radin2son

It may be that the older version has a date. I would still have the dealer try another card as well as try yours in another vehicle. This should be simple warranty work. Get the service manager involved. If that fails, get Commercial Customer Service involved. You will have to do this by phone, unless they changed the process and made it the same as car customer service.

I looked at the Whitefeather site; they exclusively convert Sprinters. Wonder about demand with MB factory 4wd available. Best to stick with Advanced or Quigley as they are familiar with NVs and no known problems reported. Shipping your NV is an option, then pick it up and start an adventure...

Be sure to read the post under Model Specfic NV2500, “6 cylinder motor not lasting.” Only reported engine failure so far. Other posts very positive, particularly mpg. What is the asking price? No one has ever posted what a used NV sells for. Word is they hold their value and are hard to find. The V6 should be fine for your planned use.

Check the date on the nav card. Most likely the card that came with your NV is a 2016/2017. Even if a 2018 card exists, the dealer is not likely to have one on hand. Looks like another trip back to the dealer for the TSB. Is this TSB NV200 specific? I’d be surprised as the nav unit is car based. Have them pull a card, samedate as yours, from another new vehicle on the lot and see if it works any better. Actually, the card won’t be in the vehicle; rather, it will be in a drawer with a bunch of other cards... Just check the date. Maybe parts number as well as there are 2 versions. You should have the post 2014 card. When I installed an updated card after 5 years, none of the screens appeared as described in the set up instructions. Since it didn’t say update failed I could only assume it uploaded. The only way to tell was what you noticed, road changes. What warranty does the NV200 have and can any dealer work on it? You may have to push for a nav replacement, new card and unit.

Before you go much farther, check out previous posts, specifically “Rear seating in a cargo van.” As far as parts numbers are concerned, you are on your own. You may be able to get them on line via Nissan parts or go to the dealership/body shop.

WOW! Great video. You and Mahu (travels with Charly) are definitely equals in terms of craftsmanship. Great use of space. Have you RVd or vancamped before? Look forward to seeing future videos. You are the first to use the Goal Zero generator which I always thought was the way to go with diy conversions. Feel free to ask about places or routes if you don’t already have lots of experience. Even if you have,places change, particularly with all the fires...

Welcome. Based on readers’ posts, it’s Advanced or Quigley. Few have been willing to provide details... If you google “who does 4x4 conversions?” others will pop up. Whitefeather in California is one. I have seen them mentioned on the Sportsmobile forum but only a mention. SMB types are solidly Quigley. At one point, it appeared SMB West was doing Quigley approved conversions in their facility. Their web site continues to claim they will convert any van into a campervan. No mention of 4x4 conversion.

This document easily fits in your phone or glove box: a list of Nissan Commercial dealerships along your “No Cell Service” intended route. Regardless of opinions regarding dealer service, it is a lot easier than finding an independent shop. We have not had any major issues in part due to the reliability of NVs. Here is a situation that I don’t think NV owners will face. A couple in their new 2017 MB Sportsmobile set out on a 20,000 mile trip from Sedona, AZ to Alaska (resided in Anchorage for 35 years) across Canada to Newfoundland to the Maritimes and back to Sedona. In Anchorage, their MB stalled due to an electrical problem. The MB dealership replaced the CAN and ignition modules under warranty. Continued trip. 5000 miles later, it wouldn’t start. It was 1730 on a Friday. Nearest dealer 6 hours away, but there was a 2 week wait until the dealer could look at it. They called dealers in Ontario, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, Most dealer service closed or had at least a 1 week wait. A dealer in Chicago, 800 miles away, could get them in on Monday. The story goes on as did their journey... So far, we have been able to show up for an oil change or schedule service at our convenience. Parts always seem to require a 2 day wait. In the event of a breakdown, I feel pretty confident that an independent shop could get us back on the road. Parts can be quickly shipped. Depending on insurance, the tow bill could be big $$$.

