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One unique down side of owning a GMC [message #223239] Fri, 20 September 2013 16:56 Go to next message
habbyguy is currently offline  habbyguy   United States
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Location: Mesa, AZ
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We just got back from 4 days in a 55 and older campground in Flagstaff, AZ. From the time I pulled in 'til we left, we had a stream of people walking up to tell us how much they loved our coach. One nice couple (kindred spirits with an Airstream trailer) told us that ours was the prettiest motorhome they'd ever seen. If I would have had anything to do but hike and read, it would have actually gotten annoying. OTOH, I can talk the legs off a table, so I played GMC evangelist the whole time.

Of course, it's amazing that we've spent less on our coach than most of the "ignored" RVs burned up in depreciation the first year.


Mark Hickey Mesa, AZ 1978 Royale Center Kitchen
Re: [GMCnet] One unique down side of owning a GMC [message #223248 is a reply to message #223239] Fri, 20 September 2013 19:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kingsley Coach is currently offline  Kingsley Coach   United States
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Location: Nova Scotia Canada
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Mark

You may be why General Motors installed dinettes ... instead of tables ! <g>

Mike in NS


On Fri, Sep 20, 2013 at 6:56 PM, Mark <mark@habcycles.com> wrote:

>
>
> We just got back from 4 days in a 55 and older campground in Flagstaff,
> AZ. From the time I pulled in 'til we left, we had a stream of people
> walking up to tell us how much they loved our coach. One nice couple
> (kindred spirits with an Airstream trailer) told us that ours was the
> prettiest motorhome they'd ever seen. If I would have had anything to do
> but hike and read, it would have actually gotten annoying. OTOH, I can
> talk the legs off a table, so I played GMC evangelist the whole time.
>
> Of course, it's amazing that we've spent less on our coach than most of
> the "ignored" RVs burned up in depreciation the first year.
> --
> Mark Hickey
> Mesa, AZ
> 1978 Royale Center Kitchen
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS
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Re: [GMCnet] One unique down side of owning a GMC [message #223255 is a reply to message #223248] Fri, 20 September 2013 21:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kelvin is currently offline  kelvin   United States
Messages: 608
Registered: February 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Karma: 0
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On Fri, Sep 20, 2013 at 6:56 PM, Mark <mark@habcycles.com> wrote:
>> We just got back from 4 days in a 55 and older campground in Flagstaff,
>> AZ. From the time I pulled in 'til we left, we had a stream of people
>> walking up to tell us how much they loved our coach. One nice couple
>> (kindred spirits with an Airstream trailer) told us that ours was the
>> prettiest motorhome they'd ever seen. If I would have had anything to do
>> but hike and read, it would have actually gotten annoying. OTOH, I can
>> talk the legs off a table, so I played GMC evangelist the whole time.
>>
>> Of course, it's amazing that we've spent less on our coach than most of
>> the "ignored" RVs burned up in depreciation the first year.
>> --
>> Mark Hickey

Just got back from a trip to Port Townsend, WA. As we're pulling into
the campground we're stopped by a couple walking by. I slide the window
open and he says, "You just made my vacation! That's the nicest one I've
ever seen."...

I mean... I can see maybe making his day, but the whole vacation? Cool.
He came by later after we got set up and talked about his experience
trying to buy on in San Diego. Let's just say the pictures didn't
represent the coach well. "Anticipointment" for sure. Nice couple that
have settled in an SOB, unfortunately.

And there were at least a dozen more that stopped by over the course of
the 4 days. I used to get a couple conversations but the new paint has
upped the ante.

I'm good with the attention. My wife is resigned to it. :-)

Pics of the trip here if you're interested. Took 400+. Cut it down to 36.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kelvins_pics/sets/72157635498457013/

Kelvin
'73 23' in Eugene, OR



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Re: [GMCnet] One unique down side of owning a GMC [message #223258 is a reply to message #223255] Fri, 20 September 2013 21:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Richard Andis is currently offline  Richard Andis   United States
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Registered: January 2013
Location: HELL Paso, TX
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Kelvin Dietz wrote on Fri, 20 September 2013 21:03

Just got back from a trip to Port Townsend, WA.


Did you see the 26 foot (Royale?)sitting just outide the gate of Ft Worden?

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6332/medium/0431.JPG

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6332/medium/0431.JPG


Valhalla - 1978 GMC Royale rear twin [SOLD]
Walküre - 1974 VW Thing (Toad)
Re: [GMCnet] One unique down side of owning a GMC [message #223259 is a reply to message #223255] Fri, 20 September 2013 21:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
dwayne jacobson[1] is currently offline  dwayne jacobson[1]   United States
Messages: 345
Registered: July 2009
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Senior Member
great pics

dwayne


On Fri, Sep 20, 2013 at 7:03 PM, Kelvin Dietz <kelvin@datsuns.com> wrote:

