Agonizing Wait - Phase 2 now underway. I just returned from visiting (and paying for) the chassis that will become my Sportsmobile. Can you spot it in this lineup?

One of these things is not like the others....


That's right. Another red one.


I haven't decided if it will get silver or yellow flames on the sides, but I have some time still.

Steve in L.A.

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2010 Red EB50 V10, Quadvan 4WD (El Guapo Rojo)
1978 VW Westfalia Champagne Edition (Pepe - gone, but not forgotten)

If that was in Fresno mine is one of the silver ones. It's scheduled to start the conversion 4/13- I'm with you brother on the agony!

Don't worry, the waiting gets easier as time passes.

Sure it does.

Trust me.

And you won't even notice the extra weeks because of some unforseen glitch.

And in the end, it is all worth the wait. We would all do it again.

Mike

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Alaska to Key West, Labrador and more
Prostate cancer survivor. See Thread Prostate cancer and Sportsmobiles
2015 VW GTI 2020 Fiat 124 Spider
2012 E250 Hitop camper

New here. Thinking about taking the plunge. So how long is the wait? And is the wait shorter at other facilities?

Kinda depends on the design, and what facility does it. Another factor is what's in stock or if you have to order a vehicle from the manufacture. I was lucky to find a vehicle in stock. Ordered in September and picked up just before Christmas. You can read about my build on the web site I contribute to if you're interested. At the time they were building heavy. I've noticed that they have layed off personnel over the years so your best bet is to call.

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2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer

Sportsmobile 4X4 Adventures..........On and off road adventures

Indiana is generally the quickest.

Do eeet. Everyone else is.

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it was good to be back

I was close enough to drive to Fresno a couple of times during the wait and SMB was nice enough to keep me updated with photos.

Looking back on it, the wait was great! I can hardly wait until I get to design and wait again!

Regards,

Keith

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2008 2500 Sportsmobile West conversion, badged Mercedes, 22B package, accessory group, adjustable idle control, sway bar upgrade, koni shocks, daily drive.

The van we wanted was not in SMB's or any other dealer's stock, so we ordered it through SMB West. It took about 12 weeks for the chassis to arrive in Fresno. SMB estimates about 10 weeks of work once it gets into their line which should happen in couple of weeks. That's Phase 2 for me. Phase 3 is when it then goes to Quadvan in Portland for the 4x4 conversion which will probably take another 4-6 weeks depending on how early certain custom parts can be ordered. All in all it will be 8 months or so from start until completion not including any follow-up visits to fix or change things. Luckily I have my Westy and trips planned at least one weekend of each month through August. As much as I love my VW, it is difficult not to imagine how much better it will be once the SMB takes its place. This is what is known in some circles as a "problem of abundance."
Steve in L.A.

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2010 Red EB50 V10, Quadvan 4WD (El Guapo Rojo)
1978 VW Westfalia Champagne Edition (Pepe - gone, but not forgotten)

We started inquiries in June of 2009, drafted initial designs by September, and ordered in October, but ended up having to wait for the 2010 models. That turned out to be a good thing. Many twists and turns in the following six months, picking out every little thing we wanted just so.

Looks like our SMB is now at the head of assembly line #1 (or #2 - not sure if the assembly lines are really numbered - or if the vans are worked all at once rather than one piece flow first in first out). Subfloor is in and wiring underway. Roof cut out with PH support tubes in place. It's a thing of beauty to see the dream come alive. Should be on the road home by June 2010.

Have to admit the design phase was exhilirating. Maybe you just gotta to be into this sort of thing. The act of being creative, and doing lots of late night research (tech shopping). It also helps that SMB West has been great to work with through it all.

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2010 Ford E250 5.4L V8 Gas 2WD
SMB Mod RB36 w/PH Prop Stove & Furn Frig 10G Wtr Elect
Silver Bullet

Back in 2006, I was quite intimidated with the long wait times for the SMB builds at Sportsmobile West.

Then I was quite surprised to have the rig built so fast. After a couple of months of diddling around with the design we gave the go ahead in late July and picked up the rig in mid-September. Build time from start to finish: 58 days.

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2006 Baja Tan SMB 4X4 EB50 PH 6LPSD
Mohawk Royalex Solo 14 foot canoe (light white-water)
Mad River Kevlar Explorer 17 foot canoe (flat water)
Dagger Royalex Legend 16 foot canoe (white-water)
Maravia New Wave 13.5 foot raft (fishing and white-water)