Mark Rogers, you are too kind. Rahvin2j3 resides in the Philippines with plans to emigrate to Canada at an unspecified date. I wish him well. This topic has been covered in conversions and several consoles have been offered for sale. The latest by Mahu. Why not PM Mahu? Rahvin2j3 has also asked about swivel seat mounts, to which Mahu responded. He didn’t ask if you can have swivel seats with the console, or in a cargo van what replaces the arm rests the console offers. Both have been covered in posts. Not all his questions are “questionable” and he did point out there is no topic/category for warranty questions. In my opinion, he enjoys creating a virtual van, perhaps many. Unless he scores a US government/military surplus Ford or GM van or buys a used large van from a departing official or service member in the Philippines, he is way ahead of any van search or purchase when these questions make more sense. Ironically, the 2012 GMC Safari Condo meets almost if not all his wants in a van, plus it is in Canada. $55,000 (US) may be more than he can afford, but he has not offered any parameters. So Rahvin2j3, correct me if I am wrong or misguided...

You have to be kidding! Think about it and climb from the front seat of your Lancer to the back seat. There, now you know...

CNET has a review of Apple CarPlay from 2016. Little appears to have change. I just checked CarPlay apps and they just go on and on... Mostly music, radio stations, podcasts, audio books and sports, MLB for example. Little change here as well.

Rahvin2j3, conversiontrader.com has just what you should be looking at. 2012 GMC Safari Condo for $55k in Calgary, Alberta. It has a lot of what you want on your virtual van... If Safari Condo has a forum, better yet a Canadian forum, pose your questions there.

Until you migrate to Canada, you are way ahead of yourself. Nothing on your list voids the warranty. If the Nissan Commercial dealer installs the roof fan, for example, and it leaks, they are responsible. If you install it, the leak is on you literally. Canadian registration and insurance (RV rates vs van) may differ by province or territory. You can go on line and check this or just wait until you are in Canada and select a van. If you buy a used van in the US to import into Canada, it has to be at least 10(?) years old to be affordable. (Some say it is 15-20 years. Can anyone from Canada on this forum help?) That said, a lot of RVs are built in Canada and you may find a used campervan, most likely a GMC. So few new NVs are sold in Canada; finding one could be hard. Plastic dip? Wheels or vehicle? In Moab, UT we saw an early 90s Dodge campervan that had bedliner up to the door handles. Not sure about the textured look.

If only it was true that our NV deprecated $800+ over 6 years. That means if we keep ours another 4 years, it will depreciate another $500. The ad mentions this particular NV SMB is one of a kind. 30 were built in 2012. I have no idea what the breakdown is regarding engines, floor plans (2) or standard vs high top. I know of 3 one-offs being built over the years.

It is... We paid $65769 (new) before doubling the size of the water tank and adding flat plate that uses engine heat at idle to heat shower water (add $1168). If this is a V6, it would have been $63524 for the stock conversion. In 2012, when we started looking, some dealers marked them up from $65k+ to $75k after putting on the hood protector and upgrading wheels and tires. This one has the hood protector but not the wheels/tires. For anyone interested, the stock conversion was roughly 35k. Even though it appears clean and has low miles, the conversion value per SMB should be $17k+. Solar, roof rack and ladder will add to this. Find the value of a 2012 low top cargo van, add $17k+ and you get a great van. A 2012 high top SMB conversion worth about $70k+ sold recently for $40k. A 2015 low top conversion without a poptop had an asking price of $56k. I think it sold for $53k.

If you go the salvage route, you may end up buying the radio to get the knobs. Not a bad way to go... Is there an end around for this? Glue the knobs as best you can, leave it on radio with nav map showing, use presets or scan and the steering wheel controls for volume. Or, does it default to nav only when you turn on the ignition switch? We don’t use our radio that much, particularly when reception is terrible.

Google Nissan used parts, plug in your zip code and call the nearest salvage yard that specializes in Nissans. You may find Nissan puts essentially the same radio/nav unit in multiple vehicles, particularly in trucks. Failing this... There have been posts about problems with the oem radio as well as dissatisfaction. I would look for a new radio, probably getting a better radio for less or the same money.

adventure-journal.com has this article. Go to ConversionTrader.com to check it out. I looked at the site on my phone, so maybe it’s better on an iPad. Good concept but needs some work.