> On Fri, Sep 20, 2013 at 6:56 PM, Mark <mark@habcycles.com> wrote:
> >> We just got back from 4 days in a 55 and older campground in Flagstaff,
> >> AZ. From the time I pulled in 'til we left, we had a stream of people
> >> walking up to tell us how much they loved our coach. One nice couple
> >> (kindred spirits with an Airstream trailer) told us that ours was the
> >> prettiest motorhome they'd ever seen. If I would have had anything to
> do
> >> but hike and read, it would have actually gotten annoying. OTOH, I can
> >> talk the legs off a table, so I played GMC evangelist the whole time.
> >>
> >> Of course, it's amazing that we've spent less on our coach than most of
> >> the "ignored" RVs burned up in depreciation the first year.
> >> --
> >> Mark Hickey
>
> Just got back from a trip to Port Townsend, WA. As we're pulling into
> the campground we're stopped by a couple walking by. I slide the window
> open and he says, "You just made my vacation! That's the nicest one I've
> ever seen."...
>
> I mean... I can see maybe making his day, but the whole vacation? Cool.
> He came by later after we got set up and talked about his experience
> trying to buy on in San Diego. Let's just say the pictures didn't
> represent the coach well. "Anticipointment" for sure. Nice couple that
> have settled in an SOB, unfortunately.
>
> And there were at least a dozen more that stopped by over the course of
> the 4 days. I used to get a couple conversations but the new paint has
> upped the ante.
>
> I'm good with the attention. My wife is resigned to it. :-)
>
> Pics of the trip here if you're interested. Took 400+. Cut it down to 36.
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/kelvins_pics/sets/72157635498457013/
>
> Kelvin
> '73 23' in Eugene, OR
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Dwayne Jacobson
White Rock BC
Cell: 604-644-8090
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Re: [GMCnet] One unique down side of owning a GMC [message #223266 is a reply to message #223259] Fri, 20 September 2013 22:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Tim Conway is currently offline  Tim Conway   United States
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Registered: September 2005
Location: Long Island, New York
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On Sep 20, 2013, at 10:29 PM, dwayne jacobson wrote:

> great pics

Very, very nice Kelvin...

Tim Conway
LI NY 78 PB
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Re: [GMCnet] One unique down side of owning a GMC [message #223272 is a reply to message #223258] Fri, 20 September 2013 22:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kelvin is currently offline  kelvin   United States
Messages: 608
Registered: February 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
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On 9/20/2013 7:21 PM, Richard Andis wrote:
>
> Kelvin Dietz wrote on Fri, 20 September 2013 21:03
>> Just got back from a trip to Port Townsend, WA.
> Did you see the 26 foot (Royale?)sitting just outide the gate of Ft Worden?
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6332/medium/0431.JPG

I've talked to that guy in the past. 2007, to be exact. I didn't see
it this time. Must not have driven that direction.
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Re: One unique down side of owning a GMC [message #223275 is a reply to message #223239] Fri, 20 September 2013 22:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
George B. is currently offline  George B.   United States
Messages: 213
Registered: February 2012
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Senior Member
I sure know what you mean! The last time I was on the road I wish I would not have attracted so much attention.
I had just pulled into a high-end park in Nevada and stopped in the lineup to check in. There were several SOB rallies there at the time and Winnebago and Camping World had set up a huge display area near the office for the rally attendees. Several of the folks looking at the new Winnebagos left and came over to check out my coach while I was unhooking my Tracker. I checked in and the park employee was about to guide me to my spot and all the sudden I could not shift into gear. The gear shift lever was just moving freely. Luckily, the troop of onlookers had not noticed my problem and somehow I got it in gear and followed the guy around the park. The guide directed me to the spot in such a way that I had to back in...OH NO! I did mange to get in reverse and got in my ultra-deluxe corner spot for the whole park to see.

I got on the phone with Miguel Mendez of MGM-GMC. What a Guy! He was able to talk me through a trouble shooting procedure to check out the trans. As we all know, in such a park you are not allowed to work on your coach. To get around that I parked the Tracker in front of the coach and and went "down under" as stealthy as I could while my wife diverted more onlookers. Luckily, I found that a cotter pin holding the shift-cable bracket on the side of the transmission had fallen off. A key ring took the place of the missing cotter pin and wallah the shift lever was back in action.

My troubles were not over, as I went to start the engine...nothing. Another call to Miguel. He suggested I jumper the neutral start safety switch. I did that and another attempt to start yielded my wife saying she smelled smoke! Another stealth trip "down under" I found a wire to the starter solenoid I had previously replaced had dangled down low enough to come in contact with the axle and had rubbed the insulation off. I had some wire in my emergency kit and spliced a new length and could again show off how well my new starter worked. I also noticed that my new axle boot had a split in it and there was grease all over the place and on me too when I came out. So much for stealth while covered with grease!

But wait there's more! When the engine started up I noticed that my air compressor was not running! OH POOP! what next? Maybe the short had burned some fuses. They all tested good, even the big 30 AMP one for the suspension. I took a closer look at the fuse block and it looked a little corroded so I polished them with a pencil eraser and another wallah the compressor kicked in. I bet that 30 AMP had not been touched since 1973!

