and locked gangplanks, the camper is secure.

Then I added a roof rack to the camper (for the solar array), which extends across the gangway to the rear of the cab. With the camper top down, the entire gangway is securely boxed in (crawlthrough), and with the top up, it's an awning over the gangway/mudroom that would laugh off even the highest winds.

Interesting how great minds think alike...one of the very first things I added to the design was a row of storage boxes between the camper and the bed.


If you used a lifting roof design ala Unicat or GXV [EDIT: Or westyss!], which hides the windows when the roof is down, then the door wouldn't be visible with the gangplanks up, and the thing would be totally stealthed to look like any work truck when it's buttoned up and underway. (Though, the SMB concept looks pretty stealthy with the top down.)

Also, it could be setup so that even with the top down, it would be 4.5' - 5' tall inside; which is just about the same as a full-size van. So the interior could be arranged so that it could be used even with the top down [EDIT: Like westyss!]. Even more stealth for those odd nights in the Walmart parking lot or highway rest areas.



The only things that bother me right off about the Trailmanor is that sliding bed and the thickness of the walls. Both of these bother me mainly because of the insulation issues. I mean...that sliding bed looks like an air leak waiting to happen, and I bet it can get pretty cold in that bunk area.

Still, I really like the way the top covers the gangway. Perfect place to store some camp chairs and other odds and ends. [EDIT: Or an extra fridge or freezer ala Engel or ARB.]

[bobDog]

It looks like it's setting on there backwards. Maybe if they turned it around...

I totally agree..
Looks like a truck transporting a camper. Very awkward looking.


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[bobDog]

Looks better closed. Lots of work to coverup a porch.

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