Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Use Cases
| Use Cases [message #331754] |
Sat, 05 May 2018 15:11  |
One4theroad
Messages: 2
Registered: May 2018
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Hi, new member and potential buyer here. I am curious how often you GMC owners use your rigs.
Are any of you full time RVers? If so how many years have you been on the road? How many miles per year? How many breakdowns? How difficult was it to find parts and service on the road?
Are you a part time RVer? If so how often do you take trips and how many miles per year? How many breakdowns? How difficult was it to find parts and service on the road?
I am actually thinking about going full time for a couple of years. But I am concerned that with any classic RV that it may not be the best idea if there are a bunch of breakdowns?
I am open to your advice and or suggestions.
Thanks, Al
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| Re: [GMCnet] Use Cases [message #331756 is a reply to message #331754] |
Sat, 05 May 2018 15:25  |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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I don't believe that age is an accurate measure of reliability in RV's.
Build quality and maintenance account for a great deal. I have owned my
current GMC for many years, and have been "on the hook" once. Others, not
so fortunate. But that said, I think that driving a house down the road,
and expecting "0" problems might be unrealistic, too. Luck plays a part,
but, maintaining something correctly is really important. So be prepared.
Jim Hupy
On Sat, May 5, 2018, 1:12 PM Al Gamroth wrote:
> Hi, new member and potential buyer here. I am curious how often you GMC
> owners use your rigs.
>
> Are any of you full time RVers? If so how many years have you been on the
> road? How many miles per year? How many breakdowns? How difficult was it to
> find parts and service on the road?
>
> Are you a part time RVer? If so how often do you take trips and how many
> miles per year? How many breakdowns? How difficult was it to find parts and
> service on the road?
>
> I am actually thinking about going full time for a couple of years. But I
> am concerned that with any classic RV that it may not be the best idea if
> there are a bunch of breakdowns?
> I am open to your advice and or suggestions.
>
> Thanks, Al
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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| Re: Use Cases [message #331758 is a reply to message #331754] |
Sat, 05 May 2018 15:54 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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I do know a few GMCers who are full timers, but most of us are hobbyists or part time RVers. It is nice to have a 'home base' where we can take care of maintenance and repairs.
We have had our GMC for almost ten years. We take two or three, week to 10 day trips per year, plus half a dozen or more three day weekend trips for a total of an average of 4000 miles per year.
We have had a few minor breakdowns that I was able to fix along the roadside but, until recently, never anything major. On our way home from Las Vegas, about 170 miles from home (Tucson) we lost third gear in the transmission and subsequently spun a rod bearing in the engine trying to drive it too fast in second gear. We ended up convincing the insurance company that there were NO qualified GMC Motorhome repair shops within 400 miles of us and they covered the tow bill to the house. About $6500.00 and two and a half months later, it is back up and running and we have been on a few short trips already.
James H is right, being a 'classic' is not really a factor. Maintenance and general care is. Major problems can come up any time, unexpectedly, like mine did. There were NO indications that the kinds of problems we had were about to happen. I am very meticulous about service and change the oil every 3000 miles (with premium oil and Wix filters) and the transmission every 12,000 miles (with Mobil-1 ATF). Sometimes bad things just happen to good coaches.
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: Use Cases [message #331771 is a reply to message #331754] |
Sun, 06 May 2018 09:36 |
shaunone
Messages: 80
Registered: August 2016
Location: Cranbrook, B.C.
Karma: 0
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Member |
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We are currently full-timing in ours (family of four). Just hit the six month mark/11000 miles. We've had to make a few repairs along the way (cracked exhaust manifold, house water pump, front shocks, water heater element, thermostat, leaky tire, etc.), but nothing that required a tow (knock on wood!). However, we did a lot of preventative maintenance before we left, and I've been up on it throughout the trip.
So far it's been easy to find parts (many of which I carry as spares), and there's no shortage of people willing to help you out. The best part about buying a GMC is the community; we've had many people open their homes and driveways to us along the way. As long as you're somewhat handy or have a decent amount of room on your credit card, go for it 
1977 Palm Beach, 455, mostly stock and original
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| Re: [GMCnet] Use Cases [message #331775 is a reply to message #331754] |
Sun, 06 May 2018 11:44 |
powwerjon
Messages: 849
Registered: March 2013
Karma: -2
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Senior Member |
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Al,
We have owned a number of GMC's over the last 19 years. Did a frame up
restoration on our first coach which was a 77 Eleganza II.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3022-interior-restoration.html
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5344-pergo-floor-install.html
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3675-topeka-gmc-paint-job.html
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3762-headliner.html
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5666-1977-bath.html
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5667-77-gmc-exterior.html
I have a 75 Avion in the shop for a complete restoration and it has been
going slowly, but in the next 18 months I hope to have it finished and for
sale.
