GMC Vintage RVing magazine – Winter 2021 by CEVA Design

Winter 2021 | Issue 154

GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONAL

A magazine dedicated to promoting the legacy and use of GMC Motorhomes

The GMC Motorhome TZE Number

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Surviving the Storm

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New Discovery! GMCMH Flat Rate Manual

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A GMC Motorhome Original Owner

[

Technical Corner

president’s corner

GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONAL

GMC Motorhomes International was founded in 1982 by Ralph Luby >> GMC Motorhomes International 1402 So Cage Blvd, Unit 273 Pharr, TX 78577 | 612-501-4600 admin@gmcmi.com | gmcmi.com

I sincerely hope that this is the last time I have to open this column with a cancellation notice, but such is life when a world wide pandemic called COVID is turning our lives upside down.

>> GMC Vintage RVing Magazine Published quarterly for members of GMC Motorhomes International. Managing Editor | Graphic Designer Kimberlea Weeks | 612-501-4600 admin@gmcmi.com Editor Janet Frey | 215-536-9064 freyjanetr@yahoo.com >> Online Version A digital flipbook version of the magazine is available online at gmcmi.com/gmc-vintage-rving/. >> GMC Article and Part Number Submission Please send article contributions and newly found part number crossovers to the managing editor. >> GMCMI.com Website 612-501-4600 | admin@gmcmi.com >> Disclaimer Articles are contributed by members and others which are published as a service to members. Accuracy is not guaranteed. Independent verification is urged. ©2021 GMC Motorhomes International

2020-21 GMCMI Board of Directors Dolph Santorine President

Gary Coaster VP Western

Margie McLaughlin Jerry Work VP Northeast VP Northwest David Blackshear VP Eastern

Kim Weeks VP Administration

Lou Boone VP Southeast

Janet Frey Secretary

Randy Van Winkle VP South Central

Fred Hudspeth Treasurer

John Pryzbylek VP Great Lakes

John Smyrski Director

Lucy Weidner VP Midwest

Keith Weeks Director

Emery Stora VP Rocky Mountain

Stan Edwards Past President

Non-Discrimination Statement: GMCMI is committed to maintaining an environment of non-discrimination and noncoercion on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, handicap, or political preferences.

Dolph Santorine

Our Patterson, Louisiana “Cajun Crazy” Convention was cancelled by unanimous vote of the board of directors. Again, a complex decision, but one that I think will serve GMCMI and all of us well. So, that is the third cancellation in the record books.

The speed with which the vaccinations are getting out there has been breathtaking in so many states. It just was not fast enough to salvage our Spring Convention. I am hearing from so many members that they have their vaccinations and are raring to go. I believe Summer 2021 will see many of us out and about. Much of what I have read says that nationally we should have the pandemic well in hand by the Fall of this year.

So, Welcome Back! Mark your calendar for the “Welcome Back Convention”, September 24-30 in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Since we are setting records, let’s see if we can break a recent attendance record with this one! Yes, it is time, and I am looking forward to seeing you there! The GMC Motorhome Parts Interchange Index... GMCMI is all about community, and one of our best projects continues to be the “Parts Interchange Index”. It is driven by those who drive GMC Motorhomes. Parts are changing all the time, and it is the information that you provide to Kim Weeks for the interchange is essential. Additions? Deletions? No longer available? Send them in and let’s keep the parts interchange the best in vintage!

“Looking forward to the future. ”

The updated latest and greatest GMCMH Parts Interchange Index will be mailed out in the Spring mailing. You do not want to miss it. It truly is one of the most important things to have when traveling in your GMC! That is the gentle reminder to send in your 2021 dues.

