Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Drove an SOB today (not mine)
| Drove an SOB today [message #232033] |
Mon, 02 December 2013 20:54  |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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A neighbor has got the motorhome bug from me but I couldn't talk him into a GMC. He wanted basement storage and more room. I don't know much about motorhoming but more than him apparently so he's been bending my ear while he's been looking.
Today I went up to near Nashville to pick up his 'new' 1990 Holiday Rambler Aluminlite II. It is on a 454 Chevy chassis with 19.5" wheels and a tag axle...eight 1 year old 12 ply Bridgstones...throttle body fuel injection... Turbo 400 tranny (basically the same as our 425 but for rear wheel drive)...33' long...56K original miles...all sorts of 'basement storage. Clean as a pin. No leaks, no stains. Everything works but the headlights.
He wanted me to drive it the 120 miles home and give it a good check out.
I wasn't expecting that much but was quite impressed. The coach was very peppy especially considering its about 18000 lbs. No problem running 70mph and maintaining speed on some of the big hills on I65 south of Nashville. Just a little shake if you get over 70..feels like a rear tire.
Turns out it has a 4.56 differential but with the larger tires, it's probably about the same as what 4.11s would give us. It runs about 3000 rpm at 60
Quiet, smooth, no sway, no rut running. Semis didn't blow it around any worse then they do my pickup.
I'm not going to run out and get one but I am really impressed.
Oh. He gave $6000 for it.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: Drove an SOB today [message #232048 is a reply to message #232033] |
Mon, 02 December 2013 21:33  |
Steve
Messages: 506
Registered: September 2013
Location: East Greenville, Pa
Karma: 1
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56k miles and new tires. Sounds like a bargain.
1978 GMC Royal
Eastern Pennslyvania
1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue
1992 Camaro 25th Anniversary Heretage Edition Black
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| Re: Drove an SOB today [message #232052 is a reply to message #232033] |
Mon, 02 December 2013 21:53 |
gbarrow2
Messages: 765
Registered: February 2004
Location: Lake Almanor, Ca./ Red Bl...
Karma: 3
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While on this topic: Probably not the proper forum for this heretical and blasphemous question but (Alfred P Sloan forgive me) here you go!
I am not getting rid of my GMC, but I have been considering some thing a little larger for longer stays.
I've never owned any motor home other than a GMC but I have been surprised at the prices of low mileage, non slide, 10 to 15 year old motorhomes.
I have been considering a 1995 or 1997 33' Beaver Patriot Savanna. The 1995 has a Cummins diesel with less than 50,000 miles-the 1997 has a Cat diesel with 79,000 miles. Both appear to be in excellent condition and are priced at less than $30K.
Somewhat less than I have in my 76 Palm Beach.
I have never owned or driven a diesel motorhome so I don't know what to expect. I had never owned any motorhome before the GMC but after owning three of them and drinking the Kool-Aid for 11 years and 150,000 miles I still enjoy driving it- would just like a bit more room when parked.
Comments, suggestions, recommendations, jeers, cheers, and ridicule all cheerfully accepted.
Gene Barrow
Lake Almanor, Ca.
1976 Palm Beach
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| Re: Drove an SOB today [message #232062 is a reply to message #232052] |
Tue, 03 December 2013 00:47 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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| gbarrow wrote on Mon, 02 December 2013 19:53 |
While on this topic: Probably not the proper forum for this heretical and blasphemous question but (Alfred P Sloan forgive me) here you go!
I am not getting rid of my GMC, but I have been considering some thing a little larger for longer stays.
I've never owned any motor home other than a GMC but I have been surprised at the prices of low mileage, non slide, 10 to 15 year old motorhomes.
I have been considering a 1995 or 1997 33' Beaver Patriot Savanna. The 1995 has a Cummins diesel with less than 50,000 miles-the 1997 has a Cat diesel with 79,000 miles. Both appear to be in excellent condition and are priced at less than $30K.
Somewhat less than I have in my 76 Palm Beach.
I have never owned or driven a diesel motorhome so I don't know what to expect. I had never owned any motorhome before the GMC but after owning three of them and drinking the Kool-Aid for 11 years and 150,000 miles I still enjoy driving it- would just like a bit more room when parked.
Comments, suggestions, recommendations, jeers, cheers, and ridicule all cheerfully accepted.
