| GMC biggest design flaws [message #117859] |
Mon, 07 March 2011 12:48  |
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The current issue of "Motorhome" asks the question "What do you see as manufacturers' biggest design flaws in motorhomes." Folks wrote in with many flaws comments which got me thinking what design flaws in our GMC's might we list today? Or to put it another way what would you have done differently?
For me, I wish they had put a 3 way house water switch in the head and it would have been nicer if they had done a better job of spraying the insulation.
Anybody else?
Bill Brown - '77 Buckeye Cruiser
Coshocton OH
carguybill@sbcglobal.net
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| Re: GMC biggest design flaws [message #117861 is a reply to message #117859] |
Mon, 07 March 2011 12:59  |
zhagrieb
Messages: 676
Registered: August 2009
Location: Portland Oregon
Karma: 0
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I'd add more weight to the front end for better traction. More outside storage would be nice. Better interior lighting.
I agree with the 3 way pump switch (so added it) and insulation.
Quality of the interior construction has always bothered me.
Glenn
Glenn Giere, Portland OR, K7GAG
'73 "Moby the Motorhome" 26'
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| Re: GMC biggest design flaws [message #117866 is a reply to message #117859] |
Mon, 07 March 2011 13:25 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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| carguy wrote on Mon, 07 March 2011 11:48 |
The current issue of "Motorhome" asks the question "What do you see as manufacturers' biggest design flaws in motorhomes." Folks wrote in with many flaws comments which got me thinking what design flaws in our GMC's might we list today? Or to put it another way what would you have done differently?
For me, I wish they had put a 3 way house water switch in the head and it would have been nicer if they had done a better job of spraying the insulation.
Anybody else?
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Interesting subject. For me it is the lack of exterior storage.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: GMC biggest design flaws [message #117875 is a reply to message #117859] |
Mon, 07 March 2011 13:59 |
jknezek
Messages: 1057
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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1) The kitchen table. It's extremely heavy to haul in and out, and with the leaves down and the extenders pulled, it doesn't sit flat. That needed to be a fold flat table for easy use converting the eating area into a bed.
2) The passenger front seat not swinging all the way to a rear facing position. Come on, how hard would it have been to either design the seat, or the swivel mechanism, so the seat can face completely to the rear like the driver seat can.
3) From a mechanical point of view, the complete failure of useful dash ac and heat...
That being said, I love my GMC. I've added an exterior outlet and if you remove the propane tank and go electric (yeah, we don't dry camp...ever), you get some exterior storage!
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
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| Re: GMC biggest design flaws [message #117884 is a reply to message #117859] |
Mon, 07 March 2011 14:54 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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An extra foot of length for 27 ft would allow the Genny to be up front, behind the transmission, on the driver side, which would give a nice basement and or Propane compartment on the Pax side. this would then open up more space in the back for storage and/or better rear config for water tank etc.
Four captains chairs could then be up front, which could all swivel to face a table. An example of the front seat arrangement can be seen here:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=27836&title=split-kitchen2f-extended-deck-concept&cat=3625
I would also put the kitchen on the curb side and the bath on the other side, like a center kitchen Royale.
Lastly, a taller frame, by 2-3 inches woudl give a lot more black tank and fuel tank space. Dan Borlase's 29.5 foot stretch's PO added 2" of vertical space and did just that.
My 2 cents.
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: GMC biggest design flaws [message #117891 is a reply to message #117859] |
Mon, 07 March 2011 15:07 |
GeorgeRud
Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Karma: 0
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I'd vote for a front end that has heavier duty components (like the Huebler 1 ton replacement) that would also make the front and rear track widths the same. Limited slip would also help with traction on slippery surfaces (now available from JimK).
Trailing arms on both the of rear axles would also be a better design than a forward facing bogie from an engineering standpoint.
16" wheels would also have been a nice feature. Maybe GMC had a stock of the 16.5" ones they had to use up (did their trucks still use 16.5" in the mid 70s?).
Unfortunately, there are always cost constraints that put a stop to many great ideas.
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] GMC biggest design flaws [message #117896 is a reply to message #117873] |
Mon, 07 March 2011 16:23 |
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WD0AFQ
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma: 207
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| Nelson Wright wrote on Mon, 07 March 2011 13:38 |
I agree that those outside A/C outlets are ugly and I found places to
hide them but still very accessible.
Nelson Wright
Orlando FL
78 Royale rear bath
On Mar 7, 2011, at 2:18 PM, Howard and Sue wrote:
> 110 volt out let on the outside.
> Howard
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bill Brown" <carguybill@sbcglobal.net>
> To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 10:48 AM
> Subject: [GMCnet] GMC biggest design flaws
>
>
>>
>>
>> The current issue of "Motorhome" asks the question "What do you see
>> as
>> manufacturers' biggest design flaws in motorhomes." Folks wrote in
>> with
>> many flaws comments which got me thinking what design flaws in our
>> GMC's
>> might we list today? Or to put it another way what would you have
>> done
>> differently?
>>
>> For me, I wish they had put a 3 way house water switch in the head
>> and it
>> would have been nicer if they had done a better job of spraying the
>> insulation.
>>
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Nelson, I sent you an email last night and it came back. U got a new address?
I have an a/c outlet behind the refer vent door. Very handy.
Teri would like a walk around bed. I pretty much love the coach as is. The wetbath is great. Use it everyday. Plenty of water, with a little bigger bucket under my bed. And the black tank is great, if you know how to use it just right.
Dan
3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers
One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm
355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng.
Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System
Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows
Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer
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| Re: [GMCnet] GMC biggest design flaws [message #117900 is a reply to message #117899] |
Mon, 07 March 2011 17:39 |
Mitch
Messages: 272
Registered: May 2009
Location: Tacoma, Wa
Karma: 0
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Two additional feet would also allow a pair of twin sized beds in the rear.
How about a *trunk* across the rear?
Mitch
Tacoma, Wa.
'80 Spitfire
'03 Windstar
'77 Jaguar XJ6-C
X(very)'76 PB 26 "The Beast"
Where it rains, always.
It's wet, No sun, Gray.
Go to Oregon.
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