GMCforum
For enthusiast of the Classic GMC Motorhome built from 1973 to 1978. A web-based mirror of the GMCnet mailing list.

Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Hey everyone! New to the motorhome world.
[GMCnet] Hey everyone! New to the motorhome world. [message #364051] Sun, 16 May 2021 19:29 Go to next message
Wonbyanose is currently offline  Wonbyanose   United States
Messages: 16
Registered: April 2021
Karma: 0
Junior Member
I was on craigslist looking for some free landfill. Instead I bought a
gutted 1973 GMC motorhome that now fills my driveway. Not sure how that
happened but it did.

After reading your posts or emails I can see I am in way over my head. Of
course I have a million questions and would hope to get some answers from
you knowledgeable people.

Just wanted to warn you and introduce myself. My name is Brian they call me
B for short.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
B
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:

Re: [GMCnet] Hey everyone! New to the motorhome world. [message #364052 is a reply to message #364051] Sun, 16 May 2021 20:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Tom Katzenberger is currently offline  Tom Katzenberger   United States
Messages: 399
Registered: June 2019
Location: Kingsville, MD
Karma: 4
Senior Member
Welcome B,

There are many free resources on line and plenty of absolutely great people. I would suggest, find your local GMC group and dive in. If you get to a national rally, life will never be the same. You will meet the best people this country and Canada have to offer.

Work hard, don't give up and ask away.

Take care,
Tom


Tom & Oki Katzenberger, Kingsville, Maryland, 1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D., Micro Level, Howell EBL-EFI Spark Control, Macerator, York Air Compressor, 6 Wheel Disc, Quadra Bag, Onan W/Bovee Ignition
[GMCnet] Re: Hey everyone! New to the motorhome world. [message #364054 is a reply to message #364052] Sun, 16 May 2021 20:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Wonbyanose is currently offline  Wonbyanose   United States
Messages: 16
Registered: April 2021
Karma: 0
Junior Member
Why thank you Tom nice to meet you.

On Sun, May 16, 2021, 8:27 PM wrote:

> Welcome B,
>
> There are many free resources on line and plenty of absolutely great
> people. I would suggest, find your local GMC group and dive in. If you get
> to a
> national rally, life will never be the same. You will meet the best people
> this country and Canada have to offer.
>
> Work hard, don't give up and ask away.
>
> Take care,
> Tom
> --
> Tom & Oki Katzenberger,
> Kingsville, Maryland,
> 1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:

Re: [GMCnet] Hey everyone! New to the motorhome world. [message #364064 is a reply to message #364051] Mon, 17 May 2021 09:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   Canada
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
Senior Member
Wonbyanose wrote on Sun, 16 May 2021 20:29
I was on craigslist looking for some free landfill. Instead I bought a
gutted 1973 GMC motorhome that now fills my driveway. Not sure how that
happened but it did.

After reading your posts or emails I can see I am in way over my head. Of
course I have a million questions and would hope to get some answers from
you knowledgeable people.

Just wanted to warn you and introduce myself. My name is Brian they call me
B for short.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
B
B - Brian

Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum....
You found your way here and that is a very good thing.
My normal but verbose greeting will have to wait, I am headed out to do some work for my last client.
Later.
Matt


Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
[GMCnet] Re: Hey everyone! New to the motorhome world. [message #364093 is a reply to message #364064] Mon, 17 May 2021 20:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Wonbyanose is currently offline  Wonbyanose   United States
Messages: 16
Registered: April 2021
Karma: 0
Junior Member
Thank you Matt appreciate it.

Brian

On Mon, May 17, 2021, 9:29 AM Matt Colie wrote:

> Wonbyanose wrote on Sun, 16 May 2021 20:29
>> I was on craigslist looking for some free landfill. Instead I bought a
>> gutted 1973 GMC motorhome that now fills my driveway. Not sure how that
>> happened but it did.
>>
>> After reading your posts or emails I can see I am in way over my head. Of
>> course I have a million questions and would hope to get some answers from
>> you knowledgeable people.
>>
>> Just wanted to warn you and introduce myself. My name is Brian they call
> me
>> B for short.
>>
>> Any help would be appreciated.
>>
>> Thanks
>> B
>
> B - Brian
>
> Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum....
> You found your way here and that is a very good thing.
> My normal but verbose greeting will have to wait, I am headed out to do
> some work for my last client.
> Later.
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL,
> GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum
> Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
Re: [GMCnet] Hey everyone! New to the motorhome world. [message #364098 is a reply to message #364051] Mon, 17 May 2021 22:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
dsmithy is currently offline  dsmithy   United States
Messages: 210
Registered: July 2012
Location: Lincoln Nebraska
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Welcome B,
You will find in this place a group of people who have come to appreciate the magnificent set of compromises and the manageable set of issues that these coaches present. As my family is fond of saying: "It's a great traveler and a great sitter." As GM would say: "It doesn't ride like a truck. It doesn't look like a box." This forum is served by people with decades of knowledge of this coach and everything automotive. There are many differences of opinion, but you can trust what you read here. People are always trying something new, or an enhancement nobody's tried before, but they're always upfront about it. The tried and true (hundreds of times) is always available, and often with the newest part numbers at your local autoparts store. For something specific to this coach, there are a number of vendors dedicated to the GMC who offer free advice and literally ANY part for your coach. It's been a cliche on this forum for a long time that 30K-50K yields a safe-modern coach no matter where you start from. With the help of this forum, a 40+ year old motorhome easily competes with ANYTHING for value and utility available for sale today. 14K or so built/9K or so still around today should tell you something about value. As long as gasoline-at-the-pump is available, the GMC is likely to have the best ROI on a camping/touring vehicle around. Just My Opinion. If you think it suits you, join us for a great ride. Safe Journeys.
Doug


Douglas & Virginia Smith, dsmithy18 at gmail, Lincoln Nebraska, ’73 “Sequoia” since ‘95: "Wanabizo"; Quadrabag/6 wheel disks/3:70 final/Paterson QuadraJet/Thorley’s/Alloy wheels/Sundry other
Re: [GMCnet] Hey everyone! New to the motorhome world. [message #364111 is a reply to message #364051] Tue, 18 May 2021 09:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   Canada
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
Senior Member
B(rian),

I am back with time to write today.
We are all very glad that you found your way here. You do know we were all born knowing everything we needed to know about GMCs - Right?
To this end, just try to ask a question that we can't answer... (Sure)

The most important thing about being an owner of a TZE is not the new big toy, you can get that anywhere, it is the community that this connects you to. This is a community of supportive and helping people that some find a little off-putting. Do not let that bother you. Everybody here has a not so secret agenda. That agenda is to see that you get to understand and enjoy what being a coach owner can do for you and yours. This is something we all know as appreciate. We will enjoy guiding your plan.

About this community... Please build a sigfile to help us. It should have your name (it will save some awkwardness when you meet other owners), and short about the coach (73s have a lot that was different) and we don't even know if it is 23 or 26, and a geographic reference so those that might like to help, know if they are in striking range. What model it is does not matter. Some of us still don't know what actual model our coach was shipped as, but it hardly matters.

We have had people show up at an International with a bare coach that had a sleeping bag, a portable euphemism and not much more. There is another thing you should look for, and that is the "parts coaches" that are around. Any of those can be a source of both inspiration and maybe parts.

You said it is a 73. If you drove it home, that is a good start. If it has not been hacked to HEI, do not do this without talking to me. There is no reason to hammer the air filter housing into submission when there are simpler modifications that serve at least as well.

The interiors of the '73 and 4 coaches were all assembled in a not very large plant in Pontiac MI. There was no magic there, just lots of plywood and drawings. They made up lots of pieces, opened up the back, walked then in and screwed them down. You say it was "gutted". That may be a great starting point. You gave us no clue where you are, but odds are real good that you are in striking range of one of the new old friends that you need to meet. If you look over at GMCMIhttp://gmcmi.com you should be able to identify a local chapter, and if you pull up the "Black's" list, there is probably one of those new old friends you can talk to today. You should make every effort to get to a local rally as soon as you can. The presence of the coach is not important. Getting to look at others is important. Getting to meet other owners is very important.

I spent a lot of my life among watermen. This community so reminds me of them that I have taken to welcoming new owners here much as any new owner or vessel would be welcomed there. So,

May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within her.