Our present coach is a 78 Buskirk stretch built in 1997.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6365-1978-buskirk-stretch.html
Now back to your original questions.
There are a few (count them on one hand) that would be considered full
timers. It could be used if it was for one person with limited possessions
and there is limited storage available. I have done close to 85K miles
over the years. I have had only 2 occasions to be towed on the hook. One
back in spring of 1999 when I had a trans governor failure and a trans
failure in 2013. Our coaches do break down, but it is not as expensive to
have them repaired or repair it yourself as a big coach would be. I can
most almost all parts from any of the big box autoparts stores or from one
of the speciality vendor for our coaches. Most of us service our own
coaches and I do do a front to back and top to bottom inspection and repair
and replacement once a year. Keeping it serviced is much easier that
trying to fix a major problem.
The first few years that we had our coach I was still working and we did 5
or 6 club rallies and a number of short trips each year for an annual
milage of about 3K miles. When I/We retired in 2006 we started to use the
Florida Space coast as our destination of choice, which we spent late
December thru late March. Round trip of 2600 +/- miles plus additional
miles of 2-3K. In the fall of 2010 we were invited to come out west to
Tucson and spend the winter, December thru early April. Round trip of 4500
miles +/- plus additional miles of 3-4 K. We found that about 4 months was
the time that we would not kill each other when out on the road. Starting
this coming fall we will be using the car to go to Tucson as we bought a
place. We may occasionally take the GMC out to Tucson if we plan trips on
the way out or back but we will be dropping back to the 2-4K miles usage
each year.
I DO NOT recommend jumping into full timing without first trying a
motorhome for a year or 2. You may find that your really not happy. A
home base IMHO is a better choice and going out on the road for trip of
varying time and distance. You need to prove the reliability of the coach
that you do purchase, being a GMC or SOB.
J.R. Wright
GMC Great Laker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMHI
TZE Zone Restorations
78 Buskirk Custom 30' Stretch
75 Avion (Under going Frame up Restoration)
On Sat, May 5, 2018 at 4:11 PM, Al Gamroth wrote:
> Hi, new member and potential buyer here. I am curious how often you GMC
> owners use your rigs.
>
> Are any of you full time RVers? If so how many years have you been on the
> road? How many miles per year? How many breakdowns? How difficult was it to
> find parts and service on the road?
>
> Are you a part time RVer? If so how often do you take trips and how many
> miles per year? How many breakdowns? How difficult was it to find parts and
> service on the road?
>
> I am actually thinking about going full time for a couple of years. But I
> am concerned that with any classic RV that it may not be the best idea if
> there are a bunch of breakdowns?
> I am open to your advice and or suggestions.
>
> Thanks, Al
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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| Re: [GMCnet] Use Cases [message #331776 is a reply to message #331775] |
Sun, 06 May 2018 12:01 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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We have been on three cross country RV trips, each one lasting longer than
6 weeks. I would say that was just about as long a trip as we would like to
take, and we are recently married. Pretty tight quarters in the GMC after a
month or so. Helps if you travel with friends, in other coaches, too. The
GMC community is like no other that I am aware of, and is a huge support
group when you are on the road. Great folks.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403
On Sun, May 6, 2018, 9:44 AM John Wright wrote:
> Al,
>
> We have owned a number of GMC's over the last 19 years. Did a frame up
> restoration on our first coach which was a 77 Eleganza II.
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3022-interior-restoration.html
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5344-pergo-floor-install.html
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3675-topeka-gmc-paint-job.html
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3762-headliner.html
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5666-1977-bath.html
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5667-77-gmc-exterior.html
>
> I have a 75 Avion in the shop for a complete restoration and it has been
> going slowly, but in the next 18 months I hope to have it finished and for
> sale.
>
> Our present coach is a 78 Buskirk stretch built in 1997.
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6365-1978-buskirk-stretch.html
>
> Now back to your original questions.
>
> There are a few (count them on one hand) that would be considered full
> timers. It could be used if it was for one person with limited possessions
> and there is limited storage available. I have done close to 85K miles
> over the years. I have had only 2 occasions to be towed on the hook. One
> back in spring of 1999 when I had a trans governor failure and a trans
> failure in 2013. Our coaches do break down, but it is not as expensive to
> have them repaired or repair it yourself as a big coach would be. I can
> most almost all parts from any of the big box autoparts stores or from one
> of the speciality vendor for our coaches. Most of us service our own
> coaches and I do do a front to back and top to bottom inspection and repair
> and replacement once a year. Keeping it serviced is much easier that
> trying to fix a major problem.
