Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Frame rot
| Frame rot [message #124130] |
Sun, 01 May 2011 19:56  |
Andrew
Messages: 213
Registered: April 2011
Location: Connecticut
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I made the trip to inspect a 1976 coach over the weekend. I found some frame rot that concerns me, but I'm not sure how worried to be...
The coach has been inspected by a local general RV service guy, and he gave me a list of 10-15 items of concern (mostly normal stuff for 100k miles). He didn't report any problems with the frame, and I did ask him specifically because I've read the horror stories.
There are two spots of particular concern for me:
- The box girder(?) forward of the front passenger wheel has a couple of significant perforations. They don't seem to go all the way through the other side (I'm assuming two vertical walls on this beam?). I'm not sure what it supports up there, but the damage appears significant to my untrained eye.
- The C-beam(?) that spans the aft, with large holes for the exhaust pipe(s)... on one side of the coach, the ellipsoid hole for a ~3" pipe has rotted on one side of the ellipse, making the hole a couple inches wider than original. This seems like a lesser problem than the first.
I'm puzzled that the guy at the general RV service place spent 4 hours inspecting the coach and didn't even mention these spots. I uploaded some photos so you can see what I'm talking about...
What do you think? Minor, major, or tragic?
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?ppuser=6707&username=andrew
Thanks!
1973 Sequoia 260 (since 2011)
[Updated on: Sun, 01 May 2011 19:57] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Frame rot [message #124134 is a reply to message #124130] |
Sun, 01 May 2011 20:06  |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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| andrew wrote on Sun, 01 May 2011 19:56 |
I made the trip to inspect a 1976 coach over the weekend. I found some frame rot that concerns me, but I'm not sure how worried to be...
The coach has been inspected by a local general RV service guy, and he gave me a list of 10-15 items of concern (mostly normal stuff for 100k miles). He didn't report any problems with the frame, and I did ask him specifically because I've read the horror stories.
There are two spots of particular concern for me:
- The box girder(?) forward of the front passenger wheel has a couple of significant perforations. They don't seem to go all the way through the other side (I'm assuming two vertical walls on this beam?). I'm not sure what it supports up there, but the damage appears significant to my untrained eye.
- The C-beam(?) that spans the aft, with large holes for the exhaust pipe(s)... on one side of the coach, the ellipsoid hole for a ~3" pipe has rotted on one side of the ellipse, making the hole a couple inches wider than original. This seems like a lesser problem than the first.
I'm puzzled that the guy at the general RV service place spent 4 hours inspecting the coach and didn't even mention these spots. I uploaded some photos so you can see what I'm talking about...
What do you think? Minor, major, or tragic?
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?ppuser=6707&username=andrew
Thanks!
|
Andrew,
TRAGIC!!!!!
What you show would be a major deal breaker for me. I am sure there have been worse -- but there are too many very modestly priced coaches available today for me to even give that coach a second thought.
Tell us what you are looking for and perhaps we can steer you to a coach that is a good value.
Dennis
Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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| Re: Frame rot [message #124153 is a reply to message #124134] |
Sun, 01 May 2011 21:44 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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| Dennis S wrote on Sun, 01 May 2011 20:06 |
| andrew wrote on Sun, 01 May 2011 19:56 |
I made the trip to inspect a 1976 coach over the weekend. I found some frame rot that concerns me, but I'm not sure how worried to be...
The coach has been inspected by a local general RV service guy, and he gave me a list of 10-15 items of concern (mostly normal stuff for 100k miles). He didn't report any problems with the frame, and I did ask him specifically because I've read the horror stories.
There are two spots of particular concern for me:
- The box girder(?) forward of the front passenger wheel has a couple of significant perforations. They don't seem to go all the way through the other side (I'm assuming two vertical walls on this beam?). I'm not sure what it supports up there, but the damage appears significant to my untrained eye.
- The C-beam(?) that spans the aft, with large holes for the exhaust pipe(s)... on one side of the coach, the ellipsoid hole for a ~3" pipe has rotted on one side of the ellipse, making the hole a couple inches wider than original. This seems like a lesser problem than the first.
