Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » What am I looking for
| What am I looking for [message #83499] |
Fri, 07 May 2010 14:28  |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
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I've been looking at GMC's for a couple of months now. Byron suggested that I try and post my thoughts on exactly what I want. The truthful answer is that I probably haven't been looking long enough to make that determination. I'll know it when I see it. In the meantime, here's where I am so far:
1. I'm 6'5" and the rear bath Royale would give me a longer center twin, or at least one where I can hang off the end of the bed.
2. My wife would prefer a dedicated bedroom so we don't sleep on our sofas every day.
3. We both prefer having a living area with a sofa and a dinette or another sofa or a couple of chairs.
4. Dry bath is preferable except for the small shower. I think I would be better with a rear bath, but it is only a few minutes a day that you spend in the shower. For years I have toweled off the ceramic tile in my bathroom at home in an attempt to stave off mildew.
5. Two roof airs needed in the deep south. I don't want to get hot.
6. Working dash air. (see #5)
7. Of course, alcoas or eagles. I'm not opposed to running out some 16.5" steel wheels - in other words get some mileage out of fresh tires, but that is a change I'd want to make eventually.
8. Clean rather than spotless. I don't mind original interior if it doesn't smell and is clean.Dependable is more important.
9. Decent paint. As it stands now, I'd be storing outside so show paint is not a necessity.
10. Arm rests on cockpit chairs.
11. I have a VW Jetta diesel that is about 2900 lbs. Getting close to the magic 3000# but I'd like to pull it.
12.I'd like to stay under $10K with old or worn tires. Probably $14-15K tops with fresh tires and aluminum wheels.
13. I don't see us taking long trips. We spend most of our vacation time at our beach house. I think we'd take the GMC to visit children in Atlanta (3hours) or maybe to the mountains. More weekend than distance trips. Maybe this would change as we retire.
14.I don't have strong feelings 455 vs 403 and would, in fact, like a later model coach.
15. I'm not a mechanic. I can do some stuff and I'm willing to learn. I just sort of gave up on cars when they got so complicated. I do understand basic mechanics.
16. I am in no hurry.
Theres a great old song that goes:
"All I want is 50 million dollars,
a champagne fountain bubbling at my feet.
With Rockefeller waiting on my table
and Lombardo's band 'a playing while I eat.
All I want is wheat germ for my breakfast.
If Tuesday Weld would only be my wife.
If I could only stay 16 forever,
then I think that I'd be satisfied with life."
Well, that is, of course impossible and so is the list I've presented. So I solicit your suggestions.
Thanks, in advance.
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: What am I looking for [message #83511 is a reply to message #83499] |
Fri, 07 May 2010 16:24  |
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1977Production#0001
Messages: 197
Registered: January 2010
Location: Vallejo, California
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Check out the Twin Bed Dry bath, the bottom right floorplan on this sheet. This is the floorplan of mt 1978(twin swivel chairs, no dinette however)
Twin Bed Dry bath. A fairly simple modification to the closet would allow you to sleep in comfort. You could even just create a new closet floor and cut away a hole in part of the right side closet wall to create a tunnel of sorts for your feet. Above your feet would be the remaining closet. Just insert a longer mattress. If I were as tall as you this type of modification would be the only option...my feet hanging off a bed would not work for me.
Giovanni(Carlo) 1977 GMC Kingsley 26ft
"Carbon Footprint"
Rear Twin, Dry Bath, Original Headliner
[Updated on: Fri, 07 May 2010 17:16] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: What am I looking for [message #83514 is a reply to message #83512] |
Fri, 07 May 2010 16:36 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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Thanks to both of you. On the 26' floorplans, what models were configured like that? Dry bath, twins in the rear. I believe someone told me Edgemont, but there may be others. Thanks
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: [GMCnet] What am I looking for [message #83528 is a reply to message #83499] |
Fri, 07 May 2010 17:15 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Stick,
You are right, the real bath royal with the center twins would give
you the most room for a tall person and the rear bath shower/tub
actually has more room than the dry bath units with the separate
shower. The majority of the dry bath units that are available would
be the 1975 Avion with rear twins and the Edgemonte with rear twins.
But being a tall person the rear twins are not a good choice as it can
be difficult to create an area for your feet. Dave Greenberg could
give you what model were made with twin bed. 77 & 78 coaches have the
better dash air that actually cools the coach.
As for towing unless you're towing an early tracker, geo convertible
or a smart car most cars being towed nugge past the 3000#. I don't
consider 3K as magic, but a something to shoot for. By the time you
get ready to go down the road and load up the tow car they are in the
3400# to 3600# range.
J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
TZE Zone Restorations
77 Eleganza Custom (For Sale)
1975 Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan
On May 7, 2010, at 3:28 PM, Stick Miller wrote:
>
>
> I've been looking at GMC's for a couple of months now. Byron
> suggested that I try and post my thoughts on exactly what I want.
> The truthful answer is that I probably haven't been looking long
> enough to make that determination. I'll know it when I see it. In
> the meantime, here's where I am so far:
>
> 1. I'm 6'5" and the rear bath Royale would give me a longer center
> twin, or at least one where I can hang off the end of the bed.