The GMCMI Board of Directors... Well run organizations like GMCMI are few and far between, and the committees impart great wisdom when keeping to the spirit of the by-laws. Online – DOLPH SANTORINE, GMCMI PRESIDENT meetings are great for a lot of things, but not so much for things like selecting nominees for those all important leadership positions. To that end, the executive committee has recommended to defer elections to the Fall Convention of 2022. The board members have agreed and will continue to serve until then. It is truly turning into a long haul for many board members, as cancelling Conventions is hard work and no fun. Thank you for your service. Looking Ahead to 2024! The GMCMI Spring Convention will be a truly galactic and celestial proportions! We are going to be right in the path of a total solar eclipse. The Convention will be April 3-9, 2024 in Mineola, Texas which is about a close to the centerline of the event as possible. Plan for this early, it is BIG, and you do not want to miss it! The actual eclipse will be April 8, 2024. Be well. Travel safe and if I do not see you at a rally this summer, I hope to see you this fall in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin at the GMCMI “Welcome Back Convention”!

2021 Dues Notice Renew your 2021 dues online at gmcmi.com/joinrenew-2 or renew by mail. Send a check or money order – $40 US dollars to: Kim Weeks | GMCMI, 1402 So Cage Blvd, Unit 273, Pharr, TX 78577-6288

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4 Congratulations GMCMI eNews, a member benefit.

GMCMI Status Membership stands at 1,002. We have 71 new members since our last publication. Refer a new member today! Receive a $10 voucher which can be used towards renewal of GMCMI dues, products, apparel, or fees for a Convention.

CONTENTS WINTER 2020

The GMC GMCMI . . . AMotorhome New Era TZE Number

Keep informed about GMCMI Events and Members. Join us at facebook.com/ GMCMI

4 | IN SEARCH OF THE TZE NUMBER

6 | DECODING OF THE TZE NUMBER 8 | VERIFYING THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE

DEPARTMENTS

8 | MORE FOUND...NUMBERS, TAGS, & STICKERS

2 President’s Corner 10 FMCA Report

BEWARE OF CONTENTS SCAMS CONTENTS 11 GMCMH Vendor Profile

Read the flipbook version of the GMC Vintage RVing magazine online at gmcmi.com

12 GMC Motorhome History

13 Technical Corner

22 GMCMH Suppliers List

WINTER 2020

24 Classified Ads

26 Regional GMCMH W I N T EActivities R 2021 27 GMCMH Events Calendar

DEPARTMENTS

GMCMI . . . A New Era

2 President’s Corner 4 16 Letters to the Editor 17 GMC Motorhome History 1 8 Generally Speaking 19 GMCMH Vendor Profile 17Technical Corner 20 29 DEPARTMENTS GMCMH Suppliers List 2 President’s 31 Classified Ads Corner 32 GMC Motorhome 10 FMCA Report Trivia Questions 33 Regional GMCMH Activities 11 GMCMH Vendor Profile 35 GMCMH Calendar 12 GMC Events Motorhome History

10 | SURVIVING THE STORM

Beinformed part of the Keep about GMC Community GMCMI Events Facebook page by and Members. sharing photos of Joinour us at our GMCs, facebook.com/ GMCs, adventures adventures andand GMCMI those important technical questions. Join us at facebook.com/ groups/vintage gmcmotorhomes/

BEWARE OF SCAMS

11 | NEW DISCOVERY! GMC MOTORHOME FLAT RATE MANUAL

13 Technical CornerON THE COVER Pictured along the banks of Lake Pepin on the Minnesota sideList looking at Wisconsin is a 1976 Palm Beach owned by Tim and Niki 22 GMCMH Suppliers

Anderson of Hugo, Minnesota. This coach features a rear bed, wet bath, side 24 Classified Ads kitchen ON THE COVER | Picture perfect is a with oak countertop along with bunks above the sofa. The coach is mostly original interior with the original paint job on the outside plus Alcoa 26 Regional GMCMH Activities completely renovated 1973 GMC Glacier wheels, recently rebuilt 455 engine, Carefree awning, Sully style air bags, owned Kelvin and Events Cindy Dietz from 27byGMCMH Calendar and air horn. They purchased it in 2013 with ~40,000 miles on the odometer Eugene, Oregon. The Heceta Head from friends of the original owners in Kansas. They plan on installing fuel Lighthouse, perched atop 1,000-footinjection this Spring in preparation for a trip from Minnesota to California. high Heceta Head, is one of theWhen mostnot on vacation, almost every other weekend from spring thru fall they travel to campgrounds, car shows, parades, pumpkin patch, tailgating at the photographed on the coast near Florence, racetrack, Oregon. The light atop the 56-foot towerGMC rallies, and all sorts of other activities. They proudly show their coach at the car shows. Pictured are Cooper (9), Logan (7), Nash (5), was first illuminated in 1894. Its automated and Remington aka Remi the golden doodle (3 months). beacon is seen 21 miles from land and is rated 12 | A GMC MOTORHOME as the strongest light on the Oregon coast. ORIGINAL OWNER

