Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Overall Safety Opinions - Wanting to Purchase 1976 Royale
| [GMCnet] Overall Safety Opinions - Wanting to Purchase 1976 Royale [message #164338] |
Tue, 27 March 2012 11:11  |
Sammy Deek
Messages: 2
Registered: March 2012
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Hello All,
First I would like to mention as I'm sure has been mentioned before the
amount of information made available and the willingness of people to help
is really amazing in this group!
With the knowledge and experience everyone has within this group I wanted
to get your feelings on overall safety of traveling with a family in a 1976
Royale I am considering to purchase.
There is a lot of information out there on many sites and everyone
seems to have strong opinions on the subject of RV travel with small
children. I am a self proclaimed over-protector of my two children and
have been having some serious last minute second thoughts on moving forward
with the purchase. Although cruising the open road in this Royale is a mad
passion of mine to create lasting memories with my family I would never
allow this passion to overcome safety of my children.
My story is that both myself and my wife are in our mid thirties and do not
have to answer to the corporate office environment and can work from
anywhere. Our children are 3 and 6 months and were planning a slow trek
out to the grand canyon from Central Florida (also home of some really
great GMC service facilities!).
The concern I have been deliberating very hard on is that my children are
younger and both would not only require seatbelts but their child seats
also. Originally I thought this would work since the Royale has a forward
facing dinette and I would most likely remove or stow the table so there
are no obstructions around them along with securing all items in the cabin
that are lose. I know these seatbelts were never put through federally
regulated testing and do not have to stand up to any current regulations
from what I have read. More importantly I have read over and over again
how unsafe it is for passengers to ride outside of the front cabin in fear
of a serious wreck or rollover the cabin would separate...and there is no
real safety structure around the rear section.
Yes these are all "iffs" and most likely will never encounter these
situations but that simple sliver thinking I am unnecessarily putting my
children at risk is a hard burden to bare. I know there are many on here
that do travel with people in the rear, adults and children alike, so
wanted to get your opinions on the subject.
My alternative option is to place my kids into our volvo sport utility and
know that they are as safe as they can be in a automobile and look for a
Travel Trailer (Airstream) to follow us around.
So do you travel with your Children/Grandchildren and if you do how?
Thank You!
Overprotective Dad
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| Re: [GMCnet] Overall Safety Opinions - Wanting to Purchase 1976 Royale [message #164342 is a reply to message #164338] |
Tue, 27 March 2012 12:17  |
midlf
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
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| Sammy Deek wrote on Tue, 27 March 2012 11:11 |
I know these seatbelts were never put through federally
regulated testing and do not have to stand up to any current regulations
from what I have read. More importantly I have read over and over again
how unsafe it is for passengers to ride outside of the front cabin in fear
of a serious wreck or rollover the cabin would separate...and there is no
real safety structure around the rear section.
Yes these are all "iffs" and most likely will never encounter these
situations but that simple sliver thinking I am unnecessarily putting my
children at risk is a hard burden to bare. I know there are many on here
that do travel with people in the rear, adults and children alike, so
wanted to get your opinions on the subject.
My alternative option is to place my kids into our volvo sport utility and
know that they are as safe as they can be in a automobile and look for a
Travel Trailer (Airstream) to follow us around.
So do you travel with your Children/Grandchildren and if you do how?
Thank You!
|
First off - There is no real safety structure in the "front cabin". The structure is the aluminum coach framing and it is the same all through the coach. I suspect, and other may have more info, that virtually all motorhomes manufactured today may be no better, other than the cab section of a class C. The seat belts in a GMC met the safety standards for the '70's such as they are. Overall the safety structure of a GMCMH is probably no worse than any '70's auto. I feel they are safe IF you don't roll it. You sit over the engine and there is a lot of steel in the chassis.
Not having real kids, just a fid, others will have to comment on those aspects.
I think your safety just took a dump if you tow a travel trailer behind a SUV. I have witnessed a travel trailer being "the tail that wagged the dog" and dragging the towing SUV into the ditch. Fortunately just before the bridge rather than on it.
In my opinion the biggest risk you exposed your children to was birth and life. After that it is a question of how fulfilled that life will be. Will they say in their old age "I had no interesting experiences with my parents but I was safe." or will they talk forever about the experiences they had seeing the country with their parents. Others here will have comments I'm sure.
