Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] parking area design?
| [GMCnet] parking area design? [message #367330] |
Wed, 27 October 2021 13:38  |
Ronald Pottol
Messages: 505
Registered: September 2012
Location: Redwood City, California
Karma: -2
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So, I'm looking for a place, semi rural, in the pacific northwest (probably
outside Portland, but who knows), and, as a lifelong resident of much more
arid and suburban (paved) areas, I don't know what I need to plan for in
terms of parking for my Motorhome at my home (so long term kinda thing).
I get that grass is bad, and dirt is little better, is gravel good enough,
or should I plan on a concrete pad? Any particular notes about that?
I'm disinclined to cover it, as I plan to live in it, and use roof mounted
solar (in so far as you get sun in that region), but panels are cheap, I
could have a set mounted for use when parked.
1973 26'
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| [GMCnet] Re: parking area design? [message #367331 is a reply to message #367330] |
Wed, 27 October 2021 14:01  |
Rob
Messages: 651
Registered: November 2013
Location: Victoria, BC
Karma: 3
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One of my parking spots a few years ago was a large barn, with a gravel floor. They initially talked about how many inches of gravel they had put down - but never mentioned anything else about it!
It turned out that the gravel had NEVER been tamped down - it was very loose. Positioning into place sometimes required adding power while turning - I got so stuck that I had to pull it out with my Land Rover! My transmission pan was almost touching the gravel on that occasion.
My new parking spot is a covered "car port", but with WELL tamped gravel. No problems now! A concrete pad would be nice - but not worth the cost for me. I have to be very careful jacking up the GMC on the gravel - but I've done it...
I LOVE having it covered for the winter in the PNW. No issues in the spring nowadays - it used to be a constant battle with humidity. But mine was in "storage" mode - cool & damp.
Rob
76 Royale Twin Beds, Dry Bath
Victoria, BC
> On Oct 27, 2021, at 11:38 AM, Ronald Pottol wrote:
>
> So, I'm looking for a place, semi rural, in the pacific northwest (probably
> outside Portland, but who knows), and, as a lifelong resident of much more
> arid and suburban (paved) areas, I don't know what I need to plan for in
> terms of parking for my Motorhome at my home (so long term kinda thing).
>
> I get that grass is bad, and dirt is little better, is gravel good enough,
> or should I plan on a concrete pad? Any particular notes about that?
>
> I'm disinclined to cover it, as I plan to live in it, and use roof mounted
> solar (in so far as you get sun in that region), but panels are cheap, I
> could have a set mounted for use when parked.
>
> 1973 26'
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Rob -
Victoria, BC -
76 Royale - Rear Twins/Dry Bath
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| Re: [GMCnet] parking area design? [message #367332 is a reply to message #367330] |
Wed, 27 October 2021 14:44 |
Bill Van Vlack
Messages: 419
Registered: September 2015
Location: Guemes Island, Washington
Karma: 14
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Senior Member |
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A good AND LEVEL concrete pad would be the best. An enclosure with three sides protected from wind and wind-driven rain and with the back towards the predominant wind direction would be good. If you're living in it, you could arrange for one or both sides to roll up in nice weather.
If the site is dry or the pit can be drained, dig and create a 'grease pit' I built one once with an offset on the sides so that I could put a 2x8 across and sit on it; changed out the '37 Chevy PU bearings (newer 216) using it. Add a septic system, well, and 220v service and Bob's yer uncle.
Bill Van Vlack
'76 Royale; Guemes Island, Washington; Twin bed, full (DS) side bath, Brazilian Redwood counter and settee tops,455, 6KW generator; new owner a/o mid November 2015.
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| [GMCnet] Re: parking area design? [message #367338 is a reply to message #367330] |
Wed, 27 October 2021 18:42 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Ron,
When I moved here 17 years ago, I was determined to have a covered RV/other
storage/work area for the first time in my then-67 year lifetime. As it
worked out, the area available for that project had a 4' drop
front-to-rear. After considering installation of lift after leveling that
area, I considered using the slope to ease construction of a conventional
"pit", with the "far" end open at the bottom of the slope. Then, I
happened to find a 15' long piece of 14" I-beam at a give-away price. That
stimulated another idea: Why do all that fill work to make level pit walls
and then put up with the fixed width and confining sides of a pit? This
photo and the following 3 or so may explain the "heavenly" solution I wound
up with: An almost unrestricted open-air pit with infinitely variable
track width. If only I'd had it 50 years sooner!!!
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/ken-5c-27s-shop-26amp-3b-grease-rack/p14939.html
Some of those who've seen my paradise, including Manny Travao, have copied
at least the post-mounted tracks idea. If you have, or can easily create,
a site with approximately 4' drop over its 50' length, this is an "ideal"
solution!
JMHO!
Ken H.