> 2. My wife would prefer a dedicated bedroom so we don't sleep on our
> sofas every day.
> 3. We both prefer having a living area with a sofa and a dinette or
> another sofa or a couple of chairs.
> 4. Dry bath is preferable except for the small shower. I think I
> would be better with a rear bath, but it is only a few minutes a day
> that you spend in the shower. For years I have toweled off the
> ceramic tile in my bathroom at home in an attempt to stave off mildew.
> 5. Two roof airs needed in the deep south. I don't want to get hot.
> 6. Working dash air. (see #5)
> 7. Of course, alcoas or eagles. I'm not opposed to running out some
> 16.5" steel wheels - in other words get some mileage out of fresh
> tires, but that is a change I'd want to make eventually.
> 8. Clean rather than spotless. I don't mind original interior if it
> doesn't smell and is clean.Dependable is more important.
> 9. Decent paint. As it stands now, I'd be storing outside so show
> paint is not a necessity.
> 10. Arm rests on cockpit chairs.
> 11. I have a VW Jetta diesel that is about 2900 lbs. Getting close
> to the magic 3000# but I'd like to pull it.
> 12.I'd like to stay under $10K with old or worn tires. Probably
> $14-15K tops with fresh tires and aluminum wheels.
> 13. I don't see us taking long trips. We spend most of our vacation
> time at our beach house. I think we'd take the GMC to visit children
> in Atlanta (3hours) or maybe to the mountains. More weekend than
> distance trips. Maybe this would change as we retire.
> 14.I don't have strong feelings 455 vs 403 and would, in fact, like
> a later model coach.
> 15. I'm not a mechanic. I can do some stuff and I'm willing to
> learn. I just sort of gave up on cars when they got so complicated.
> I do understand basic mechanics.
> 16. I am in no hurry.
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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| Re: [GMCnet] What am I looking for [message #83562 is a reply to message #83499] |
Fri, 07 May 2010 20:50 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Stick,
I am 6' 2" tall / 255 lbs and have provided some comments below in CAPS.
Here's a link to where you can find brochures on various models:
http://www.bdub.net/publications/index.html
Regards,
Rob Mueller
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Stick Miller
Sent: Saturday, 8 May 2010 5:28 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] What am I looking for
I've been looking at GMC's for a couple of months now. Byron suggested that
I try and post my thoughts on exactly what I want. The truthful answer is
that I probably haven't been looking long enough to make that determination.
I'll know it when I see it. In the meantime, here's where I am so far:
1. I'm 6'5" and the rear bath Royale would give me a longer center twin, or
at least one where I can hang off the end of the bed.
REAR TWIN BED DIMENSIONS:
ROYAL = 74" X 34"
AVION = 75" X 32"
EDGEMONT = 77" X 36"
I'VE NOTED THIS FROM MEMORY SO IF I'VE GOT IT WRONG PLEASE CORRECT ME!
2. My wife would prefer a dedicated bedroom so we don't sleep on our sofas
every day.
PLUS YOU DON'T HAVE TO MAKE UP THE BEDS EVERY NIGHT AND TAKE THEM DOWN IN
THE MORNING!
3. We both prefer having a living area with a sofa and a dinette or another
sofa or a couple of chairs.
ALL THREE OF THE MODELS ABOVE HAVE DINETTES; THE AVION AND EDGEMONT HAVE
"LOVE SEATS' ACROSS FROM THE DINETTE. DOUBLE TROUBLE HAD THE DINETTE REMOVED
AND FLEXSTEEL COUCH FITTED. TO EAT DINNER WE HAVE A REMOVABLE TABLE ON A
POST THAT GOES INBETWEEN THE LOVE SEAT AND THE COUCH. PITA TO PUT UP! AVIONS
HAVE A NEAT FEATURE; THERE IS A SLIDE OUT TABLE IN THE TOP OF THE NIGHT
STAND IN BETWEEN THE BEDS DOWN THE BACK.
http://www.bdub.net/publications/Avion2/avion-int-262.htm
I DON'T LIKE PUTTING UP THE TABLE AND HELEN DOESN'T LIKE EATING IN THE
BEDROOM SO WE HAVE REACHED A COMPROMISE AND I AM GOING TO REMOVE THE COUCH
THIS YEAR AND INSTALL THE DINETTE OUT OF MY PARTS AVION.
4. Dry bath is preferable except for the small shower. I think I would be
better with a rear bath, but it is only a few minutes a day that you spend
in the shower. For years I have toweled off the ceramic tile in my bathroom
at home in an attempt to stave off mildew.
I HAVE GOTTEN USED TO THE SMALL SHOWER BUT IT TO IS A PITA. WHEN I HAD THE
BLACK TANK OUT OF DOUBLE TROUBLE AT JIM B'S I USED THE WET BATH IN HIS GMC.
