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New guy with a question [message #201050] Fri, 08 March 2013 19:12 Go to next message
John-Boy is currently offline  John-Boy   United States
Messages: 3
Registered: March 2013
Karma: 0
Junior Member
Hows it going all, i have a issue where my wife thinks i'm crazy in that we are moving from our pop-up to a motorhome this year, And for the last years i have fell in love with the old GMC's

She thinks i'm nuts in that the last one make was a year before i was even born Very Happy and that there wont be enough room for us, our three kids (15,14,and 5) and two dogs think i can make it work but she likes a 32 ft class C i can get but i found a steal on a 73 GMC (I know it will need a little work but the guy says it runs great with only 47,000 miles and 6 new tires on alco rims and is asking what the rims and tires are worth)


So have i lost it or should i talk her into it
Re: New guy with a question [message #201051 is a reply to message #201050] Fri, 08 March 2013 19:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Harry is currently offline  Harry   Canada
Messages: 1888
Registered: October 2007
Location: Victoria, BC CANADA
Karma: 3
Senior Member
You should go and take a lot of pictures of this gem. Then post them here and see what the experts say.
47,000 miles could be the second time around.
Re: New guy with a question [message #201053 is a reply to message #201050] Fri, 08 March 2013 19:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
rcjordan   United States
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
Karma: 1
Senior Member
Welcome. You're making the right decision ...except maybe the part about convincing your wife.

A couple of us are working on a website to address the reasons that a GMC can be a sound, reasonable financial decision but that's in its infancy. Anyway, it's a start.

http://www.fullretro.com/articles-editorials.html


SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
Re: New guy with a question [message #201059 is a reply to message #201050] Fri, 08 March 2013 20:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Cadillackeeper is currently offline  Cadillackeeper   United States
Messages: 464
Registered: October 2012
Location: Fort Lauderdale
Karma: 1
Senior Member
My wife was sold the first time she went into the side door of one.I did have a little head start though,cause of my lifetime
daily driver 67 Eldorado.She knows how I drive and drive for years and years without any trouble.GMC coach has mostly the same quality.


77 455 Elaganza II and 67 Animal, Built 500 Powered Eldo
Re: New guy with a question [message #201062 is a reply to message #201050] Fri, 08 March 2013 20:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
rcjordan   United States
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
Karma: 1
Senior Member
And go read this recent thread
http://gmc.mybirdfeeder.net/GMCforum/index.php?t=msg&goto=199783&rid=2865#msg_199783

You know about the Blacklist, right?


SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
Re: New guy with a question [message #201069 is a reply to message #201050] Fri, 08 March 2013 21:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
roy1 is currently offline  roy1   United States
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
Senior Member
John-Boy wrote on Fri, 08 March 2013 17:12

Hows it going all, i have a issue where my wife thinks i'm crazy in that we are moving from our pop-up to a motorhome this year, And for the last years i have fell in love with the old GMC's

She thinks i'm nuts in that the last one make was a year before i was even born Very Happy and that there wont be enough room for us, our three kids (15,14,and 5) and two dogs think i can make it work but she likes a 32 ft class C i can get but i found a steal on a 73 GMC (I know it will need a little work but the guy says it runs great with only 47,000 miles and 6 new tires on alco rims and is asking what the rims and tires are worth)


So have i lost it or should i talk her into it


Five people and 2 dogs would work for short trips but it is kind of tight without a slideout. That is the nice thing about the newer rigs there is a lot of room with the slides out. I was camping for 2 months with my wife and 2 big dogs next to 40ft giants believe me they are roomy inside but mine is paid for I can fix most anything that goes wrong folks are always telling me I need to get something with slides but I am too attached to my coach besides I get a lot of nice comments when I'm at gas stations that convinces me I am better off being a little cramped.


Roy Keen Minden,NV 76 X Glenbrook
Re: New guy with a question [message #201070 is a reply to message #201050] Fri, 08 March 2013 21:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
John-Boy is currently offline  John-Boy   United States
Messages: 3
Registered: March 2013
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Junior Member
Thanks all, I've been reading and looking at everything i find on them for the last year ever sence i found a old GMC in a junk yard a few years back it was crushed in the front so it was too far gone to bring back but that started it for me, Never seen one before that i could rememmber