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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| Re: [GMCnet] Overall Safety Opinions - Wanting to Purchase 1976 Royale [message #164343 is a reply to message #164338] |
Tue, 27 March 2012 12:31 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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[
With the knowledge and experience everyone has within this group I wanted
to get your feelings on overall safety of traveling with a family in a 1976
In its day the GMC was one of the safest RVs available as it was built like a small bus or a car by a car manufacturer. Most of the Motor Homes in the early 70's were of wood framing not metal like the GMC. I had a 71 Winnebago before my GMC and it didn't have any framing in the walls only foam and paneling holding it together.When the roof started to delaminate it started to cave in. If that thing were hit it would collapse like an egg crate. That was a major player as to why I bought the GMC those many years ago. The reason the GMC is still in good shape after 40 years is because it was built well. I traveled with my kids many years in campers and that old Winnebago and had a lot of fun along the way but the GMC is way safer. I don't like towing large trailers with a car I always worry about a trailer jackknife coming down a steep hill or the inconvenience of the trailer versus the Motor Home but thats just my opinion.
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: [GMCnet] Overall Safety Opinions - Wanting to Purchase 1976 Royale [message #164351 is a reply to message #164338] |
Tue, 27 March 2012 13:18 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Sammy,
Don't overprotect the kids to the extent you deprive them of the adventure
of life -- and as varied one as possible. Just being conscientious as you
obviously are puts them 'way ahead of most kids.
Make sure your GMC is in good mechanical condition, with reliable brakes
and steering. Make an inviolable rule that the kids move around in the
coach ONLY when parked, and wear their seat belts when it's moving.
You'll probably never have an accident, and if you do, it probably won't
involve injuries. Remember that even the worst GMC accidents, including
the one where the rolled GMC left the occupants sitting unprotected in the
cockpit seats, seldom result in occupant injuries.
Give them lifetime memories now.
JMHO,
Ken H.
On Tue, Mar 27, 2012 at 12:11 PM, Sammy Deek wrote:
> ...There is a lot of information out there on many sites and everyone
> seems to have strong opinions on the subject of RV travel with small
> children. I am a self proclaimed over-protector of my two children and
> have been having some serious last minute second thoughts on moving forward
> with the purchase. Although cruising the open road in this Royale is a mad
> passion of mine to create lasting memories with my family I would never
> allow this passion to overcome safety of my children.
> ...
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Overall Safety Opinions - Wanting to Purchase 1976 Royale [message #164356 is a reply to message #164342] |
Tue, 27 March 2012 14:47 |
mickeysss
Messages: 1476
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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It would be possible to design a steel play pin that fits between the rear of the motor steps that have padding all through it and much like
a top even on it if you are really interested. The weight of the gmc stops faster - and much safer than the big box type. Stopping is
the biggest danger and that is driver optional behavior, having comfortable helmets is also an idea, i drive for a living
you may think this is stupid but i do have blue plastic light bike helmets that i wear when i think it is very dangerous.
I have been hit by others that you have no control over for it happens fast. Watching the front tires of people tells you where they are going.
I always allow persons to have two ways to go around me and never ride in front of big buses and trucks for they cannot stop.
Drive like an old lady on red bull is my motto. Keep a large distance between you and the car in front. I drive 55 stay alive. It is tempting
to drive these light weight big block hot rods faster, but making the dangerous drivers to go around you is better than driving the same speed as they are.
Let them go ahead and count their tires in the air when they turn over later when you go bye. I would not hesitate if you are going to go rv, go gmc.
i use helmets as well from hockey roller skate helmets as well that i like the most. If you look at the wrecks of the gmc. the body seems to pop off in one
piece if you go off a cliff or something and the drivers seats were not hurt. But a cage play pin would seem to me a lot to do but
you could take out the booth for eating and have a play pin with padding and a roof on it made of light triangle trusses that
would protect them no matter what happened. A fire system on the motror with a window in the lid over the motor would allow
for ease of protection by seeing trouble with fire first. A metal top on the onan storage bin so that fire there is contained would be good. auto fire fighter.
I tend to think helmets on all persons are the best design when traveling, it seems like a lot but this is a great risk declining design.
making a cage around the driver and front passenger seat that is above the head like a small roll bar cage could also be a good design.] for adults.
