GMC Classics Portal - Newbie to Newbie

batman writes "This was posted on the GMCnet mailing list by Jay Reyburn.

Keeping in mind that I tried to write my first post last week after reading Jim Bounds and others dialog about GMCES,GMC clubs, the internet and their relevance I titled that first post NEWBIE to NEWBIE. Got lost in cyber space. Now Miguel, who I've never met, has helped touch on what I feel is a critical point in owning and enjoying this wonderful & frustrating Black Hole that is GMC ownereship.

This "real" first post is directed at other newbies, like myself, who have just purchased (me...a 77 Palm Beach & yes I will of course register it) are still looking or are at the bottom of this forum page. You know....3 members
1 invisible 41 visitors/guests....THAT page bottom.

So....Newbie to Newbie...part 2 I DO hope some of my thoughts help in some small way.

#1 If it wasn't for the internet I would, without a doubt, NOT be the owner of one of these coaches and would have most likely not even had a way to even find one. The first sites I found were Bethume Sales "wow!!! who in their right mind would pay 40k for a 30 year old motorhome?" Jim Bounds excellent site "gee...maybe there is something to this GMC thing" and a number of other sites,some Club sites that were, and still are, a great help with check-lists for buyers and what & what not to look for, parts suppliers etc., etc. I found the GMC NET FORUM later, last May I think. I can't tell you how much I appreciate these Forum members and all the INFORMED, WELL THOUGHT OUT information they choose to share with us and we all owe you guy's, Emory, Rick, Gene and a number of others who's names escape me right now a huge debt of gratitude. Thank you.

HOWEVER.....when a newbie, like me, first reads the posts here, you COULD get the distinct immpression that EVERYTHING can and DOES go wrong with these things. You'll hear disgussions about looking for aux. brake vacunm parts in the junk yard (how can a part like this be considered an option)holding a tube (steel, rubber,plastic) up to your ear to find the location of the KNOCK coming from your engine (TURN the engine OFF and take it to a mechanic) Or as my brother (the doctor) said to me after he first saw my lime green original Palm Beach. "Are you a lunatic or What?" I instantly directed him to the GMCForum to peruse some maybe more...less esoteric information about our wet dreams. When I asked him if he,possibly, NOW understood he looked me dead in the eyes and said "Too much talk about ice cream" Who's the lunatic now I thought.

The point I'm probably( very badly)trying to make, my NEWBIE Brothers & Sisters, is Don't let this kind of talk discourage you (like it did me) You'll shortly be able to sort the wheat from the chalf...so to speak.

#2NEVER believe a thing the P.O. says about his coach EVEN if he has a trunk full of receipts. As you look at these units you will most likely meet the wonderful, enthusiastic and knowledgable AMATUER mechanic that comes with it. Let me pose a question. If you are looking at two, pretty much identical coaches and the asking price is close to the same....how much MORE is the one that Jim Bounds worked on worth? How about if Jim Kanomata did the final Drive or say, Manny did the Tranny? See where I'm going?
I had been looking at GMC's for the last year, SERIOUSLY in the last 7 or so months. We looked at eight and bought the SECOND one we looked at. He called me back about 6 months later and we bought the coach for exactly half of the original asking price. Good thing too 'cause I put it ALL back into Mechanical & Safety issues just to get it home without getting killed. New rear brakes and I mean EVERYTHING from drums to springs,new lines ALL of them, every nut, spring & bolt. Rear Bogie pins & greasers, Elec. fuel pump, Aux Brake Vacunm Boost NEW, Fan Clutch & on & on & on. Because I was LUCKY enough to find DJ Eberhart, a Cinnabar certified mechanic, in Sheridan Oregon, It's all got a 1 year warranty PLUS I know he used the RIGHT parts. I'm sure there will be some of you who will go out & purchase an eight thousand dollar coach, change some belts, hoses and fluids, bolt on a microwave and say 'Let's go campin'" You guys scare me. Please resist the temptation.

#3 Here is what, in my humble NEWBIE opinion, is pretty much everything you need to know about purchasing, maintaining & enjoying this fabulous,facinating,frustrating GMC. In no particular order, Jim Bounds, Jim Kanomata, Denny Allen (here in Western Canada) and DJ Eberhart. Contact him through the Cascaders Club site. Good luck getting an appointment.

Yep....these guys are all in the BUSINESS of these GMC motorhomes, they are experts at what they do but much more than that....these four that I've dealt with have an enthusiasum and integrity....ethic if you will that just blows me away. I'm sure there are others but these guy's I recommend because I've used and will continue to use. From Miguels post which insired me to write this post, he sounds like a winner as well. I like the way he expresses himself and my impression is we need people like him. Maybe someone who has used his services will chime in.
You may have some pre conceived ideas about this post by now and maybe me so let's deal with that. I'm 20 years younger than the youngest GMC owner that I've met...so far. I own TWO businesses and work my ass off. When I have free time I spend it with my family first...everything else, including my GMC comes next.
The internet with all the GMC websites and especially this Forum site is like a lifeline of information to me. I still can't get over this GMC community....how they are so willing to share and help. Sometimes it's how I did my headliner with pictures (the archives must have really been something at one time) others with hard technical data, others with just plain sympathy as in "done that/been there."

You may, at times, get the immpression that this web site is ALL about money (or lack of it) and if you think about it a little.... it is. I personally couldn't care less if I can get a part, service or information for a few bucks cheaper than the guy's I've recommended above. My time is too valuable to spend it farting around looking or guessing for the right part,thingamabob or widget just so I can save 50 cents. These guys recommend what they sell because they USE them every day. AND if someting isn't right...they MAKE IT RIGHT. Try that with some Goof on ebay. Customers service is EVERYTHING. And these guy's know it. Every one of these GMC professionals could, and we all know this, put more money in their pockets selling third world aftermarket parts for '64 Mustangs...but they don't.....but they might. Jim B., & Jim K., especially, seen to always have what I need and HOW to install or use it. If they don't have the particular doo-hickey, and I still can't get over this....they tell me where I can get it or what to use. How.....unusual......and unique.

Of course.... I'd love to go to a rally...and I will someday. Just not yet. I'm 8-10 years away from retirement so maybe my coach will be done by then.(put joke/laugh here) When I hear the talk about streaming video from Tech seminars and rallys I say "hey...now your talking. When can I get it and who do I make the check out to." I, personally, like the idea of smaller less regimented, local groups that get together informally and disguss and problem solve the issues that are important to them, in their GMC community. How smaller in-person or online groups would negatively affect more organized Clubs escapes me.

So Newbies (like me) just some personal meanderings and impressions of what you MAY (or my not) be going through in your search for that perfect GMC. Hey...it's out there.

To any Senior members who may be reading this diatibe let me just say that there would, of course, be NO GMC community without your generous support of this and numerous other GMC related sites. The information, support and enthusiasum so many of you provide is invaluable in helping us "tame this beast"
We all, especially us newcommers, owe you much. So if for any reason I've rustled a few feathers it was certainly never my intent, in any way, to do so.

best regards,
Jay Reyburn
77 Palm Beach
Port Moody, B.C.
Canada.
(Who should have only one single malt scotch instead of two when composing his first post)
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