radin2son

See, I never read it closely. I simply lumped roadside assistance and towing into 3yrs/36K. This is a much better deal, or at least clearer than my insurance policy, since this plan will tow it to the nearest NV dealer. So, now we know it will be a 100+ mile tow from Cochise Stronghold to Jim Click Nissan in Tucson. The only difficult part will be the 5+ mile walk to get to a spot with cell phone service. Thanks for the clarification. This is very reassuring with so few dealerships out west.

In 2012 the tow package was an option. In 2013 or 14, it was standard with all V8s. This is what the $460 tow package included: Extendable chrome, heated mirrors 2 front tow hooks TOW MODE Class-IV tow hitch 7 PIN CONNECTOR PRE-WIRING BRAKE CONTROLLER PRE-WIRING Heavy duty battery The tow mode has another useful function. With heavy loads it can be engaged for steep down hill sections. Not sure if it applies to steep uphill grades. Cruise control may do the same.

36K warranty ended 4K ago. Never looked at the details of the roadside service since my NV insurance covered this as well. Had I needed to, I suppose I could have picked which one worked best. (Since insurance policies vary state to state, you really have to look at the wording of coverage. In California, some were having trouble insuring 4x4 SMB conversions. This seemed to vary by company.) The good news is the dependability of the NV, so we may not have to use it.

I checked my NV insurance policy regarding towing and roadside assistance. The phrase is "Reasonable and necessary each disablement." When I first read this I called my agent to ask what this actually meant. His response was whatever it takes to get it to place where the problem can be fixed. To put in geographically, a break down in Cochise Stronghold may require a 100+ mile tow on a flat bed to Tucson if there is no one in Benson able to deal with it. Another issue may be how you insure your NV. If you have it on a car/ house policy it may be different than the way a SMB is insured. Initially, my agent insured our NV on our car/house policy thinking our NV was an aftermarket conversion. No problem, except only the van and $10K of the camper conversion was insured. (As long as you keep your conversion below this "computer generated" amount you will have enough insurance.) Since our van was purchased as a camper van from Nissan, we could go with a class B RV policy. Liberty Mutual has offered an interesting policy for our VW. They will tow it to the nearest VW dealership. Wonder if they know that could be hundreds of miles?

Truck Trend reports that 1188 NVs have been sold so far this year. Is this a case of too few being built or too few sold? The article actually is about a leak that Sprinters will be built in the US. It also lists units sold for Sprinters, Transits and ProMasters. Last time, I was at the dealer, there were 2 high tops on the front lot. None in the rear and no NV 200s. Yet, seeing more in town, almost all cargo vans. Yesterday, saw a white high top, camper conversion (?) with a fan/vent on the roof. If this was SMB, this would be known as a "sighting." Actually, SMB "sightings" almost always are E-series 4x4s. So, never mind.

Thanks. Good to know.

Check with you insurance agent to see what your coverage is and request/demand a flat bed to tow it when you need a tow. Too many people, especially those on the "tow" phone, still don't know what an NV is. Same for a tire change. They need to know this is a large truck. One other thing, your tow coverage may not cover dirt roads. Some barely cover being on the shoulder. Not problem getting towed, just very expensive.

Not much you can do until it happens again. Hope it doesn't. I think you have a 2012 NV from TX. The battery could be 3 years old and need replacement soon due to TX and soon AZ heat. 84* next week... We haven't had problems with our 50+ lb dogs setting off the alarm. We have, however, pushed the panic button with the key in our pocket while camping in the van. We no longer lock it when we are inside. Back to your issue, try locking it with the key. May or may not work... Another thing I have had happen, perhaps others as well, the doors will lock but the horn and lights do nothing. The only thing I can figure is that the rear door was closed but not completely. For others, it has been the side door. Your replication task will be to figure out the which door.

Word is GM van orders are being cancelled by prospective buyers due to the delay. Another entry into the NV200 market. 2016 gas powered MB Metris. Just under $30K for the cargo and $33K for passenger. The diesel version, Vito in Europe, may come here, sometime. 73% higher payload than NV200. Too many choices... Wait, I already have an NV.

GM is having difficulty keeping up with the demand for their full size vans, Express and Savanah, in part due to the demand for their new midsize pickups built in the same plant but also due to E series van users not wanting to replace them with the new Transit or ProMaster. Seems like the perfect time for Nissan to target both GM and E series replacement buyers. GMC has has an ad out emphasizing "precision." In their family photo, the Savanah is absent. Guess it didn't get the memo.

I found the service recommendations for 30, 60, 90 and 100K to be helpful. I at the very least now have a better idea about what is needed even if there are no problems. One thing not addressed in the article is what happens to the engine warranty if the oil changes are not done according to the service manual. Are the manual intervals "recommended" or requiried?

www.trucktrend.com just posted a great article, Routine Maintenance-Shop Class. Many of the old rules no longer apply based on new technology, fluids and the way we drive. For example, "normal driving," as defined by each driver, lets us extend the oil change to 7500 miles. The owner of that mega mile NV changing oil at 8000 miles was not that far off the mark. I try to keep oil changes to 5000 miles, but I now won't worry if I exceed this looking for a NV dealer. This article is an excellent read. I'm going to get out the service manual and record it there. Too much info to absorb or remember.