FIre or crushing is the main troubles to fight the risk . These are some good ideas to me.
The most important is your driving awareness speed control, brakes having an extra vacum pump so the brakes work if the motor stops.
knowing to keep the gas tanks full in hills for it can run out of gas at angles. Study this and always fill before big hills, full gas tanks.
If they are half full you can run out of gas and the motor stops and no brakes because of no vacum for the booster, you can solve this
with an extra electric vacum pump that goes on but it takes 5 seconds but this is enough for you will have 3 hits to the brakes that would work
left in the booster till it goes out all the way and you go backwards down the hill full bore. I just ordered one from jim K. It slips out of park easy.
Do not trust park and brakes if you leave them (kids) in the vehicle unattended. I would say that compared to the large big box vehicle rv's
the gmc is much better in traction in snow and ice or wet roads with front wheel drive. The tension being in the front dragging the back
is much safer driving than pushing the front from the back wheel drive. If you have chains on the front tires in the snow the GMC is
10 times safer, for the weight of the engine over the drive wheels and tension trailing rear is so much more advantage for control over the vehicle.
I had a friend that had one years ago with chains it went through the snow like a polar bear, just went around everyone to the ski areas.
Where else can you get information or someone to come and help you like with these space ships from the past made by alien brains.
But warning you cannot only own one of these. It becomes a joy to have a home that draws you into it, and you can sell them easy in the future.
I predict they are going to be a better investment than gold. Can anyone start a thread on LPG and gas driven 455s. I like the idea of LPG fuel for the
motor. OR both gas and lpg for the big 455. How and where can you get this done?
On Mar 27, 2012, at 10:17 AM, Steve Southworth wrote:
>
>
> Sammy Deek wrote on Tue, 27 March 2012 11:11
>> I know these seatbelts were never put through federally
>> regulated testing and do not have to stand up to any current regulations
>> from what I have read. More importantly I have read over and over again
>> how unsafe it is for passengers to ride outside of the front cabin in fear
>> of a serious wreck or rollover the cabin would separate...and there is no
>> real safety structure around the rear section.
>>
>> Yes these are all "iffs" and most likely will never encounter these
>> situations but that simple sliver thinking I am unnecessarily putting my
>> children at risk is a hard burden to bare. I know there are many on here
>> that do travel with people in the rear, adults and children alike, so
>> wanted to get your opinions on the subject.
>>
>> My alternative option is to place my kids into our volvo sport utility and
>> know that they are as safe as they can be in a automobile and look for a
>> Travel Trailer (Airstream) to follow us around.
>>
>> So do you travel with your Children/Grandchildren and if you do how?
>>
>> Thank You!
>
>
> First off - There is no real safety structure in the "front cabin". The structure is the aluminum coach framing and it is the same all through the coach. I suspect, and other may have more info, that virtually all motorhomes manufactured today may be no better, other than the cab section of a class C. The seat belts in a GMC met the safety standards for the '70's such as they are. Overall the safety structure of a GMCMH is probably no worse than any '70's auto. I feel they are safe IF you don't roll it. You sit over the engine and there is a lot of steel in the chassis.
>
> Not having real kids, just a fid, others will have to comment on those aspects.
>
> I think your safety just took a dump if you tow a travel trailer behind a SUV. I have witnessed a travel trailer being "the tail that wagged the dog" and dragging the towing SUV into the ditch. Fortunately just before the bridge rather than on it.
>
> In my opinion the biggest risk you exposed your children to was birth and life. After that it is a question of how fulfilled that life will be. Will they say in their old age "I had no interesting experiences with my parents but I was safe." or will they talk forever about the experiences they had seeing the country with their parents. Others here will have comments I'm sure.
>
> --
> Steve Southworth
> 1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
> 1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
> Palmyra WI
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: [GMCnet] Overall Safety Opinions - Wanting to Purchase 1976 Royale [message #164358 is a reply to message #164352] |
Tue, 27 March 2012 14:58 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Sammy,
Welcome to the GMCnet ---
There are several GMCers with small children -- and jobs -- so they may be a while seeing and responding to your initial post.
The archives have some very good stories/trip reports from owners. Stories of adversity, break-downs -- all sorts -- and the children endured them far better than the parents!
