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Owner(s):
Brandon and Emily, Colorado Springs, CO
Date Added: November 16, 2005
Description: 2002 Ford E-150 5.4L V8 2WD, Penthouse Top, open interior; favorite
trip
Alaska via Inner Passage (ferry), return via Yukon, B.C.,
& Alberta
On the Web: www.2zmtns.com/sportsmobile.html
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SPORTSMOBILE
LINKS SMBs
FOR SALE (6)
VW
VANAGON vs. SMB
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Owner(s): Glenn
Halperin, Costa Mesa, CA
Date Submitted: November 15, 2005
Description: 351, Camburg 10" long travel front suspension, Deaver custom 12 leaf rear springs, Bilstein, BFG AT KO LT285/75r16, Alcoa LTS 5 16x7, 2" Correctracks, Smitybilt Excursion nerfs, Limited slip, 4:10 gears, 2004
mirrors
On the Web: www.colorfulcolorado.net/sportsmobile/displayimage.php?pos=-49
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Owner(s): Jack
and Jacque Burgess, Newark, CA
Date Submitted: November 16, 2005
Description: 2001 4WD Ford EB50 with poptop, V-10, Warn winch, Reunel bumpers, dual gas tanks (56 gallons total), BFG 285-75-R16 tires, Hella off-road and backup lights, Bilstein shocks, 1500-watt inverter, 3 solar panels, propane furnace and hot water heater, TV/VCR/DVD, GPS, XM
satellite radio
On the Web: www.yosemitevalleyrr.com
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Owner(s):
Ron McDowell, Austin, TX
Date Submitted: November 16, 2005
Description: 2002 Ford E350 Diesel, Quigley 4x4, 46-gal fuel tank, stock suspension/wheels/tires, 3.55 gears, RoadArmor front/Reunel rear bumpers, custom gaucho-based floorplan with full bath, 6 gal water heater, Starcool, 4 cf fridge, electric penthouse top, Braun wheelchair lift, 3 solar panels, 2000 W inverter/charger, 4D AGM battery, TV/VCR/DVD, Microwave, XM, GPS, laptop with Verizon Broadband wireless, been everywhere from Key West to Prudhoe Bay, longest trip 10
weeks
On the Web: www.colorfulcolorado.net/sportsmobile/displayimage.php?pos=-51
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Owner(s): Stuart Fischbach, Houston, TX
Date Submitted:
November 20, 2005
Description: RV - 2003 Ford Sportsmobile conversion, 7.3L TurboDiesel, 46 Gal tank, 125 Watt Solar, 2000 Watt Xantrex Inverter, 16.5 Gal Water, 20 Gal Propane Heater, 2 burner stove, Microwave, 4 Cu. Ft. frig., (6) Bridgestone Dueler AT/Revo 285/75-R16, Atlas 2-Speed Transfer, DynaTrac Dana 60 + Fred Whorff-designed off-road
suspension
On the Web: www.cardomain.com/ride/616654
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Owner(s): Amy & Erik Badger,
In the van
Date Submitted:
November 25, 2005
Description: 2005 SMB 4x4 Diesel RB. Custom Floorplan. Diesel appliances (furnace, coolant/water heater, cooktop). Electric penthouse. 440watts solar panels. 420ah batteries. Xantrex Inverter & monitor. Motorcycle carrier. Starband satellite 'net
access
On the Web: www.badgertrek.com
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Owner(s): Stan & Gail
Richards, CA
Date Submitted:
December 5, 2005
Description: 2003 EB-50 Sportsmobile 4x4 with self contained features including a 4CF refrigerator, twin full size beds, propane stove, heater, 15 gal water supply, porta potty, sink, 8 gal gray water tank, electric pop top, loads of internal storage compartments, external shower, 2000W inverter with multiple 110VAC and 12VDC outlets. The base van is a Ford E-350 with a power stroke turbo charged
diesel engine. Transmission is a 4 speed automatic with a two stage transfer case with a 4:1 drive ratio
On the Web: www.pbase.com/stanmrich/smb
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Owner(s): Alan Brown, In
the van
Date Submitted:
January 19, 2006
Description: 2004 SMB 4x4, RB-50, penthouse, 6.0 PSD pretty well loaded
with accessories. I full time in it and have since last March.
Travel plans for 2006 include 2 months in Alaska
.
On the Web: www.colorfulcolorado.net/sportsmobile/displayimage.php?pos=-55
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Owner(s): John and Patty
Schlick, Stevenson, WA
Date Submitted:
January 19, 2006
Description: 2003 7.3 PSD 4X4 EB50 with power lift penthouse top, 46 gal
fuel, 20 gal fresh water, 2 4D AGM house batteries w/125 watt solar
panel,10 disc cd, mp3, GPS, BFG 285/75-16
On the Web: www.colorfulcolorado.net/sportsmobile/displayimage.php?pos=-56
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Owner(s): Glen and Peggy Jones, Kansas City, MO
Date Submitted: January 20, 2006
Description: 1990 Dodge B250. Modify RB-35 with PH. 2cf Ref, MV, 115v Hotwater tank, 115v A/C, 115v/12vdc TV & VCR, Porta potty,Sink. Trips, anywhere from 5 days to 11 wks.