I'm puzzled that the guy at the general RV service place spent 4 hours inspecting the coach and didn't even mention these spots. I uploaded some photos so you can see what I'm talking about...
What do you think? Minor, major, or tragic?
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?ppuser=6707&username=andrew
Thanks!
|
Andrew,
TRAGIC!!!!!
What you show would be a major deal breaker for me. I am sure there have been worse -- but there are too many very modestly priced coaches available today for me to even give that coach a second thought.
Tell us what you are looking for and perhaps we can steer you to a coach that is a good value.
Dennis
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Andrew,
Looked back at your photos -- passenger side rust like this is typical of northern cars exposed to lots of winter salt. I would suspect that the passenger side bogie rails have rust through as well.
Frame replacement would be on the order of $5-7,000 as I remember JimB's estimates. Plus you have brake and fuel lines, shocks and on and on.
Run away from this coach -- please.
Dennis
Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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| Re: [GMCnet] Frame rot [message #124154 is a reply to message #124130] |
Sun, 01 May 2011 21:49 |
gmcrv1
Messages: 839
Registered: August 2007
Location: Memphis
Karma: -1
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Senior Member |
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Andrew,
Tragic. Looks like some serious rust which on 12,500lb. coach would
certainly cause me serious concerns. What did it look like towards the rear
of the coach where the frame is doubled?
Just my opinion.
Tom Eckert N2VWN
73 Glacier
Oakland, TN
On Sun, May 1, 2011 at 7:56 PM, Andrew <reynhout@quesera.com> wrote:
>
>
> I made the trip to inspect a 1976 coach over the weekend. I found some
> frame rot that concerns me, but I'm not sure how worried to be...
>
> The coach has been inspected by a local general RV service guy, and he gave
> me a list of 10-15 items of concern (mostly normal stuff for 100k miles). He
> didn't report any problems with the frame, and I did ask him specifically
> because I've read the horror stories.
>
> There are two spots of particular concern for me:
>
>
> The box girder(?) forward of the front passenger wheel has a couple of
> significant perforations. They don't seem to go all the way through the
> other side (I'm assuming two vertical walls on this beam?). I'm not sure
> what it supports up there, but the damage appears significant to my
> untrained eye.
> The C-beam(?) that spans the aft, with large holes for the exhaust
> pipe(s)... on one side of the coach, the ellipsoid hole for a ~3" pipe has
> rotted on one side of the ellipse, making the hole a couple inches wider
> than original. This seems like a lesser problem than the first.
>
>
> I'm puzzled that the guy at the general RV service place spent 4 hours
> inspecting the coach and didn't even mention these spots. I uploaded some
> photos so you can see what I'm talking about...
>
> What do you think? Minor, major, or tragic?
>
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?ppuser=6707&username=andrew
>
> Thanks!
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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| Re: Frame rot [message #124156 is a reply to message #124130] |
Sun, 01 May 2011 22:17 |
GeorgeRud
Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Karma: 0
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Scary to think that a RV shop "inspected" this coach and didn't pick up something this major! As the frame holds up the entire coach, it seems one of the first things to check.
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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| Re: Frame rot [message #124160 is a reply to message #124130] |
Sun, 01 May 2011 23:09 |
 |
jaholland
Messages: 565
Registered: June 2010
Location: Sweet Home Alebamy
Karma: 0
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| andrew wrote on Sun, 01 May 2011 19:56 |
I made the trip to inspect a 1976 coach over the weekend.
I found some frame rot that concerns me,
but I'm not sure how worried to be...
The coach has been inspected by a local general RV service guy,
and he gave me a list of 10-15 items of concern
(mostly normal stuff for 100k miles).
He didn't report any problems with the frame,
and I did ask him specifically
because I've read the horror stories.
There are two spots of particular concern for me:
- The box girder(?)
forward of the front passenger wheel has a couple of significant perforations.
They don't seem to go all the way through the other side (I'm assuming
two vertical walls on this beam?).
