Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Trip Report 20100708-11 RIC > Hershey PA and back (The Continuing Adventures of the Joll
| [GMCnet] Trip Report 20100708-11 RIC > Hershey PA and back (The Continuing Adventures of the Joll [message #92583] |
Mon, 19 July 2010 14:13  |
Eddie Pettit
Messages: 71
Registered: May 2009
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Ok, this was a relatively short trip, but the longest that the coach has
made -- 250 miles each way.
As you may recall, on it's last voyage, the coach lost the engine water
pump. It got us home so repairs were done in the driveway. I had one weekend
in which to repair the coach before the trip to Hershey. The repair process
took about 4.5 hours, spanned 2 days and involved using a thread repair kit
on one of the bolts -- it was a relatively easy exercise and I do mean
exercise because of the manner in which you have to twist, contort and hold
yourself above the hole in the floor where the engine is. With the repair
complete, I took two short (less than 10 miles) test drives and experienced
no leakage. I was quite pleased with myself and figured that I saved at
least $300.
We loaded up the coach on Wednesday night and my son, Zach, and I left early
Thursday morning even though we didn't need to be in Hershey until 5PM. We
stopped at Sam's for fuel before getting on the road. I put about 20 gallons
in at $2.41 a gallon. I haven't yet filled the coach up yet because the fill
hoses need to be replaces, however, I did notice that if you fill slowly
there isn't a leak up by the fill point. It also doesn't seam to leak in the
back near the tanks as well -- maybe at the cross-over for the tanks?
Anyway, that's a repair for a later date, but means that I can't track
mileage on these voyages.
We actually hit the road at around 8:15AM. We traveled up I95 towards DC,
traffic was relatively light since we were behind rush hour. That is, until
we got near Tysons Corner on the inner loop. That's when traffic came to a
stop for construction. We spent the next 20 minutes stopped and crawling
along at speeds approaching a scorching 15mph. By now, the air temperature
was above 90F, but the coach didn't seem to notice the slow travel combined
with the high temp as the stock temperature gauge only rose about 2
needle-widths. Once we cleared the construction, the gauge returned to
normal. Oh, now might be a good time to say that the dash AC is less than
impressive, we had the windows open. We weren't running the roof air because
we didn't have anyone following us and I notice a hot spot in the wood
directly above the generator. I can only guess that this was from one of the
PO's adventures and wasn't going to take any chances.
Initially, I was going to go around DC, then Baltimore and up I83 to
Hershey, however, once I got going, I decided that we'd go around DC, up
I270, then get on US15 and follow that to Hershey. We stopped just before
the PA border to add more fuel. I can't read the gas gauge fluctuates like
crazy going up and down hills so I can never really tell what's in the main
tank and what's in the auxiliary tank. I think I got a handle on it on the
way back. We put 20 gallons, @ $2.60 a gallon, in the tanks, grabbed some
hot dogs and let the dog do her business, which of course, she didn't... She
doesn't like to go when she's on the leash. After about 20 minutes, we got
back in and finished the journey.
We arrived in Hershey at around 1PM. We didn't have anything else to do so
we went to the KOA. When we got there we were told that there'd be an extra
$5 charged because check-in wasn't until 3PM. I reluctantly agreed, because
we had nothing else to do, but stated my displeasure and told the clerk that
I felt cheated. It's not like there were packed and would have to do
anything special to get me into a site, all they had to do was assign one
and show me on the map. They assigned me a spit on top of the hill and
charged my card. You know, it's funny how things work out... As I was
reviewing the charges and signing the slip, the clerk noted that the $5 fee
didn't appear on the bill and that she wasn't certain why, she had placed it
on their, but she couldn't make it stick... That gave me a little chuckle.
We left the office and went to the site assigned. It was a nice site, but
not very wide and a ways from the pond. I wanted to be near the pond so that
my daughter could fish if she wanted and still be within earshot. It turns
out that she didn't ask to fish the entire stay... So, I went back to the
office and asked for another spot, the next spot was wider and had a view of
the pond, so all was good. However, it was an upgrade and would cost more..
How much more you ask? $5. They got that extra $5 from me anyway, but I
didn't feel cheated.
My wife, Carolyn, had to work Thursday, so she was going to come up later in
the day with our daughter, Mercedes. That meant that I was going to have to
use the coach as a car for the first day, which isn't that big of a deal,
but meant that I couldn't setup completely until all of the running was
done. I setup the rv mat and overhead while Zach went played some mini golf
and took a shower. He didn't use the coach's shower because I still don't
have the water fixed yet, but the campground's showers are much larger
anyway and were quite clean for public showers. Once we were somewhat setup,
I took Zach to the Hershey Arena and dropped him off for his ice hockey
goalie camp, which was the whole purpose of the trip. I had to go into the
arena to ensure all paperwork was completed and that Zach was good to go,
while I did this I left the generator running for our dog in the coach. It
probably ran for about 30 minutes without problems, although, I planned
ahead and found a spot where I could leave the generator out and the
generator door propped open because of the above mentioned hot spot. Once
Zach was checked in, I went back to the KOA and finished setting up camp.