On the Web: www.colorfulcolorado.net/sportsmobile/displayimage.php?pos=-58
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Owner(s): Albert Edgar, Austin, TX
Date Submitted: January 21, 2006
Description: Red and white leather seats, plush green carpet on the walls and floor, double bed of red and yellow suede with blue suede pillows, subwoofer, 12 exterior lights to light up the forest in all directions, two horsepower blender, refrig, uwave, stove, furnace, full home size sink, 400 pounds of batteries to run computers and Sportsmobile 4wd with front and rear air lockers driving 295 tires to go anywhere.
On the Web: www.colorfulcolorado.net/sportsmobile/displayimage.php?pos=-59
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Owner(s): Randall Stanton, Boulder, CO
Date Submitted: January 25, 2006
Description: 2001 7.3L PSD RB50 layout, a few suspension and drive train upgrades (Springs, shocks and locking differentials) added on to the Quigley 4x4 conversion), a custom show model featured in SMB advertising, was 'written up' in 'Truck Trend' magazine.
On the Web: www.colorfulcolorado.net/sportsmobile/displayimage.php?pos=-60
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Owner(s): Dustin Briquelet, San Diego, CA
Date Submitted: February 16, 2006
Description: Ford E350 Extended Body, EB-50, Triton V10, Quigley 4x4, 2500w inverter, Road Armor bumpers, 12,000 lb Warn winch, microwave, 12,000 btu furnace, StarCool a/c, photographer's edition penthouse, fresh water sink, grey water tank, 46 gallon fuel tank, 12v and 110 outlets, 15"
LCD for DVD, Pioneer navigation system, XM Satellite Radio, Diamond Audio sound system, in floor storage, porta potti, leather captains chairs, passenger seat swivels.
On the Web: www.cardomain.com/ride/2274307
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Owner(s): NRL, Tustin, CA
Date Submitted: March 9, 2006
Description: 4x4 E-350 Super w reliable 460 motor, propane Dometic 4CF refrig & stove, 15 gal water supply,sink, gray water, 2000W
inverter with 110VAC and 12VDC outlets. Latest Mods include: Dual Batt, BFG Tires, Deaver Springs, Bilstein Shocks, ORU Heavy Duty Diff covers, Front Fujitsu Tablet Touch Pad for Navigation w/Garmin GPS, mpgs, EVDO Router for EVDO to 802.11 Internet, Trucker Cellular Antenna with 3w amp, Slingbox Modded Tivo (200+hrs tivowebplus) with 21in TV/Monitor Ferrari 4000 Notebook using RAM Mounts
On the Web: http://sportotek.blogspot.com/
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Owner(s): Joe and Sharon, Frederick, MD
Date Submitted: May 24, 2006
Description: 2005 E350, Diesel 6.0L, 4x4, high top, Starcool, Sink,
Microwave, Frig, Toilet, seats 9
On the Web: www.colorfulcolorado.net/sportsmobile/displayimage.php?pos=-71
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Owner(s): Captain Kettel, Sequim, WA
Date Submitted: May 29, 2006
Description: 1994 E350 Ford EB4X4 with the 460 motor. Quigley 4X4, 52 gallon fuel tanks (27 & 25), Warn winch and EB 28M layout.
On the Web: www.colorfulcolorado.net/sportsmobile/displayimage.php?pos=-75
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Owner(s): PatO, ? CA
Date Submitted: June 6, 2006
Description: 2004 PSD SMB 4x4, picture taken at Joshua Tree White Tank campground
On the Web: www.ponart.com
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Owner(s): Brian and Kelly Rutherford, Bellingham, WA
Date Submitted: June 6, 2006
Description: 2006 Ford 6.0 diesel van, Baja Tan color, RB50 floor plan with Penthouse top, Sportsmobile 4x4 conversion, DynaTrac rear axle, ARB air lockers front and rear, American Racing Baja wheels, Goodyear MTR
305-70-16 tires, Aluminess Trojan bumpers, Espar diesel furnace, hot plate heat exchanger water heater, two portable butane stoves (no propane system on board), 46 gallon diesel fuel tank.
On the Web: www.pbase.com/railbat/march_desert_trip
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Owner(s): Jeff and Kay Annette Taylor, North Hills, CA
Date Submitted: August 13, 2006
Description: CB, Correctrac Spacers, Extreme Air Compressor, 46 Gal gas Tank, Husky Floor Mats, Dual Golf Cart House Batteries, 2004 Front Grab Handles, Custom Mags and BFG AT LT 285/75/R16 tires, rear door ladder, Bilsteins,
accumulator tank. Warn 9000 winch with ARB snatch block, Solar Panels. We love the freedom our Sportsmobile gives us and we call it "Golden Dreams," because that's what it is for us.
