Sportsmobile is one of the pioneers in the camping-van business,
with roots that go back to the early '60s when converting the
classic Volkswagen bus was its forte. For over three decades,
the company has specialized in van conversions produced and
distributed from plants in Texas, California and Indiana.
While it would seem that these vans would appeal
especially to the younger family-type crowd, a surprising number
of buyers are retired, according to Charles Borskey, the
president of Sportsmobile. Many new customers have stepped down
from larger motorhomes and find van motorhomes easier to handle
for sightseeing, shopping and storing.
A good example of Sportsmobile's multipurpose
camping vehicle is the EB-30. The timing was perfect for us to
find out if such a van could double as a daily driver. We
scheduled three business days in Louisville, Kentucky, while
attending the national RV trade show, followed by a four-day
vacation exploring the thoroughbred pastures surrounding
Lexington. During the show, a local KOA campground was home
base, and the van was used for commuting.
Sportsmobile's interior reflects a bright,
clean contemporary look, largely influenced by the light-gray
cabinetry and blue/green patterned upholstery and curtains. The
floor plan in the EB-30 model includes a streetside sofa bed,
driverside. A low cabinet, a closet, a refrigerator and a toilet are
located curbside, front-to-back. This layout is one of many
offered by the manufacturer and customization is encouraged. Sportsmobile markets directly to retail customers and provides
templates for Dodge, Ford and GM chassis — scale-sized top-view
profiles of appliances, galleys, cabinets and sleeping/dining
furniture can then be cut out and arranged to suit the buyer's
personal taste.
The company's confidence in both the quality
and performance of its products is further evidenced by the
48-month /50,000-mile warranty.
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Livability
At the campsite, the Sportsmobile offers a refreshing surprise:
setup is a breeze. The Penthouse patented spring (both
compression and tension) assisted elevating system sets up, as
advertised, in less than 10 seconds. Once the three interior
locks are released, a gentle nudge activates the patented dual
U-tube counter-balanced spring system that snaps the roof to its
upright position. The interior of the coach is immediately
transformed into a spacious living area with 6 feet 10 inches of
headroom.Side walls of this roof
extension are made of automobile convertible-roof,
vinyl-impregnated fabric with five large screened windows with clear vinyl zippered flaps.
Snugly affixed to the ceiling is a 42x78-inch bed, which drops
down to a perimeter ledge that is formed by the van's reinforced
steel roof, providing top-bunk occupants with 30 inches of
headroom.
Luckily, when a fast morning getaway is called
for, the Sportsmobile take-down is equally as easy. The
counter-balanced spring system also assists with lowering the
roof, and bungee cords automatically blouse-in the side fabric,
so the roof seals neatly after clamping. It's necessary to crack
a door or window during take-down in order to evacuate interior
pressure.
The EB-30 is made specifically for a couple of
serious campers. Although it can sleep four, it is primarily
designed for two people. The forward living area features a streetside sofa that easily converts to a 48x74-inch bed.
Because of cold weather, we opted to sleep on this bed instead
of the overhead bunk. In summertime, the airiness of the higher
berth would be a better alternative.
We found the rear kitchen a cook's delight,
featuring lots of storage and plenty of open counter top. Since
I confess to being a serious chef of some gastronomic ability,
this seven-day test provided a good analysis of Sportsmobile's
design. There was no problem storing cooking equipment and
groceries for the week. |
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Since we camped in winter, heat was a high
priority. Unfortunately the 12,000-BTU propane furnace decided
to quit the first night out. Sportsmobile provided an optional
shore-powered ceramic heater that saved the night. This portable
unit was up to the task, even though the temperatures dipped
below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.Performance
Unlike the somewhat ponderous feel sometimes experienced when
driving a motorhome, our overall impression behind the wheel of
the Sportsmobile reminded us of passenger vans.
Sportsmobile's low-profile roofline and
resulting lower-than-usual center of gravity kept the cornering,
lane-changing body roll and cross-wind reactions to a minimum.
Whether fighting rush-hour madness on U.S. 265 or winding
through the stone-fenced lanes of pastoral Lexington, the
small-block V-8 and the van's suspension kept us abreast wit
most passenger-car traffic.
We covered 930 miles during the test, many of
which were in stop-and-go city driving. fuel economy averaged
13.3 mpg, which isn't bad for a full-size vehicle. In subsequent
test, on relatively flat freeway routes, mileage improved to
15.8 mpg at a sustained speed of 55 mph.
Hills were no problem for the Sportsmobile; we
climbed from the Ohio River basin to the foothills of the
Smokies on a continuous 4-mile, 4-percent grade, maintaining a
steady 60 mph without dropping to a lower gear.
Loaded with water, propane and fuel, the test
rig weigh 7,560 pounds, well below the 8,550 pound gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR). This allowed a 990-pound payload capacity,
which is adequate but not overly so for a rig of this size.
For the right couple, a Sportsmobile camping
van can be an affordable alternative to owning and maintaining
both a family car and an RV. The functional versatility and easy
drivability combined with quality fixtures and workmanship, make
almost any destination reachable without sacrificing comfort.
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