>
> The first few years that we had our coach I was still working and we did 5
> or 6 club rallies and a number of short trips each year for an annual
> milage of about 3K miles. When I/We retired in 2006 we started to use the
> Florida Space coast as our destination of choice, which we spent late
> December thru late March. Round trip of 2600 +/- miles plus additional
> miles of 2-3K. In the fall of 2010 we were invited to come out west to
> Tucson and spend the winter, December thru early April. Round trip of 4500
> miles +/- plus additional miles of 3-4 K. We found that about 4 months was
> the time that we would not kill each other when out on the road. Starting
> this coming fall we will be using the car to go to Tucson as we bought a
> place. We may occasionally take the GMC out to Tucson if we plan trips on
> the way out or back but we will be dropping back to the 2-4K miles usage
> each year.
>
> I DO NOT recommend jumping into full timing without first trying a
> motorhome for a year or 2. You may find that your really not happy. A
> home base IMHO is a better choice and going out on the road for trip of
> varying time and distance. You need to prove the reliability of the coach
> that you do purchase, being a GMC or SOB.
>
> J.R. Wright
> GMC Great Laker
> GMC Eastern States
> GMCMHI
> TZE Zone Restorations
> 78 Buskirk Custom 30' Stretch
> 75 Avion (Under going Frame up Restoration)
>
>
> On Sat, May 5, 2018 at 4:11 PM, Al Gamroth wrote:
>
>> Hi, new member and potential buyer here. I am curious how often you GMC
>> owners use your rigs.
>>
>> Are any of you full time RVers? If so how many years have you been on the
>> road? How many miles per year? How many breakdowns? How difficult was it
> to
>> find parts and service on the road?
>>
>> Are you a part time RVer? If so how often do you take trips and how many
>> miles per year? How many breakdowns? How difficult was it to find parts
> and
>> service on the road?
>>
>> I am actually thinking about going full time for a couple of years. But I
>> am concerned that with any classic RV that it may not be the best idea if
>> there are a bunch of breakdowns?
>> I am open to your advice and or suggestions.
>>
>> Thanks, Al
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
_______________________________________________
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| Re: Use Cases [message #331777 is a reply to message #331754] |
Sun, 06 May 2018 12:30 |
 |
Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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One4theroad wrote on Sat, 05 May 2018 16:11Hi, new member and potential buyer here. I am curious how often you GMC owners use your rigs.
Are any of you full time RVers? If so how many years have you been on the road? How many miles per year? How many breakdowns? How difficult was it to find parts and service on the road?
Are you a part time RVer? If so how often do you take trips and how many miles per year? How many breakdowns? How difficult was it to find parts and service on the road?
I am actually thinking about going full time for a couple of years. But I am concerned that with any classic RV that it may not be the best idea if there are a bunch of breakdowns?
I am open to your advice and or suggestions.
Thanks, Al
Al,
You have a lot of good advice here, but I shall add a little more. If you are not an effective mechanical technician, then a GMC may be a bad choice.
As mentioned above, you should seriously consider your options. Mary and I can live in out coach for a month at a time with little difficulty, but we have been sharing space for lot of years and the coach is not the smallest of them. Renting something might be a good start.
While they are not difficult to maintain or make small repairs, the majority of today's automotive technicians do not know how to do diagnosis. They read the code off the OBD and change parts. When most shops see a GMC, the run for cover. Changing parts are what they are good at, and if that does not solve your problem they will still do the other thing that they are good at which is writing a bill.
There are about a dozen good shops scattered across the country and several that can supply any needed parts. Getting the correct part from a store front parts store is not always easy as the catalogs are not always good.
As you read here, be aware that this is a group of a couple thousand or more and many of us use the the coach a lot. So, you will read lots of how to deal with issues here. If you read those, you may get the impression that these old girls are unreliable. Remember that you are looking at the sample of several thousand and then it will come into focus.
If you are any kind of a passable wrench, there is nothing about a GMC that will stop you. The technology is late iron age, and the service documentation is all available. There are very few special tools that can be required for normal maintenance. You have to get into your brain that the normal maintenance is much higher than would be for a modern vehicle. That maintenance is essential for reliability. One of out members described the situation as you have a 40 year old truck (it isn't a truck, but let that slide) carrying a 40 year old house that has been through a 40 year long earthquake. Of course things will need repair.
We have put just a little less than 70k on our coach and it has been on a hook once. Some years back, we did 11kMi of excursions and we broke a drawer slide in Yellowstone. With the stuff we had on board, I was able to make a satisfactory repair in a day. The only heavy spare I carry is a starter. (If that goes out, there is no work around.)
