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Decided not to blow up my GMC! [message #150484] Tue, 22 November 2011 22:52 Go to next message
RadioActiveGMC is currently offline  RadioActiveGMC   United States
Messages: 1020
Registered: November 2010
Location: Hot AZ desert
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Senior Member
HELLO AGAIN! Smile Its been many mths since I have posted on the forum.

After a long hard journey I haven't posted on the forum for a long time. I haven't posted on the forum forever since I know my questions and way I communicate can at times seen annoying! lol. But I'm back to keep bugging! lol-jk Honestly I almost gave up hope for my GMC even though I love it.
I've parked my GMC for many mths now after putting in $25,000 in work (or more!) (and tones of busted knuckles and blood, sweat and tears far above the $25,000) and still the thing drove like a giant lemon. Massive bills at rip off shops and only a few short camping trips under my belt. I could of bought a time share in Hawaii, or bought a small island somewhere for the money I have in this 23 ft RV.
Mths after mth I poured my heart into this sucker and while it moved forward progress was slow. I never thought of myself as mechanical but between this 1973 GMC, my 1971, 73, and 79 Mercedes Benz fleet, I've learned a few things about 70s vehicles. Being 38 years old, I now own a fleet of vehicles that all qualify for historic plates go figure.
I had nothing but massive issues with everything. However I solved them all one by one. The one that I couldn't solve NO MATTER what was why in the world the coach over 45 mph drove like GARBAGE. The handling was TERRIBLE. On the "dangerous" side really. Felt like a 1000 gal fish tank in the back. Where I felt so uncomfortable at times I didn't want the family in it so I keep speeds down to nothing.
This is the point where I'd like to say I'm not concerned with what to use or not to use, but I'm just letting ones know what I did. My coach was HORRIBLE on the hwy. So bad it was not useable. Front wheel bearings, and suspension issues fixed helped, not a lot but just a small percent. Not enough to ever make driving this machine feel safe.
I bought the correct tire rated tires last dec (2010) But I found one thing I'd like to tell everyone to avoid, and while I'm sure many will say they would of never went down the same road I did, I hate to say it I'm guessing many would because of massive cost differences.
I brought my coach in for tires last dec, and they sold me equal rated tires as to what the coach needed. CHINESE vs NON Chinese tires. CHINESE TIRES FOR A MOTORHOME THIS WEIGHT STINK! I called the tire shop I bought the tires from telling them of my non stop problems I've had and they tell me "oh the tires we sold you are bad, they discontinued them"
Over $2000 in now all steel (yes I know what some are going to say about all steel) Michilin LT RIBS these tires are the real deal and those chinese tires are in a junk heap where they belong. What a difference. I've read peoples displeasure of all stell tires, I'm not concerned about that. Those Chinese tires are nothing but words I can't type in public, or words that never come out of my mouth but they are words deep in my head! And these new steel tires MADE A MASSIVE DIFFERENCE.
I only got to take it on one fast hwy drive since I was running late after I bought these new. But it was NIGHT and DAY in difference. I did change the tire pressure to 65 lbs per tire for my 23ft. So far so good. This thurs a long awaited camping trip about 130 miles away will be the test. I'm praying these tires still make me as happy as they have felt around town and at 75 on the interstate. But at last there is HOPE! It was driving like a arrow. It felt like a totally different coach. If my camping trip goes poorly I'll have a 23 ft 1971 mostly restored GMC for sale cheap! But my gut is telling me my results I've had on my test runs will yield the same results I have had thus far. Can't wait to take it up to the mountains for a few days for dry camping with the family!



***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia- Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
Re: [GMCnet] Decided not to blow up my GMC! [message #150486 is a reply to message #150484] Tue, 22 November 2011 23:19 Go to previous messageGo to next message
ljdavick is currently offline  ljdavick   United States
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Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
Senior Member
Good luck, Michael.

Tires can make a huge difference, but don't give up. All the quality hard work you have 'invested' in your coach remains, and there are only so many systems on these coaches. Keep your ride height to specs (butt down) as this makes a big difference in drivability.

The best of luck to you and your family this weekend.