Welcome Brian

Matt


Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
[GMCnet] Re: Hey everyone! New to the motorhome world. [message #364112 is a reply to message #364111] Tue, 18 May 2021 10:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
lcoldren is currently offline  lcoldren   United States
Messages: 28
Registered: March 2004
Karma: 0
Junior Member
B(rian)
Is it possible that your coach started life as a transmode? That was a coach delivered as an empty shell and modified by the buyer to their needs.
Larry Coldren
1974 26' Canyonlands
Ft. Collins CO
________________________________
From: Matt Colie
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2021 08:56 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Re: Hey everyone! New to the motorhome world.

B(rian),

I am back with time to write today.
We are all very glad that you found your way here. You do know we were all born knowing everything we needed to know about GMCs - Right?
To this end, just try to ask a question that we can't answer... (Sure)

The most important thing about being an owner of a TZE is not the new big toy, you can get that anywhere, it is the community that this connects you
to. This is a community of supportive and helping people that some find a little off-putting. Do not let that bother you. Everybody here has a not
so secret agenda. That agenda is to see that you get to understand and enjoy what being a coach owner can do for you and yours. This is something we
all know as appreciate. We will enjoy guiding your plan.

About this community... Please build a sigfile to help us. It should have your name (it will save some awkwardness when you meet other owners), and
short about the coach (73s have a lot that was different) and we don't even know if it is 23 or 26, and a geographic reference so those that might
like to help, know if they are in striking range. What model it is does not matter. Some of us still don't know what actual model our coach was
shipped as, but it hardly matters.

We have had people show up at an International with a bare coach that had a sleeping bag, a portable euphemism and not much more. There is another
thing you should look for, and that is the "parts coaches" that are around. Any of those can be a source of both inspiration and maybe parts.

You said it is a 73. If you drove it home, that is a good start. If it has not been hacked to HEI, do not do this without talking to me. There is
no reason to hammer the air filter housing into submission when there are simpler modifications that serve at least as well.

The interiors of the '73 and 4 coaches were all assembled in a not very large plant in Pontiac MI. There was no magic there, just lots of plywood and
drawings. They made up lots of pieces, opened up the back, walked then in and screwed them down. You say it was "gutted". That may be a great
starting point. You gave us no clue where you are, but odds are real good that you are in striking range of one of the new old friends that you need
to meet. If you look over at GMCMIhttps://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fgmcmi.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C3bbcbd1e4576430796b608d91a0d2ac8%7C84df9e7 fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637569466351233879%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C10 00&sdata=TojBTPC0yQB9C5GLWlPloydBkW6L6DngTfLsCiFmRmA%3D&reserved=0 you should be able to identify a local chapter, and if you pull up the "Black's" list, there is
probably one of those new old friends you can talk to today. You should make every effort to get to a local rally as soon as you can. The presence
of the coach is not important. Getting to look at others is important. Getting to meet other owners is very important.

I spent a lot of my life among watermen. This community so reminds me of them that I have taken to welcoming new owners here much as any new owner or
vessel would be welcomed there. So,

May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within her.

Welcome Brian

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:

[GMCnet] Re: Hey everyone! New to the motorhome world. [message #364120 is a reply to message #364098] Tue, 18 May 2021 20:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Wonbyanose is currently offline  Wonbyanose   United States
Messages: 16
Registered: April 2021
Karma: 0
Junior Member
Thank you Doug that was impressive.

Brian

On Mon, May 17, 2021, 10:43 PM Douglas Smith wrote:

> Welcome B,
> You will find in this place a group of people who have come to appreciate
> the magnificent set of compromises and the manageable set of issues that
> these coaches present. As my family is fond of saying: "It's a great
> traveler and a great sitter." As GM would say: "It doesn't ride like a
> truck. It
> doesn't look like a box." This forum is served by people with decades of
> knowledge of this coach and everything automotive. There are many
> differences
> of opinion, but you can trust what you read here. People are always trying
> something new, or an enhancement nobody's tried before, but they're always
> upfront about it. The tried and true (hundreds of times) is always
> available, and often with the newest part numbers at your local autoparts
> store.
> For something specific to this coach, there are a number of vendors
> dedicated to the GMC who offer free advice and literally ANY part for your
> coach.
> It's been a cliche on this forum for a long time that 30K-50K yields a
> safe-modern coach no matter where you start from. With the help of this
> forum,
> a 40+ year old motorhome easily competes with ANYTHING for value and
> utility available for sale today. 14K or so built/9K or so still around
> today
> should tell you something about value. As long as gasoline-at-the-pump is
> available, the GMC is likely to have the best ROI on a camping/touring
> vehicle around. Just My Opinion. If you think it suits you, join us for a
> great ride. Safe Journeys.
> Doug
> --
> Douglas & Virginia Smith,
> dsmithy18 at gmail,
> Lincoln Nebraska,
> ’73 “Sequoia” since ‘95: "Wanabizo";
> Quadrabag/6 wheel disks/3:70 final/Paterson QuadraJet/Thorley’s/Alloy
> wheels/Sundry other
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
[GMCnet] Re: Hey everyone! New to the motorhome world. [message #364122 is a reply to message #364111] Tue, 18 May 2021 20:38 Go to previous message
Wonbyanose is currently offline  Wonbyanose   United States
Messages: 16
Registered: April 2021
Karma: 0
Junior Member
Wow Matt I must say you people are really enthusiastic bunch. Thanks for
the pointers. I am no mechanic by any means but part of the attraction to
this was its uniqueness and its age. I can do brakes I can change a carb or
a fuel pump. In the 70's that was easy. 2 bolts here 4 bolts there. Hoping
to keep it where I can manage it. I know there's a lot more to it than that
but I am excited for the challenge. Thanks again for the warm welcome.

Be safe.

B

On Tue, May 18, 2021, 9:56 AM Matt Colie wrote:

> B(rian),
>
> I am back with time to write today.
> We are all very glad that you found your way here. You do know we were
> all born knowing everything we needed to know about GMCs - Right?
> To this end, just try to ask a question that we can't answer... (Sure)
>
> The most important thing about being an owner of a TZE is not the new big
> toy, you can get that anywhere, it is the community that this connects you
> to. This is a community of supportive and helping people that some find a
> little off-putting. Do not let that bother you. Everybody here has a not
> so secret agenda. That agenda is to see that you get to understand and
> enjoy what being a coach owner can do for you and yours. This is something
> we
> all know as appreciate. We will enjoy guiding your plan.
>
> About this community... Please build a sigfile to help us. It should have
> your name (it will save some awkwardness when you meet other owners), and
> short about the coach (73s have a lot that was different) and we don't
> even know if it is 23 or 26, and a geographic reference so those that might
> like to help, know if they are in striking range. What model it is does
> not matter. Some of us still don't know what actual model our coach was
> shipped as, but it hardly matters.
>
> We have had people show up at an International with a bare coach that had
> a sleeping bag, a portable euphemism and not much more. There is another
> thing you should look for, and that is the "parts coaches" that are
> around. Any of those can be a source of both inspiration and maybe parts.
>
> You said it is a 73. If you drove it home, that is a good start. If it
> has not been hacked to HEI, do not do this without talking to me. There is
> no reason to hammer the air filter housing into submission when there are
> simpler modifications that serve at least as well.
>
> The interiors of the '73 and 4 coaches were all assembled in a not very
> large plant in Pontiac MI. There was no magic there, just lots of plywood
> and
> drawings. They made up lots of pieces, opened up the back, walked then in
> and screwed them down. You say it was "gutted". That may be a great
> starting point. You gave us no clue where you are, but odds are real good
> that you are in striking range of one of the new old friends that you need
> to meet. If you look over at GMCMIhttp://gmcmi.com you should be able to
> identify a local chapter, and if you pull up the "Black's" list, there is
> probably one of those new old friends you can talk to today. You should
> make every effort to get to a local rally as soon as you can. The presence
> of the coach is not important. Getting to look at others is important.
> Getting to meet other owners is very important.
>
> I spent a lot of my life among watermen. This community so reminds me of
> them that I have taken to welcoming new owners here much as any new owner or
> vessel would be welcomed there. So,
>
> May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within
> her.
>
> Welcome Brian
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL,
> GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum
> Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
Previous Topic: Sun Visor
Next Topic: magic chef oven gas valve
Goto Forum:
  


Current Time: Wed Oct 02 05:30:17 CDT 2024

Total time taken to generate the page: 0.08207 seconds