| Re: [GMCnet] Considerations for a Southwest GMC [message #197585] |
Wed, 06 February 2013 16:20 |
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Per usual, Rob always answers the questions point by point.
Rob, I've come to expect that from you. Keep up the reputation.
I'll only add one thing. If you're heading into the sun on a warm day a single 13.5 A/C may be marginally OK. It'll depend on the dash system in the coach. For that reason look for an aux A/C in the dash or else look for the 77 or 78 model that had the best of the three styles of dash air. Of course, if you have two roof units you just may chill to the bone. That glass area up front is nice for visibility and even better for growing vegetables and flowers since it's such a greenhouse. It can be as bad as the rolling greenhouse American Motors had back in the 70's.
Byron Songer
Louisville, KY
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "Robert Mueller" <robmueller@iinet.net.au>
> To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
> Date: 02/06/13 17:07
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Considerations for a Southwest GMC
>
> Richard,
>
> I will respond to your questions with OPINIONS based on my experience.
>
> TWIN ROOFTOP A/C'S - last summer Helen and I drove west to New Mexico then chucked a right and headed north. We spent a fair number
> of days in 95°F+ heat and the single 13,500BTU roof air was adequate. However, the year before that I had added a second 13,500BTU
> roof air in the bedroom. I did that mainly because if the front one crapped out I'd have a backup. I bought them both from
> AdventureRV on sale for around $450 and JohnS and I installed them both. IIRC at a rally I attended a GMCer had has roof A/C fail
> and he wound up having a new ONE installed by an RV company (Camping World?) and it cost him over $1000. We usually use the second
> A/C to pull the temp in Double Trouble down quickly when we first arrive at an RV park. I use it when I take a shower, the bathroom
> door on Double Trouble can be opened and hooked to the opposite side which "seals" off the back and to dry off I step out of the
> bathroom and into the aisle between the twin beds.
>
> TINTED WINDOWS - Double Trouble has tinted windows but they need re-tinting as it's starting to peel off. While it will cut down on
> heat gain I reckon it's primary function is privacy. HOWEVER, keep in mind at night with the lights on in the GMC it don't help! ;-)
> Awnings will keep direct sunlight out and help reduce heat gain.
>
> LARGER RADIATOR - If the cooling system in your GMC is as built by GMC and in good working order you shouldn't have any overheating
> problems. When a trans cooler that was attached to the OEM radiator with plastic tie wraps tore the tubes in the radiator I replaced
> it with the aluminum radiator. The cooling provided by the aluminum radiator far surpasses the OEM radiator, however, as I noted to
> start with there's nothing wrong with the OEM system IF it is in good shape. The size of the radiator in a GMC is restricted by the
> radiator frame.
>
> BIGGER / BETTER WATER PUMP - There are a number of iterations of the water pump. The original OEM pump had a 4 3/4" cast iron
> impeller (IIRC), rebuilt units can have smaller stamped steel impellers which are OK too.
>
> ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP - Double Trouble has a small Facet pump in the fuel line that runs from the Aux tank to the selector valve. When
> I switch to Aux it comes on and pumps fuel at 2-4 psi to the mechanical fuel pump. It stops vapor lock instantly. However, there is
> a downside to this setup, if your mechanical fuel pump has a weak diaphragm it could cause it to fail and fill your oil pan with
> gasoline. GeneF reported here that a bad fuel pump that wiped out a couple of engines. It blew up the first then the rebuilder
> installed it on the new engine. Personally I don't blame the second on the pump; I reckon that was "pilot error." After battling
> with vapor lock last summer which was exacerbated by altitude when driving through the Rockies I've come to the conclusion the best
> thing is in tank fuel pumps.
>
> RADIATOR FAN SHROUD - nothing wrong with the OEM design, however, the aftermarket split type make maintenance easier.
>
> LARGER BETTER OIL COOLER - nothing wrong with the OEM oil cooler in the radiator, however, if you tow a vehicle and experience high
> oil temperatures an external oil cooler would be good. You'll have to install an aftermarket gage to see what the engine oil temps
> are.
>
> ENGINE MONITORING (I.E BETTER GAUGES) - the gages in the GMC are adequate, however, the Digi-Panel is a very good aftermarket
> accessory.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Richard Andis
>
> Starting some preliminary searches for a motorhome. I'll be moving from the Pacific Northwest to the Southwest in the next couple of
> months.
>
> What items should one consider when owning and operating a GMC motorhome in the Southwest area (specifically the in the Hell Paso
> area).
>
> Twin rooftop ACs?
> Tinted windows?
>
> Larger Radiator?
> Bigger/Better water pump?
> Electric Fuel pump (or other anti-vaporlock items)?
> Radiator Fan Shroud?
> Larger/Better oil cooler?
> Engine monitoring (I.E better gauges)
>
> Walküre (1974 VW Thing) Future Toad,
> Official GMC Motorhome Lurker and Coveter
>
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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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