Read the flipbook version of the GMC Vintage RVing magazine online at gmcmi.com Technical Support, Parts Interchange, History and More! GMCMI.com Be part of the GMC Community Facebook page by sharing photos of our GMCs, adventures and Shop for specialized those important GMCMH items and technicalmagazines! questions. previous Join us at thegmcmhstore.com facebook.com/ groups/vintage INTERNATIONAL 3 gmcmotorhomes/

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In search of...

The GMC Motorhome TZE BY BILL BRYANT | PLEASANT VALLEY, NEW YORK | PREVIOUS OWNER 1976 PALM BEACH

Every so often an owner or potential owner is unsure not only where to find “that official number”, but just what does that jumble of letters and numbers mean. We hope to clear this mystery up right here.

1 FIREWALL Primary VIN/TZE aluminum plate embossed with weights and TZE number, riveted with special rivets to firewall behind passenger access door.

On every GMC Motorhome there are four locations where the TZE number is shown. Let’s search for those locations... 1973-1974

1975-1978

2 DRIVER’S AREA Federal Safety Standards sticker located on the side panel to the left of the driver’s knee.

1975-1978

1973-1974

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Number GMC

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

GMC

3 GLOVE BOX

1973-1974

Service Parts Identification sticker in glove box identifies TZE number, dates, options, and other details.

On the back

NOTE: About the first 500 of the 1973 coaches had the last four TZE sequence number positions BLANK, so go to other locations. 1975-1978

1973 sticker

1976 Palm Beach sticker

4 GMC MOTORHOME FRAME Located on the drivers side from the center of the bogey mount forward to the center of the number is 54”. It is stamped upside down - 1 1/2” from top of frame. This photo is from a 1978 coach (8), sequence number (1335) = 8V101335.

Motorhome Frame Rail

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decoding of...

The GMC Motorhome TZE The following information should be used to decode the letters and numbers used for TZE identification. Vin Decoder T Z E 0 1 2 3 6 3 7 V 1 0 2359

Example: TZE167V102359 Manufactured by General Motors Three axle motorhome Gasoline Engine Interior Code GM interior from 1973 to 1974 GM interior from 1975 to 1978 Twin bed interior for 1976 and 1977 Transmode (sold without interior or windows) Model Code 260 (26 feet long) 230 (23 feet long) Model Year In this case, it would be 1977 Manufacturing Plant Code Pontiac, Michigan First digit of production series number All production started with a “1” in this position Second digit of production series number Since total production was less than 13,000, all GMC units had a “0” in this position Production sequence number Reset to “0” each year

The following list identifies the model number located on the Service Parts Identification sticker (first line). ZE0 6581 = 26’ GMC MHs with “standard” GMC interior, all years ZE0 6582 = 26’ Edgemonte ZE0 6083 = 23’ GMCMHs 1973 and 1974 ZE0 6584 = 26’ GMCMH twin bed ZE0 6083 = 23’ Transmode 1975 to 1978 ZE0 6583 = 26’ Transmode 1975 to 1978

Additional information from Bill Bryant... Model identification by interior décor: www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3516-gmc-mh-model-identification-by-interior.html The scanned images are pages of various brochures. These are assembled and grouped to make comparison relatively easy. Production changes: www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3475-production-changes-page1.html There are photos with captions of various changes to production that are of interest. For example, the door latch.