On Wed, Oct 27, 2021 at 2:38 PM Ronald Pottol
wrote:
> So, I'm looking for a place, semi rural, in the pacific northwest (probably
> outside Portland, but who knows), and, as a lifelong resident of much more
> arid and suburban (paved) areas, I don't know what I need to plan for in
> terms of parking for my Motorhome at my home (so long term kinda thing).
>
> I get that grass is bad, and dirt is little better, is gravel good enough,
> or should I plan on a concrete pad? Any particular notes about that?
>
> I'm disinclined to cover it, as I plan to live in it, and use roof mounted
> solar (in so far as you get sun in that region), but panels are cheap, I
> could have a set mounted for use when parked.
>
> 1973 26'
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Re: parking area design? [message #367346 is a reply to message #367331] |
Wed, 27 October 2021 23:18 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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The problem with gravel is type of gravel you use and packing it. The coarser stuff (larger size) takes forever or never packs and should e used as the first base layer. You can order 73's which is size 7 down to dust for the top layer. This stuff after 6 months settles almost like concrete. BUT my experience is with 400 feet of driveway that is exposed to rain, snow, sun and daily driving over it by multiple vehicles. I do not know how long it would take to pack if it is under a cover or inside a building.
https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/the-9-best-types-of-gravel-for-your-driveway-51524
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Re: parking area design? [message #367513 is a reply to message #367338] |
Sat, 06 November 2021 19:49 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Having been on Ken's ramp/pit, I can say that I wish I has one just like. Especially in the South, where you do not have weather extremes, it was very nice.
We found a very similiar ramp/pit in Northern Georgia (State Road 245) near Helen. On the ramp was a 26' GMC with out-of-date California plates. Nice looking body, but front bumper and grill were gone. No one home to ask about it.
Tom, Still finding GMC's on the blue roads of America.
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: [GMCnet] parking area design? [message #367517 is a reply to message #367330] |
Sun, 07 November 2021 10:45 |
boybach
Messages: 566
Registered: December 2020
Location: Vancouver Island
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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Ronald Pottol wrote on Wed, 27 October 2021 11:38
I get that grass is bad, and dirt is little better
Why is grass bad? That's all I've got.
Larry
Larry - Victoria BC -
1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
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| [GMCnet] Re: parking area design? [message #367518 is a reply to message #367517] |
Sun, 07 November 2021 10:53 |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
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Easy to get stuck if grass is wet / soft.
Sully
Bellevue wa
On Sun, Nov 7, 2021 at 8:45 AM wrote:
> Ronald Pottol wrote on Wed, 27 October 2021 11:38
>> I get that grass is bad, and dirt is little better
>
> Why is grass bad? That's all I've got.
>
> Larry
> --
> Larry - Victoria BC -
>
> 1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working
> but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS
> exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat
> exchange hoses
> _______________________________________________
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Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Re: parking area design? [message #367520 is a reply to message #367518] |
Sun, 07 November 2021 11:46 |
boybach
Messages: 566
Registered: December 2020
Location: Vancouver Island
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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sgltrac wrote on Sun, 07 November 2021 08:53Easy to get stuck if grass is wet / soft.
Sully
Bellevue wa
Ok that's not an issue.
Thanks Sully
Larry - Victoria BC -
1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
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| [GMCnet] Re: parking area design? [message #367521 is a reply to message #367517] |
Sun, 07 November 2021 13:18 |
GMCWiperMan
Messages: 1248
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Grass does not inhibit moisture in the ground from rising and causing
severe rusting of one of the GMC's most vulnerable components, the steel
frame. Gravel's better, but should at least have plastic sheeting beneath
it to help eliminate the problem. Concrete is, of course, still better,
but should also have a vapor barrier for maximum protection. Epoxy-coated
concrete is probably the best possible solution.
Ken H.
On Sun, Nov 7, 2021 at 11:45 AM wrote:
> Ronald Pottol wrote on Wed, 27 October 2021 11:38
>> I get that grass is bad, and dirt is little better
>
> Why is grass bad? That's all I've got.
>
> Larry
> --
> Larry - Victoria BC -
>
> 1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working
> but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS
> exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat
> exchange hoses
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
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| [GMCnet] Re: parking area design? [message #367522 is a reply to message #367517] |
Sun, 07 November 2021 19:01 |
Emery Stora
Messages: 959
Registered: January 2011
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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Grass gives off moisture which can condense on and inside your frame which can cause rusting.
Emery Stora
emerystora@mac.com
> On Nov 7, 2021, at 9:45 AM, twlldeen@gmail.com wrote:
>
> Ronald Pottol wrote on Wed, 27 October 2021 11:38
>> I get that grass is bad, and dirt is little better
>
> Why is grass bad? That's all I've got.
>
> Larry
> --
> Larry - Victoria BC -
>
> 1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS
> exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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