| Finally a road trip test drive after 2 years [message #299574] |
Sat, 23 April 2016 18:37  |
budworks521
Messages: 137
Registered: October 2013
Location: Grand Rapids MI 1974 Pain...
Karma: 4
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I guess hard work pays off. Especially when coupled with help from this glorious community of veterans! I had no major issues with coach driving 55 to 60 mph no stalling, no surging, trans shifted fine. I did notice a stiffer suspension and perhaps my tires are inflated too much. I have them at 50-55 lbs. A little slop in the steering wheel but overall a decent ride. It has been three years since I drove it and it felt a little stiffer?? Anyways, I am very grateful for all the input from the guys.
1974 Painted Desert
455 upper half rebuild
constant project inexperienced mechanic
Grand Rapids Mi
Always trying to learn
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| Re: [GMCnet] Finally a road trip test drive after 2 years [message #299576 is a reply to message #299574] |
Sat, 23 April 2016 19:03  |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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You need to increase tire pressure to at least 60/65 psi.
How far did you drive?
On Sat, Apr 23, 2016 at 4:37 PM, Lawrence Harrison
wrote:
> I guess hard work pays off. Especially when coupled with help from this
> glorious community of veterans! I had no major issues with coach driving 55
> to
> 60 mph no stalling, no surging, trans shifted fine. I did notice a stiffer
> suspension and perhaps my tires are inflated too much. I have them at 50-55
> lbs. A little slop in the steering wheel but overall a decent ride. It has
> been three years since I drove it and it felt a little stiffer?? Anyways, I
> am very grateful for all the input from the guys.
> --
> 1974 Painted Desert
> 455 upper half rebuild
> constant project inexperienced mechanic
> Grand Rapids Mi
> Always trying to learn
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] Finally a road trip test drive after 2 years [message #299581 is a reply to message #299574] |
Sat, 23 April 2016 21:11 |
Emery Stora
Messages: 959
Registered: January 2011
Karma: 4
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I’ve been running mine at 65 psi since I bought it in 1981. By the way, I purchased it in Grand Rapids, MI.
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO
> On Apr 23, 2016, at 5:37 PM, Lawrence Harrison wrote:
>
> I guess hard work pays off. Especially when coupled with help from this glorious community of veterans! I had no major issues with coach driving 55 to
> 60 mph no stalling, no surging, trans shifted fine. I did notice a stiffer suspension and perhaps my tires are inflated too much. I have them at 50-55
> lbs. A little slop in the steering wheel but overall a decent ride. It has been three years since I drove it and it felt a little stiffer?? Anyways, I
> am very grateful for all the input from the guys.
> --
> 1974 Painted Desert
> 455 upper half rebuild
> constant project inexperienced mechanic
> Grand Rapids Mi
> Always trying to learn
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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| Re: Finally a road trip test drive after 2 years [message #299582 is a reply to message #299574] |
Sat, 23 April 2016 22:34 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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As Jim K and Emery stated, 65 is a good starting point. If you get down her on the southern tip of Lake Michigan, you can stop by my hangar in Valparaiso and run the coach across my scales. Then we can figure out your tire pressure more closely.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Finally a road trip test drive after 2 years [message #299618 is a reply to message #299574] |
Sun, 24 April 2016 16:01 |
budworks521
Messages: 137
Registered: October 2013
Location: Grand Rapids MI 1974 Pain...
Karma: 4
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I never really understood much of the very tech stuff but I am certain that all 6 tire are in the 55 range. So if I am reading the pressure right the rears should be about 45-50 and fronts at 60 plus? All I did was drive it about 3.5 miles a short break in trip. The suspension seem tight or bumpy if that makes sense... My wife didn't figure in my equation because I never listened!
1974 Painted Desert
455 upper half rebuild
constant project inexperienced mechanic
Grand Rapids Mi
Always trying to learn
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| Re: Finally a road trip test drive after 2 years [message #299619 is a reply to message #299574] |
Sun, 24 April 2016 16:10 |
budworks521
Messages: 137
Registered: October 2013
Location: Grand Rapids MI 1974 Pain...
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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My tires are on newer aluminum rims and are great tread wise but maybe 9 years old. Always protected when sitting. I just don't remember my coach seeming as a stiff or tight suspension. My air bags are fully compressed and I have about 4-5 inches from top of wheel to wheel well cover. Shocks are new as well. I'll go out and check my air pressure on each tire again. Thanks for the advice!