Larry Davick
Sent from my iPad

On Nov 22, 2011, at 8:52 PM, Michael <radioactive626@msn.com> wrote:

>
>
> HELLO AGAIN! :) Its been many mths since I have posted on the forum.
>
> After a long hard journey I haven't posted on the forum for a long time. I haven't posted on the forum forever since I know my questions and way I communicate can at times seen annoying! lol. But I'm back to keep bugging! lol-jk Honestly I almost gave up hope for my GMC even though I love it.
> I've parked my GMC for many mths now after putting in $25,000 in work (or more!) (and tones of busted knuckles and blood, sweat and tears far above the $25,000) and still the thing drove like a giant lemon. Massive bills at rip off shops and only a few short camping trips under my belt. I could of bought a time share in Hawaii, or bought a small island somewhere for the money I have in this 23 ft RV.
> Mths after mth I poured my heart into this sucker and while it moved forward progress was slow. I never thought of myself as mechanical but between this 1973 GMC, my 1971, 73, and 79 Mercedes Benz fleet, I've learned a few things about 70s vehicles. Being 38 years old, I now own a fleet of vehicles that all qualify for historic plates go figure.
> I had nothing but massive issues with everything. However I solved them all one by one. The one that I couldn't solve NO MATTER what was why in the world the coach over 45 mph drove like GARBAGE. The handling was TERRIBLE. On the "dangerous" side really. Felt like a 1000 gal fish tank in the back. Where I felt so uncomfortable at times I didn't want the family in it so I keep speeds down to nothing.
> This is the point where I'd like to say I'm not concerned with what to use or not to use, but I'm just letting ones know what I did. My coach was HORRIBLE on the hwy. So bad it was not useable. Front wheel bearings, and suspension issues fixed helped, not a lot but just a small percent. Not enough to ever make driving this machine feel safe.
> I bought the correct tire rated tires last dec (2010) But I found one thing I'd like to tell everyone to avoid, and while I'm sure many will say they would of never went down the same road I did, I hate to say it I'm guessing many would because of massive cost differences.
> I brought my coach in for tires last dec, and they sold me equal rated tires as to what the coach needed. CHINESE vs NON Chinese tires. CHINESE TIRES FOR A MOTORHOME THIS WEIGHT STINK! I called the tire shop I bought the tires from telling them of my non stop problems I've had and they tell me "oh the tires we sold you are bad, they discontinued them"
> Over $2000 in now all steel (yes I know what some are going to say about all steel) Michilin LT RIBS these tires are the real deal and those chinese tires are in a junk heap where they belong. What a difference. I've read peoples displeasure of all stell tires, I'm not concerned about that. Those Chinese tires are nothing but words I can't type in public, or words that never come out of my mouth but they are words deep in my head! And these new steel tires MADE A MASSIVE DIFFERENCE.
> I only got to take it on one fast hwy drive since I was running late after I bought these new. But it was NIGHT and DAY in difference. I did change the tire pressure to 65 lbs per tire for my 23ft. So far so good. This thurs a long awaited camping trip about 130 miles away will be the test. I'm praying these tires still make me as happy as they have felt around town and at 75 on the interstate. But at last there is HOPE! It was driving like a arrow. It felt like a totally different coach. If my camping trip goes poorly I'll have a 23 ft 1971 mostly restored GMC for sale cheap! But my gut is telling me my results I've had on my test runs will yield the same results I have had thus far. Can't wait to take it up to the mountains for a few days for dry camping with the family!
>
>
> --
> ***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
> Michael, Casa Grande, AZ
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
Re: Decided not to blow up my GMC! [message #150488 is a reply to message #150484] Tue, 22 November 2011 23:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
RadioActiveGMC is currently offline  RadioActiveGMC   United States
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Registered: November 2010
Location: Hot AZ desert
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Senior Member
Thx you. I'm always measuring the rear since I disconnected the leaky air system and add valves to the bags. But I'm always concerned about the rear height.
I'm pretty excited about getting it back on the road again.