Keep doing your homework -- being near the COOP certainly gives you an advantage. And if you decide on a GMC -- we look forward to seeing you on the road and will do all we can to help make your experience successful.
Dennis
| Sammy Deek wrote on Tue, 27 March 2012 13:17 |
This is all so true and being the cautious person I am have also thought
about the downfalls of a trailer and dangers inherent within that activity
itself! The Volvo SUV has a 5kLB towing capacity and I would be looking at
the ability to tow a 16 - 20 Ft max airstream (3,500 lbs) based on my
comfort level. I also know that taking my kids outside of the house is
dangerous as they may be exposed to second hand smoke or they may trip and
fall on some hard concrete (that was a joke...I think?).
Joking aside I do agree the GMC is a far superior build compared to the
other options and is one of the reasons it was at the top of my list. The
great support behind it along with Cooperative Motorworks being near is
also a great comfort as it would be the first place it travels to for a
full top to bottom inspection.
Thank you for all your feedback thus far!
On Tue, Mar 27, 2012 at 1:31 PM, <roy@gmcnet.org> wrote:
>
>
> [
> With the knowledge and experience everyone has within this group I wanted
> to get your feelings on overall safety of traveling with a family in a 1976
>
>
> In its day the GMC was one of the safest RVs available as it was built
> like a small bus or a car by a car manufacturer. Most of the Motor Homes in
> the early 70's were of wood framing not metal like the GMC. I had a 71
> Winnebago before my GMC and it didn't have any framing in the walls only
> foam and paneling holding it together.When the roof started to delaminate
> it started to cave in. If that thing were hit it would collapse like an egg
> crate. That was a major player as to why I bought the GMC those many years
> ago. The reason the GMC is still in good shape after 40 years is because it
> was built well. I traveled with my kids many years in campers and that old
> Winnebago and had a lot of fun along the way but the GMC is way safer. I
> don't like towing large trailers with a car I always worry about a trailer
> jackknife coming down a steep hill or the inconvenience of the trailer
> versus the Motor Home but thats just my opinion.
> --
> Roy Keen
> Minden,NV
> 76 X Glenbrook
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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| Re: [GMCnet] Overall Safety Opinions - Wanting to Purchase 1976 Royale [message #164362 is a reply to message #164356] |
Tue, 27 March 2012 15:19 |
zhagrieb
Messages: 676
Registered: August 2009
Location: Portland Oregon
Karma: 0
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There are no ready answers to the questions you pose. If properly maintained the GMC is certainly as safe as or safer than any other motorhome. The operative words are "properly maintained". Remember, these suckers are OLD.
No matter what you drive you have little if any control over what's out there. Your risk ratchets up the moment you leave your driveway. (Profound statement.)
In any motorhome I'd think the kids would be safest in a REARWARD facing seat. Especially in the GMC with no shoulder harnesses. The greatest danger of all would be to mom when she' s up dealing with the kids.
Frankly, it sounds like you'd be most comfortable in your Volvo and motel rooms.
Glenn Giere
Glenn Giere, Portland OR, K7GAG
'73 "Moby the Motorhome" 26'
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| Re: [GMCnet] Overall Safety Opinions - Wanting to Purchase 1976 Royale [message #164368 is a reply to message #164338] |
Tue, 27 March 2012 16:17 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Senior Member |
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I think a well aligned GMC with a tight front end parts, good shocks and brakes (even good correct STOCK brakes) and proper inflated fresh tires could run a slolom course around the Volvo/ trailer combo and stop /accelerate in a shorter distance. Much more predictable in a evasive move than an articulated rig. AND you would be right at max GVW on the Volvo whereas this should really a Suburban XL type tow rig job, not something to do with a "car". Besides that I think the foreign car thing about being so darn safe is way overrated and not all factual. That Princess Di Mercedes folded like a tin can if you recall. Note I also said accelerate as sometimes that IS the way to get out of harms way.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: [GMCnet] Overall Safety Opinions - Wanting to Purchase 1976 Royale [message #164370 is a reply to message #164338] |
Tue, 27 March 2012 16:50 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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I would have to agree, that a stand along GMC. running right would be way safer then any towing combination.
my girls age 5 and 4. I feel are plenty safe riding in the GMC. and the whole reason I bought the GMC were for them to see the world!
the gmc coop can easily make sure your GMC is plenty safe for your family to travel in. and there are plenty of accessories to add to the safety and reliability of the gmc, depending on one's wallet.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: [GMCnet] Overall Safety Opinions - Wanting to Purchase 1976 Royale [message #164372 is a reply to message #164368] |
Tue, 27 March 2012 16:50 |
JimGunther
Messages: 228
Registered: March 2007
Location: West Haven, CT
Karma: 0
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Best bang-for-the-buck: invest in a defensive-driving course for yourself and your co-pilot.