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A friend just sold his 1995 safari 36 ft diesel pusher non slide for $13000. He bought it a few years ago for around $40 000. It had a cat engine with around 50000 miles on it. I sure thought of buying it from him but I didn't want him to think I took advantage. He put a ton of money having simple things fixed at over $100 an hour. He couldn't fix anything himself and wouldn't accept my help. To him it was a giant money pit .
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: Drove an SOB today [message #232064 is a reply to message #232062] |
Tue, 03 December 2013 01:42 |
jimtze
Messages: 92
Registered: June 2011
Location: Victoria, BC
Karma: 1
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Speaking of diesel pushers, I know a possible source for a few MC9's. These of course have seats but no plumbing. The layout would be what ever you want.
Jim Bratvold
Victoria, BC
76 Eleganza ll
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| Re: [GMCnet] Drove an SOB today [message #232066 is a reply to message #232052] |
Tue, 03 December 2013 06:05 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Gene,
Excellent choice. The 1995 is a mechanical motor. 1996 and newer have
computer controlled injection, a better choice in my opinion. You can also
hook up a laptop to the data terminal and monitor everything but the
holding tanks. The reason I like the computerized injection is on long
grades the computer will increase the injector pulse duration to compensate
for high exhaust gas temps. 1995 and older, it is up to the driver to
monitor EGT. Once it is above 1,200 deg for any length of time, bad things
can happen to the Cummins. It is most likely built on a Sparten Mountain
Master chassis, built like a tank. Self adjusting air brakes, all air bag
suspension. For sure, you will never enjoy the quality of ride the GMC
affords with it's torsion bar and air bag suspension. I've driven many of
these things and there is, and never will be, any comparison. But, it
stops there. Storage capacity, towing capacity, MPG and tire life all will
exceed your experience with the GMC. The rest of motorhome is really the
people at the end of the journey and I have found that the GMC community
treats it's SOB owners no different that it does it's GMC owners.
Steve F.
On Mon, Dec 2, 2013 at 8:53 PM, gene barrow <barrowgene@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> While on this topic: Probably not the proper forum for this heretical and
> blasphemous question but (Alfred P Sloan forgive me) here you go!
> I am not getting rid of my GMC, but I have been considering some thing a
> little larger for longer stays.
>
> I've never owned any motor home other than a GMC but I have been surprised
> at the prices of low mileage, non slide, 10 to 15 year old motorhomes.
> I have been considering a 1995 or 1997 33' Beaver Patriot Savanna. The
> 1995 has a Cummins diesel with less than 50,000 miles-the 1997 has a Cat
> diesel with 79,000 miles. Both appear to be in excellent condition and are
> priced at less than $30K.
> Somewhat less than I have in my 76 Palm Beach.
>
> I have never owned or driven a diesel motorhome so I don't know what to
> expect. I had never owned any motorhome before the GMC but after owning
> three of them and drinking the Kool-Aid for 11 years and 150,000 miles I
> still enjoy driving it- would just like a bit more room when parked.
>
> Comments, suggestions, recommendations, jeers, cheers, and ridicule all
> cheerfully accepted.
> --
> Gene Barrow
> Lake Almanor, Ca.
> 1976 Palm Beach
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Take care,
Steve
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| Re: Drove an SOB today [message #232082 is a reply to message #232033] |
Tue, 03 December 2013 09:32 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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Senior Member |
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I didn't really intend to start a thread about how great SOBs are. The primary learning for me is how responsive the 1/3 larger coach was with a lesser motor because of the 4.56 gears. There isn't anything special about the 454 but with this particular combination it really works.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: [GMCnet] Drove an SOB today [message #232098 is a reply to message #232066] |
Tue, 03 December 2013 11:41 |
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Steve,
Your last sentence is interesting. Sure, we're not treated any differently.
However, we are talked about when our backs are turned. Just don't tell
anyone that we talk about them, too.
If you want to look at a good diesel forum go to
http://forum.dieselrvclub.org. Lots of good and helpful people over there.