I'm not sure what it supports up there,
but the damage appears significant to my untrained eye.
- The C-beam(?)
that spans the aft, with large holes for the exhaust pipe(s)...
on one side of the coach,
the ellipsoid hole for a ~3" pipe has rotted on one side of the ellipse,
making the hole a couple inches wider than original.
This seems like a lesser problem than the first.
I'm puzzled that the guy at the general RV service place
spent 4 hours inspecting the coach
and didn't even mention these spots.
I uploaded some photos so you can see what I'm talking about...
What do you think? Minor, major, or tragic?
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?ppuser=6707&username=andrew
Thanks!
|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Andrew;
RUN FROM THIS ONE !
also if that mechanic couldn't see this frame rot
then I would not trust his judgment on any thing else ~
JMHO
~ Joe ~
/_]*[__][] *[__|] ~ * '73 TZE063V101887 "
"
O----------OO--]* ~ '78 TZE168V100234 "
"
" Joe & Lavelle " "
"
'sweet home alebamy'
[Updated on: Sun, 01 May 2011 23:12] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Frame rot [message #124161 is a reply to message #124130] |
Sun, 01 May 2011 23:13 |
peter bailey
Messages: 367
Registered: March 2009
Location: Gawler, South Australia
Karma: 0
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Andrew,
I am also of the opinion that the you will find the rails at the bogey will
be rusted the picture showing the bogey also shows the distortion to the
lower flat returns of the frame 'C ' section, I am told that is caused by
snow deposited between the rails expands when it freezes to ice and opens up
an already weakened area and of course each season exposure it becomes more
open, (I don't know how true that is as I only experience snow when I come
to USA).. Flat straight lower sections all along the rails generaly shows
the rest are good rails (except for damage caused by hitting something.) bad
rails have substantial wave appearance.
The front rail rust is definately enough to say no thanks but if your
inclined all can be repaired or replaced but only to be considered under the
circumstances that the rest of the coach is immaculate and it is priced
according to the frame repair being necessary. I think that would not be the
case.
Peter Bailey
from Ozy (Aussie)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Andrew" <reynhout@quesera.com>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 10:26 AM
Subject: [GMCnet] Frame rot
>
>
> I made the trip to inspect a 1976 coach over the weekend. I found some
> frame rot that concerns me, but I'm not sure how worried to be...
>
> The coach has been inspected by a local general RV service guy, and he
> gave me a list of 10-15 items of concern (mostly normal stuff for 100k
> miles). He didn't report any problems with the frame, and I did ask him
> specifically because I've read the horror stories.
>
> There are two spots of particular concern for me:
>
>
> The box girder(?) forward of the front passenger wheel has a couple of
> significant perforations. They don't seem to go all the way through the
> other side (I'm assuming two vertical walls on this beam?). I'm not sure
> what it supports up there, but the damage appears significant to my
> untrained eye.
> The C-beam(?) that spans the aft, with large holes for the exhaust
> pipe(s)... on one side of the coach, the ellipsoid hole for a ~3" pipe has
> rotted on one side of the ellipse, making the hole a couple inches wider
> than original. This seems like a lesser problem than the first.
>
>
> I'm puzzled that the guy at the general RV service place spent 4 hours
> inspecting the coach and didn't even mention these spots. I uploaded some
> photos so you can see what I'm talking about...
>
> What do you think? Minor, major, or tragic?
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?ppuser=6707&username=andrew
>
> Thanks!
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Frame rot [message #124168 is a reply to message #124130] |
Mon, 02 May 2011 04:43 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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read here about frame rot
http://gmcmotorhome.info/buygmc.html
sorry some of the links are broken, but I will go try and fix them
gene
On Sun, May 1, 2011 at 5:56 PM, Andrew <reynhout@quesera.com> wrote:
>
>
> I made the trip to inspect a 1976 coach over the weekend. I found some
> frame rot that concerns me, but I'm not sure how worried to be...