We would be glad to have you as part of our group, we want you to come in with your eyes wide open. These may be old coaches and that are really neat, but they are not for those that are not ready to deal with the issues. We have a saying here, "A reliable and ready to travel coach will cost you 30k$, all at once or as a kit." The "kit" part means that sweat is include at shop value. I don't believe you will hear anybody that disagrees with this.
Keep us in mind.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: [GMCnet] Use Cases [message #331779 is a reply to message #331754] |
Sun, 06 May 2018 18:44 |
Mike Kelley
Messages: 467
Registered: February 2017
Karma: -2
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Senior Member |
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Hi Al G.:
I am relatively new to the GMC MH world. Bought my 1st one in Mar. of 2013 - have owned 5 in the past 5 yrs - still own 2 cross country capable ones and a project coach. We put about 12 to 15k miles on our coach(s) per year. On trip #86 in the past 5 years - some short trips w/ local GMC club(s), some long trips to GMCMI conventions, and at least 2 round trips per year tween IL. and TX.
We summer at my house in IL. and winter in wife's house in TX. - have the best of both worlds!
We have had 3 incidents that stopped us or delayed us by 24hrs in those travel busy 5 years. 1st was a water pump failure in 76 Eleganza II 26' (delayed us by one day), 2nd was a distributor problem in our 76 Glenbrook 28' stretch
(delayed by one day), 3rd was broken wire at bottom of same distributor on same coach (9 months apart) - canceled the trip as my mechanic was tied up st same GMCMI Convention we were headed to.
I am not a mechanic so carry a few basic tools, my cell phone, and a copy of the Blacklist - if you buy a GMC, be sure you get a copy (lifesaver)!!!
Since you are looking to buy a GMC, you should know the rule most GMCers know - "Plan on spending $25 to $30k for a reliable, cross country capable, and somewhat upgraded coach"
Soo, you can buy one for 2 to 3k and spend 2 to 5 years and an add'l 25 to 30k on fixing the old girl up - or buy a really good one for 25 to 30k initially (or anywhere between these numbers).
This general rule has been proven many times by many of us!
So, tell me a bit about yourself - mechanic, back yard mechanic, hardly able to swing a wrench - like me!
To answer a couple of your questions - parts are still pretty readily available for these units and their are very capable GMC mechanics available all across the country - you will probably find them quickest and easiest by joining a local GMC MH club - there are about 12 regional clubs across the U S. Where do you live and I can direct you to a club or mechanic?
This is getting pretty long so I will send more later.
Happy to help - it is my way of paying it forward - as I am not a mechanic.
Mike/The Corvair a holic
Sent from my iPhone
> On May 5, 2018, at 3:11 PM, Al Gamroth wrote:
>
> Hi, new member and potential buyer here. I am curious how often you GMC owners use your rigs.
>
> Are any of you full time RVers? If so how many years have you been on the road? How many miles per year? How many breakdowns? How difficult was it to
> find parts and service on the road?
>
> Are you a part time RVer? If so how often do you take trips and how many miles per year? How many breakdowns? How difficult was it to find parts and
> service on the road?
>
> I am actually thinking about going full time for a couple of years. But I am concerned that with any classic RV that it may not be the best idea if
> there are a bunch of breakdowns?
> I am open to your advice and or suggestions.
>
> Thanks, Al
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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| Re: [GMCnet] Use Cases [message #331782 is a reply to message #331777] |
Mon, 07 May 2018 01:34 |
johnd01
Messages: 354
Registered: July 2017
Location: Sacrameot
Karma: -1
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Senior Member |
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So if I get a deal on a $5,000 coach I should expect to put another $25,000
with it.
Is there a recommended spare parts list?
Do we really have to repack the front wheel bearings every 3,000 miles?
That is like each oil change.
On Sun, May 6, 2018 at 10:30 AM, Matt Colie wrote:
> One4theroad wrote on Sat, 05 May 2018 16:11
>> Hi, new member and potential buyer here. I am curious how often you GMC
> owners use your rigs.
>>
>> Are any of you full time RVers? If so how many years have you been on
> the road? How many miles per year? How many breakdowns? How difficult was it
>> to find parts and service on the road?
>>
>> Are you a part time RVer? If so how often do you take trips and how many
> miles per year? How many breakdowns? How difficult was it to find parts
>> and service on the road?
>>
>> I am actually thinking about going full time for a couple of years. But
> I am concerned that with any classic RV that it may not be the best idea
>> if there are a bunch of breakdowns?
>> I am open to your advice and or suggestions.
>>
>> Thanks, Al
>
> Al,
>
> You have a lot of good advice here, but I shall add a little more. If you
> are not an effective mechanical technician, then a GMC may be a bad choice.
>
>
> As mentioned above, you should seriously consider your options. Mary and
> I can live in out coach for a month at a time with little difficulty, but we
> have been sharing space for lot of years and the coach is not the smallest
> of them. Renting something might be a good start.
