| If You Are Looking For An Inexpensive Dependable Class A: [message #227031] |
Fri, 25 October 2013 17:27  |
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WD0AFQ
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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The GMC classic is not for you. When Teri and I decided to go rv'ing we had no clue about anything. First, we had to narrow down just what type rv we wanted. Decided it would be a Class A. Now what, gasoline or a pusher? Bought every motorhome magazine we could find. Saw an article on an old GMC. We can spend 20 grand on one of these, see if we like gas, then little lost, and will trade or get some money back when we find the new one of our dreams.
We liked it so much that we decided to spend money on the 30 year old machine and make it a dependable fun home on wheels.
Did not yet know about any GMC mechanics so we kinda got burned spending money for work we did not get and had zero warranty over in Marion. seems some of my labor was done during the drinking and smoking Friday afternoons. Hope the guy runs a better business by now.
Then we found that there are reputable GMC places to have work done. Now, just because there is a big GMC sign out front does not mean you will be happy when you leave. Should one find himself stuck on the side of a road, shear panic tends to set it. I know, happened to me. Got in a hurry and did not get to the place I should have been. Good shop but work tended to go unchecked by owner. Could be a problem at many shops, I don't know.
So, next time the engine blew, I did not panic. Got the tow truck driver to take me where my Black List friend told me to go. New engine and I was very much involved in the process this time.
This was to be about brakes. I got sick and tired of not having brakes. Had none when I bought the coach in 2004 and here it was, 2010, lots of money spent, and still no dang brakes. Time for me to figure out why I had no brakes and how could I get brakes. Owning a GMC means the information is here available for our learning, so that is what I did, studied and asked questions. Figured out how much money I needed and now I got brakes. My brakes are as good or better than anyone reading this post. Same for the steering. Could not hold it in road over 60 mph. Now, none of y'all have a better driving coach than me. Hey, I can even watch for "blow by" while driving down the road.
Here is the bottom line, we must educate ourselves. Can't blame others because they take our money. My wife is now a liver expert, while I continue to read and study about how to own a dependable GMC class A. I don't need to be a mechanic, just need to be able to read. No one should ever expect to buy a 40 yr old motorhome and hit the road with it unless they have deep pockets. Lots cheaper to research before buying. Continue researching while the ole gal is sitting in your own driveway. AND don't plan to full time in a 26 footer unless you are single. We spend 3-5 months at a time in ours but our "stuff" is still at our home in Dexter. We are just partying out in the GMC.
Know more than you need to know but never know too much.
Dan
3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers
One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm
355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng.
Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System
Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows
Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer
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