***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia- Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
Re: Decided not to blow up my GMC! [message #150499 is a reply to message #150484] Wed, 23 November 2011 07:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
bobby5832708 is currently offline  bobby5832708   United States
Messages: 237
Registered: November 2006
Location: Winter Springs FL
Karma: 3
Senior Member
Michael,

My story is similar to yours, just not to that extent. When I got my GMC in 2006 I put Firestone Transforce tires on the Alcoas and over the next couple of years had tried many combinations of alignment specs, tire pressures, new front end parts, you name it. The GMC was too "busy" st highway speeds and was tiring to drive.

Someone here on the forum (I think it was Phil in Oregon) recommended Toyo Open Country HT tires a couple of years ago, so after wearing out the front Firestones by doing burnouts (you wouldn't believe how quickly you can shred the tires) and selling the remaining 4 to my neighbor I found a good deal on the Toyos at my local tire dealer. The difference in driveability was very noticeable. Everything else being equal, with the Toyos I could now look down to change the radio station without changing lanes. I could adjust the A/C fan and not worry about taking out the car next to me. I can read the GPS and not end up in the median. I can drive for miles on the highway with two fingers and a thumb on the wheel. After driving a couple hundred highway miles I'm no longer worn out, I enjoy driving the GMC on long trips now. I can go 50 or I can go 80 and the GMC now stays in it's lane and drives like you would expect it to.

The Toyos are not without their faults, they're not exactly the smoothest or roundest tires I've ever had on a vehicle (that distinction belongs to Michelins I had on a Town Car years ago) but they're far from being the worst. Like Larry said, tires can make a big difference in how the GMC drives. If I start saving now maybe I will have enough to buy Michelins for my next set in a couple of years.

Good luck with your GMC. They CAN be made to drive well, it just takes quality parts and proper adjustments.


Bob Heller
2017 Winnebago 29VE
Winter Springs FL
Re: Decided not to blow up my GMC! [message #150508 is a reply to message #150484] Wed, 23 November 2011 09:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mike miller   United States
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Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
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Senior Member
Mr.RadioActive wrote on Tue, 22 November 2011 20:52

HELLO AGAIN! Smile ...

... But it was NIGHT and DAY in difference. I did change the tire pressure to 65 lbs per tire for my 23ft. So far so good. ...


My experience is that air pressure is more important than tire brand... or even what country the tire was made in. (At least as far as coach handling in concerned. Economics and politics might be different. Twisted Evil ) High tire pressure casing squirrelly handling is even true for many non-GMC applications... like my Sidekick towd needs only 23lbs in each tire.

In fact, considering you have a lighter 23 foot coach, 65lbs might still be a little high. (Also not the the early coaches are normally a bit lighter than the later coaches.) Weigh the coach and use the tables from the tire manufacturer for the proper pressure.

On tire construction: With all else being equal, most GMC'ers would pick rag walls over all steel wheels. The forward facing boogies have a tendency to follow ruts when the sidewalls are stiffer. This stiffness can come from the steel sidewalls or from higher air pressure.


Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo' http://m000035.blogspot.com
Re: Decided not to blow up my GMC! [message #150535 is a reply to message #150508] Wed, 23 November 2011 14:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
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Location: Hebron, Indiana
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The biggest single improvement to handling I had was fixing the rear air leaks and setting rear ride height correctly. A functioning air system going down the road keeps the height correct as loading changes. Things like how much water you have on board and how much gas in the tanks, and then the people moving around all affect it. I'll never for get stepping into Arch's coach one time and the compressor kicked on. Arch had the leveling system on when parked sometimes. He said to me "Oh yes, it will do that from just one person moving around". I do not think he always left the leveling on when parked.

The second biggest was setting the air pressure in all of the tires based on the weight on each axle. I think 55 rear and 60 to 65 front is more like what a 23 needs. Some 23 foot people need to respond to this.

The third was getting rid of those steel wall tires. If you have good handling then leave everything alone. If you need better then start with the top item here and work to the second and then the third.

There was a recall a couple of years back on some Chinese made tires marketed under several off brand names.

I and a few others there have Kumho KL78's and love them. Kumho is a Korean brand and they do have a factory in China besides several in Korea. Just like Michelin, has factories in multiple countries. Country of origin is not a good indicator of tire quality.

There are going to be lots of tire opinions.

Let the tire wars begin!


Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: Decided not to blow up my GMC! [message #150539 is a reply to message #150484] Wed, 23 November 2011 15:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kingd is currently offline  kingd   Canada
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Registered: June 2004
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Senior Member
Ken B. regarding country of MANUFACTURE of tires. Country of manufacture CAN be significant depending on the COMPANY of Manufacture, Design, Quality control and some others. My son works in a tire shop that sells/service tires for everything fromm a wheel barrow to dump trucks(I moved some 425/65/22.5 tires for them the other day) His experience with tires from different countries of origin is my basis for my statement regarding Country vs Manufacturer. I don't think I'd worry about Michelins regardless of where they were made. But tires from the ABC Rubber Company from you know where, maybe.

DAVE KING


DAVE KING lurker, wannabe Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Re: Decided not to blow up my GMC! [message #150543 is a reply to message #150539] Wed, 23 November 2011 15:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bob de Kruyff   United States
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
Senior Member
My personal feeling is that it is all about specifications and meeting those specifications. Many reputable component suppliers and automotive manufacturers build things in China with excellent results. That is because they specify what is required and have continous quality controls--just like they would anywhere else in the world. Without those specs, you will get junk. Right now I rum BFG's on the GMC and Khumos on 3 of my cars--all with great results.

Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
Re: [GMCnet] Decided not to blow up my GMC! [message #150553 is a reply to message #150543] Wed, 23 November 2011 18:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
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The problem is normally with component suppliers, who lie to the manufacturers.  Anyone who has dealt with electronic equipment over thae last decade is familiar with Pregnant Capacitor Syndrome, a lot of reputable manufacturers and suppliers were duped.  As were the jobbers like Mouser and DigiKey who sold them the components.  Maybe the Chinese will settle the hash of the folks who did the deed.  I read someplace, the head of the company which sold all the melamine laced protein supplement to a large number of reputable dog food makers got caught and went up against The Wall for his crime.  Maybe the example will stop others.
 
--johnny


________________________________
From: Bob de Kruyff <NEXT2POOL@AOL.COM>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2011 4:49 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Decided not to blow up my GMC!



My personal feeling is that it is all about specifications and meeting those specifications. Many reputable component suppliers and automotive manufacturers build things in China with excellent results. That is because they specify what is required and have continous quality controls--just like they would anywhere else in the world. Without those specs, you will get junk. Right now I rum BFG's on the GMC and Khumos on 3 of my cars--all with great results.
--
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: [GMCnet] Decided not to blow up my GMC! [message #150557 is a reply to message #150553] Wed, 23 November 2011 19:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kingsley Coach is currently offline  Kingsley Coach   United States
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Michael

I'd add another 5 lbs to the tires.....
Mike in NS...also running Michelin LTS made 30 miles away from me.

On Wed, Nov 23, 2011 at 8:17 PM, Johnny Bridges <jhbridges@ymail.com> wrote:

> The problem is normally with component suppliers, who lie to the
> manufacturers. Anyone who has dealt with electronic equipment over thae
> last decade is familiar with Pregnant Capacitor Syndrome, a lot of
> reputable manufacturers and suppliers were duped. As were the jobbers like
> Mouser and DigiKey who sold them the components. Maybe the Chinese will
> settle the hash of the folks who did the deed. I read someplace, the head
> of the company which sold all the melamine laced protein supplement to a
> large number of reputable dog food makers got caught and went up against
> The Wall for his crime. Maybe the example will stop others.
>
> --johnny
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Bob de Kruyff <NEXT2POOL@AOL.COM>
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2011 4:49 PM
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Decided not to blow up my GMC!
>
>
>
> My personal feeling is that it is all about specifications and meeting
> those specifications. Many reputable component suppliers and automotive
> manufacturers build things in China with excellent results. That is because
> they specify what is required and have continous quality controls--just
> like they would anywhere else in the world. Without those specs, you will
> get junk. Right now I rum BFG's on the GMC and Khumos on 3 of my cars--all
> with great results.
> --
> Bob de Kruyff
> 78 Eleganza
> Chandler, AZ
> _______________________________________________
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> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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>