>
> While they are not difficult to maintain or make small repairs, the
> majority of today's automotive technicians do not know how to do
> diagnosis. They
> read the code off the OBD and change parts. When most shops see a GMC,
> the run for cover. Changing parts are what they are good at, and if that
> does
> not solve your problem they will still do the other thing that they are
> good at which is writing a bill.
>
> There are about a dozen good shops scattered across the country and
> several that can supply any needed parts. Getting the correct part from a
> store
> front parts store is not always easy as the catalogs are not always good.
>
> As you read here, be aware that this is a group of a couple thousand or
> more and many of us use the the coach a lot. So, you will read lots of how
> to
> deal with issues here. If you read those, you may get the impression that
> these old girls are unreliable. Remember that you are looking at the
> sample of several thousand and then it will come into focus.
>
> If you are any kind of a passable wrench, there is nothing about a GMC
> that will stop you. The technology is late iron age, and the service
> documentation is all available. There are very few special tools that can
> be required for normal maintenance. You have to get into your brain that
> the normal maintenance is much higher than would be for a modern vehicle.
> That maintenance is essential for reliability. One of out members
> described the situation as you have a 40 year old truck (it isn't a truck,
> but let that slide) carrying a 40 year old house that has been through a 40
> year long earthquake. Of course things will need repair.
>
> We have put just a little less than 70k on our coach and it has been on a
> hook once. Some years back, we did 11kMi of excursions and we broke a
> drawer slide in Yellowstone. With the stuff we had on board, I was able
> to make a satisfactory repair in a day. The only heavy spare I carry is a
> starter. (If that goes out, there is no work around.)
>
> We would be glad to have you as part of our group, we want you to come in
> with your eyes wide open. These may be old coaches and that are really
> neat, but they are not for those that are not ready to deal with the
> issues. We have a saying here, "A reliable and ready to travel coach will
> cost
> you 30k$, all at once or as a kit." The "kit" part means that sweat is
> include at shop value. I don't believe you will hear anybody that disagrees
> with this.
>
> Keep us in mind.
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
*John Phillips*
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
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Johnd01
John Phillips
Avion A2600 TZE064V101164
Rancho Cordova, CA (Sacramento)
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| Re: [GMCnet] Use Cases [message #331783 is a reply to message #331782] |
Mon, 07 May 2018 07:50 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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johnd01 wrote on Mon, 07 May 2018 02:34So if I get a deal on a $5,000 coach I should expect to put another $25,000
with it.
Is there a recommended spare parts list?
Do we really have to repack the front wheel bearings every 3,000 miles?
That is like each oil change.
John01,
Yes, we have a list of recommended spares and tools that varies by your degree of paranoia.
No, the original recommended service interval for the wheel bearings (All) was 24 months/24 K miles. The rear can be greatly extended with any modern grease and it does not even have to be a synthetic. The front maintenance can be greatly reduced and simplified by:
Getting a grease fitting installed so the bearing do not have to be dismantled to be lubricated.
Installing the 1-ton mod-kit so bearings will be readily available.
Getting Lenzi knuckles so the bearing are easily lubricated and are working in a manor that is good for bearings.
Those of us that run a synthetic engine oil and do analysis can often run an entire season without a lube oil service.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: [GMCnet] Use Cases [message #331784 is a reply to message #331782] |
Mon, 07 May 2018 08:22 |
powwerjon
Messages: 849
Registered: March 2013
Karma: -2
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Senior Member |
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John,
The rule of thumb on the cost of purchasing a coach has been pretty
accurate. I have done several and that is what to total cost has worked
out to and just a little more depending on how much you do.
If you are running the stock hubs then every 24K miles is a good starting
point. If you have the hubs with the grease fittings installed then you
grease them about once a year and the bearings has been shown to have very
good bearing life. Some have shown 100k miles and still look good. The
use of a synthetic grease for the bearings is a major upgrade choice.
I have run a synthetic oil, since the early 2000's and presently use Mobil
One 20-50 and change it about every 5500 miles maybe a little. I recently
have been just changing the oil filter about every 3K miles as the oil
doesn't degrade in 3K miles. You going to ask why a 20/50 weight and that
is because our engines work very hard pulling 12K pounds down the roads.
When I ran the dino oil it was one a year in the fall to get out the junk
and acids and plus a filter and that was right around 3K miles at I did not
use the coach during the winter. I now use the coach mostly years round as
I spend the winters in the Southwest.
J.R. Wright
GMC Great Laker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMHI
TZE Zone Restorations
78 Buskirk Custom 30' Stretch
75 Avion (Under going Frame up Restoration)
On Mon, May 7, 2018 at 2:34 AM, John Phillips
wrote:
> So if I get a deal on a $5,000 coach I should expect to put another $25,000
> with it.
