Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Finally getting rid of the GMC
| Finally getting rid of the GMC [message #251455] |
Tue, 03 June 2014 22:46  |
RadioActiveGMC
Messages: 1020
Registered: November 2010
Location: Hot AZ desert
Karma: 0
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Yea I if finally found a way to get of my tiny gmc and get a big motorhome! I'm trading the gmc for a 38fter!
Gmc is cool but way to small and way uncomfortable for a family of 4. Can't wait to leave club old motorhome.
***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
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| Re: Finally getting rid of the GMC [message #251457 is a reply to message #251455] |
Tue, 03 June 2014 22:52  |
cbryan
Messages: 451
Registered: May 2012
Location: Ennis, Texas
Karma: 3
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Michael,
Sorry to see you go. Please keep us in touch about your solar projects. You should find a lot of space for batteries in a 38 footer.
Carey
Carey from Ennis, Texas
78 Royale, 500 Cadillac, Rance Baxter EFI.
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| Re: Finally getting rid of the GMC [message #251480 is a reply to message #251455] |
Wed, 04 June 2014 07:12 |
LNelson
Messages: 335
Registered: December 2008
Location: Springfield, MO
Karma: 0
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This presents an interesting discussion point, not intended I am sure.
When I thought my old PB was too small, and that I really wanted a bus...(a 35 footer), in my mind I could not possibly need any more room than the 35 footer offered. It had "bays" to stick batteries, tanks (BIG tanks...black and grey), room for big tool boxes, etc. I was sure that when we took trips with friends/family, there was no way we would have clutter or duffel bags and personal items such as we always had in the PB.
WRONG!!
As an architect, no matter what type of building I design, I always tell my client "you will run out of storage". Why? Well, like a gas, "stuff" will expand to fit the available space, and that goes for motorhomes. More space, more stuff.
As a sailor, I have read the works of the great "wanderers" and now have reverted to "less is more". Some have sailed around the world many times with no engine at all. The engine, tankage, etc, takes up valuable space. Keep the systems simple and repairable, do away with what you don't really need. For us, now, 26' is enough.
My hangar mate has a 40' Prevost on which he is really knocking the price down. BUT.......so far I have resisted the song of the Sirens wanting to dash me on the rocks (again). On our recent trip to Florida, being able to get into and out of, State Parks, with modest size spaces (but otherwise beautiful) made me appreciate my smaller footprint. Anyway, yes, the Old Motorhome club is challenging but I have had friends that picked up new rigs and had parts fall off on the way home.
Risks everywhere but we all get to make these decisions. Everything is a compromise.
Larry Nelson Springfield, MO
Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut
now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
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| Re: [GMCnet] Finally getting rid of the GMC [message #251481 is a reply to message #251480] |
Wed, 04 June 2014 07:19 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Larry,
You're right. Especially if one is travelling and not "staying". When we
bought the 23' GMC we had a near-new 40' pusher with 96 cubic feet of
basement storage. That's long gone and the GMC's still here. We'd stay in
the 40' for 4 months at a time. We've traveled in the 23' for 4 months at
a time. No problem. Sure, it's nice to have everything handy, but careful
planning and packing make up for the space.
Now if I didn't have a toad... :-)
Ken H.
On Wed, Jun 4, 2014 at 8:12 AM, Larry Nelson wrote:[/color]
> This presents an interesting discussion point, not intended I am sure.
>
> When I thought my old PB was too small, and that I really wanted a bus...(a
> 35 footer), in my mind I could not possibly need any more room than the 35
> footer offered. It had "bays" to stick batteries, tanks (BIG tanks...black
> and grey), room for big tool boxes, etc. I was sure that when we took
> trips with friends/family, there was no way we would have clutter or
> duffel bags and personal items such as we always had in the PB.
>
> WRONG!!
>
> As an architect, no matter what type of building I design, I always tell
> my client "you will run out of storage". Why? Well, like a gas, "stuff" will
> expand to fit the available space, and that goes for motorhomes. More
> space, more stuff.
>
> As a sailor, I have read the works of the great "wanderers" and now have
> reverted to "less is more". Some have sailed around the world many times
> with
> no engine at all. The engine, tankage, etc, takes up valuable space. Keep
> the systems simple and repairable, do away with what you don't really need.
> For us, now, 26' is enough.
>
> My hangar mate has a 40' Prevost on which he is really knocking the price
> down. BUT.......so far I have resisted the song of the Sirens wanting to
> dash me on the rocks (again). On our recent trip to Florida, being able
> to get into and out of, State Parks, with modest size spaces (but otherwise
> beautiful) made me appreciate my smaller footprint. Anyway, yes, the Old
> Motorhome club is challenging but I have had friends that picked up new
> rigs
> and had parts fall off on the way home.
>
> Risks everywhere but we all get to make these decisions. Everything is a
> compromise.
> --
> Larry Nelson Springfield, MO
> Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut
> now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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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] Finally getting rid of the GMC [message #251482 is a reply to message #251481] |
Wed, 04 June 2014 07:47 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Comes down to " Do you own your stuff, or does your stuff own you?"
Having just finished a major move, involving two large U-Haul trucks, four U-Haul two wheel trailers, and whatever the pick-up holds on each trip,
I think my stuff owns me.