Other than making certain the vehicle is safe (brakes, electrical, lighting, fuel system <engine and generator> and a fire-supression syste) locating your seating in a configuration that will work for you - and NOT letting anyone walk around while the vehicle is moving) there's not a lot more you need to do.
Don't overthink it. I envy you and wish I was able to 'figger a way to do that when my kiddo was the age of your kids.
Jim Gunther
www.LotusV6.com
now former owner - ;(
73 GMC-II 2600
by Explorer
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| Re: [GMCnet] Overall Safety Opinions - Wanting to Purchase 1976 Royale [message #164376 is a reply to message #164338] |
Tue, 27 March 2012 17:25 |
Galen
Messages: 146
Registered: November 2011
Location: New Virginia, IA
Karma: 0
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Sammy,
I'll give you my take since you asked. I have two little ones, 6 & 8. I also have a 20 year old. All girls, by the way. I think it's the world we live in now that makes us second guess everything. Not that things are inherently more dangerous, but we just get hit with so much information. My wife and I go through the same gyrations at times.
There's a big difference in the way I consider things than when my oldest was younger. I know, only 15 years, but things have changed. I wouldn't want to risk harm to my girls either, but when the oldest was young we were a little less safety conscious/paranoid than we are now. Don't get me wrong...we never let her stand in the middle front seat like my dad had me do in the old '64 Impala, but things that seemed more normal just 15-20 years ago, now have us second guessing. Like how old should they be to sleep out in a tent alone? We had a good laugh over that last week when I suggested that and my wife questioned my sanity, and I reminded her of the oldest doing that with her little cousins and our dog, in a tent right next to the camper at the same age.
I used to pull a 5th wheel camper with a pickup. I haven't put a ton of miles on the GMC yet, but so far it handles more like a large van than a motorhome. The fifth wheel, bouncing/jerking on rough pavement seams, lugging down on hills and being passed and cut off, high winds, never really being able to see well in heavy traffic... the GMC is a dream.
Good luck with your decision.
Galen
Galen Briggs
New Virginia, Iowa
1978 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Overall Safety Opinions - Wanting to Purchase 1976 Royale [message #164380 is a reply to message #164376] |
Tue, 27 March 2012 17:48 |
jknezek
Messages: 1057
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 5
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No real answers here. I will say my wife and I have made many short and several long trips in our GMC with our daughter, who made her first trip at 5 months and will continue to travel with us when our twin 4 month old boys get a little older and join the fun.
We strapped the car seat into the side facing couch and made sure the car seats we used had side impact protection and pads. Is this perfect? No. I'd love a latch system rather than using belts, but those belts are bolted into the floor and, judging from how much work I had to do to move the ones under the dinette, they aren't going anywhere.
However, you are missing one important fact. A 26' GMC is 6 tons, 12,000 lbs at least, of large vehicle with steel frame on the bottom. A car, even a mid to large SUV, is 2 tons to 3 tons max. In almost any collision involving a 2 ton vehicle and a 6 ton vehicle, the 2 ton vehicle loses. IHS safety tests are conducted against "like size" vehicles. So the 5 star crash rating of your SUV is ONLY rated against a similar size vehicle, not one 2 or 3 times its size.
Watch some videos of when a compact car, even a highly rated one, meets an SUV, even a poorly rated one, and you will quickly realize that mass matters.
Anyway, my advice is not to worry about it. The odds of you having a serious collision in your GMC is low. The odds of having a fatal accident in your GMC is lower, and the odds of that fatality occurring in the vehicle with more mass is even lower still.
Good luck with your decision and, whether you pick a GMC or not, I hope my young family, and your young family, will meet down the road on one of our adventures. There is nothing better than a family vacation in a GMC!