And it helps that i'm a scrounger and like to rebuild things (Brought back a 79 firebird from the scrap yard and have rebuilt two of my old Harleys)
Re: [GMCnet] New guy with a question [message #201072 is a reply to message #201070] Fri, 08 March 2013 21:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
hnielsen2 is currently offline  hnielsen2   United States
Messages: 1434
Registered: February 2004
Location: Alpine CA
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Senior Member
Welcome
All is well with my Lord
Howard
Alpine Ca
74 GMC Canyon Lands
Not quite stock
The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the
average voter
(Winston Churchill)

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Cox" <JOHNCOX179@comcast.net>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Friday, March 08, 2013 19:07
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] New guy with a question


>
>
> Thanks all, I've been reading and looking at everything i find on them for
> the last year ever sence i found a old GMC in a junk yard a few years back
> it was crushed in the front so it was too far gone to bring back but that
> started it for me, Never seen one before that i could rememmber
>
> And it helps that i'm a scrounger and like to rebuild things (Brought back
> a 79 firebird from the scrap yard and have rebuilt two of my old Harleys)
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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>

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All is well with my Lord
Re: [GMCnet] New guy with a question [message #201075 is a reply to message #201050] Fri, 08 March 2013 21:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
John,

Some words to the wise:

EVERY GMC seller will tell you their GMC runs GREAT and quite frankly I would be surprised if he is correct in saying it has "only"
47,000 miles in FORTY years.

Since you have the mechanical skills to work on it yourself take this checklist with you when you go to look at it:

http://gmcmotorhome.info/buyer.htm

If you do this you will have facts with which you can argue your case with your wife. IF it does turn out to be a POS it will be
apparent to her that you did your best to make sure it was a good coach.

Bottom line: take the emotion out of this purchase and look at it in the cold light of day as purely a business decision.

Regards,
Rob M.

-----Original Message-----
From: John Cox

Hows it going all, i have a issue where my wife thinks i'm crazy in that we are moving from our pop-up to a motorhome this year, And
for the last years i have fell in love with the old GMC's

She thinks i'm nuts in that the last one make was a year before i was even born :d and that there wont be enough room for us, our
three kids (15,14,and 5) and two dogs think i can make it work but she likes a 32 ft class C i can get but i found a steal on a 73
GMC (I know it will need a little work but the guy says it runs great with only 47,000 miles and 6 new tires on alco rims and is
asking what the rims and tires are worth)

So have i lost it or should i talk her into it

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: New guy with a question [message #201077 is a reply to message #201050] Fri, 08 March 2013 22:08 Go to previous messageGo to next message
An87ttype is currently offline  An87ttype   United States
Messages: 157
Registered: September 2012
Karma: 0
Senior Member
I would say that anything the seller says is questionable at best. It's not that sellers lie, its just that they are not going volunteer the truth. Or after 40 years and multiple owners they really just don't know.
Look very carefully and ask a lot of questions. I passed on at least 10 coaches before I found mine. I'm still amazed at all the supposed "new" stuff that I had to replace!
Good luck! Post some pics...


1975 Eleganza II Hudson Valley NY
Re: [GMCnet] New guy with a question [message #201083 is a reply to message #201050] Sat, 09 March 2013 00:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
sgltrac is currently offline  sgltrac   United States
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
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Holy cow, you had your first kid when you were 18???

Oh yeah, welcome to the forum :)

Sully
77 royale
Seattle

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 8, 2013, at 5:12 PM, John Cox <JOHNCOX179@comcast.net> wrote:

>
>
> Hows it going all, i have a issue where my wife thinks i'm crazy in that we are moving from our pop-up to a motorhome this year, And for the last years i have fell in love with the old GMC's
>
> She thinks i'm nuts in that the last one make was a year before i was even born :d and that there wont be enough room for us, our three kids (15,14,and 5) and two dogs think i can make it work but she likes a 32 ft class C i can get but i found a steal on a 73 GMC (I know it will need a little work but the guy says it runs great with only 47,000 miles and 6 new tires on alco rims and is asking what the rims and tires are worth)
>
>
> So have i lost it or should i talk her into it
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Sully 77 Royale basket case. Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list) Seattle, Wa.
Re: [GMCnet] New guy with a question [message #201085 is a reply to message #201050] Sat, 09 March 2013 01:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kingsley Coach is currently offline  Kingsley Coach   United States
Messages: 2691
Registered: March 2009
Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Karma: -34
Senior Member
OK, your wife thinks you're crazy and/or she thinks you're nuts.....so your
point is?
If she didn't say 'No', get the manuals and dig in !

My wife wanted nothing older than 3 years and I wanted nothing less than 34
feet...through 3 kids and traveling with 2 dogs....that was 17 years ago !
We've missed 2 states and 1 province....
Welcome to the 'cult' !

