Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Towing a GMC Motorhome (How to tow inexpensively)
 Towing a GMC Motorhome [message #286037] |
Fri, 28 August 2015 12:38  |
mechanic007
Messages: 31
Registered: August 2015
Location: Santa Monica, CA
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Any advice on towing (23 foot 1973) inexpensively? Especially if rear end very low (less than 4" off ground). Can I inflate the air bags temporarily to make it easier to load onto the the flat bed of a flat bed or low boy tow truck? Tires are reasonable but some on the rear have cracks on the side walls. I need to move it from the San Fernando Valley of L.A. to Venice, Ca. Most companies want to use a low boy which is hard to find and expensive. Is there a way of doing it with a smaller tow truck?
Any recommendation of a tow company that could do this? Thanks.
1973 Canyonlands 230 (23')
Odometer reads 37K but probably 137K or 237K
Side wet bath/Rear bed/couch
Kitchen to the rear of the door
inSanity Monica,California
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| Re: Towing a GMC Motorhome [message #286041 is a reply to message #286037] |
Fri, 28 August 2015 14:13  |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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here is what has towed mine:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-etc3t8vfk70/UH12sl-P_uI/AAAAAAAAQV4/Nsih9gwhs30/s1600/hansenfesttow.jpg
tires/bearings could be an issue for you, you can install shrader valves to air up the bags, or really jack up and block the bags on the rear so it does not hit.
bearings could always be an issue, and there might be some local folks with some better used tires/wheels you could use to get it moved.
that is only like 30 miles? so I would think your tires would hold up, even in the LA Heat. maybe borrow some spares.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: Towing a GMC Motorhome [message #286043 is a reply to message #286037] |
Fri, 28 August 2015 14:30 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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The load capacity on that truck is probably 10,000 lbs an empty 23 footer should be around there and maybe a little under. The one the tow co sent to tow my 26 was huge. I would tell the tow co you had a tiny motor home that was under 10,000 lbs. and it needed to be lifted from the front wheels just like that tow rig.
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: Towing a GMC Motorhome [message #286242 is a reply to message #286037] |
Mon, 31 August 2015 09:26 |
Chris Tyler
Messages: 458
Registered: September 2013
Location: Odessa FL
Karma: 7
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I have wondered if you could get away with flat towing if you utilized an electric oil pump to circulate trans fluid like the Remco pump [ Assuming the transmission isn't broken and the tires and suspension are up to snuff]
76 Glenbrook
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| Re: Towing a GMC Motorhome [message #286253 is a reply to message #286037] |
Mon, 31 August 2015 11:43 |
rcjordan
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
Karma: 1
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>flat towing
Someone here tried it. Said the GMC had a mind of its own.
>a wrecker with a deal on it that went
under the front tires and lifted the front about 4 inches.
I believe the wrecker guys call that a "stinger" ...if that's correct, it might help to know their terminology when you are trying to explain what you need.
SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing a GMC Motorhome [message #286276 is a reply to message #286265] |
Mon, 31 August 2015 19:06 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
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As I understand it -- "stinger" is a version of a wheel lift truck capability.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/repo-truck1.htm
Dennis
USAussie wrote on Mon, 31 August 2015 16:49RC,
Thanks! I'll include this info in an update to the GMC towing document on the GMCES website.
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
-----Original Message-----
From: RC Jordan
> flat towing
Someone here tried it. Said the GMC had a mind of its own.
> a wrecker with a deal on it that went
under the front tires and lifted the front about 4 inches.
I believe the wrecker guys call that a "stinger" ...if that's correct, it might help to know their terminology when you are trying
to explain what you need.
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Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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| Re: Towing a GMC Motorhome [message #286286 is a reply to message #286037] |
Mon, 31 August 2015 20:38 |
rcjordan
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
Karma: 1
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>stinger
I'm looking at Craigslist ads for rollbacks listed within a 4-hour radius of me, that's where I see the term. It seems to be used far more to reference the equipment than 'wheel lift' no matter what the size the tow truck. Whether it's the exact term we need to specify how we want our coaches picked up, I dunno. But I suspect if I said "I need either a Landoll, a big rollback, or something with a big stinger/wheel-lift capable of lifting my front wheel drive, 13k# coach" I think the dispatcher *might* get it. Might.
SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing a GMC Motorhome [message #286287 is a reply to message #286276] |
Mon, 31 August 2015 20:30 |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
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When my coach failed on the way home from Shawnee, I had a local truck towing company to my coach about 15 miles; I followed the tow and it worked just fine.
Just air up the rear to ensure bumper and plumbing don't drag ground.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ Since 30 November '53 ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ Member GMCMI and Classics ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ~ TZE166V101966 ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
~~ k2gkk + hotmail dot com ~~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
______________
|[ ]~~~[][ ][]\
"--OO--[]---O-"
> Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2015 18:06:57 -0600
> To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
> From: Fungmcrv@gmail.com
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Towing a GMC Motorhome
>
> As I understand it -- "stinger" is a version of a wheel lift truck capability.
>
> http://auto.howstuffworks.com/repo-truck1.htm
>
> Dennis
>
> USAussie wrote on Mon, 31 August 2015 16:49
>> RC,
>>
>> Thanks! I'll include this info in an update to the GMC towing document on the GMCES website.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Rob M.
