97 E350 Winne 4x4- Ski Bum Mobile

pinsx3

New member
Ski Bum Van (SBV) Part Deux

The next adventure has started! We were outgrowing our Sportsmobile and I was looking for a 4x4 motorhome when Java's came up. I was on it like T on Twitter! I was very excited to get the kids to the ski resort on a Friday night because getting them to move in the morning is nearly impossible. It really worked well! We were warm all night. There was NO complaining in the morning.

It drove well but a bit squirmy. It is very stiff. It feels like a low mile vehicle. Have been working on the awnings and the electricals. All the hot water works. Unfortunately the jacks stopped working. The relays work, but the pump is not going. I found a rusty 40 amp fuse block so I am going to replace that and see what works.

I want to redo the passenger side interior but we are already enjoying it. My daughter already set up her bed with unicorn art.

Last weekend I was at Lot 3 with my girlfriend at Alpental for the first time and the SBV was immediately recognized because of this thread.

It performed well in the deep snow (they don't plow often at lot 3). We met a lot of great people there hanging out at the campfire. They were very helpful to all those who got stuck in the deep snow. The SBV needed no help getting out of the parking lot though.

One glaring omission, Java, where is the bottle opener???

I am looking forward to spring break. Hopefully I can get the jacks and maybe front springs figured out so I don't rattle my teeth out. I love this rig.

IMG_0293.jpeg

16996236_10206855153691982_7205972590787244844_n.jpg
 

java

Expedition Leader
Awesome to see it out again! Still kinda miss it. We got out last weekend in the new truck though!

Edge of the step works great as a bottle opener! But no real one....

Call me on the jacks and the park/drive etc issue, I have an idea.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
 

pinsx3

New member
Lol! I ended up using the step too. I'll call you on the way home. I forgot to mention that I fixed the shifter!!
 

JohnB714

Member
I just picked up this rig from Pete so I thought I would continue the saga.

I plan on using this for my snowbike adventures. I will be towing my enclosed trailer from Northern California to Wyoming.

I'm going through the rig to familiarize myself with how it operates and it's lay out.

Already put new calipers, rotors and pads on it. Remove a ton of the leftover unused wiring under the dash and have some plans to upgrade the refrigerator.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20190127-223328_Chrome.jpg
    Screenshot_20190127-223328_Chrome.jpg
    249.6 KB · Views: 54
  • Screenshot_20190127-115646_Chrome.jpg
    Screenshot_20190127-115646_Chrome.jpg
    302.8 KB · Views: 68
  • 20190121_090504_2.jpg
    20190121_090504_2.jpg
    257.8 KB · Views: 90
  • 20190716_204731.jpg
    20190716_204731.jpg
    273.4 KB · Views: 93
Last edited:

68camaro

Any River...Any Place
I grew up riding dirt bikes, never saw a snowbike...pretty dang cool but unfortunately useless here in Virginia:(
 

alaskantinbender

Adventurer
Glad to see the continuing saga. We just picked up a E450 class C in Alaska and plan on making it more of an off the beaten path rig.
What have you guys done with the water system in the truck? Seems that trying to keep the utilities working in colder temps would be very challenging.
 

JohnB714

Member
In the interest of keeping the rig's history public here's an update. I found this thread very informative when looking to purchase so felt I should keep it going.

Iv'e been busy with doing some nice upgrades and some unfortunate repairs due to water damage found.

First the good.. Found a nice couch ($100) and set of studded tires ($500) on CraigsList. Also added a 5 port USB charging outlet by the table and tested out my bike hauler.
 

Attachments

  • 20190818_101551.jpg
    20190818_101551.jpg
    233.6 KB · Views: 46
  • 20190818_101914.jpg
    20190818_101914.jpg
    244.5 KB · Views: 45
  • 20190818_190208.jpg
    20190818_190208.jpg
    345.3 KB · Views: 44
  • 20190805_194017.jpg
    20190805_194017.jpg
    165 KB · Views: 52
  • 20190820_201924.jpg
    20190820_201924.jpg
    341.7 KB · Views: 49
Last edited:

JohnB714

Member
The bad... After big storm came through I found some moisture. When I bought the rig I did notice some de-lamination on the over cab bunk but though it would have been from the lights on the side or clearance lights on the front.

After looking at it closer I found lots of water damage and rot. I first thought I would try to cut out the rotten wood and patch in good wood, but ended up doing a whole tear down as there was not much left to save.

I'm not real big into taking pictures so I didn't capture the entire process, but here are pictures I did take.
 

Attachments

  • 20190913_171359.jpg
    20190913_171359.jpg
    181.8 KB · Views: 60
  • 20190914_185731.jpg
    20190914_185731.jpg
    216.1 KB · Views: 60
  • 20190914_185746.jpg
    20190914_185746.jpg
    237.7 KB · Views: 58
  • 20190914_185835.jpg
    20190914_185835.jpg
    236.7 KB · Views: 60
  • 20190917_172735.jpg
    20190917_172735.jpg
    338.9 KB · Views: 60
  • 20190917_172741.jpg
    20190917_172741.jpg
    338 KB · Views: 62
  • 20190917_175652.jpg
    20190917_175652.jpg
    283.2 KB · Views: 65
  • 20190917_175656.jpg
    20190917_175656.jpg
    268.8 KB · Views: 66
  • 20190919_164726.jpg
    20190919_164726.jpg
    250.5 KB · Views: 70
  • 20190919_185243.jpg
    20190919_185243.jpg
    167.9 KB · Views: 69
Last edited:

JohnB714

Member
Rebuilt cab over flooring.
 

Attachments

  • 20190929_125329.jpg
    20190929_125329.jpg
    223.8 KB · Views: 47
  • 20190929_125332.jpg
    20190929_125332.jpg
    260.3 KB · Views: 49
  • 20190929_125335.jpg
    20190929_125335.jpg
    212.3 KB · Views: 49
  • 20190929_125418.jpg
    20190929_125418.jpg
    297.9 KB · Views: 48
  • 20190929_213040.jpg
    20190929_213040.jpg
    295.1 KB · Views: 45
  • 20190929_213118.jpg
    20190929_213118.jpg
    266.2 KB · Views: 49
  • 20190930_184633.jpg
    20190930_184633.jpg
    233.2 KB · Views: 49
  • 20191004_134227.jpg
    20191004_134227.jpg
    339.4 KB · Views: 48
  • 20191006_204741.jpg
    20191006_204741.jpg
    210.6 KB · Views: 48

Forum statistics

Threads
185,544
Messages
2,875,706
Members
224,922
Latest member
Randy Towles
Top