Mike in New Mexico

On Fri, Mar 8, 2013 at 9:12 PM, John Cox <JOHNCOX179@comcast.net> wrote:

>
>
> Hows it going all, i have a issue where my wife thinks i'm crazy in that
> we are moving from our pop-up to a motorhome this year, And for the last
> years i have fell in love with the old GMC's
>
> She thinks i'm nuts in that the last one make was a year before i was even
> born :d and that there wont be enough room for us, our three kids
> (15,14,and 5) and two dogs think i can make it work but she likes a 32 ft
> class C i can get but i found a steal on a 73 GMC (I know it will need a
> little work but the guy says it runs great with only 47,000 miles and 6 new
> tires on alco rims and is asking what the rims and tires are worth)
>
>
> So have i lost it or should i talk her into it
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS
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Re: New guy with a question [message #201087 is a reply to message #201069] Sat, 09 March 2013 03:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mike miller   United States
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
Senior Member
roy1 wrote on Fri, 08 March 2013 19:05

Five people and 2 dogs would work for short trips but it is kind of tight without a slideout. That is the nice thing about the newer rigs there is a lot of room with the slides out. ...


Remember that the GMC was designed to be used for traveling. The big coaches with slideouts are designed for the stay once you get there.


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
Re: New guy with a question [message #201088 is a reply to message #201050] Sat, 09 March 2013 06:09 Go to previous messageGo to next message
rcjordan   United States
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
Karma: 1
Senior Member
Yeah, the only thing GMCs can't compete on is square footage.

SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
Re: New guy with a question [message #201089 is a reply to message #201050] Sat, 09 March 2013 06:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chasingsummer is currently offline  chasingsummer   United States
Messages: 434
Registered: May 2011
Location: asheboro, nc
Karma: 0
Senior Member
John,
Where are you locatd, there is a good chance someone is close by that is willing to go with you to look at a coach. Look at many, But if you really want to sell wife look at one that has been done nice. Get her sold, then find the right one for you.
How long do you plan on keeping coach, 3 years from now your oldest (or 2) may not want to go with you anymore. (kids can have strange interest). You and wife in rear , 2 oldest in bunks, youngest on dinette. Sounds crowded but doable.
We take 2 ful size dogs with us (wife and I) and we have plenty of room.
Maybe you need to look at both ours (not mine, its not for sale)and others to help decide. Depending on your wife you may want her to drive one also. GMC much easier to drive , park , and etc than bigger units.
Dont underestimate the value of this site, black list and etc. Everything breaks, but the GMC has more support than most others, including some new units.
Isnt the "cool factor" worth something?
Good luck with decision.



brian asheboro, nc 75 eleganza, 74 build 119k miles and counting, DOG HOUSE
Re: New guy with a question [message #201090 is a reply to message #201050] Sat, 09 March 2013 07:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jim Galbavy is currently offline  Jim Galbavy   United States
Messages: 1443
Registered: August 2007
Karma: 7
Senior Member
John-Boy,

You have been given some great advice. Let your wife see some finished GMCs and see if she then agrees to one. As you can see, for the next few years it is going to be tight quarters. I've seen many couples jump into GMC motorhomes because one of the spouses loved it (and the other was dragged along). It never works.

Where do you live? Maybe take in a local GMC club rally and see what a finished GMC looks and feels like.

Any motorhome is going to need work (now and in the future). Just go into it with both sets of eyes open.

jim galbavy
'73 x-CL ANNIE
Lake Mary, Fl
Re: New guy with a question [message #201091 is a reply to message #201050] Sat, 09 March 2013 07:24 Go to previous messageGo to next message
batman is currently offline  batman   United States
Messages: 100
Registered: January 2004
Location: Benbrook, TX
Karma: -3
Senior Member
Hello John-Boy,

Just tell your wife she is absolutely correct. You gotta be a little crazy to haul your family around the country in a 40 year old RV, but isn't that one of the things she loves about you?

There is a lot of freedom in traveling in a GMC because of its size. Since you’re accustom to traveling in a pop-up, the transition to a GMC should be natural for your size crew. There will be a certain amount of stepping and stumbling over each other and quite a bit of hallway dancing, but man is it a great way to travel. It will be more than a camper, but something you will be passionate about taking care, fixing up and tailoring to your needs. Don’t think I would feel that way about a breadbox class C. If you are anywhere near Dothan, Alabama I would highly recommend visiting the GMCMI Rally that starts on March 22nd just to see all of the coaches and vendors that support the GMC. The GMC community and support is one aspect of owning a GMC that would be hard to match with any other brand of older motorhomes.