I FOUND THAT IT WAS MUCH EASIER FOR A BIG GUY TO SHOWER AS YOU CAN STAND
SIDEWAYS. THERE WAS A CURTAIN YOU COULD DRAW TO KEEP WATER OFF THE WASH
BASIN AREA. WHEN I WAS DONE I USED THE WASHCLOTH TO WIPE DOWN THE TOILET AND
THE WASH BASIN AREA TOOK A COUPLE OF MINUTES.
5. Two roof airs needed in the deep south. I don't want to get hot.
THAT'S A GOOD IDEA; THE PULL DOWN TIME WHEN YOU STOP FOR THE DAY IS
SHORTENED DRAMATICALLY. WHEN YOU TAKE A SHOWER YOU CAN LEAVE THE BATHROOM
DOOR OPEN WHEN YOUR DONE AND IT WILL DRY OUT QUICKLY. ALSO A SECOND AIR IS
HANDY IF ONE OF THEM DIES!
6. Working dash air. (see #5)
THE AVIONS AND EDGEMONTS WERE BUILT IN 1975 AND 1976 RESPECTIVELY. THE DASH
AIR FLOW IS ABYSMAL! ROYALS BUILT IN 1977 AND 1978 HAVE MUCH BETTER DASH
AIR.
7. Of course, alcoas or eagles. I'm not opposed to running out some 16.5"
steel wheels - in other words get some mileage out of fresh tires, but that
is a change I'd want to make eventually.
AGREED
8. Clean rather than spotless. I don't mind original interior if it doesn't
smell and is clean. Dependable is more important.
ABSOLUTELY!
9. Decent paint. As it stands now, I'd be storing outside so show paint is
not a necessity.
DOUBLE TROUBLE HAD BEEN PAINTED AND LOOKS OK, NEEDS A GOOD CUT AND POLISH
AND THAT'S THAT AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.
10. Arm rests on cockpit chairs.
AGREED
11. I have a VW Jetta diesel that is about 2900 lbs. Getting close to the
magic 3000# but I'd like to pull it.
NO EXPERIENCE
12. I'd like to stay under $10K with old or worn tires. Probably $14-15K
tops with fresh tires and aluminum wheels.
I PAID $10K FOR DOUBLE TROUBLE AND IT HAD 6 ALCOA'S BUT HAD OLD TIRES THAT I
CHANGED.
13. I don't see us taking long trips. We spend most of our vacation time at
our beach house. I think we'd take the GMC to visit children in Atlanta
(3hours) or maybe to the mountains. More weekend than distance trips. Maybe
this would change as we retire.
I'LL BET DOLLARS TO DONUTS THAT ONCE YOU GET THE GMC AND ATTEND A RALLY OR
TWO YOU'LL GET HOOKED BY THE PEOPLE YOU'LL MEET AND YOU'LL WIND UP LIKE KEN
H. AND ATTEND LOTS OF RALLIES! I KNOW THAT IF WE LIVED IN THE USA WE'D BE
MAKING AS MANY AS WE COULD! UNFORTUNATLEY WE CAN ONLY DO ONE A YEAR!
14. I don't have strong feelings 455 vs 403 and would, in fact, like a later
model coach.
EITHER ENGINE WILL GET YOU THERE AND BACK IF IT'S IN GOOD SHAPE!
15. I'm not a mechanic. I can do some stuff and I'm willing to learn. I just
sort of gave up on cars when they got so complicated. I do understand basic
mechanics.
I AM A GEARHEAD BUT THE FACT THAT I LIVE IN AUSTRALIA AND DOUBLE TROUBLE IS
IN THE USA I HAVE TO HAVE HELP WORKING ON IT WHILE I'M THERE. I HAVE BEEN
HAPPY WITH THE HELP I'VE GOTTEN FROM KEN FREY IN QUAKERTOWN, PA; JIM B. AND
HIS PEOPLE IN ORLANDO, FL; AND TOM HAMPTON IN MARYSVILLE, OH.
16. I am in no hurry.
THIS IS PARTICULARLY HELPFUL AS YOU CAN WAIT UNTIL THE RIGHT COACH COMES
ALONG.
Theres a great old song that goes:
"All I want is 50 million dollars,
a champagne fountain bubbling at my feet.
With Rockefeller waiting on my table
and Lombardo's band 'a playing while I eat.
All I want is wheat germ for my breakfast.
If Tuesday Weld would only be my wife.
If I could only stay 16 forever,
then I think that I'd be satisfied with life."
Well, that is, of course impossible and so is the list I've presented. So I
solicit your suggestions.
Thanks, in advance.
--
Stick (I used to be skinny) Miller
Wannabe
Americus, Georgia
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: What am I looking for [message #83753 is a reply to message #83499] |
Sun, 09 May 2010 00:55 |
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1977Production#0001
Messages: 197
Registered: January 2010
Location: Vallejo, California
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Yes the interior is the original layout. Cabinety all has the "quality built by GMC" brand burned in. The only custom item are the swivel chairs replacing the dinette. Oak veneer covers everything, giving it a custom look however.Dash sticker is missing but I was told it was a Kingsley. It does have the twin bed vin code.
Giovanni(Carlo) 1977 GMC Kingsley 26ft
"Carbon Footprint"
Rear Twin, Dry Bath, Original Headliner
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