>
> The coach has been inspected by a local general RV service guy, and he gave
> me a list of 10-15 items of concern (mostly normal stuff for 100k miles). He
> didn't report any problems with the frame, and I did ask him specifically
> because I've read the horror stories.
>
> There are two spots of particular concern for me:
>
>
> The box girder(?) forward of the front passenger wheel has a couple of
> significant perforations. They don't seem to go all the way through the
> other side (I'm assuming two vertical walls on this beam?). I'm not sure
> what it supports up there, but the damage appears significant to my
> untrained eye.
> The C-beam(?) that spans the aft, with large holes for the exhaust
> pipe(s)... on one side of the coach, the ellipsoid hole for a ~3" pipe has
> rotted on one side of the ellipse, making the hole a couple inches wider
> than original. This seems like a lesser problem than the first.
>
>
> I'm puzzled that the guy at the general RV service place spent 4 hours
> inspecting the coach and didn't even mention these spots. I uploaded some
> photos so you can see what I'm talking about...
>
> What do you think? Minor, major, or tragic?
>
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?ppuser=6707&username=andrew
>
> Thanks!
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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| Re: Frame rot [message #124179 is a reply to message #124130] |
Mon, 02 May 2011 08:15 |
Andrew
Messages: 213
Registered: April 2011
Location: Connecticut
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Well, it seems to be unanimous.
I'm disappointed, but as soon as I saw that damage, I knew things had taken a big turn for the worse.
The local RV service guy came up with a total of $3-4K of other necessary work. I think he estimated a bit low, and yeah -- now I really don't know whether to trust his thoroughness so there might be other obvious problems not included in his list.
The coach also has no generator, ladder, roof rails, storage pod, or awnings...but I figured I could replace those (expensively).
On the plus side, it's a very original 1976 Palm Beach trim, faded green paint and original green plaid/shag interior. Not everyone's cup of tea, but I love it. I'd have to replace the carpet and clean the upholstery, but that's expected.
So with the frame replacement, we'd be at $12k of repairs, another $2-3k for the big missing parts, and then minor costs and lots of self-labor for the interior stuff.
Like the comment in Gene's linked page, "I might have taken it for free but to spend good money for one--it sucks!!!!". I'm really glad I read that page (for the 10th time) a few weeks ago, it is the reason I asked the local RV service guy to check the frame carefully, and why I double-checked his work carefully. Thanks Gene and everyone who contributed!
Peter noted the ripples in the flat return parts of the rails, and I think he's spot on about the reason: this coach obviously lived in snow for a good portion of its life. I wish the ripples were the only evidence.
Well, I didn't start out with a budget for this project, but at $15k of problems found so far, plus the cost to buy the coach itself (ask is $5k) there are a lot of other options out there. I've been pricing GMCs for years, and it really seems like prices have dropped considerably in the last few...but regardless, unless it's almost free, this one isn't feeling like a good deal to me.
I feel bad for the seller, he seems like a good guy who didn't have a lot of knowledge about the problems. He bought it a couple years ago for $10k, and almost certainly got a raw deal (these problems are not new).
What would you suggest to him? It's a good-very good original 1976 Palm Beach interior. Furniture upholstery, etc, is solid and mostly clean. Headliner is failed. 100k miles on OK looking engine, smooth transmission (at least up to my tested 45mph). Has original USA map rear table. Should he part it out, or find someone who loves it enough to do what's needed?
Thanks again for all of your help.
I'm going to go call the RV service guy and ask him to double check that frame..! 
1973 Sequoia 260 (since 2011)
[Updated on: Mon, 02 May 2011 08:21] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Frame rot [message #124182 is a reply to message #124176] |
Mon, 02 May 2011 08:24 |
Kingsley Coach
Messages: 2691
Registered: March 2009
Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Karma: -34
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Senior Member |
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As others have said, RUN, don't walk away from that coach...it's a parts
unit only. If you got it for nothing, you can't afford the time, effort, or
money!
Mike in NS
On Mon, May 2, 2011 at 9:49 AM, Gord H <tze064v1000890@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> My 2 cents - agreed. :(
> How can you possibly trust a word so-called RV mechanic has said if he
> neglected to comment on the 'foundation' of the home?