Byron Songer
Louisville, KY
botiemad . wrote:
> Gene,
> Excellent choice. The 1995 is a mechanical motor. 1996 and newer have
> computer controlled injection, a better choice in my opinion. You can also
> hook up a laptop to the data terminal and monitor everything but the
> holding tanks. The reason I like the computerized injection is on long
> grades the computer will increase the injector pulse duration to compensate
> for high exhaust gas temps. 1995 and older, it is up to the driver to
> monitor EGT. Once it is above 1,200 deg for any length of time, bad things
> can happen to the Cummins. It is most likely built on a Sparten Mountain
> Master chassis, built like a tank. Self adjusting air brakes, all air bag
> suspension. For sure, you will never enjoy the quality of ride the GMC
> affords with it's torsion bar and air bag suspension. I've driven many of
> these things and there is, and never will be, any comparison. But, it
> stops there. Storage capacity, towing capacity, MPG and tire life all will
> exceed your experience with the GMC. The rest of motorhome is really the
> people at the end of the journey and I have found that the GMC community
> treats it's SOB owners no different that it does it's GMC owners.
> Steve F.
>
>
> On Mon, Dec 2, 2013 at 8:53 PM, gene barrow <barrowgene@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> While on this topic: Probably not the proper forum for this heretical and
>> blasphemous question but (Alfred P Sloan forgive me) here you go!
>> I am not getting rid of my GMC, but I have been considering some thing a
>> little larger for longer stays.
>>
>> I've never owned any motor home other than a GMC but I have been surprised
>> at the prices of low mileage, non slide, 10 to 15 year old motorhomes.
>> I have been considering a 1995 or 1997 33' Beaver Patriot Savanna. The
>> 1995 has a Cummins diesel with less than 50,000 miles-the 1997 has a Cat
>> diesel with 79,000 miles. Both appear to be in excellent condition and are
>> priced at less than $30K. Somewhat less than I have in my 76 Palm Beach.
>>
>> I have never owned or driven a diesel motorhome so I don't know what to
>> expect. I had never owned any motorhome before the GMC but after owning
>> three of them and drinking the Kool-Aid for 11 years and 150,000 miles I
>> still enjoy driving it- would just like a bit more room when parked.
>>
>> Comments, suggestions, recommendations, jeers, cheers, and ridicule all
>> cheerfully accepted.
>> --
>> Gene Barrow
>> Lake Almanor, Ca.
>> 1976 Palm Beach
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
>
>
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--
Byron Songer
Full-timing to enjoy the USA
Former owner but still an admirer
GMC paint schemes at -
http://www.songerconsulting.net
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| Re: Drove an SOB today [message #232103 is a reply to message #232033] |
Tue, 03 December 2013 13:27 |
skip2
Messages: 544
Registered: September 2011
Location: Winter Haven,FL (center o...
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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I had an small class A SOB before my GMC and one of the biggest downfalls with the motor being up front and the unit being built around it, was to do much more than check oil levels it took an hour and half to expose the motor then another 2 and half to put it back together. The whole dash had to be removed and laid forward, remove the ac air box then remove the dozen screws holding the motor cover down. With alot of the SOBs from the 90's its just another old motorhome. With the GMC it's the ultimate in classic COOL and alot esier to get to the motor, even with the 2 part cover I have its on 2 minutes off and 4 minutes on.. As far as storage I have a roof pod. I've seen in some of those basements, so when some of us think we carry to much, we can think about those guys. Just my 2 bits.
Skip Hartline
74 Canyon Lands, FiTech,
3.7 FD LSD, Manny Tranny,
Springfield Distributor,
2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd
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| Re: Drove an SOB today [message #232146 is a reply to message #232033] |
Tue, 03 December 2013 18:43 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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Senior Member |
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Actually, this particular coach is the Holiday Rambler Alumalite model. Aluminum framing and all aluminum skin (even below the beltline where we have plastic), except for the nose and rear caps.
He found the data plate and it says it is a 33' with a dry weight of 12590. MUCH lighter than I expected although there is nothing in it other than what came from the factory. I expect it weights about what some of our stretches weigh dry.
I agree the wood framed things are a horror but this isn't one of them.
He also specifically did NOT want any slides.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: Drove an SOB today [message #232151 is a reply to message #232146] |
Tue, 03 December 2013 18:50 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| Kerry Pinkerton wrote on Tue, 03 December 2013 16:43 |
Actually, this particular coach is the Holiday Rambler Alumalite model. ...
...
He also specifically did NOT want any slides.
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Sounds like a "fairly" smart man... for something that you want to "stay" somewhere with!
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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