>> The Pedantic Mechanic
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: RC Jordan
>>
>>> flat towing
>>
>> Someone here tried it. Said the GMC had a mind of its own.
>>
>>> a wrecker with a deal on it that went
>> under the front tires and lifted the front about 4 inches.
>>
>> I believe the wrecker guys call that a "stinger" ...if that's correct, it might help to know their terminology when you are trying
>> to explain what you need.
>>
>>
>> --
> Dennis S
> 73 Painted Desert 230
> Germantown, TN
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing a GMC Motorhome [message #286288 is a reply to message #286286] |
Mon, 31 August 2015 21:11 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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RC,
I'd suggest that anyone discussing towing a GMC have a hard copy of this document to hand.
http://www.gmceast.com/technical/Mueller_GMC-Towing-Guide.pdf
I think it covers every aspect of towing a GMC.
As noted in an earlier email I will update it and include the term "stinger" and correct the typo "two" to "tow" in the editors
note.
They could forward this document to the tow company.
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
-----Original Message-----
From: RC Jordan
> stinger
I'm looking at Craigslist ads for rollbacks listed within a 4-hour radius of me, that's where I see the term. It seems to be used
far more to reference the equipment than 'wheel lift' no matter what the size the tow truck. Whether it's the exact term we need to
specify how we want our coaches picked up, I dunno. But I suspect if I said "I need either a Landoll, a big rollback, or something
with a big stinger/wheel-lift capable of lifting my front wheel drive, 13k# coach" I think the dispatcher *might* get it. Might.
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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
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing a GMC Motorhome [message #286374 is a reply to message #286369] |
Tue, 01 September 2015 16:13 |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
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I believe that generally, if the Schrader fitting is installed, there is also a lever to shut off the air path.
The lever must be parallel with the air line feeding the Schrader fitting in order for air to pass TO the air bag.
You MUST open that valve to air up the bag. When the ride height is correct, turn the lever to be "cross-ways" to the air line to keep the air bag inflated.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ Since 30 November '53 ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ Member GMCMI and Classics ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ~ TZE166V101966 ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
~~ k2gkk + hotmail dot com ~~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
______________
|[ ]~~~[][ ][]\
"--OO--[]---O-"
> Date: Tue, 1 Sep 2015 15:00:37 -0600
> To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
> From: markbb1@netzero.com
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Towing a GMC Motorhome
>
> mechanic007 wrote on Tue, 01 September 2015 14:44
>> Thanks. That is very useful. If I put air into a shrader valve that seems to be there already, and nothing happens, what is the next step? Does
>> it mean the air bag is gone?
> Not necessarily. If it is going into the bag and the bag is not inflating, you should be able to find the hole. And then it is gone. But if there is
> other plumbing attached, the air might not be going into the bag.
>
> If the bag is gone, there are other ways to hold the back end up to move the RV:
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/air-bag-spring-systems/p35282-norman-27s-airbag.html
> --
> '73 23' Sequoia For Sale
> '73 23' CanyonLands For Sale
> Upper Alabama
> There will always be a demand for scapegoats. The job sucks, but the work is steady.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing a GMC Motorhome [message #286382 is a reply to message #286374] |
Tue, 01 September 2015 17:43 |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 39
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k2gkk wrote on Tue, 01 September 2015 16:13I believe that generally, if the Schrader fitting is installed, there is also a lever to shut off the air path.
The lever must be parallel with the air line feeding the Schrader fitting in order for air to pass TO the air bag.
You MUST open that valve to air up the bag. When the ride height is correct, turn the lever to be "cross-ways" to the air line to keep the air bag inflated.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ Since 30 November '53 ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ Member GMCMI and Classics ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ~ TZE166V101966 ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
~~ k2gkk + hotmail dot com ~~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
______________
|[ ]~~~[][ ][]\
"--OO--[]---O-" It would be the other way around. The Schrader valve should be between the shut off valve and the bag. The shut off valve isolates the Schrader/bag from the rest of the system, you can then use the Schrader to inflate the bag. If you leave the valve open, the air is going to go out to the rest of the system instead of into the bag. Turn the shut off valve off and then use the Schrader to inflate the bag.
The sure fire way to inflate a working bag is to replace the fitting into the bag with the Schrader.
[Updated on: Tue, 01 September 2015 17:44] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing a GMC Motorhome [message #286389 is a reply to message #286288] |
Tue, 01 September 2015 20:06 |
The Dr
Messages: 75
Registered: July 2014
Location: Toledo, OR
Karma: 0
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USAussie wrote on Mon, 31 August 2015 19:11RC,
As noted in an earlier email I will update it and include the term "stinger" and correct the typo "two" to "tow" in the editors
note.
Just a caution about using terms. When we were towed recently, they were going to use what they called a stinger. When I asked what that meant, they said it was two pieces that would bracket the front axle on each side and lift the MH through the axle. When I said I didn't think that was a good idea with front wheel drive, he crawled under and found out it was front wheel drive and agreed with me.
Best to ask questions and make sure of what they are going to do. They recalled that truck and sent out a heavier wheel lift truck and that worked well.
Mike Sauer
Toledo, OR
1975 26' Avion
1-ton front end, SullyBilt AirBag System, 3.21 tranny
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