27 replies to this topic

[radin2son]

Came across this blog weretherussos.com and their class B RAM Promaster. They went from “brick and sticks” to a class A RV towing a Jeep to a 20’ campervan.

Good read for anyone considering a camper conversion. They live and work in this van full time, but are not professional runners, climbers etc.

They did check out SMB but the wait time was 6 months to a year and a half.

Edited by radin2son, 28 November 2017 - 10:45 AM.

[radin2son]

Periodically, l look at Sportsmobile’s pre owned sites to see if any Nissan NVs show up.

I thought this 2012 hightop sold for $41k, but it is back at $39,995. This is a great price, given it probably was $70k after the upgrades. The owner is in Salt Lake City.

Google pre owned Sportsmobile, Texas if interested. I believe I posted photos on the previous page.

[radin2son]

Above NV SMB listed as SOLD. Wonder if the new owner will show up here?

[radin2son]

The 2014 NV 2500 V6, standard top conversion sold. Asking price was just under $54k. This was a one off.

Welcome to the new owner if they show up here.

[radin2son]

You would think the campervan conversion market would be too crowded, particularly the MB chassis, for a new entry, Beartooth Vanworks. Adventure journal has an article with photos. Only so many ways you can configure a hightop conversion. Sleeps 2 seems to be the norm.

BV modular components are interesting, similar to buying from Ikea. Pricey.

When will NVs get an extended version? Until it does, it won’t compete well in terms of interior space.

Edited by radin2son, 06 June 2018 - 11:42 AM.

[radin2son]

Sportsmobile forum has started sending out a news letter, basically new posts and links. An interesting link is doityourselfrv.com

[radin2son]

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...

Edited by radin2son, 13 August 2018 - 03:29 PM.

[radin2son]

Another campervan converter, this time on the east coast, Gaithersburg, MD. Adventure Journal has the article, or go to Off Grid Adventure Vans

ogavans.com

Ram ProMaster because they like fwd. Will convert Ford Transit and Sprinters. Doubt they ever heard of NVs.

Interesting conversion that will add $30-35k to the price of the van. $30k for the base van.