It took us two years to buy this rig. We had put a deposit on it way back in March of 2014, from the North Island, New Zealand, Uretiti to be exact, but then decided it didn't suit our interests in snowmobiling and cold weather travel. Two years later, it popped up on Craigslist, and, with our cold weather adventures done, it beckoned again. We were looking for something on a Sprinter 3500 chassis, diesel, good mileage, large enough carrying capacity for full-timing, towing, and
savage-
camping, with a more streamlined look, as close to European design, standards, and amenities as possible, consistent in cost with our near-term travel plans (that is, it will sit in storage in the US 6-8 months of the year), sleeping and seating 3-4. And well-made.
Le Sport was built in 2006 by Sportsmobile, an American firm esteemed for custom RV conversions, especially 4WD and adventure travel.
Le Sport was a prototype for a venture into the Sprinter Class C or B+ field with the German RV manufacturer Robel (
mit der umlaut). The venture did not pan out--too expensive to produce this side of the Pond--and only two vehicles were built, a boxy Class C, and
Le Sport, the sleeker B+. We have long been admirers of Sportsmobile, having visited their plants in Austin and in Fresno in years past, and when
Le Sport became available again, we seized the opportunity. Due diligence (Carfax), a good deal, taking our Ram for trade-in value, knowledge of the vehicle's history, and a chat with the past owner, sped us on our way. Also a sense of fate, destiny, kismet, karma...whatever. Maybe second time around.
Le Sport's only serious shortcoming for us was a lack of solar power, although it comes with 4 big AGM coach batteries, and we are adding four solar panels very shortly before returning to Middle California. Below are some initial pix and comments.
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At the dealership from whom we bought it; M-B Sprinter 3500,
2.7 l turbo diesel, 5 speed automatic |
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| Cab view |
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The Kenwood monitor serves the back-up camera, audio and
video, CD/DVD/MP3 player, and the satnav |
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Storage above cab; came with interior and exterior front window
covers |
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Looking abaft; TV and DVD player; also came with an in-motion
satellite system |
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Some of the interior storage; the woodwork is entirely solid, maple
we thought, but more likely birch, a cabinet-maker friend said |
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| One of two easy chairs; together, they make into a single bed |
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The other; the two cab captains' chairs swivel to seat four at a
portable table |
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| Galley; two sinks; Swedish 3-burner stove |
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| Shower and half of the dry bath |
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| Other half |
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| Fold-down table from medicine cabinet |
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| Clothes closet |
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| Lower bin for shoes |
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| Fridge and freezer |
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| Convection microwave |
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| Queen bed and ever more storage |
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| Exterior storage, under the bed |
Other features--24 foot over-all length, dual pane windows with black-out shades and embedded screens, airbags, macerator (Herr Scheisschopper), 2500 watt generator, 1750 watt inverter, LED lighting throughout, new furnace, low-profile AC, working tank monitors, 60 gallon fresh/gray, 12 foot Fiamma awning, Blue Ox towing system, assorted suspension upgrades, stabilizers, alarm system, dualies, 19 mpg highway, power everything, keyless entry, etc.--filled out our nearly 3 page list of desired features for an American camper. We love it.
*Oh yes, Le Sport is a tentative name only. Until Vicki comes up with something better.