>
> I too certainly wouldn't be very comfortable with that much rust...*but* -
> if it was a project coach and you were planning a complete body-off teardown
> (and of course if the price was right), there's bound to be a few decent
> donor front frame sections out there or even complete frames.
>
> For myself it's really dependent on the price, the condition of the rest of
> the coach and your intentions.
>
> BTW I bet a good pressure wash would reveal the truth and I could almost
> guarantee those holes are not going to get any smaller if it was done. :(
>
> Gord ;)
> --
> Roughest 74 Canyon Land on the planet
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS
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| Re: Frame rot [message #124190 is a reply to message #124179] |
Mon, 02 May 2011 09:06 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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| andrew wrote on Mon, 02 May 2011 08:15 |
Well, it seems to be unanimous.
I'm disappointed, but as soon as I saw that damage, I knew things had taken a big turn for the worse.
The local RV service guy came up with a total of $3-4K of other necessary work. I think he estimated a bit low, and yeah -- now I really don't know whether to trust his thoroughness so there might be other obvious problems not included in his list.
The coach also has no generator, ladder, roof rails, storage pod, or awnings...but I figured I could replace those (expensively).
On the plus side, it's a very original 1976 Palm Beach trim, faded green paint and original green plaid/shag interior. Not everyone's cup of tea, but I love it. I'd have to replace the carpet and clean the upholstery, but that's expected.
So with the frame replacement, we'd be at $12k of repairs, another $2-3k for the big missing parts, and then minor costs and lots of self-labor for the interior stuff.
Like the comment in Gene's linked page, "I might have taken it for free but to spend good money for one--it sucks!!!!". I'm really glad I read that page (for the 10th time) a few weeks ago, it is the reason I asked the local RV service guy to check the frame carefully, and why I double-checked his work carefully. Thanks Gene and everyone who contributed!
Peter noted the ripples in the flat return parts of the rails, and I think he's spot on about the reason: this coach obviously lived in snow for a good portion of its life. I wish the ripples were the only evidence.
Well, I didn't start out with a budget for this project, but at $15k of problems found so far, plus the cost to buy the coach itself (ask is $5k) there are a lot of other options out there. I've been pricing GMCs for years, and it really seems like prices have dropped considerably in the last few...but regardless, unless it's almost free, this one isn't feeling like a good deal to me.
I feel bad for the seller, he seems like a good guy who didn't have a lot of knowledge about the problems. He bought it a couple years ago for $10k, and almost certainly got a raw deal (these problems are not new).
What would you suggest to him? It's a good-very good original 1976 Palm Beach interior. Furniture upholstery, etc, is solid and mostly clean. Headliner is failed. 100k miles on OK looking engine, smooth transmission (at least up to my tested 45mph). Has original USA map rear table. Should he part it out, or find someone who loves it enough to do what's needed?
Thanks again for all of your help.
I'm going to go call the RV service guy and ask him to double check that frame..!
|
Andrew,
Look here at the COOP sale page.
Note the new listing for a Palm Beach (shown in the photos at the COOP) http://gmccoop.com/for%20sale.htm
I know nothing more than this -- but just from the write up this is what you should expect to find in today's market for the asking price.
Dennis
Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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| Re: [GMCnet] Frame rot [message #124204 is a reply to message #124160] |
Mon, 02 May 2011 10:03 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
|
Senior Member |
|
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Andrew,
This would be a coach to avoid at all cost. The front clip is badly
damage and would require a complete front clip out of donor coach and
the frame is seriously damaged. You're looking at about 10 k for the
frame replacement and the cost of front clip which is a guess at 3 to
4K plus the labor to change it out. A complete clip with engine and
transmission would be the way to go.
Regards,
J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
Newsletter Editor/Publisher
78 Buskirk 30' Stretch
75 Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan
On May 2, 2011, at 12:09 AM, J A Holland wrote:
>
>
> andrew wrote on Sun, 01 May 2011 19:56
>> I made the trip to inspect a 1976 coach over the weekend. I found
>> some frame rot that concerns me, but I'm not sure how worried to
>> be...
