Thanks for the kind welcome guys, I'll do my best to answer your questions
Questions:
Gary, what is your role at SBS? Designer, publicist, builder, CEO, perhaps all of these?
Answer: Well all of the above I guess, except builder. We've put together a team of specialist manufacturers and suppliers all of whom are at the top of their game and we have specialists in every area – this way we need only ask of our suppliers what they are able to do exceptionally well.
Naturally the whole process is scrutinised in minute detail by SBS so we end up with a phenomenal product at a reasonable price.
Do you have plans to enter the overlanding market in USA and Canada? The three vehicles you list as your preferred chassis are not imported to North America.
Answer: We don't intend to have a physical presence in the US or Canada but of course we will happily produce a body for just about any vehicle and ship it just about anywhere for routine attachment to a local available chassis. When my wife and I do our great American tour we'll ship our body to the US, fit it to a locally bought chassis for the trip, then at the end ship the body home or to it's next destination - leaving the base vehicle there (where it has a market value and parts availability). It'll probably take us less time to fit the body than it would have done to arrange temporary registration of our European spec truck.
Your web site mentions a "soft" version for smaller pickup trucks like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux. Does this mean the camper has a roof that raises and lowers?
Answer: We do offer canvas and solid sided elevating roofs on our bespoke units but the reference to 'soft' versions on the website relates to model specifications and intended use. The 'Soft' versions use the same body but are fitted out and equipped in a more mainstream RV/motorhome manner. Still a lot more durable than your average RV of course (and with go anywhere 4x4 ability) but not really up to a full-on expedition.
What is the weight of fully equipped "soft" and "expedition" models? In North America, smaller pickup trucks like the Chevrolet Colorado, Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma have a much lower cargo capacity than their European counterparts.
Answer: The vacuum bonded monocoque structure is incredibly light as well as extraordinarily tough and durable. The weight depends totally on the specification but suffice to say they don't come much lighter.
Your web site mentions your willingness to build custom versions of your camper for any size vehicle. How long would a custom design take to deliver?
Answer: From time of order it depends on the strength of our order book (we're currently maxed out till March) but actual build time for a complete shell (fitted with doors, windows and hatches but no internal fit-out) is normally 3 to 4 weeks and typically double that to complete a fully furnished unit.
Hope that answers your questions but if you have any more please don't hesitate to ask.
Best wishes
Gary