Well I managed to get everything working again and did not get caught by park management and no one that stopped to look and talk told on me either.

All this to say that is true, "Pride Cometh before the Fall" I was all pleased to see the Winnebago salesmen frown when everyone left their exhibit to see the old GMC. At least I was lucky I did not have to be towed away in front of the office with a crowd there looking on!

Miguel called me back that night to see if everything was OK. Thanks Miguel for all your help.


George Butts Las Vegas Nevada 73 "Custom 26' Q" & 76 23' Birchaven 71 Honda 600 Coupe & 01 Tracker Toads
Re: One unique down side of owning a GMC [message #223277 is a reply to message #223239] Sat, 21 September 2013 01:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
habbyguy is currently offline  habbyguy   United States
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Registered: May 2012
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I did have one SOB owner who commented on our hookup to the sewer port... "are you guys both on a liquid diet?".

Guess he'd never seen a macerator hose before... Laughing


Mark Hickey Mesa, AZ 1978 Royale Center Kitchen
Re: [GMCnet] One unique down side of owning a GMC [message #223281 is a reply to message #223255] Sat, 21 September 2013 03:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
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Hmmmmmmm,

Maybe I just WON'T have Double Trouble re-painted! ;-)

Regards,
Rob M.


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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] One unique down side of owning a GMC [message #223287 is a reply to message #223275] Sat, 21 September 2013 08:26 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
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Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
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Fun stay! I always tell gawkers, "You got to be ready to tinker". Sets the stage if there's an untimely failure. I'm usually at a dog show or a group of GMCers, and in both cases, they're used to fiddling with their coaches.

--johnny

--------------------------------------------
On Sat, 9/21/13, GEORGE BUTTS <george.b21@verizon.net> wrote:

Subject: Re: [GMCnet] One unique down side of owning a GMC
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2013, 3:47 AM



I sure know what you mean!  The last time I was on the
road I wish I would not have attracted so much attention.
I had just pulled into a high-end park in Nevada and stopped
in the lineup to check in.  There were several SOB
rallies there at the time and Winnebago and Camping World
had set up a huge display area near the office for the rally
attendees.  Several of the folks looking at the new
Winnebagos left and came over to check out my coach while I
was unhooking my Tracker. I checked in and the park employee
was about to guide me to my spot and all the sudden I could
not shift into gear.  The gear shift lever was just
moving freely.  Luckily, the troop of onlookers had not
noticed my problem and somehow I got it in gear and followed
the guy around the park.  The guide directed me to the
spot in such a way that I had to back in...OH NO!  I
did mange to get in reverse and got in my ultra-deluxe
corner spot for the whole park to see.

I got on the phone with Miguel Mendez of MGM-GMC.  What
a Guy!  He was able to talk me through a trouble
shooting procedure to check out the trans. As we all know,
in such a park you are not allowed to work on your
coach.  To get around that I parked the Tracker in
front of the coach and and went "down under" as stealthy as
I could while my wife diverted more onlookers. 
Luckily, I found that a cotter pin holding the shift-cable
bracket on the side of the transmission had fallen
off.  A key ring took the place of the missing cotter
pin and wallah the shift lever was back in action. 

My troubles were not over, as I went to start the
engine...nothing.  Another call to Miguel.  He
suggested I jumper the neutral start safety switch.  I
did that and another attempt to start yielded my wife saying
she smelled smoke!  Another stealth trip "down under" I
found a wire to the starter solenoid I had previously
replaced had dangled down low enough to come in contact with
the axle and had rubbed the insulation off.  I had some
wire in my emergency kit and spliced a new length and
could  again show off how well my new starter
worked.  I also noticed that my new axle boot had a
split in it and there was grease all over the place and on
me too when I came out.  So much for stealth while
covered with grease!

But wait there's more!  When the engine started up I
noticed that my air compressor was not running! OH POOP!
what next?  Maybe the short had burned some
fuses.  They all tested good, even the big 30 AMP one
for the suspension. I took a closer look at the fuse block
and it looked a little corroded so I polished them with a
pencil eraser and another wallah the compressor kicked in. I
bet that 30 AMP had not been touched since 1973!

Well I managed to get everything working again and did not
get caught by park management and no one that stopped to
look and talk told on me either.

All this to say that is true, "Pride Cometh before the
Fall"  I was all pleased to see the Winnebago salesmen
frown when everyone  left their exhibit to see the old
GMC. At least I was lucky I did not have to be towed away in
front of the office with a crowd there looking on!

Miguel called me back that night to see if everything was
OK.  Thanks Miguel for all your help.   
           
--
George Butts
Apple Valley Calif.
73 "Custom 26 Q"
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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] One unique down side of owning a GMC [message #223288 is a reply to message #223287] Sat, 21 September 2013 08:51 Go to previous message
stick miller is currently offline  stick miller   United States
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Registered: March 2010
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I've had a 1948 Buick convertible for 41 years. It always draws a crowd. Once, my son said to me "I just don't like all these people looking at us." I told him that was the only reason I had it.

Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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