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
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| Re: [GMCnet] Overall Safety Opinions - Wanting to Purchase 1976 Royale [message #164382 is a reply to message #164338] |
Tue, 27 March 2012 18:02 |
Richard Brown
Messages: 281
Registered: May 2009
Karma: 1
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The best idea I can come up with is to mount a TV on the cabinet over the dinette hooked to a Playstation or other video game console that can only be viewed while sitting in the rear facing bench. This will encourage your child to sit there while you are on the road. Plus, the window will let them see the scenery. As long as the bench is firmly attached to the floor a child should be fairly safe there. You can pad the wall beside the benches for added protection. It's hard to get a child to sit where you want them to unless they want to sit there. Video games keep them occupied & quiet in a safe place if it's put in one.
Richard & Carol Brown
1974 Eleganza SE
"DILLIGAF"
Lindale, Tx. 75771
903-881-0192
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Richard & Carol Brown
1974 Eleganza SE
1174 Hickory Hills Dr.
Murchison, TX. 75778
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| Re: [GMCnet] Overall Safety Opinions - Wanting to Purchase 1976 Royale [message #164385 is a reply to message #164372] |
Tue, 27 March 2012 18:46 |
henryblairjr
Messages: 43
Registered: February 2012
Karma: 0
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Before starting incoming fire, please read the whole reply.
I restore old motor homes as a hobby. I do not own a GMC, yet. I work
mainly on Travco and Superior motor homes. Both would probably do far
better in a collision or roll over than a GMC. Both have steel cage type
construction. The Travco has dual lengthwise fiberglass clam shells that
are 'closed' over the RV cage. The Superior is even stronger. They are
made with stronger cages and the skin is made with galvanized steel
sheeting. Superior was a school bus manufacturer and is well know for the
integrity of both their school buses and motor homes.
To put my money where my mouth is, I have rolled a 71 Travco 220 near Mount
Rushmore in SD. I unbuckled my seat belt and walked out through the
windshields. With the windshields popped out, I was cold, but that was the
only physical problem. With one week's work, I got it going again and
drove it back to my home then in Georgia. I wrote a newspaper article on
this experience in Spearfish, SD if anyone would like to read it.
I still have the Travco and just finished redoing the brakes. I have much
more work to do, however. When I got it back to Georgia, I stored it next
to a creek. You, guessed it. The creek flooded and I got water over the
engine and floor. It took me about an hour to get both the generator and
the engine running so I could drive it 300 miles to my home in SC. These
things will take it.
A Peterbilt gets nervous when it sees a Superior coming. No accident
experience, but the things are so heavy that they have to be built on Dodge
RV chassis's one weight range higher than the Travco's of about the same
length.
With all of these two fortresses anyone could want, why am I considering
the GMC?
Even the best built, and modified for handling, Dodge RV chassis cannot be
built to handle as well, not to mention ride as well, as a GMC motor home.
A GMC weighs over 5 tons, so it will usually have the trump card in a
collision. I have been paid big bucks to develop race car and tow vehicle
handling modifications and know their limits. The agility of the GMC will
allow you to avoid accidents that you would wind up in the middle of with
an older RV, and probably most newer RV's. GM spent so much effort
designing and testing these vehicles that they are probably one of the best
designed vehicles of their type, now or then.
I am planning some long trips on paved highways, and I am looking forward
to buying a GMC motor home in which to take them. My 6 wheel drive
Superior is still my choice for surf fishing on the Outer Banks of NC, but
it takes a day to recover from the rugged ride.
Finally, your safety is much more a result of your driving attitude and
skills than any other factors. With any RV. you have to drive further in
front of your vehicle. Remember, in an emergency situation, look where you
want to go and do your best to correct to that course. Performance driving
education is your best safety investment. The vehicle dynamics you
experience on a skid pad 20 - 30 times in one session is more than you will
experience in a lifetime of driving. You will also polish your ability to
quickly and instinctively respond to emergency situations.
I am not going to discuss travel trailers and towing vehicles. I have a
'fleet' of trailers I use to haul cars and heavy vehicles. The towing
vehicles are designed to tow and are never used to pick up groceries. If
you go that way, get a truck, not an SUV. From my experience, you will be
much happier. I just tested a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited Overland
Hemi, over $52,000, with a towing package. A great vehicle, but still not
my choice for towing.