>>
>> The coach has been inspected by a local general RV service guy, and
>> he gave me a list of 10-15 items of concern (mostly normal stuff
>> for 100k miles). He didn't report any problems with the frame, and
>> I did ask him specifically because I've read the horror stories.
>>
>> There are two spots of particular concern for me:
>>
>>
>> The box girder(?) forward of the front passenger wheel has a couple
>> of significant perforations. They don't seem to go all the way
>> through the other side (I'm assuming two vertical walls on this
>> beam?). I'm not sure what it supports up there, but the damage
>> appears significant to my untrained eye.
>> The C-beam(?) that spans the aft, with large holes for the exhaust
>> pipe(s)... on one side of the coach, the ellipsoid hole for a ~3"
>> pipe has rotted on one side of the ellipse, making the hole a
>> couple inches wider than original. This seems like a lesser problem
>> than the first.
>>
>>
>> I'm puzzled that the guy at the general RV service place spent 4
>> hours inspecting the coach and didn't even mention these spots. I
>> uploaded some photos so you can see what I'm talking about...
>>
>> What do you think? Minor, major, or tragic?
>>
>> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?ppuser=6707&username=andrew
>>
>> Thanks!
>
>
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
> Andrew;
>
> RUN FROM THIS ONE !
>
> also if that mechanic couldn't see this frame rot
> then I would not trust his judgment on any thing else ~
> JMHO
>
> ~ Joe ~
> --
> /_][__][] [__|] - 1978 GMC 403 ""
> O----------OO-* Eleganza II ""
> " Joe & Lavelle " ""
> 'sweet home alebamy'
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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| Re: [GMCnet] Frame rot [message #124210 is a reply to message #124190] |
Mon, 02 May 2011 10:22 |
gmcrv1
Messages: 839
Registered: August 2007
Location: Memphis
Karma: -1
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Andrew,
You have gotten sound advice from several GMCer's on a not so sound coach.
As Dennis recommended - look at the 1976 Eleganza with an asking price of
$13,500. Low mileage and with a once over you are on your way. Too many
good deals out there.
Good Luck,
Tom Eckert N2VWN
73 Glacier
Oakland, TN
On Mon, May 2, 2011 at 9:06 AM, Dennis Sexton <dennisfsexton@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
> andrew wrote on Mon, 02 May 2011 08:15
> > Well, it seems to be unanimous.
> >
> > I'm disappointed, but as soon as I saw that damage, I knew things had
> taken a big turn for the worse.
> >
> > The local RV service guy came up with a total of $3-4K of other necessary
> work. I think he estimated a bit low, and yeah -- now I really don't know
> whether to trust his thoroughness so there might be other obvious problems
> not included in his list.
> >
> > The coach also has no generator, ladder, roof rails, storage pod, or
> awnings...but I figured I could replace those (expensively).
> >
> > On the plus side, it's a very original 1976 Palm Beach trim, faded green
> paint and original green plaid/shag interior. Not everyone's cup of tea, but
> I love it. I'd have to replace the carpet and clean the upholstery, but
> that's expected.
> >
> > So with the frame replacement, we'd be at $12k of repairs, another $2-3k
> for the big missing parts, and then minor costs and lots of self-labor for
> the interior stuff.
> >
> > Like the comment in Gene's linked page, "I might have taken it for free
> but to spend good money for one--it sucks!!!!". I'm really glad I read that
> page (for the 10th time) a few weeks ago, it is the reason I asked the local
> RV service guy to check the frame carefully, and why I double-checked his
> work carefully. Thanks Gene and everyone who contributed!
> >
> > Peter noted the ripples in the flat return parts of the rails, and I
> think he's spot on about the reason: this coach obviously lived in snow for
> a good portion of its life. I wish the ripples were the only evidence.