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Number

(Vehicle Identification Number)

which model is it? GMC

GMC

One of the most asked questions by a new GMC Motorhome owner is often, “How do I tell which model I have”? This may be easy for an original coach since it is printed in big letters in three places on the outside. As the paint and interior items are changed over a 40-plus-year-period, it now becomes much more difficult. The details here will hopefully enable you to determine the answer to this sometimes difficult question.

being the supplying vendor using Flexsteel furniture and Collins & Aikman upholstery materials. Model identification was now somewhat easier since exterior colors and trim were usually unique to model and the Service Parts Information sticker on the glove box identified the model name and color. With the 1975 through 1978 models, many things changed. There were new models with new names, new colors, and many mechanical upgrades. The Transmode first offered for 1975 was essentially a blank slate to be filled out for any need or purpose you desired. This now meant that there were many upfitters out there and little in the way of records was left behind for us to determine the vehicle details. Coachmen was a major Transmode upfitter with the Royale and Birchaven models. Below, we show their identification, which was a serial number stamped on the rear frame cross member.

Starting with just the 1973 GMC Motorhome model there were: • Four different motorhome models • Two motorhome lengths, 23’ and 26’ • Six exterior paint colors: three standard and three optional • Four 23’ floor plans • Eleven 26’ floor plans Let’s not quite yet get into the other five years of models and the many Transmode upfitters until we resolve some 1973 and 1974 questions. The 1973 and 1974 models are the most difficult to identify since once the interiors are changed, there is no documented record on the vehicle itself. Exterior paint is only a partial clue as four of the six colors are used on multiple models. Only Sky Blue (Glacier) and Parrot Green (Sequoia) are unique to the model. Sequoia has one other clue – only this model uses a simulated birch interior wood tone on the modules, while the other three models all use a teakwood tone. The clues that are left behind are often our only option. That would be those pieces of original interior materials or rugs trapped under modules, original paint on the firewall behind the front access doors, and perhaps the model names were not completely sanded off before the repaint. Or possibly the “Gemini Traveler” upfitter worksheet left behind on the water tank or behind the refrigerator. The 1975 GMC Motorhome interiors were now brought in house in Pontiac, Michigan with Grand Rapids Furniture Co.

Following is more helpful information: Service Parts Identification Label

If the motorhome was furnished with a GMC interior, the label in the glove box identifies the interior finish model, except for the 1973 and 1974 models. Regular Production Option Number Model 641 Kingsley 681 Glenbrook 683 Edgemonte 685 Coca Cola 690 Sequoia 692 Painted Desert 693 Glacier 695 Canyon Lands 696 Eleganza SE 697 Eleganza II 698 Palm Beach

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verifying the date BY JANET FREY | MILFORD SQUARE, PENNSYLVANIA | PREVIOUS OWNER 1976 PALM BEACH

There have been many comments about the GMC Community, and how much support there is for GMC Motorhome owners. Here is a story that will show another facet of the Community. GMC Motorhome owner and GMCMI member Neil Catlow who lives in the United Kingdom was having an issue regarding the Historic Vehicle tax class. In April 2018, the UK government introduced free road tax and no vehicle testing for “historic vehicles” built before 1978. They needed a confirmation of the build date. So, Neil contacted GMCMI asking for an explanation of the TZE number and its relevance to the date issue. Of course, he thought that simply completing a form at the tax office would suffice, or perhaps he would need a letter from GMCMI. In May 2018, he received a detailed letter asking for more dating evidence to verify the date of manufacture. Reading the letter provides a perfect test of your favorite headache remedy! After consulting with Bill Bryant as to the intricacies of the TZE number and the

status of his 1977 Birchaven as a Transmode, Neil was able to locate a group called GM Media Archive, who could apparently supply an original invoice (the archive starts with 1976 and beyond). So, he contacted them, and they responded with a detailed letter, which read: Good morning Neil, Thank you for your interest in the GM Media Archive. Please fill out the attached order form to assist with your on-line request for a vehicle invoice for your 1977 GMC Motorhome. The vehicle invoice is the documentation of the vehicle cost broken out by model and factory options. It contains the original ship to dealer information, MSRP and invoice number that General Motors used to bill the dealer. The invoices are archived on microfilm, microfiche, CD, and is organized by VIN number. Vehicle Invoices are printed from microfilm or microfiche then scanned and emailed as an Adobe PDF for $50 USD. If you would like to obtain a vehicle invoice please complete the form including payment information and return. Once received we will begin researching for your vehicles invoice. Thank you and have a great day! GMMA Team, Allied Vaughn Livonia, MI 48150 p. 734-261-5086 f. 734-261-5216 BE SURE TO CHECK OUT www.gmmediaarchive.com www.gmphotostore.com

MORE FOUND...