Henry
Henry K. Blair, Jr.
603 South Walton Street
Bethune, SC 29009-9032
(770) 998-4897, Cell (770) 827-7392
henryblairjr@gmail.com
On Tue, Mar 27, 2012 at 5:50 PM, Jim Gunther <JgmcG@riskmanagementsearch.com
> wrote:
>
>
> Best bang-for-the-buck: invest in a defensive-driving course for yourself
> and your co-pilot.
>
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Overall Safety Opinions - Wanting to Purchase 1976 Royale [message #164390 is a reply to message #164338] |
Tue, 27 March 2012 19:25 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
|
Senior Member |
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A set of Simpson lap belts will keep the kids and their safety seats in place, whether Uncle Sam blessed them or no.The GMC is less likely to go on its head than the Volvo. In the coach, they're further away from the outside world, and thus less exposed to whatever might intrude. The very real concern in either instance is flying missles. I'd be very chary of what might come loose and brain someone in an accident.
Of course, the name of the game is avoid the accident. It is my considered opinion I can duck a bad situation a hell of a lot better in a GMC than a Volvo wagon with an Airstream behind it.
Y9our mileage may vary....
--johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
'76 palm beach
From: Sammy Deek <samdeek@gmail.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 12:11 PM
Subject: [GMCnet] Overall Safety Opinions - Wanting to Purchase 1976 Royale
Hello All,
First I would like to mention as I'm sure has been mentioned before the
amount of information made available and the willingness of people to help
is really amazing in this group!
With the knowledge and experience everyone has within this group I wanted
to get your feelings on overall safety of traveling with a family in a 1976
Royale I am considering to purchase.
There is a lot of information out there on many sites and everyone
seems to have strong opinions on the subject of RV travel with small
children. I am a self proclaimed over-protector of my two children and
have been having some serious last minute second thoughts on moving forward
with the purchase. Although cruising the open road in this Royale is a mad
passion of mine to create lasting memories with my family I would never
allow this passion to overcome safety of my children.
My story is that both myself and my wife are in our mid thirties and do not
have to answer to the corporate office environment and can work from
anywhere. Our children are 3 and 6 months and were planning a slow trek
out to the grand canyon from Central Florida (also home of some really
great GMC service facilities!).
The concern I have been deliberating very hard on is that my children are
younger and both would not only require seatbelts but their child seats
also. Originally I thought this would work since the Royale has a forward
facing dinette and I would most likely remove or stow the table so there
are no obstructions around them along with securing all items in the cabin
that are lose. I know these seatbelts were never put through federally
regulated testing and do not have to stand up to any current regulations
from what I have read. More importantly I have read over and over again
how unsafe it is for passengers to ride outside of the front cabin in fear
of a serious wreck or rollover the cabin would separate...and there is no
real safety structure around the rear section.
Yes these are all "iffs" and most likely will never encounter these
situations but that simple sliver thinking I am unnecessarily putting my
children at risk is a hard burden to bare. I know there are many on here
that do travel with people in the rear, adults and children alike, so
wanted to get your opinions on the subject.
My alternative option is to place my kids into our volvo sport utility and
know that they are as safe as they can be in a automobile and look for a
Travel Trailer (Airstream) to follow us around.
So do you travel with your Children/Grandchildren and if you do how?
Thank You!
Overprotective Dad
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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
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| Re: [GMCnet] Overall Safety Opinions - Wanting to Purchase 1976 Royale [message #164395 is a reply to message #164338] |
Tue, 27 March 2012 21:24 |
 |
Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Sammy, (Sorry, his entry was just too long)
This is going to be a strange setup.
I was the youngest of 3 siblings that lived on a 13 ton ketch (a sailboat). We moved up and down the east coast with the seasons. My father was a consultant to firms that made hardware for the military and he did drawings for manuals of non-existent things. He had a drawing board in the main cabin and he only needed irregular access to mail. Mother ran the school for the three of us.