Carolyn and Mercedes had left RIC and were on their way up. Their arrival
time coincided with camp day's end so I set camp up completely.
Friday was a very hot day and the site had absolutely no shade, it was very
hot in the coach even with the roof air on. I attributed this to the lack of
blinds on the sides and the white roof vents. Once the sun goes down, even
if the temps stay high, the coach cools right down.
Saturday was a rainy cool day. We found that we have two leaks in the coach,
I could clearly see one by the right window near the door. The other was in
the back, on the right, dripping off a piece of aluminum that runs the
length of the coach, so there's no telling where that's coming from... I do
know that it's not coming from the new roof vents. I haven't yet installed
the headliner in the rear and there wasn't any moisture around the vent back
there. It's probably leaking at one of the bathroom or refrigerator vents on
that side of the coach. A problem for another time.
Sunday was the day to come home. Problem was, check out was at 11AM and my
son's camp wasn't over until 5PM. That by itself wouldn't be a problem but
we had two dogs with us and temps were back up in the mid-90s. We drove the
coach to Hershey and parked it by the Arena. Again, I parked where I could
leave the generator out and the door open. I can't remember what all we did,
but we did look at another campground closer to Hershey Park, but didn't
like it as much as the KOA, even though they had better sites, the campers
weren't our type.
We had returned to the coach a couple times during this waiting period to
check on the generator. We made our final return to the Arena at around 4PM,
the generator humming along and the dogs were relatively cool in the coach,
which was in direct sunlight. It'd be another hour before we would finally
leave and start our way home.
Our trip home began with Carolyn following me in the Edge, she drove up
separately, we haven't yet set it up for flat towing and didn't bother
renting a dolly or a trailer for the return trip. To me, this just meant
that I could run the generator while someone followed behind me to watch for
smoke since I couldn't leave the tray out and it'd have a chance to heat up
in the little generator compartment. We stopped at Hoss's before we left and
ate before the final journey. Once we were full we continued the journey
with the generator powering the roof air and the dash air on. It wasn't cool
in the coach, but it was about 80F, which I don't think was bad because we
were in direct sunlight for a few more hours. At some point, the generator
stopped because the fuel was low, as I understand it, the generator runs off
the auxiliary tank. I believe this happened somewhere around the time the
sun was going down because I never noticed it getting hot in the coach, even
though it was 90F outside, it was actually cool with just the dash air once
the sun went down.
This has gotten a lot longer than I had initially imagined it would be,
maybe that's why I put it off for so long... Anyway, we got home without
issue and I spent the past weekend installing blinds in the front. I have
some for the rear as well and hope to have them installed by this weekend's
trip. It's forecast to be a hot one, mid to upper 90s again. We'll be
leaving for Virginia Beach on Friday and returning on Sunday, about 125
miles each way.
Photos of the journey can be found here. I've set it up so everyone can view
them even if you don't have a Facebook account.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=26511&id=1789817178&l=907a6baa48
Eddie Pettit
Midlothian VA
73 GMC -- the Jolly Roger
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trip Report 20100708-11 RIC > Hershey PA and back (TheContinuing Adventures of the J [message #92589 is a reply to message #92585] |
Mon, 19 July 2010 15:24  |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Eddie, please read your private messages, or pass me an e-mail address. I'd like to invite you to join the GMC Tidewater Crabs and come to some of our rallies. We typically have about 5 rallies during the late spring, summer and early fall. About 8 to 12 coaches show up and we talk GMC and do other stuff.
We are going to have a very small mini-rally the last week-end of the month (July 30,31, Aug 1) at Grey's Point camp ground, VA.
Come join us.
We do have one member who lives in Chesterfield, VA, very close to you.
Tom Phipps,
reply by private message, please
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trip Report 20100708-11 RIC > Hershey PA and back (TheContinuing Adventures of the J [message #92597 is a reply to message #92589] |
Mon, 19 July 2010 16:58 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Eddie,
My wife's family, and some of mine as well, lives in the Hershey area (Lebanon County, just East of there). We get back there for a visit about every two years. Thanks for sharing the pictures, some of the places looked very familiar.
Unfortunately, we are not yet retired (don't know if we ever will be, the way things are going) so we don't have time to drive the GMC all the way across the country. But, when we do, there is a nice KOA in Jonestown, a stone's throw from my sister-in-law's house, that we are looking forward to trying out. It is about 15 - 20 miles from Hershey off of Route 22.
Thanks again for sharing and congrats on the successful trip.