Numbers, tags, and stickers There are even more numbers, tags and stickers on a GMC Motorhome. Generally, they are of no value in determining the TZE. Here are two examples: RVIA badge on all RVs, GMC plate on about 20% of GMC Motorhomes, state decal applied as required.

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of manufacture By the end of May, Neil was informed that the payment had been received and that the response could be expected in 5 to 10 days. Finally, in July 2018, Neil reported that he was successful in getting the motorhome registered as “Historic” in the UK, so no more road tax or MOT needed. He was very appreciative, and it was wonderful to have this additional information for the GMC Community. By the way, Neil says, “the essential piece of documentation was the copy of the original invoice dated 10-12-76 to the Cadillac dealer McFarlane in Birmingham (Alabama). I found a McFarlane bumper badge in the motorhome under the driver’s seat a couple of years ago. The Cadillac dealer is still at this address but it is now Crest and they do not reply to emails so I have no info on the first owner”.

The GMC Motorhome Registry The Registry website is where owners of a GMC Motorhome or GMC Transmode are encouraged to register their names and the coach’s TZE number (VIN). The information, which is of historical significance, is used only by, and for, owners of these vintage vehicles.

Coachmen serial number at rear cross member, passenger side. 1288 403557

Visit www.gmcmhregistry.com

Read more about the Coachmen Birchaven and Royale in the Fall 2016 issue of GMC Vintage RVing magazine: www.gmcmi.com/gmc-vintage-rving/

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Surviving the Storm Patricia Schenk | 1973 Canyon Land | Granger, Indiana We usually close our South Bend/Elkhart North KOA campground in midNovember for the Winter break. We look forward to becoming snowbirds, avoiding the colder weather. Years ago, we started volunteer work at federal fish hatcheries. For some hours worked, they provide you a full hook-up site on hatchery property. We were in Texas for several years, moved to Louisiana for another couple of years, and now we stay in Arkansas. We live full-time in our 1973 GMC Canyon Lands during our winter break. As many of you know, this year the Polar Vortex collapsed and the consequences were record low temperatures and record high snowfall amounts. Being a snowbird got a whole different meaning. Let me tell you about it. It started with a couple of days of snowfall and cooler temperatures. Nothing unusual, every year we got a couple of freezing days and nights, rain, sleet, or even snow. But boy, this year was different! Around mid-February the temperature dropped below freezing for a couple of weeks with heavy snow fall and bitter cold winds. This was the coldest we ever have camped with the low at -2F during the night and during the day the high was around the lower 20s. And all that snow! So how did we survive in our GMC? First of all, we never had any power outages. Secondly, before the bad weather started, we prepared ourselves arranging some 2x6 boards right before the rear wheels creating a wind-break underneath. We wrapped our water filter and softener in bubble foil as well. We have a macerator pump with a 1” sewer hose, which we placed inside a PVC pipe, so it was protected from the winds. A heated water hose and heat tape around the macerator pump and water softener kept us going and the water from freezing. Importantly, we coordinated the use of the bathroom and kitchen, so after using water for cooking, showers, or whatever, we emptied the tank (contrary to what should be done in normal weather). That way, we made sure the blackwater tank could not freeze. We also kept our fresh water tank empty. We were lucky and we lived thru the coldest weather ever. We had two electric space and radiant heaters going plus the stock propane furnace was running almost constantly. Looking back, it was fun!

Thomas Jetzer

Patricia Schenk

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Our 17-year-old cat, Chili

New Discovery!

