GMCforum: GMCnet » GMC for 5?

Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » GMC for 5? (Requesting recommendations on model and floor plan )

Show: Today's Messages :: Polls :: Message Navigator

GMC for 5? [message #312575]

Sun, 29 January 2017 09:59

AnnapolisGMC

Messages: 21
Registered: January 2017
Location: Annapolis, MD

Karma: 0

Junior Member

Hi y'all,

New to the community and the forum. I am set on the idea of buying a GMC Motorhome, for many reasons, one of which is the vibrant community there appears to be surrounding these awesome coaches.

I am retired military (26 years. Navy) and am home based out of Annapolis MD. I have 5 acres here w a 25,000 sqft cleared lot/yard and hope to help out by eventually including myself onto The Blacklist for GMC'ers visiting the area that need a place to park and turn a wrench. I have wrenches too Smile

But first I gotta find a rig.

We are husband and wife and 3 small children (8, 5 and 2). Wife's only requirement is all kids be bucked up in car seats when on the road - preferably forward facing.

It just so happens we are trying out home schooling for our 8yo making it easier to roam year round right now. My wife works from phone/computer with a home based business. Our dream is to show our kids the US and Canada and maybe a litttle of Mexico over the course of at least a year.

We are therefore soliciting recommendations from everyone on what GMC year, model and floor plan yall think would be best suited for us.

I know with 5 living full time it will be tight but I don't want a bigger, modern rig that is hard to drive, park and back up and drops like a rock in value over time. I'm totally sold on these coaches! I have an 8' enclosed utility trailer we are thinking of towing behind to hold overflow stuff for our journey.

My budget is 25k or less for a either a fixer upper plus professional repairs or a unit that is 100% road ready for extended travels in all weather (both dry camping and connected). I'm telling y'all this in case Someone knows of a coach for sale that would meet our budget and needs.

As for condition it can have some mechanical issues as I am somewhat mechanically inclined and ain't afraid to get my hands dirty. (I did radars and weapon systems in the Navy) and can often figure stuff how to repair stuff that's broke so long as it doesn't require specialty tools or skills. Never worked on cars, RV's engines or trannies though.

Also, if it turns out no such GMC exists that has 5 fwd facing seat belts I'm not opposed to side facing ones as a second choice or installing some if that's safe to do.

Last I've looked over the charts showing all the models that were made - but the drawings don't show seatbelts. As you probably know.

Seems to me the best configuration is the one with the rear bench seat to bed that I would think has 3 or 4 belts installed and/or the ones with the 4 swivel chairs up front assuming those rear swivel chairs on the left have belts. I really like the idea of the full rear bath as well as I can see a wet bath getting very old very fast. Plus a place to bathe our 2 year olds would be very convenient. So talking through this perhaps a 26 footer with the rear bath and the 4 swivel chairs with belts and A side mounted seat and seatbelts. Does that exist?

Thank you in advance everyone and I look forward to a long and fun relationship with other GMCers.

Jason

WTB a 77 or 78 with dry bath config.

[Updated on: Sun, 29 January 2017 12:03]