After getting engineering degrees, I did many things and ended up settling (sort of) in south east Michigan and was necessarily involved with the automotive industry. Mostly, I did engine stuff - Lots of engine stuff - but I also worked side jobs consulting at NHTSI. What I did for them was data analysis, this was before real mathematical modeling. There are some things that I know from recent reading that still hold true. First is that there are relatively few single vehicle fatals. Those are usually the result of falling asleep or DUI. The preponderance of fatals are intersection primary impacts. In those cases, the heaviest vehicle wins. Another very large player in the picture is passenger restraint. Being a projectile will likely not have a good outcome. When we travel with grandchildren (rarely, but it has happened), the kinder are restrained in backward facing seats. This is from things I learned when I actually worked for a automotive OE. I was required to observe and record data on a number of vehicle impact tests. Can you let them out of the seat while underway? I would allow this, but only with strict compliance to rules. Like, when told to they go immediately to the seat and hook up.
There are distinctly few RV level vehicles that will survive a rollover. I do not think you would be in a position to afford those.
As I read your situation, you were considering a passcar and a trailer for the vehicle safety. This will be great if you only travel a few hours and rarely. If you are going to travel for a long time on any haul, the kids will be a major issue. I know, I was one. We had a big play area and we still got bored when underway and needed snacks and pitstops. With any type trailer, you have no access to the residence when you are underway. You have to decide what your plan is. I strongly suggest that you think about the entire picture. It may even be worth your while to lease a motorhome for a short time to see if you life fits inside.
I will end this with two cheap but very true lines:
Everything is a compromise.
Thinking is the most cost-effective thing to do.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: [GMCnet] Overall Safety Opinions - Wanting to Purchase 1976 Royale [message #164397 is a reply to message #164338] |
Tue, 27 March 2012 21:21 |
David Greenberg
Messages: 222
Registered: September 2010
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
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Wow! In January 1977 I took a one year sabatical from IBM, took our 10 & 12
year olds out of school and travelled the 48 states for the next 12 months
in a brand new GMC.
It was a 'spur of the moment' decision. Had Jan & I agonized over the
safety aspects I seriously doubt we would made the trip, amassing the
wonderful memories or the family bonding that has lasted for more than 30
years,
I realize the babies are a different concern than pre teens, but I say
don't that keep your family from making the trip.
Just my opinion
On Mar 27, 2012 12:11 PM, "Sammy Deek" <samdeek@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> First I would like to mention as I'm sure has been mentioned before the
> amount of information made available and the willingness of people to help
> is really amazing in this group!
>
> With the knowledge and experience everyone has within this group I wanted
> to get your feelings on overall safety of traveling with a family in a 1976
> Royale I am considering to purchase.
>
> There is a lot of information out there on many sites and everyone
> seems to have strong opinions on the subject of RV travel with small
> children. I am a self proclaimed over-protector of my two children and
> have been having some serious last minute second thoughts on moving forward
> with the purchase. Although cruising the open road in this Royale is a mad
> passion of mine to create lasting memories with my family I would never
> allow this passion to overcome safety of my children.
>
> My story is that both myself and my wife are in our mid thirties and do not
> have to answer to the corporate office environment and can work from
> anywhere. Our children are 3 and 6 months and were planning a slow trek
> out to the grand canyon from Central Florida (also home of some really
> great GMC service facilities!).
>
> The concern I have been deliberating very hard on is that my children are
> younger and both would not only require seatbelts but their child seats
> also. Originally I thought this would work since the Royale has a forward
> facing dinette and I would most likely remove or stow the table so there
> are no obstructions around them along with securing all items in the cabin
> that are lose. I know these seatbelts were never put through federally
> regulated testing and do not have to stand up to any current regulations
> from what I have read. More importantly I have read over and over again
> how unsafe it is for passengers to ride outside of the front cabin in fear
> of a serious wreck or rollover the cabin would separate...and there is no
> real safety structure around the rear section.
>
> Yes these are all "iffs" and most likely will never encounter these
> situations but that simple sliver thinking I am unnecessarily putting my
> children at risk is a hard burden to bare. I know there are many on here
> that do travel with people in the rear, adults and children alike, so
> wanted to get your opinions on the subject.
>
> My alternative option is to place my kids into our volvo sport utility and
> know that they are as safe as they can be in a automobile and look for a
> Travel Trailer (Airstream) to follow us around.
>
> So do you travel with your Children/Grandchildren and if you do how?
>
> Thank You!
>
> Overprotective Dad
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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