I think Mike Miller’s comment about the GMC being designed for traveling whereas the big coaches are designed for staying is right on. I use my GMC to travel.

Good luck and welcome to the forum.


eugene
benbrook, tx
77 Eleganza II, Howell EFI + EBL
http://gmc.backyardwildlife.com
Re: [GMCnet] New guy with a question [message #201092 is a reply to message #201089] Sat, 09 March 2013 07:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jim Bounds is currently offline  Jim Bounds   United States
Messages: 842
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Don't retire the popup, let the kids stay in it, the best acting one can have the sofa in the coach.  I'm working on a 63 Airstream trailer to pull along with my advertising GMC to stay in when at rallies.  I will have 50 feet of living space that way.  You can use your camper to do something similar and when the kids doesn;t want to go, well aren;t you getting the coach for you 2 anyway?
 
Good luck,
 
Jim Bounds
-------------------- 


________________________________
From: brian <chasingsummer@triad.rr.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Saturday, March 9, 2013 7:18 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] New guy with a question



John,
Where are you locatd, there is a good chance someone is close by that is willing to go with you to look at a coach. Look at many, But if you really want to sell wife look at one that has been done nice. Get her sold, then find the right one for you.
How long do you plan on keeping coach, 3 years from now your oldest (or 2) may not want to go with you anymore. (kids can have strange interest). You and wife in rear , 2 oldest in bunks, youngest on  dinette. Sounds crowded but doable.
We take 2 ful size dogs with us (wife and I) and we have plenty of room.
Maybe you need to look at both ours (not mine, its not for sale)and others to help decide. Depending on your wife you may want her to drive one also. GMC much easier to drive , park , and etc than bigger units.
Dont underestimate the value of this site, black list and etc. Everything breaks, but the GMC has more support than most others, including some new units.
Isnt the "cool factor" worth something?
Good luck with decision.


--
brian
asheboro, nc
75 eleganza 2 74 build
118k miles and counting,
DOG HOUSE

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Re: [GMCnet] New guy with a question [message #201098 is a reply to message #201050] Sat, 09 March 2013 08:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
Senior Member
I'll give you a 'new guy's' perspective.  And I'll comment, if your mob fits in a popup, you'll fit in several GMC floor plans.  I bought mine a couple years ago to get to dog shows without staying in cheap motels.  I did very minimal research (bad idea) and bought the GMC based on 'It looks cool', 'I can afford this one' and I'm an old car tinkerer.. I can fix most of the running gear or at least figure the problem and determine where to get it fixed. 
I discovered the resources for the GMC are incredible - this forum for example has experts on every aspect of the coaches.  Ask pretty much any question about any part of the coach and you'll get both referrals to pictures of that part being fixed or replaced or upgraded as well as direct answers.  I believe it is the only older motorhome with that sort of support.
If you are prepared to fiddle with it and fix things - and your wife at least tolerates that bent - they're a nice solution to a motorhome at a reasonable cost.  If you had rather buy it done, it will get in your pocket very quickly.  If you post your area on this list, almost certainly there will be someone close enough to you and willing to go with you to take a criotical look at your potential purchase.  I didn't do this, and due purely to blind luck and an honest PO got a reasonable deal.
 
--johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
'76 palm beach

From: John Cox <JOHNCOX179@comcast.net>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Friday, March 8, 2013 8:12 PM
Subject: [GMCnet] New guy with a question



Hows it going all, i have a issue where my wife thinks i'm crazy in that we are moving from our pop-up to a motorhome this year, And for the last years i have fell in love with the old GMC's

She thinks i'm nuts in that the last one make was a year before i was even born  :d  and that there wont be enough room for us, our three kids (15,14,and 5) and two dogs think i can make it work but she likes a 32 ft class C i can get but i found a steal on a 73 GMC (I know it will need a little work but the guy says it runs great with only 47,000 miles and 6 new tires on alco rims and is asking what the rims and tires are worth)


So have i lost it or should i talk her into it
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: New guy with a question [message #201101 is a reply to message #201050] Sat, 09 March 2013 08:37 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
An87ttype is currently offline  An87ttype   United States
Messages: 157
Registered: September 2012
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Senior Member
I like idea of pulling the popup until the kids don't want to go with you anymore. It will be sooner than you think that you will be using the GMC to go and visit them. It would pull very easy...

1975 Eleganza II Hudson Valley NY
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