The money from selling the previous RV has arrived so it’s time to order my next one. I have never had any doubt about what brand this one would be: a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cargo van (http://www.mbsprinterusa.com/shopping-tools/build-and-equip) converted by Sportsmobile (http://sportsmobile.com/) to my design.
That didn’t make ordering the van as easy as I expected it to be. I knew I wanted the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 11,030 pounds but I thought I could get by with the regular 170″ wheelbase one. Nope. When I started playing with roof layouts I discovered I couldn’t get everything I wanted on the roof without having equipment shading my solar panels. That’s not a good thing. So I’m going with the tallest and longest one on the chart above. It’s also the one on the very right of the chart below.
My special order items list for the van is not a long list but it does include some very important items. Like an upgraded suspension package for vehicles that carry weight up high. A trailer hitch package. Cruise control. Upgraded seats for long driving day comfort that swivel so the driver/passenger seats (Mercedez-Benz calls the passenger seat a co-driver seat since these are cargo vans) can become part of my living space. And a few more details like that.
Most of these vans are Arctic White. I ordered Grey White, instead.
Because it looks like Arizona dirt so maybe I won’t feel compelled to wash it so often during my snowbirding seasons. And so I can pick mine out of the crowd at gatherings.
So that’s done. Now to work some more on the interior design. I only have three to five months to finalize it before the van arrives.
TTYL,
Linda
ps. Down another pound this week. I like this trend.
Always enjoy reading your blog.
Are you planning on staying in Mn in the summer and going other places during the snow/cold
season?.
I checked out the site: http://sportsmobile.com/.
Are you going with the largest one and pop up top.
Can’t wait to see what your final design is.
Keep in touch,
Jeff Hop
We’re certainly going to look forward to seeing you this winter! Congratulations on your new RV. It’ll be exciting ordering all the little things that will make the van more comfortable for you. Also, congrats on the extra pounds. You’re doing an amazing job!
Sounds wonderful. Good luck with your new vehicle.
I don’t know, mine is “off-white” and I always think it looks dirty among all the arctic white RVs. :p
Good luck on the Sportsmobile! I envy you –a custom order with a spanking brand new Sprinter would be a dream come true. 🙂
How exciting! Well, you’ve about made it through the MN winter for this year. I don’t recall you complaining too much about the weather. 🙂
Hi Linda, I’m in a state of shock, having not followed any RV blogs for awhile. Yours was the first I checked out – and my goodness, what a world of change. So you’re changing from bigger to smaller – smaller even than the View/Navion. I hope there’s a post on your blog explaining it all. I wish you all the best! And I’ll have to check in here more often. ; ) Laura