Parting is so hard to do.
Tom,MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: Finally getting rid of the GMC [message #251497 is a reply to message #251458] |
Wed, 04 June 2014 10:30 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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SteveW wrote on Tue, 03 June 2014 21:07Also sorry to see you go... Been tracking you since you started with the recording studio and way before your coach got crashed into.
Was actually interested in it one of the times that it was for sale.
Good luck with your new ventures !!
Steve W
1973 23'
Southern California
Steve, you are thinking of "Eklectro". Michael is the guy with the elastomeric roof coating, the swamp cooler and the portable solar panels he sets up at his lot in Flagstaff.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Finally getting rid of the GMC [message #251506 is a reply to message #251455] |
Wed, 04 June 2014 13:46 |
RadioActiveGMC
Messages: 1020
Registered: November 2010
Location: Hot AZ desert
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Lol no problem!!!!!
Ahh this stuff owns you isn't true at all. Again reason I hate forums. People make statements where they try to sound as if the other guy isn't as smart or they just do things wrong.
I travel with two kids, my wife, and sometimes 3 dogs. We own land where it's undeveloped.
So my 23ft supports all that, plus shovels, picks, wheelbarrow, post hole digger, fence material, saws, tools, pruning, all sorts of stuff to work on the property. So my gmc is not only a gmc but a rolling shed, cabin and office and more. I have a boat load of tools for every type of problem I may run into in northern AZ. Food, water and more.i have over 20 yard type tools to work as I'm up on my land.
It gets cold up there, heaters, its hot. So we have summer clothes for all of us, winter clothes, blankets, pillows, bedding. Food!
Dog food. Sleeping bags, toys for the kids, play stuff.
A 23 ft I could easily live in if I parked in a spot plugged in and it was my wife and I. It would be. Easy if there were stores close by to buy supplies as needed. Rural dry camping isn't that easy.
I have a boy and a girl. It's not acceptable to not allow them to have privacy when getting dressed or ready for the day. Its not that I can't use a 23ft
But why?! If I'm going to enjoy my dry camping why not enjoy it without being a sardine. My employee is going to take my gmc. He's a one man operation and a 23ft is perfect for him. He can easily make it a machine for weekend use. Its good on gas for the type of coach it is, big enough for one, and doesn't own land so no need to bring yard tools. Has no kids. Its a great machine for him. I put in over 30,000 into it. I'm glad he will benefit! It makes me thrilled!!!!
Plus now I'll get something bigger to enjoy camping in. I have enough roof to put up a solar farm. I can store a gazillion batteries! It's going to be great. For you guys that travel in the gmc I think its the ultimate machine but for what I do it stinks!
***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
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| Re: Finally getting rid of the GMC [message #251508 is a reply to message #251455] |
Wed, 04 June 2014 14:15 |
Cadillackeeper
Messages: 464
Registered: October 2012
Location: Fort Lauderdale
Karma: 1
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I know what you mean about fourms.I always talk too soon or skimread and end up saying the wrong stuff or really making some mad.Never ever my intention.I always just try to help and I am a bit aarogant.Only cause I have owned and drivin the same car since I took my drivers test in 77 and not too,too much I don't know about it.Only had the coach for a couple years so learning curve on it is wide.You may have done better with a 26 to start but still.The only thing that would concern me about a big deisl SOB is repair in the field.The GMC can usually get home with a coat hanger and some duct tape.Them big dogs break and not so easy to first off indetify what went wrong and then repair it.I would make sure it is tip-top before venturing into the desert with your family.
77 455 Elaganza II and 67 Animal, Built 500 Powered Eldo
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| Re: Finally getting rid of the GMC [message #251510 is a reply to message #251455] |
Wed, 04 June 2014 14:54 |
RadioActiveGMC
Messages: 1020
Registered: November 2010
Location: Hot AZ desert
Karma: 0
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Yea it's a 454 chevy motor, I wished it were diesel. I don't drive it much. We tend to park our coach in storage and drive it to our property. Only a few miles away back and fourth. The problem is we endlessly pack and unpack. The new rv has a ton of bottom storage so rakes and saws and such can't be stored below and put away as needed. No need to pack and unpack a tons each time. The 454 is a common motor even more common then the 455. Its a bummer that I rebuilt the 455 and put on brand new michelins all around, and stuff. But it will be a lot less that my friend has to do now! I'm thinking since its 38ft I may just keep it parked on my lot. I already have septic.
***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
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| Re: Finally getting rid of the GMC [message #251512 is a reply to message #251455] |
Wed, 04 June 2014 15:15 |
RadioActiveGMC
Messages: 1020
Registered: November 2010
Location: Hot AZ desert
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Plus is was gutted and my friend is helping me arrange the interior to a design that works well for us. Its nice since I'll have very little out of pocket expense. One of the worst decisions was not researching the gmc all that much and getting taken for about 15,000 grand after buying it and it blowing the motor and other repairs. If I had to do it all over I would of done it much different. The 23ft I think is a awesome driving to and from machine but for my use its next to useless. I'm really glad to see him get it. At least I didn't have to go through the problems of selling it with a million questions and such. I hate selling stuff in this economy!
***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
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