On the Web: www.colorfulcolorado.net/sportsmobile/displayimage.php?pos=-82
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Owner(s):
Date Submitted:
Description:
On the Web:
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Owner(s):
Date Submitted:
Description:
On the Web:
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(upload your image/info. here)
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Sportsmobile
Penthouse Top vs. VW Vanagon Transporter - A Comparison
(We've owned both)!
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Introduction:
-
 This
review may be helpful if you are considering purchasing a Sportsmobile
or adding a Sportsmobile Penthouse Top to your van (as we did), or if
you are considering purchasing a used VW Vanagon for camping.
Before we purchased our Ford E-150 van, we had a VW Vanagon
Transporter, in which we traveled and camped extensively. Our
Vanagon was part of the family as we motored around the West (mostly in SW
Colorado). We
took our (recently purchased) Sportsmobile to Alaska summer of 2005 (and
LOVED it). Having experience with both camping vehicles, we are
able to more/less objectively compare the two side-by-side. If
you go the Sportsmobile route or the Vanagon route, here you'll find a
bit of "inside"
information that will hopefully help you get the most out of your
purchase/installation decisions.
Safety:
-
 Stability:
Safety is probably the main reason we "upgraded" from the
Vanagon. Sportsmobile's Penthouse Top ads something like 300
pounds to your van (even though the steel roof is removed). This
extra weight is no problem in terms of power draw when added to a V8 (e.g., Ford or Chevy
van)... BUT, you do notice a bit of "top heaviness" in the
van, especially if you have (soft) touring tires. Sportsmobile
recommends (and so do we) commercial-rated, reinforced sidewall
tires. We had Michelin Agilis on the Vanagon and they virtually
removed truck-wake sway and other wind-effects.
-
 Power:
Vanagons that are decked out
for camping have enough power
to happily motor across the country at 50 - 65 mph, but not enough to safely
(sometimes) maintain speed on even gentle highway grades or to safely merge with
75 mph traffic - the exception being some of you who've installed a
Subaru engine, etc., into your late-model Vanagon. The Vanagon we
just sold had a 67 HP 2.0 L air-cooled engine.
The Ford E-150 /Sportsmobile set up is safer in this
regard.
-
 Other
safety features:
Alas... older
Vanagons lack ABS, airbags, mass, structural integrity, and other basic
safety features (such as having the engine's weight in front of passengers). Though I always thought the nimbleness of the VW
helped me stop on a dime and even swerve (without much sway) to avoid
objects (such as porcupines - a horrible ending to this story), I believe the Ford
is MUCH safer in most situations.
Mileage:
Camaraderie
and Coolness Factor:
-
 Both Vanagon
and Sportsmobile-retrofitted vans have a loyal camaraderie on the road, but VW Vanagons
(and older VW busses) have WAY more tradition
and spirit (I think) than any other form of transportation.
We've noticed that the majority (not all) of Sportsmobile owners tend to be
super interesting and fun-to-chat-with retired folks. Many have all the bells/whistles of comfort
installed in their vehicle (toilet, shower, TV, two batteries, solar
panels). Wow does this makes for a great travel and camping
vehicle! Whereas we've noticed (and this is purely an
observation) Vanagon
owners tend to be spit into three groups -- a handful of retired folks, young
couples/families, and college mobile-partying types (with many
exceptions).
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One last thing about camaraderie -- The waves and smiles you
give/receive in VWs and in Sportsmobiles are priceless! Both rides
are unique and both have loyal groups of cohorts! For example,
Yahoo! groups, local meetings (such as the "Austin Air
Coolers"), and even camping/travel events.
Cost:
-
 Sportsmobiles
are expensive - initially, we looked into the 4x4 Sportsmobiles.
Man are they awesome! But the conversions are out of our price
range (we both teach). In 2005, we found a used 2002 Ford E-150 with 32K
for about $15,000. Then, we drove to our local Austin Sportsmobile
shop for a consultation. We were sold on the Penthouse Top only.
The Penthouse Top runs about $5,500 (Install =
$4,388, paint = $466, rack and rack slots = $210, bed and bed extension
= $337, plus misc. rewiring costs). For the Vanagon comparison,
you can purchase an entire
decent used (mid 80's into 90s) camper with pop-top (even a Synchro) for the price of just
the Penthouse Top.
Summary:
-
 If I had to decide which camper mobile
was best suited for road tripping, I'd have to say the Ford E-150 with a
Sportsmobile Penthouse Top... assuming you can afford it and
assuming that you travel great distances for your
adventuring and/or have a family to keep as safe as possible. But the VW is such a
neat machine... it's fun to drive, has surprisingly high clearance, and is VERY
reliable. So, if we lived near a bunch of
great car-camping and trailheads (which we do not), the VW would more than suffice!
Please send us a photo (and description) of your Sportsmobile.
Also, feel free to ask any
questions! brandon * colorfulcolorado.net (replace the * with a @).
2zmtns!
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MORE
SPORTSMOBILE LINKS
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