What can possibly go wrong when SMB cuts a large hole in the roof of a Ram Promaster, installs a just designed and formed “fiberglass” poptop for the first time and does this on an already diy build? Quite a bit... leaks, zippers won’t zip unless the top is part way down, the top can’t be closed with the radio antenna in place (leaked and shorted out electrical in dash that was not covered by Ram warranty) and the poptop lift mechanism in misaligned so doesn’t go up straight. 6 trips to SMB West, not fixed, and apparently stonewalled. If interested in what is a good natured read (keep it and deal with it), go to sportsmobileforum.com and look for “Hello, I wish I had found this forum sooner!” Makes us appreciate the fact that we have had no manufacture issues. A few quality and design issues plus the carbon monoxide monitor died after 5+ years (5 year warranty) and the plastic smoke detector mount broke. I think one of the reasons there were no problems was that SMB West built a V6 prototype that they used to convince commercial dealerships to sell SMBs. We met the owner who bought this NV. SMB made a few, minor changes in the 30 they built. Our plan is to keep our NV SMB 4 more years. At some point I will be unable to manually push up the top. An electric top can be installed but the above post may nix that...

While we were at Woods Lake a fire northwest of Dolores, CO closed the San Juan forest. When we drove through the area the road was open, but everything west was closed. The road may be closed but you can get road info from the ranger stations in Dolores and Norwood. A new fire started since then northwest of Nucla, CO about 15 miles west of Norwood. I tried checking inciweb but it wouldn’t let me in. For anyone traveling and/or camping in the west you can pull up the forest or campground to see what fire restrictions and closures exist. You can also google “fires in (pick the state)” and get similar info.

WOODS LAKE CAMPGROUND, CO Actually this is the return to Woods Lake, a much delayed return trip due to heat, fires etc. We kept monitoring InciWeb for forest fires and closures as well as weather reports. We finally decided to just take our chances, ignoring that it was 111* in Tucson and trying to pack for the Rockies. We gave up and got up the next morning at 0200 to pack. We headed toward El Morrow National Monument (9 free campsites that rarely fill, but are less than level) in New Mexico. 84* when we arrived and 57* in the morning. From here it is a relatively straight route, all excellent state roads, to Gallup, Shiprock, NM, Cortez, Dolores, CO, to Woods Lake campground (9470'). This is a beautiful area for camping, hiking, biking, fishing and kayaking. Rain and hail from Rico (CO 145) most of the way to our campsite. Temp dropped to 45*. Welcome to the Rockies. We had several nights that dropped to 41*. Lots of sun until our last day. High altitude sun can be brutal. We set up our screen room for shade and for relief from flies. Very few mosquitoes. This past winter was warm and there was very little snow. Great for ticks. Protect your dogs. Speaking of dogs, this will be the last trip for our 15 year old Siberian Husky mix, mostly mix. Lots of slow walks along the irrigation ditch (dry). Return route was through Norwood (7000’) a very much alive ranching/farming town. Bar, bank, post office, Ace hardware, Happy Belly Deli (deli?, good coffee and breakfast for locals' place), grocery store, motel, hotel with restaurant, laundry mat, gas station ($3+ a gallon) car parts store and most important for me, 3 bakeries. Also a new library and regional school. Too close to Telluride so home prices reflect this. We avoided Telluride and used Norwood for resupplies etc. On a map, Norwood looks like it is on the San Miguel River. From San Miguel Canyon, you climb up Norwood hill. Water is scarce and depends on part on the irrigation ditches, many dug by Basque sheepherders. Took the Old Norwood to Dolores Rd. to head home. Paved on both ends with 36 miles of maintained dirt/gravel roads in between. Dusty but the check engine light did not come on. We spent our last night at El Morro National Monument. 3 sites plus the handicapped open. 1 and 2 are unusable for NVs. Site 3 was ok. It was 94* with the sun setting. The other problem was ants, everywhere. Because it was so hot, we opened up all 5 "penthouse" windows, put the skeeter beater screens on the front door windows and attached the screen we made for the side door. At 0500, it was 55*. Ants must be late risers but soon found me at the picnic table boiling water for coffee. They even climbed up to the flame of our backpacking stove. Didn't even consider setting up our Coleman 2 burner... Life in the desert vs life in the mountains. Extremes...

Continued again, or is this redundant? Sometimes it it is difficult to tell legitimate questions from nuisance posts or trolling. The car seat post is a good example. The post seemed overblown, maybe not. Won’t know unless that person responds. To state the obvious, the forum is here to share information. There is a small group willing to answer posts but it is a waste of our time if there is no response or follow up.

I guess cargo owners are tougher and don’t need heated seats... Fog lights maybe.

You will love the ac. At 113* recently, it kept us cool plus the engine temp never budged. It hits the midway point and never moves no matter what the driving conditions. Some business users have complained about low mpg. Even if lower than your Chevy, your “no comparison” comment says it all.

Welcome. How to you plan to use your NV?