> Is there a recommended spare parts list?
> Do we really have to repack the front wheel bearings every 3,000 miles?
> That is like each oil change.
>
>
>
> On Sun, May 6, 2018 at 10:30 AM, Matt Colie wrote:
>
>> One4theroad wrote on Sat, 05 May 2018 16:11
>>> Hi, new member and potential buyer here. I am curious how often you GMC
>> owners use your rigs.
>>>
>>> Are any of you full time RVers? If so how many years have you been on
>> the road? How many miles per year? How many breakdowns? How difficult
> was it
>>> to find parts and service on the road?
>>>
>>> Are you a part time RVer? If so how often do you take trips and how
> many
>> miles per year? How many breakdowns? How difficult was it to find parts
>>> and service on the road?
>>>
>>> I am actually thinking about going full time for a couple of years. But
>> I am concerned that with any classic RV that it may not be the best idea
>>> if there are a bunch of breakdowns?
>>> I am open to your advice and or suggestions.
>>>
>>> Thanks, Al
>>
>> Al,
>>
>> You have a lot of good advice here, but I shall add a little more. If
> you
>> are not an effective mechanical technician, then a GMC may be a bad
> choice.
>>
>>
>> As mentioned above, you should seriously consider your options. Mary and
>> I can live in out coach for a month at a time with little difficulty,
> but we
>> have been sharing space for lot of years and the coach is not the
> smallest
>> of them. Renting something might be a good start.
>>
>> While they are not difficult to maintain or make small repairs, the
>> majority of today's automotive technicians do not know how to do
>> diagnosis. They
>> read the code off the OBD and change parts. When most shops see a GMC,
>> the run for cover. Changing parts are what they are good at, and if that
>> does
>> not solve your problem they will still do the other thing that they are
>> good at which is writing a bill.
>>
>> There are about a dozen good shops scattered across the country and
>> several that can supply any needed parts. Getting the correct part from
> a
>> store
>> front parts store is not always easy as the catalogs are not always good.
>>
>> As you read here, be aware that this is a group of a couple thousand or
>> more and many of us use the the coach a lot. So, you will read lots of
> how
>> to
>> deal with issues here. If you read those, you may get the impression
> that
>> these old girls are unreliable. Remember that you are looking at the
>> sample of several thousand and then it will come into focus.
>>
>> If you are any kind of a passable wrench, there is nothing about a GMC
>> that will stop you. The technology is late iron age, and the service
>> documentation is all available. There are very few special tools that
> can
>> be required for normal maintenance. You have to get into your brain that
>> the normal maintenance is much higher than would be for a modern vehicle.
>> That maintenance is essential for reliability. One of out members
>> described the situation as you have a 40 year old truck (it isn't a
> truck,
>> but let that slide) carrying a 40 year old house that has been through a
> 40
>> year long earthquake. Of course things will need repair.
>>
>> We have put just a little less than 70k on our coach and it has been on a
>> hook once. Some years back, we did 11kMi of excursions and we broke a
>> drawer slide in Yellowstone. With the stuff we had on board, I was able
>> to make a satisfactory repair in a day. The only heavy spare I carry is
> a
>> starter. (If that goes out, there is no work around.)
>>
>> We would be glad to have you as part of our group, we want you to come in
>> with your eyes wide open. These may be old coaches and that are really
>> neat, but they are not for those that are not ready to deal with the
>> issues. We have a saying here, "A reliable and ready to travel coach
> will
>> cost
>> you 30k$, all at once or as a kit." The "kit" part means that sweat is
>> include at shop value. I don't believe you will hear anybody that
> disagrees
>> with this.
>>
>> Keep us in mind.
>>
>> Matt
>> --
>> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
>> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
>> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
>> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>
>
>
> --
>
> *John Phillips*
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Use Cases [message #331785 is a reply to message #331783] |
Mon, 07 May 2018 10:06 |
Mike Kelley
Messages: 467
Registered: February 2017
Karma: -2
|
Senior Member |
|
|
John P.:
In general - yes.
Buy a 5k coach and expect to invest 20 to 25k to make it safe & reliable - you might get lucky and find a really good one for 5k, but . . .
Spare parts - yes, if you are mechanically inclined - ask another GMCer who does - me - I carry my cell phone and a copy of the Blacklist.
Front wheel bearings should be repacked every 25,000 miles to my knowledge.
Stay w/ this forum and you will learn a lot and from very knowledgeable people!
Good Luck
Mike/The Corvair a holic
Sent from my iPhone
> On May 7, 2018, at 7:50 AM, Matt Colie wrote:
>
> johnd01 wrote on Mon, 07 May 2018 02:34
>> So if I get a deal on a $5,000 coach I should expect to put another $25,000
>> with it.