1974 Painted Desert
455 upper half rebuild
constant project inexperienced mechanic
Grand Rapids Mi
Always trying to learn
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| Re: Finally a road trip test drive after 2 years [message #299640 is a reply to message #299574] |
Sun, 24 April 2016 22:00 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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I strongly suggest if you do not know the exact loaded weight of your coach that you start out 65 PSI and work down from there. I have weighed a lot of GMCs at rallies and none of the 26 foot ones were as light as stated in previous postings. Most coaches come in around 1950 to 2050 per tire for the four rear and 2050 to 2150 times but if the ride height is not set exactly there is a weight shift for m one side to the other. We have found that a 1/4" difference in ride height (side to side) on any pair of wheels will give you a weight shift of 125 pounds.
So start slightly high at 65 PSI and work back from there.
BTW, Most state highway scales are left turned on when they are closed. I'm not sure about Michigan. So the next time you see a closed scale drive in and read the numbers.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Finally a road trip test drive after 2 years [message #299641 is a reply to message #299640] |
Sun, 24 April 2016 22:32 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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My coach was weighed at the GMCI in Pueblo and it was found to have within 50 lbs of 2000 on each of the six wheels. I read somewhere that it is recommended that you run about 8 - 10% higher pressure than the tables show for the weight per tire. I run mine at 65 PSI all around and have had reasonable good luck with that pressure. I sometimes air the rears up a little when I tow my Jeep trailer due to the extra tongue weight on the hitch. That said, I HAVE had a few tire issues, but I think most of that was due to the coach being stored outside in the Arizona sun. Just what I do. My opinion is that a little over inflation (to a reasonable point) is better than under inflation.
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: [GMCnet] Finally a road trip test drive after 2 years [message #299655 is a reply to message #299642] |
Mon, 25 April 2016 12:55 |
Burt and Faye curtis
Messages: 256
Registered: June 2012
Karma: 4
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No dog in the fight, but the GMC Motorhome tire pressure placard (at least
for the 1976 model) states to inflate all tires to 60 psi and when
sustaining speeds in excess of 65 mph to increase tire pressures 10 psi
cold.
Fay Curtis
Kneeland, CA
'76 Glenbrook aka Tumbleweed - which runs 65 psi in all steel tires (walls
and tread) with a great ride
On Sun, Apr 24, 2016 at 8:44 PM, A. wrote:
> Ken Burton wrote on Sun, 24 April 2016 22:00
>> ...I have weighed a lot of GMCs at rallies and none of the 26 foot ones
> were as light as stated in previous postings. ...
> If it is not loaded up with luggage and what-not, it should not weigh any
> more than curb weight.
>
> He mentioned that the ride seemed harsh.
>
> I provided the tire pressures he should see for his GMC FULLY LOADED. I
> pointed out that if he needs 50 pounds or more in any of the rear tires IT
> IS
> OVERLOADED according to the Operating Manual. If he needs much more than
> 60 pounds in the front, IT IS OVERLOADED according to the Operating Manual.
>
> I wouldn't recommend either overinflating the tires OR overloading the
> vehicle. He should inflate the tires to match the load. If he chooses to
> overload the vehicle, the correct tire pressure for the load is at least
> as important as it is when not overloaded.
> --
> '73 23' Sequoia For Sale
> '73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit For Sale
> Upper Alabama
> Why don't they sell spray paint that washes off with soap and water for
> graffiti vandals to use?
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Finally a road trip test drive after 2 years [message #299656 is a reply to message #299655] |
Mon, 25 April 2016 13:24 |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 39
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Burt and Faye curtis wrote on Mon, 25 April 2016 12:55No dog in the fight, but the GMC Motorhome tire pressure placard (at least for the 1976 model) states to inflate all tires to 60 psi and when sustaining speeds in excess of 65 mph to increase tire pressures 10 psi cold.
Fay Curtis
Kneeland, CA
'76 Glenbrook aka Tumbleweed - which runs 65 psi in all steel tires (walls and tread) with a great ride The placard is a lowest common denominator thing. If they had posted the chart, the average short attention spanned driver would read a value or two, yawn, and lose interest in maintaining tire pressure.
If you don't want to understand the advantages of ideal tire pressure, follow the placard. That will keep them a bit overinflated, and you only lose some traction relative to braking (may or may not be enough to make a difference between a fender-bender and no impact at all) and a rougher ride. Better than underinflated, which will make you pay more for gas and damage the sidewalls (resulting in blowout). And that is why the placard has the values it has.
If you don't know, and don't want to go to the trouble to find out, the weight on the tires, the placard is all you have to go on.
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