Always good advice from you Jim, and I truly appreciate your continued thoughtfulness, but I should put in my signature, especially for you and AR ) that I don't like SMBs. Great work...great machines...but I just can't get past the cabinetry. I plan on full-timing and I'll need something pleasing (to me) around me when I'm "home".
I guess the kid will just have to slouch...it's not like he doesn't know how to! *ahem*
Why Full-Timing? Because at my age, I have maybe 40 more chances to see flowers bloom. CrusinSusan's Blog!! 2006 Winnebago View 23J
OK, I know it's not an enclosed bath but the rear twins, 4x4, and stealth looks of a Roadtrek 190 Popular are gonna be hard for you to beat.... well, maybe a Pleasure-Way Lexor...
RE: remarks in another thread about older P'Way models...
Our '98 P'Way Excel TW is still the van we loved best - and it was the 1st one.... twin beds, enclosed bath, white cabinets, drove well (it was a '97 chassis) - loved it.
FWIW, as far as the mechanicals are concerned, the Dodge 318 or 360 on the one ton chassis was very reliable. There were some driveabilty issues from '98 to '01 on some vans...
I did not realize you were thinking about used rigs...
Susan,
I have been following your posts but haven't responded because I don't know of any vehicle that meets all your criteria. There is a company called creativemobileinteriors (http://www.creativemobileinteriors.com/) that does custom work with high end materials that will satisfy your desire for a classy interior. You could get them to take a van with a Quigley installed 4wd system and customize it. However, the price would probably be astronomical - the Quigley conversion by itself would add $10,00 - $15,000 to the price.
All class B's are a compromise and people choose the models that provide the features that are most important to them. I think you should reevaluate your criteria and decide on what you really need rather than all the things that you want.
For example, 4wd is an extremely rare option in class B's and you may not need it. Most of the weight in a converted van is on the rear wheels and adding 4 wd doesn't give as much increase in traction as it does in a pickup truck where most of the weight is on the front wheels. For traversing bad roads or deep snow, ground clearance is more important than traction. That eliminates most of the B vans that are made because they have running boards and/or gray and black water tanks slung off the bottom that greatly reduce ground clearance. If you really need more traction, then consider putting a pair of tires with a more aggressive tread pattern on the rear wheels.
As others have stated, the company that is best suited to produce the vehicle that you want is Sportsmobile. It might be worthwhile to contact them (they are very friendly and helpful) and explain your needs. They may be able to come up with cabinet designs that suit you. Alternatively, have them put in the base interior and systems and then you could employ a local cabinetmaker to put in what you want.
Susan... I believe Great West Van makes a hightop with 6'4 interior height. It's on a Ford chassis. They've been made for a number of years so you might find a used one. It's not on their website anymore but it's in their print ads. If you find the side sofa model, or the side dinette model, it has the enclosed bath at the rear, and a second bed in the top over the cab.
Hope it helps..
john 'I am Canadian'
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) that I don't like SMBs. Great work...great machines...but I just can't get past the cabinetry. I plan on full-timing and I'll need something pleasing (to me) around me when I'm "home".
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