| [GMCnet] Fwd: Cross country adventure part 1 [message #89601] |
Wed, 23 June 2010 07:53  |
Gerald Work
Messages: 102
Registered: June 2010
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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Sent from my iPad
Begin forwarded message:
> From: Gerald Work <glwork@me.com>
> Date: June 22, 2010 10:14:40 AM CDT
> To: "gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org" <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
> Subject: Cross country adventure part 1
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> Like Kelvin I, too, have been away for a coulee of years. We are on our way from SW Oregon where we live to the Maritime Provinces in eastern Canada. Will cover something like 8000 miles I three or so months so I thought some of you might enjoy what we did to prep for this long a trip and some observations along the way. I am typing hunt and peck style on the virtual keyboard on my iPad so expect a few typos and such.
>
> First, some background. This is our 50th wedding anniversary year so we decided to celebrate
> by traveling. We ,did nearly 4000 miles to the beaches in MX this winter. We survived close to two months on 26 feet without killing each other on that one so think we can make three months this time. We just returned from a 14 day AK cruise and then left on the 15th for this junket. Sharon has not yet told me what we will do for the rest of the year!
>
> Prep for this trip started on our way back from the combined GMCWS and GMCI rally in Pueblo, CO, last summer. While our coach has a very strong engine (rebuilt and dyne tuned by Mark Mcneal at the Dyno Shop in Santee, CA, about 40k ago) it is also a very heavy late 78 Royale with the rear lounge. In addition to the solid walnut interior all of the soft parts of the interior (headliner, wall panels, seating, roman shades, etc) have been replaced with natural leather. As a result it has always needed second gear to climb the mountains that are all around us and gels short of breath with the stock gearing. So we stopped by Manny's place on the way home and had him do a new trans with the new chain gearing which results in a 350 final drive.
>
> What a difference! I strongly recommend this change for every one no matter where you live. Our coach changed character all together. Thanks Manny.
>
> We also purchased one of the aluminum radiators from Jim K. And had it installed just before we left. We used the lift and drop out the bottom technique. Total instal time was 2.5 hours. I had already removed the wheel liners and moved the batteries around (4 6 v house batteries now in the ps rear compartment and start battery on ds - details in the pres. I made at GMCWS/GMCMI) so the area to the ps of the radiator was clear. That saved a lot of wiggling to get at the cooling hoses on the ps of the old radiator. The new radiator, combined with the external coolers we already had on both engine and trans oil has kept water temp rock steady at the thermo set point no matter what the load or temp. We climbed the Rockies in 3rd gear with the air on (has been quite warm) as a result of these two mods. Both highly recommended.
>
> More in the next report. We stayed last night in Harrison, NE, in the worlds smallest rv park. While this county advertises itself as the least populous in the state, and the only county with no incorporated cities, this nice little town provides two rv so aces with water and elec. in it's park on a donation basis. Great place to spend a quiet night.
>
> Jerry and Sharon Work
> Kerby,OR
>
> Sent from my iPad
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