> >
> > Well, I didn't start out with a budget for this project, but at $15k of
> problems found so far, plus the cost to buy the coach itself (ask is $5k)
> there are a lot of other options out there. I've been pricing GMCs for
> years, and it really seems like prices have dropped considerably in the last
> few...but regardless, unless it's almost free, this one isn't feeling like a
> good deal to me.
> >
> > I feel bad for the seller, he seems like a good guy who didn't have a lot
> of knowledge about the problems. He bought it a couple years ago for $10k,
> and almost certainly got a raw deal (these problems are not new).
> >
> > What would you suggest to him? It's a good-very good original 1976 Palm
> Beach interior. Furniture upholstery, etc, is solid and mostly clean.
> Headliner is failed. 100k miles on OK looking engine, smooth transmission
> (at least up to my tested 45mph). Has original USA map rear table. Should he
> part it out, or find someone who loves it enough to do what's needed?
> >
> > Thanks again for all of your help.
> >
> > I'm going to go call the RV service guy and ask him to double check that
> frame..! :(
>
>
> Andrew,
> Look here at the COOP sale page.
> Note the new listing for a Palm Beach (shown in the photos at the COOP)
> http://gmccoop.com/for%20sale.htm
>
> I know nothing more than this -- but just from the write up this is what
> you should expect to find in today's market for the asking price.
>
> Dennis
> --
> Dennis S
> 73 Painted Desert 230
> Germantown, TN
> _______________________________________________
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| Re: Frame rot [message #124311 is a reply to message #124179] |
Mon, 02 May 2011 20:28 |
 |
mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
| andrew wrote on Mon, 02 May 2011 06:15 |
... I feel bad for the seller, ... What would you suggest to him? It's a good-very good original 1976 Palm Beach interior. Furniture upholstery, etc, is solid and mostly clean. Headliner is failed. 100k miles on OK looking engine, smooth transmission (at least up to my tested 45mph). Has original USA map rear table. Should he part it out, or find someone who loves it enough to do what's needed? ...
|
There are parts coaches with good frames. IF he can find one close enough, and cheap enough, he can make one good coach and have enough parts (and scrap metal) to sell and cover a large part of the repair. The largest cost would be labor.
It would have to be a VERY nice coach to be worth buying NEW frame rails and you would still need to do something about the front (and maybe rear) clip(s).
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Frame rot [message #124313 is a reply to message #124244] |
Mon, 02 May 2011 20:35 |
gmcrv1
Messages: 839
Registered: August 2007
Location: Memphis
Karma: -1
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Andrew,
You clearly chose wisely. Buying a GMC is like buying a house "DO NOT GET
EMOTIONALLY INVOLVED". There are plenty of coaches out there. In far
better condition. Take some time and look around. You will have plenty of
time to get emotionally involved after you own one.
Some people can go out and buy whatever they want in a GMC. They are still
going to make changes. Other's - like myself, bought on the low end - but
something I could afford. No rust, good engine, new aluminum heads, new
valve train and new SS exhaust when I bought it. Add up the sum of the
parts and I am quite happy. Plenty to do as far as mechanicals - primarily
suspension components, shocks etc. Then there is the interior. But, at
least is is a running coach. Once I go through the suspension and brakes,
I'll do the interior - but first I want the interior just to be able to
sustain life. The bells & whistles will come as I get time and $$$ to do
them.
So, look at as may as you can. Best buy you can find will be from a GMCMI
or other GMC club member or on a member's recommendation.
Chose wisely...
Tom Eckert N2VWN
73 Glacier
Oakland, TN
On Mon, May 2, 2011 at 2:19 PM, Andrew <reynhout@quesera.com> wrote:
>
>
> Well, I've sadly informed the seller that I'd have to pass on this one.
>
> Not before trying to find a way to make it work though. What can I say, I'm
> a sucker for green plaid upholstery. :)
>
> Oh well, if anyone is looking for some great original interior pieces from
> a 1976 Palm Beach, I can probably point you in the direction of someone who
> will be looking to sell them.
>
> Thanks for all of your advice. The search continues.
>
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