| GMC Trip Report [message #107410] |
Fri, 03 December 2010 16:46  |
Jerry Hartley
Messages: 17
Registered: May 2004
Karma:
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Junior Member |
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In October I flew from Seattle to Atlanta to pick up my “new” 1977 GMC Birchaven. I already own a 1976 Royale but wanted the Birchaven with a 500 CID Cadillac engine (w/4,000 miles), 3:70 Final Drive and upgraded instrument panel. I took my AAA Card, credit card, a few tools and my son who is a real mechanic. I found the Birchaven to be as described by the seller, no surprises and no complaints.
The tires and the airbags were old but correctly judged to be OK for the return trip to Seattle. The oil was changed and the three batteries replaced. The only mechanical “problem” encountered on the 2,800 mile trip was the brake system warning light which came on but required only the addition of some brake fluid to fix.
I am retired but my son is not so it was a hurried trip. The route taken was through Atlanta northwest to Lincoln, Nebraska, West to Salt Lake City (where my son had to fly back to work in California), then northwest to Seattle. There were times, particularly when traveling by myself after I lost my mechanic, when I wondered about the wisdom of flying so far to drive back in an unknown motorhome. It worked for me but I would caution others, and I don’t think I would do it again. There are many miles of desolate country without service stations or cell phone service. Overall, though, it was an excellent road trip.
Mileage was 8 – 9 mpg. I didn’t buy it anticipating great mileage though; I wanted the horsepower and the torque. The Cadillac 500 delivered both. I don’t remember the GMC ever lugging down or shifting down, even when crossing the Rockies (I80).
The 3:70 final drive worked well but would probably work even better for towing. The one comment I have is that at 60 mph the engine ran at 2600 rpm. It was not particularly noisy but I don’t like listening to an engine turn that fast hour after hour. I have perhaps become accustomed to my 2002 ford F-150 5.4L which at 60 mph turns 1750 rpm in overdrive and 2500 rpm when not in overdrive. The GMC turning 2600 rpm at 60 mph just doesn’t sound right. I once rode a Japanese motorcycle but I never got used to an engine turning 20,000 rpm.
The most surprising characteristic was the handling. It is superb. Not at all like that of my Royale. I am not sure why it is so good. I will talk to the guy who did the work on the Birchaven.
Another pleasant surprise was the 6-wheel disk brakes. It may not be a fact but when pressing on the brakes it feels like it would not be difficult to lock up the wheels. Again, not like the Royale in which I have occasionally found myself putting both feet on the brake pedal and wondering if I would get it stopped.
The upgraded instruments are fun. More stuff to wonder about
On the unpleasant side the particle board tabletops and cabinet doors are at least 5 steps below the quality of the Royale. I am a woodworker and I will have to fix these.
I am in the process of replacing the tires and installing the Quadrabag system, but that is another story.
Jerry Hartley
Sequim, WA
1977 Birchaven CAD 500
1976 Royale
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