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] Trip Report 20100708-11 RIC > Hershey PA and back (The Continuing Adventures of the [message #92654 is a reply to message #92583] |
Tue, 20 July 2010 08:06 |
midlf
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
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| Eddie Pettit wrote on Mon, 19 July 2010 14:13 |
Anyway, that's a repair for a later date, but means that I can't track
mileage on these voyages.
Eddie Pettit
|
I don't believe it is possible to get accurate mileage with less than 5 refuelings. If you keep track of all your gas additions and mileages after a few gas stops your mileage will start to reflect your actual MPG. It is not even necessary to FILL the tanks. When refueling just do it in a consistent manner.
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trip Report 20100708-11 RIC > Hershey PA and back (The Continuing Adventures of the [message #92660 is a reply to message #92583] |
Tue, 20 July 2010 08:59 |
midlf
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
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| Eddie Pettit wrote on Mon, 19 July 2010 14:13 |
At some point, the generator
stopped because the fuel was low, as I understand it, the generator runs off
the auxiliary tank.
Eddie Pettit
73 GMC -- the Jolly Roger
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If a previous owner has not "improved" the generator fuel pickup point then it does not run off the auxiliary tank. The generator fuel pickup on a stock GMC upfitted coach, which your '73 should be, is from a dip tube on the main (rear) tank that extends down to the 1/4 tank level.
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trip Report 20100708-11 RIC > Hershey PA and back (TheContinuing Adventures of the [message #92665 is a reply to message #92660] |
Tue, 20 July 2010 10:09 |
Eddie Pettit
Messages: 71
Registered: May 2009
Karma: 0
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Thanks for the clarification. I don't know what's been done, but I have
noticed that I have to park with the coach facing downhill, when unlevel and
low on fuel, to get the generator to continue to run, so I guess it sounds
as if it's running from the front tank although, I guess the pickup could be
towards the front of a the tank...
It does look as if someone's been in the tanks at one time, as I have holes
cut in the floor above the tanks. I have no idea what's been done, but the
tops of the tanks look clean and there's new looking rubber there.
Thanks,
Eddie Pettit
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
>
> If a previous owner has not "improved" the generator fuel
> pickup point then it does not run off the auxiliary tank.
> The generator fuel pickup on a stock GMC upfitted coach,
> which your '73 should be, is from a dip tube on the main
> (rear) tank that extends down to the 1/4 tank level.
>
> --
> Steve Southworth
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trip Report 20100708-11 RIC > Hershey PA and back (TheContinuing Adventures of the [message #92674 is a reply to message #92665] |
Tue, 20 July 2010 11:33 |
midlf
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
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| Eddie Pettit wrote on Tue, 20 July 2010 10:09 |
Thanks for the clarification. I don't know what's been done, but I have
noticed that I have to park with the coach facing downhill, when unlevel and
low on fuel, to get the generator to continue to run, so I guess it sounds
as if it's running from the front tank although, I guess the pickup could be
towards the front of a the tank...
It does look as if someone's been in the tanks at one time, as I have holes
cut in the floor above the tanks. I have no idea what's been done, but the
tops of the tanks look clean and there's new looking rubber there.
Thanks,
Eddie Pettit
|
It almost sounds like the tank with the tap (usually the rear) was switched to be the front tank. The stock gen pickup point is located on the top of the tank on the drivers side rear corner. Although it doesn't really make much difference as long as you know how it works.
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trip Report 20100708-11 RIC > Hershey PA and back (TheContinuing Adventures of the [message #92679 is a reply to message #92674] |
Tue, 20 July 2010 11:53 |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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On Jul 20, 2010, at 10:33 AM, Steve Southworth wrote:
>
>
> Eddie Pettit wrote on Tue, 20 July 2010 10:09
>> Thanks for the clarification. I don't know what's been done, but I have
>> noticed that I have to park with the coach facing downhill, when unlevel and
>> low on fuel, to get the generator to continue to run, so I guess it sounds
>> as if it's running from the front tank although, I guess the pickup could be
>> towards the front of a the tank...
>>
>> It does look as if someone's been in the tanks at one time, as I have holes
>> cut in the floor above the tanks. I have no idea what's been done, but the
>> tops of the tanks look clean and there's new looking rubber there.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Eddie Pettit
>
>
> It almost sounds like the tank with the tap (usually the rear) was switched to be the front tank. The stock gen pickup point is located on the top of the tank on the drivers side rear corner. Although it doesn't really make much difference as long as you know how it works.
>
> --
> Steve Southworth
> 1974 Glacier TZE064V100150
> Palmyra WI
Since the pickup in on the driver's side rear part of the tank I don't see why it would make any difference if the tank were switched to be the front tank. If the front of the tank is pointed downward the fuel would flow to the front of the tank (whether the front tank or the rear tank) and the pickup, which terminates perhaps 3" above the bottom of the tank would be sucking air.
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM
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