--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS
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Re: [GMCnet] Decided not to blow up my GMC! [message #150879 is a reply to message #150535] Mon, 28 November 2011 16:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Richard Denney is currently offline  Richard Denney   United States
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On Wed, Nov 23, 2011 at 3:11 PM, Ken Burton <n9cv@comcast.net> wrote:

>
>
> The biggest single improvement to handling I had was fixing the rear air
> leaks and setting rear ride height correctly...
>
> The second biggest was setting the air pressure in all of the tires based
> on the weight on each axle. I think 55 rear and 60 to 65 front is more
> like what a 23 needs. Some 23 foot people need to respond to this.
>
> The third was getting rid of those steel wall tires. If you have good
> handling then leave everything alone. If you need better then start with
> the top item here and work to the second and then the third.
>

I use cheapie Chinese tires ("Heritage" brand) which are ragwalls, and on
my 230 I inflate the fronts to 65 and the rears to 50. The rears could be
lower and still be within the manufacturer's recommendation, which is
something in the 35-40 range. My coach weighs about 9600 pounds: 2000
pounds on each front tire and between 1350 and 1500 pounds on each rear.

I would add a fourth item to Ken's list: Proper weight balance. My
right-to-left balance on the front is within 50 pounds, and right to left
on each rear pair did not exceed 100 pounds. Most importantly, the weight
on the front left and rear right diagonal was within 225 pounds of the
front right, rear left diagonal. That would balance better with a
passenger, which I did not have when I was weighed. The air systems will
correct for this imbalance so that you can't see it in the ride height, but
that doesn't mean the handling won't see it.

My coach has rather loose rear bogies and "whatever" front suspension
alignment. Even when I had been driving around with a spun front bearing,
my handling was fine. The only time I've ever had to fight the handling of
my coach was when the middle-steering-shaft CV joint was binding because I
had used the wrong grease.

I've seen people chase steering box adjustments and discuss front
alignments ad infinitum, but some coaches seem to drive true and easily
even with caster wheels on the back that rattle like an old shopping cart.
I think the main difference is weight balance and ride height. If the rear
is too high (which it will be if the coach looks level), handling will
suffer.

I drive on everything from jeep trails to 75-mph interstates with my coach.
My steering might be just a bit too loose for one-finger driving in heavy
traffic, but I never feel like I'm having to fight it except for pavement
joint bumps, and using the correct (lower) pressure, replacing the shocks,
and adjusting the ride height properly minimized that pretty well.

Rick "who'd start looking for a strong twist imbalance" Denney

--
'73 230 "Jaws"
Northern Virginia
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Re: [GMCnet] Decided not to blow up my GMC! [message #151031 is a reply to message #150879] Tue, 29 November 2011 20:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bob de Kruyff   United States
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
Senior Member
""My coach has rather loose rear bogies and "whatever" front suspension
alignment. Even when I had been driving around with a spun front bearing,
my handling was fine. The only time I've ever had to fight the handling of
my coach was when the middle-steering-shaft CV joint was binding because I
had used the wrong grease.

I've seen people chase steering box adjustments and discuss front
alignments ad infinitum, but some coaches seem to drive true and easily
even with caster wheels on the back that rattle like an old shopping cart.
I think the main difference is weight balance and ride height. If the rear
is too high (which it will be if the coach looks level), handling will
suffer.

I drive on everything from jeep trails to 75-mph interstates with my coach.
My steering might be just a bit too loose for one-finger driving in heavy
traffic, but I never feel like I'm having to fight it except for pavement
joint bumps, and using the correct (lower) pressure, replacing the shocks,
and adjusting the ride height properly minimized that pretty well.
""

I've told this story before, but my friend in Michigan bought a used coach in West Virginia years ago and when we drove it home, I marvelled at the handling. Even though my coach was totally restored it never handled well. When we started working on his coach when we got back, it had worn out ball joints, loose bogies, and 3 different brands of tires. However, the tires were all ragwalls and mine were the obligatory (Cinnabar) Michelin all steel ribs. I finally put new BFG ragwalls on and it handles like a dream. Part of the point is that a well worn coach can still handle well with decent tires. I also think Rick is on to something with the weight balance issue since it's possible to have a diagonal adjustment problem that will place high loads on one front wheel and the opposite rear wheels--all the while looking level.


Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
Re: [GMCnet] Decided not to blow up my GMC! [message #151151 is a reply to message #151031] Wed, 30 November 2011 22:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
Senior Member
Bob de Kruyff wrote on Tue, 29 November 2011 20:33

""My coach has rather loose rear bogies and "whatever" front suspension
alignment. Even when I had been driving around with a spun front bearing,
my handling was fine. The only time I've ever had to fight the handling of
my coach was when the middle-steering-shaft CV joint was binding because I
had used the wrong grease.

I've seen people chase steering box adjustments and discuss front
alignments ad infinitum, but some coaches seem to drive true and easily
even with caster wheels on the back that rattle like an old shopping cart.
I think the main difference is weight balance and ride height. If the rear
is too high (which it will be if the coach looks level), handling will
suffer.

I drive on everything from jeep trails to 75-mph interstates with my coach.
My steering might be just a bit too loose for one-finger driving in heavy
traffic, but I never feel like I'm having to fight it except for pavement
joint bumps, and using the correct (lower) pressure, replacing the shocks,
and adjusting the ride height properly minimized that pretty well.
""

I've told this story before, but my friend in Michigan bought a used coach in West Virginia years ago and when we drove it home, I marvelled at the handling. Even though my coach was totally restored it never handled well. When we started working on his coach when we got back, it had worn out ball joints, loose bogies, and 3 different brands of tires. However, the tires were all ragwalls and mine were the obligatory (Cinnabar) Michelin all steel ribs. I finally put new BFG ragwalls on and it handles like a dream. Part of the point is that a well worn coach can still handle well with decent tires. I also think Rick is on to something with the weight balance issue since it's possible to have a diagonal adjustment problem that will place high loads on one front wheel and the opposite rear wheels--all the while looking level.


Mine was like that at one time and I never knew it. Then I ran it across a set of scales at one of the Eastern States rallys and found out I had that problem. All of the heights were correct but the diagonal weights were off by hundreds of pounds.

I now have a set of scales in my hanger. If anyone is in the area and wants to run across them just call me.




Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: Decided not to blow up my GMC! [message #151153 is a reply to message #150484] Wed, 30 November 2011 22:53 Go to previous message
RadioActiveGMC is currently offline  RadioActiveGMC   United States
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Location: Hot AZ desert
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Senior Member
Well, at the end of the day the tires made 10000000% the difference. The chinese tires I had (Nexen on the fronts and Capital on the back) there is no debate that I used were TRASH O-La. The first camping trip with the newLT- RIB Tires were PERFECT! The 23 ft rode perfect at 65 lbs of air. I may not experiment with the pressure to much since it was a super nice ride as is and I haven't been able to enjoy my motorhome hardly at all since I bought it.
The real deal is the tires I had stunk, and with loading the RV with a little thought it drove perfect. On the way up to the mountains we were fully loaded. On the way back home with a full waste tank and near full water tank still drove perfect.
I understand people over time told me I had to weigh it. Simply using my head and loading it in a way that made sense it rode perfect. Right height I'm sure is critical for high speeds, but making it 100% perfect I have found on my trip didn't really matter all that much. I measured the right height quickly (with a little measuring tool I made), aired up bags up, and off we went.
The new all steel tires drove like a dream. Drove more "car-like" for the first time since I owned it. Car-like, since cars don't weigh as much, and don't have things that rattle around near as much, not exactly a late model AMG Mercedes Benz but wow I was impressed for a 23ft motorhome that used to drive so horrible that I was exhausted after a few miles.
One day i would love to install a new air ride system. I keep losing count of how much I spent but I'm guessing near $35000-40,000 overall. So a new system is out of the question at the moment. I am also restoring (2) Mercedes Benz at this moment. One day I may invest cause it sure would be nice having one. But my manual method thus far is fine with me!
After a ceased blown engine within miles of buying it, smoke filled cabin, flames coming out the roof in the frig compartment, unleaded gas shooting out the fill neck all over me like a volcano, gas leaks at the rear tires, every plumbing fixture leaking, bad air bags, fuel injection hardly working and reverted back to carb, bad front wheel bearings, bad batteries, tons of electronics under the hood, its finally "gettin there"


***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia- Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
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