In 2012, we came across this video of a tour of Sportsmobile West. The only useable link I could find was on YouTube, Sportsmobile West tour, parts 1 and 2. It is a "home style" video, so it starts and ends abruptly. Love his "ugliest van" comment, followed by "...it's a Nissan, so it must be reliable. Right?" The high top NV being built has a shower and portable toilet, so it is a custom build. The NVs available through dealerships were more basic. When they made this video, SMB was still converting Ford E series vans, the majority to 4x4. The van and 4x4 conversion today starts at $90K. The couple who made this video decided against a SMB and went with a "slide in" camper for a '08 Ram dually. They wanted a daily driver, off road, extended stay vehicle. Wonder if they got their trash compactor?

Welcome. Under the "Conversion" topic, a new NV200 owner wants to home build one and add a pop top. Attatch pics and specs when you get delivery. Did you have a diesel option? If you or your family had a camper van previously, you are aware that once you have one, whether it was before the onset of family obligations or after, it remains dormant, in our case almost 20 years, and you have to obtain another. We are more than happy with our NV2500 camper van. Thought about putting it in a container and traveling in your part of the world. The size and fuel cost makes this daunting, plus we still have plenty to see here.

If you were in the UK this would be relatively easy. You might want to see who sourced the VW style pop top they used to make Honda Elements into camper vans. Who knows, it might be a good fit as is. Since they stopped making Elements in 2012, this might be difficult to find. SMB may be able to refer you to a custom top fabricator. Don't bother with the SMB forum. You will get "It is not a van" comments from the Ford group. I ran into this attitude about the NV2500... Transit Connects were also included, yet Jonathan at SMB was measuring one for a possible interior build. The owner had a cot on one side and lots of boxes/stuff on the other. Another option is a car top tent, but not if you want interior head room.

Sportsmobile (SMB) has started converting Transits and ProMasters. Info below is based on SMB info and includes MSRP discount and options at cost. Transit EBs start at $31K for the V6 with "standard" options. The V8 Eco Boost adds $1500, diesel $5100 and $2000 for typical options, back up camera etc. The camper conversion generally comes in at $40K +. You can easily add $10K to the build. Total package will run $71K+. Promaster EB will start at $34K+ for the V6 with "standard" options. Diesel will add $3500 and $2000 for more options. The camper conversion comes in at $35K. (www.sportsmobile.com has price, photos and specs for a completed high top.) Total package will be $71K*+. Sprinter SMBs fall into the $80-90K+ range. GM vans fall into the $70K+ range. It appears not that many GM vans have been converted to SMBs. Also, no mention of diesel or 4x4 for 2015 GMs. Unfortunately, SMB provides very little info on NV SMBs. The camper conversion will add $35K+ to the price of the NV. (No info on dealer orders since the first 30 were built in 2012.) Did see one for sale at a NV dealer for $61K with 128 miles. The quality of the builds will be the same for each van, so this is a wash. If you use $65K+ for the NV SMB, it is the best value and probably the best all around van in the bunch. Unless you need an extended van, fwd or diesel, there is no reason to look elsewhere. If you should come across a used NV SMB or any other SMB, the SMB forum's suggested pricing is market value for the van and 50% of the conversion cost. (50% for 4x4 as well.)

What an odd way to have to do business. Be great if you can skip the side trip to Toronto.

Could costs might be reduced if the buyer, here or Canada, ordered a 4x4 NV/Quigley from Canton through the dealership? Something close to a Quigley option package done at or very near the factory. What 4x4 options does a business van buyer have in the north? GM? If the numbers are there, the 4x4 option package might work. Moving people and towing is a different story. We have never seen so many very large 4x4, modified diesel, 4 door trucks towing the longest trailers possible as we saw on the first long weekend in May. Even with manufacturing plants in Canada, these can't be cheap. How does a 4x4 NV compare in price?

In the more rural areas in the west, we have seen a lot of "cutaway" Fords, the heavy duty pickups not just the E series, with a variety of delivery/work boxes on the back. NVs will fit right in...

KrAx78 posted some photo shop "chop" images of his van under Appearance back in August, 2014. He also mentioned putting on Infinity fx 18" with lopro tires. This combo may or may not lower your van enough to garage it. PM him and he can tell you, or go to a nearby tire and/or suspension shop and check out what may work. Be aware that changing tires may lower rear tire psi and the TPSM will constantly let you know the psi is low.

His other videos are worth watching even if you are not into climbing. You can get in touch with him via his web site. He responded to an email while sitting in "Magic" using Whole Foods' wifi in Las Vegas.

I too agree with Nissan's chosen placement in the van market for all the reasons you mention. If GM only slightly modifies their current van, they may pick up some of the E series business users, whose vans need replacement. Although this segment may not opt for GM's 4x4 or diesel, Nissan would do well if they offered both.

You had to figure Hyundai Commercial would join the party, or may be not. Looks like another Euro version with diesel.

When you buy a NV SMB you get this video for free plus $65K for the conversion or is it the other way around. vimeo.com/43545000 Of the 30 built and sold, I have only seen one. Only 2 other owners have been on this forum. One thing I would add to the video is to consider getting an electric "penthouse" top. The top and non-electric installation is very expensive and to retro fit electric is just as expensive as the original cost. If you are into onboard bathrooms and blackwater, you will have to look at the Sprinter video. Wear gloves...

A square dance decal on the back and 2 cowboy hats on the headrests will complete the look. The console top actually is very durable. It quickly became a rear facing seat when camping. Same for the cooler we also carry. I agree it is a pain to climb over or to lean over from the back when trying to get something from the front.