>> Is there a recommended spare parts list?
>> Do we really have to repack the front wheel bearings every 3,000 miles?
>> That is like each oil change.
>
> John01,
>
> Yes, we have a list of recommended spares and tools that varies by your degree of paranoia.
>
> No, the original recommended service interval for the wheel bearings (All) was 24 months/24 K miles. The rear can be greatly extended with any modern
> grease and it does not even have to be a synthetic. The front maintenance can be greatly reduced and simplified by:
> Getting a grease fitting installed so the bearing do not have to be dismantled to be lubricated.
> Installing the 1-ton mod-kit so bearings will be readily available.
> Getting Lenzi knuckles so the bearing are easily lubricated and are working in a manor that is good for bearings.
>
> Those of us that run a synthetic engine oil and do analysis can often run an entire season without a lube oil service.
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
_______________________________________________
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| Re: [GMCnet] Use Cases [message #331786 is a reply to message #331785] |
Mon, 07 May 2018 10:33 |
Vern Crawford
Messages: 81
Registered: August 2016
Karma: -1
|
Member |
|
|
Howdy John P,
For the past couple of years Lenore and I have found ourselves living in
our coach about 50% of the time, thus we are like "half-timers." We have
had no problems living in the well organized, and to us a rather roomy 26
foot 1977 GMC Palm Beach. For the previous quarter century we spent
several months each year traveling and living in a 1992 Dolphin class C on
a 6 cylinder Toyota chassis, so moving up to a GMC has been a huge
expansion in roominess.
As far as parts availability, rest assured that if you are willing to pay
overnight shipping, almost any part you would ever need can be in your, or
your mechanics hand the following day! You can call on almost anyone in
the GMC Motorhome community, and they will direct you to someone who can
either get you the parts, knowledge, and experienced talent to get you back
on the road.
In many ways, those of us that use our coaches on a regular basis, being on
the road often throughout the year, have fewer problems to deal with than
folks that only use their coaches once a year, or even worse, letting them
sit idle for extended years. Just as we ourselves need exercise to
maintain long healthy lives, our elderly coaches need to be well maintained,*
AND* taken out for frequent exercise too!
Hugs,
Vern
On Mon, May 7, 2018 at 10:06 AM, Mike Kelley wrote:
> John P.:
> In general - yes.
> Buy a 5k coach and expect to invest 20 to 25k to make it safe & reliable -
> you might get lucky and find a really good one for 5k, but . . .
> Spare parts - yes, if you are mechanically inclined - ask another
> GMCer who does - me - I carry my cell phone and a copy of the Blacklist.
> Front wheel bearings should be repacked every 25,000 miles to my
> knowledge.
> Stay w/ this forum and you will learn a lot and from very knowledgeable
> people!
> Good Luck
> Mike/The Corvair a holic
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On May 7, 2018, at 7:50 AM, Matt Colie wrote:
>>
>> johnd01 wrote on Mon, 07 May 2018 02:34
>>> So if I get a deal on a $5,000 coach I should expect to put another
> $25,000
>>> with it.
>>> Is there a recommended spare parts list?
>>> Do we really have to repack the front wheel bearings every 3,000 miles?
>>> That is like each oil change.
>>
>> John01,
>>
>> Yes, we have a list of recommended spares and tools that varies by your
> degree of paranoia.
>>
>> No, the original recommended service interval for the wheel bearings
> (All) was 24 months/24 K miles. The rear can be greatly extended with any
> modern
>> grease and it does not even have to be a synthetic. The front
> maintenance can be greatly reduced and simplified by:
>> Getting a grease fitting installed so the bearing do not have to be
> dismantled to be lubricated.
>> Installing the 1-ton mod-kit so bearings will be readily available.
>> Getting Lenzi knuckles so the bearing are easily lubricated and are
> working in a manor that is good for bearings.
>>
>> Those of us that run a synthetic engine oil and do analysis can often
> run an entire season without a lube oil service.
>>
>> Matt
>> --
>> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
>> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
>> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
>> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Vern Crawford (and Lenore Langsdorf)
155 JJ Lane
Center Point, TX 78010
(618) 203-8296 Vern's cell
(830) 928-5550 Lenore's cell
VernCrawford@GMail.Com
LenoreLangsdorf@GMail.Com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Use Cases [message #331787 is a reply to message #331782] |
Mon, 07 May 2018 10:55 |
Richard Denney
Messages: 920
Registered: April 2010
Karma: 9
|
Senior Member |
|
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The best I’ve heard it is Gerald Work’s description, which is that it costs
about $750 a year to maintain a GMC on average, and if that wasn’t spent,
you will probably have to spend it to catch up. Once in a state of good
repair, then it settles down to that average.
