Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » STUPID ME, well, yeah! (The SOB waltz)
| STUPID ME, well, yeah! [message #220353] |
Thu, 29 August 2013 14:21  |
Michael Bozardt
Messages: 367
Registered: January 2007
Location: College Station, Texas
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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Some GMEer's have Some Other Brand(SOB) motorhomes. I thought that was a good idea. After months of searching, we bought one, 36ft, GM 8.1 engine. Even had a bath-and-a half. Money down, loan, the whole nine yards. Fortunately, we kept the GMC.
So many things were wrong with that coach that we devoted a year to fixing them so we could sell it. Though it was easy to drive on the road, it was the ultimate money pit. Couldn't wait to sell it and did at PPL Motorhomes here in Houston. Even that cost another $2747 in repairs. Thank God it is gone and never again.
Anyone doubting Jim Bounds claims as to the GMC motorhome being the best value should rethink what he has said and written on his web site. I now totally concur.
Should you find the urge to purchase an SOB, heed this advice.
a) Have it checked out by a reputable dealer, i.e. one that you have verifiable evidence they are honest, thorough and fair priced. Ours was not, and was unknown to us but we felt since they were prior military, well, you know.
b) Be prepared for them missing things like a water leak for the fridge ice maker in a connecting hose, or a part in a toilet that isn't functioning properly.
c)Be prepared for expensive tires or flat repair. Twenty-two inch tires are like $500 each. Fortunately, ours had new tires but many have outdated tires so look for the tire dates until you find them-may be on the inside of the tire under the coach out of sight. Even so, it had a flat while stored-bad valve stem extension. Cost, $60 to air up plus the new valve stem extension.
d) Looks great on the lot, but some of the road gunk may be very reluctant to come off-ask me how I know. Many hours with various compounds to remove I don't rightly know what this film like stuff was.
e) Look under mats for hidden carpet stains or signs of leaks and walk the floor to find soft spots which indicate water damage. Will likely not be visible underneath.
f) Be sure all sewer valves underneath close properly or you will have a drain pipe full of liquid when you first attempt to drain the holding tanks.
Should I go on??
GMCs are all old-period! However, they are mostly straight forward. Not a lot of electronics to keep you guessing and we have really good, if few, technicians for parts and service.
Drivable-yeah, first class, the best view from the driver's seat of any RV. You can change, or have changed, almost anything you don't like. Want better seats? Easy! Need more power, no problem. Larger bed? Can do!
We have spent a lot on our GMC over 12 years, but I don't regret it because it all helped us enjoy it more and have confidence it will get where it is going. To be honest, we have been towed in but others have not-ever. It largely depends on the coach and the care it has had before and since you bought it. Vehicles are so reliable now that we tend to forget what we had in the 70's. I had loads of minor issues with my 1972 Datsun 240-Z before I finally got them ironed out. The car was "okay"-I kept it for 35 years, restored it and likely will get it back someday. In 2011, I met original owners of a GMC M/H still enjoying it. How many others are there like that? By the way, how many coaches do you see from the 80s and 90s today, much less the 70s? Speaks to quality, or the lack thereof, don't it. In 1987 we bought a new Rexhall motorhome. I have not seen one on the road for years though we sometimes see the newer ones. Also, how many mfgs have either gone under or merged with another, like Monaco and Holiday Rambler?
We are in out 70s but have decided to retain a GMC M/H for the duration until we can no longer drive it. As I said, we have learned our lesson.
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