The Yeti (Quest for the perfect SMB)

[TexGX]

Well it finally happened. After close to a year looking for the perfect SMB, I happened to check the pre-owned section of their website for the Texas location and found a 2003 RB50 7.3 PSD with all the wanted equipment and only 66,000 miles!!! After a deposit and the longest week in history at a meeting, I headed out to Austin for pick up. I am from Texas (if name didn't give it away) and this was an Austin built truck.

The team at SMB Texas were great. Paul, Kevin and Barbra made the process very simple. I arrived at 8am Monday morning. Paul showed me back to the truck and Kevin walked me though everything. After the paperwork was done, I was on my way back to Phoenix.

About to drive off


Needed a little Texas Bling


Inside


The plan was to head straight to El Paso, but I decided that I would spend some time exploring the best part of Texas. The Hill Country is a special place.

First stop was the Texas White House. This is the house LBJ lived in and would entertain people from around the world. Here are a few pics:

His Plane


Entrance

 

[TexGX]

After seeing the living museum and taking a tour of the house, I loaded up and headed west on some of the prettiest back roads in Texas. I was wanting to spend some time with The Yeti, so I decided to stop at South Llano River State Park. I had heard it was a nice park and it had power, so I could test every thing out. I did have to make one pit stop. I was starving by the time I made it to the park, so after a quick check in I headed to Lum's for some BBQ.

Lukenbach


Lum's


Campsite SLSP


First Meal in The Yeti


I had a great evening checking everything out. I would regret not stay farther down the line the second day. I drove from Junction to Phoenix the second day, that is over 867 miles straight the second day. The truck ran great. I keep the cruise on 65 or 70 mph and just putted along. I have started some minor changes, but it is ready to go.

TexGX

 

[robgendreau]

Congrats! You get it offroad yet?

 

[TexGX]

Have not had it offroad yet. I hope soon.

 

[PetitFrereArmada]

Nice. Welcome to Texas. I hope you have a safe drive on I-10. Looks like a well kept rig.

 

[BradyD]

Love the rig! looks like everything I want in a rig. I sympathize with you on that drive. I live in southeast Texas and have family in Phoenix, I used to make that trip every march. 1320 miles and for me 1315 of it was I-10! Congrats on the new ride.

 

[TexGX]

It was not my first drive TX to Phoenix. My wife is from Phoenix so when we got married and I moved her to The Woodlands, we made the drive more times then I care to remember. Most times it was straight through. We moved to San Antonio which made it a little shorter. So far loving the SMB. I am starting to get to know her and liking everything so far.

 

[The Swiss]

Congratulations! Yeti looks just perfect, not too flashy, just the right amount of lift, beautiful. Which floor plan is it? RB 50?
First that beautiful Casita and now the Sportsmobile, you are really leading the way form me!

Spoil us with some more pics of Yeti and your trip back!

 

[TexGX]

Thanks Swiss. It's a RB50. I did not take a single picture on the second day. It was non-stop driving. I hope to do a trip soon. I joke with a friend that if I tow the Casita behind the SMB, it be like having a two bedroom one and a half bath apartment. Loving it so far. It heads to my mechanic soon for a full look over.

 

[sdmca]

Love the Yeti... Congrats!

 

[TexGX]

A few updates:


A trip to Sedona. Notice blacked out rims.


Blacked out rear bumper


Changed slide out pantry to cabinet with shelves


Changed shelf in fridge to hold Tea Jug

TexGX

 

[Fugly]

Mate ..
That is a great looking rig....
Thanks for posting the Pic's...

Cheers
Fugly

 

[TexGX]

Thanks Fugly.

I forgot the great part. I had Agile Off-road in California update the suspension. Here is my review on Sportsmobile forum:

Holy Cow. I did not realize how bad my van drove until I had the mad geniuses at Agile work on the Yeti. I should have know it was going to turn out great when Ramsey kept smiling on the test drive. I think he renamed the van Marshmallow. Glenn and Ramsey jumped right on the van. It seemed like I was watching two perfectly tuned machines working together. They took the time to build the set up for my van. Not one detail was missed. Ramsey diagnosis my shake in the steering to a tire out of balance. Even though I had been to Firestone (will never go back), we ran the van to Evans Tire down the road and they worked their magic on the tires and no more shake. I can not fully explain in words the differences, but I will try(based on 5 hour ride home).

1. No bottoming out. On the first test ride, we hit a small dip in the road and the van bottomed out hard. On the after test ride, I did not notice the bump and Ramsey had to tell me that that was the same area.

2. Controlled body roll. The van has dramatically less body roll on turns and at stops. I hated making a turn with a small dip. It would throw you around like a rag doll. Now I do the turns at speed with very little movement. I can take a turns at posted speeds if not higher.

3. Control. I did not feel super comfortable driving the van much over 65 before the change. On the way back home I had the cruise set at 80 on the 75mph freeway and it rode perfect(huge cross wind).

I will follow up after a few weeks. If you have an older Quigley, I high recommend you take the van to Agile. It is well worth the money and would be worth it at double the price.

I can not thank Ramsey and Glenn enough for the fun day (these guys are a hoot to hang with) and the great work. True masters of their craft.

TexGX


Trip this summer.

 

[mph]

what kind of gas mileage are you getting?

 

[TexGX]

I would say average 16 mpg. Sometimes higher on the freeway depending on speed.