That means about $30k to catch up on 40 years of undone maintenance, or
something less if the maintenance was partly done.
Also: expect to need an engine after 100k miles, along with the
transmission and final drive. That is if they are well-maintained. You can
do those three for $10k if you do the installation work yourself, maybe
less.
If you have it painted, expect another $10-15k.
You can spend as much or as little as you want on the interior.
I have one of the ugliest coaches on the road, but I have close to $40k in
it over the last 15 years. That includes purchase price, engine,
transmission, final drive, front end (I have installed a one-ton truck
kit), radiator, air bags plus many new parts on the air system, fuel tanks
(old ones were full of rust), generator, furnace, interior finish work,
replacement rear cap (to repair poorly done body repair by a PO), Eagle
wheels, several sets of tires, newer style exterior windows, and a number
of convenience items. That includes a lot of remedial work to undo past
neglect, but also a lot of maintenance during my ownership.
After I do the rear bogies (replace bushings, install reaction rod,
tru-tracks, and—not necessary but I still will do it—rear disks), I’ll have
a coach ready to go anywhere as if it was new.
I guess paint will be last.
Ive spent years doing all this, but the coach was usable throughout. If I
wanted to full-time, I’d have wanted to do most of this up front.
I might also have found a coach fully renewed in a true state of good
repair for less, and with better paint, too. But my way was (usually) more
fun. I have never been towed (knock on wood), but I have made some repairs
while traveling (fan belts—twice—and bad alternator).
If you participate in GMC clubs and events, you’ll make lifelong friends
who will be there to help you. That is perhaps the strongest recommendation
for owning a GMC.
Rick “freshly back from Bean Station” Denney
On Mon, May 7, 2018 at 2:35 AM John Phillips
wrote:
> So if I get a deal on a $5,000 coach I should expect to put another $25,000
> with it.
> Is there a recommended spare parts list?
> Do we really have to repack the front wheel bearings every 3,000 miles?...
>
--
Rick Denney
73 x-Glacier 230 "Jaws"
Off-list email to rick at rickdenney dot com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Use cases [message #331887 is a reply to message #331791] |
Wed, 09 May 2018 22:26 |
Mike Kelley
Messages: 467
Registered: February 2017
Karma: -2
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Yes Al G.:
And if you buy a GMC MH, and join GMCMI and a local GMC club, you will find
Sent from my iPhone
> On May 7, 2018, at 11:30 AM, Bob Dunahugh wrote:
>
> First. Don't go out, and buy one alone. Or unseen. It's the. Trust, but verify. Many of us have checked out GMC's for buyers. Buy to YOUR skills. Our first one we bought in 2003. Took us 52,000 miles, and 38 states. And never stranded us to the side of the road. Then we bought a new frig. Didn't get the fire recall. You get the rest of this story. Then bought another 78 Royale. It sat next to a corn field in Iowa for 20 years. Was in remarkable condition except for being a mouse condo all that time. That was fine for ME. As I like building these GMC's. Building one now to sell this Summer. There's a wealth of information here. Call some of us. We don't want to hear how someone got a bad buy. Simply because they didn't want to bother others. My cell is 319-521-4891. Iowa. Glad to help. Bob Dunahugh
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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| Re: [GMCnet] Use cases [message #331888 is a reply to message #331887] |
Wed, 09 May 2018 22:34 |
Mike Kelley
Messages: 467
Registered: February 2017
Karma: -2
|
Senior Member |
|
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Sorry Al G.:
Bumped the send button B 4 I was done - fingers are too big or buttons are too small.
See below:
>
> Yes Al G.:
> And if you buy a GMC MH, and join GMCMI and a local GMC club, you will find out just how amazing and helpful this group really is. I love these old GMC's, but love the people even more.
Mike/The Corvair a holic
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On May 7, 2018, at 11:30 AM, Bob Dunahugh wrote:
>>
>> First. Don't go out, and buy one alone. Or unseen. It's the. Trust, but verify. Many of us have checked out GMC's for buyers. Buy to YOUR skills. Our first one we bought in 2003. Took us 52,000 miles, and 38 states. And never stranded us to the side of the road. Then we bought a new frig. Didn't get the fire recall. You get the rest of this story. Then bought another 78 Royale. It sat next to a corn field in Iowa for 20 years. Was in remarkable condition except for being a mouse condo all that time. That was fine for ME. As I like building these GMC's. Building one now to sell this Summer. There's a wealth of information here. Call some of us. We don't want to hear how someone got a bad buy. Simply because they didn't want to bother others. My cell is 319-521-4891. Iowa. Glad to help. Bob Dunahugh
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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