GMC Motorhome Flat Rate Manual BY JANET FREY | GMC VINTAGE RVING MAGAZINE EDITOR

Many of our GMCMI members not only have an interest in the GMC Motorhome, but have or have had connections to the RV industry. Such a fellow is ERV TROYER of Lagrange, Indiana. Recently, we had a chance to chat about his involvement with RVs. Erv worked in the RV industry most of his life, which is not surprising since he lives so close to the RV capitals of Elkhart, Middlebury, and Goshen. He was working for Duo-Therm in the early 80s when he encountered a GMC Motorhome. At that time, the GMC was out of production, but a dealer from Michigan had provided a GMC Motorhome for use at the Duo-Therm plant. In the early years (1973 and 1974) GMC used the Suburban furnace followed by the Sol-Aire furnace (1975 thru mid 1977). When the Sol-Aire furnace was no longer available, they wanted some way to replace that model with a Duo-Therm model. Erv was given the job of writing up a set of instructions for removing the Sol-Aire furnace and replacing it with a special version of a Duo-Therm furnace. The last few years of the GMC coach production they used this special version of a Duo-Therm furnace. This version had an extra relay to energize the blower under the kitchen counter that helped move the air that went to the bathroom, as that duct went all the way to the rear of the coach, then up to the bathroom. This extra blower was to help the air get all that way to the bathroom. This furnace also used a special vent that was designed for the curved side of the GMC. Erv became the go-to-guy at Duo-Therm when it came to heating and air conditioning.

it was a Palm Beach, but he knew that the Palm Beach model was not manufactured until 1975. So he did some research and found that the original owner had made some “adjustments” because he really liked the Palm Beach colors. Erv is pretty sure it was actually a Sequoia. So we decided that he may have a Sequoia masquerading as a Palm Beach! After his time at Duo-Therm Erv continued to work in the RV industry at Coachmen and KZ RV, doing design work using AutoCad software. Even though he is retired, this busy fellow stays active with his GMC and traveling. He is happy to share his considerable knowledge of RV heating and air conditioning, which is a benefit to all of us! He continues to support our vintage vehicles, and recently donated a rare GMC Motorhome Flat Rate Manual (X-7427) to GMCMI which has been added to the literature available at www.gmcmi.com and the GMCMI Flashdrive. Many thanks to him for providing an interesting part of history for our unique vehicles. So, we hope to see Erv and his wife Emma at a future Convention. The GMC Motorhome Flat Rate Manual is presented to the membership for viewing. These manuals were meant for warranty work on new vehicles only. It certainly would not apply to 40+ year old vehicles that have deteriorated, been abused, or altered over the years.

The GMC Motorhome Flat Rate Manual can be found at www.gmcmi.com/gmcmh-manuals/

When Erv was working on the GMC Motorhome at Duo-Therm, he never thought he would actually own one. But, in 2000, he bought a 1974 GMC on eBay. He was told

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A GMC Motorhome Original Owner INTERVIEW BY BILL BRYANT | GMCMH HISTORIAN WRITTEN BY JANET FREY | GMC VINTAGE RVING MAGAZINE EDITOR

1973 Advertisement

In my search of history for the GMC Motorhome, a question I had wondered about was that of the original GMC Motorhome purchaser. What were their thoughts and ideas, and why did they choose the vehicle that they did? What was involved in the process of actually purchasing a new GMC Motorhome from a dealer? I just happen to have friends that I have known for probably 25 years that fit that description. Bernie and Marty (Martha) Seifert purchased a 1973 26 foot, Painted Desert GMC Motorhome TZE063V100543. It was a bright pineapple yellow. I interviewed them a short time ago, and I think that you will be interested in their story.

Bernie was a builder from Hopewell Junction, New York, and IBM was expanding here in Dutchess County. IBM new hires were looking for homes. It was a busy time. Bernie owned a 1967 Olds Toronado (still has it) and the family camping was done with a popup camper. The family was thinking of a trip to Alaska and looking to upgrade their camping equipment. Bernie was at the local Ski-Doo snowmobile dealer (less than 1/2 mile from where I now live) and noticed a different looking motorhome there. He asked about it and was invited to look inside. It was low, only one entry step, and was front-wheel drive. Since he owned a 1967 front-wheel drive Olds Toronado, he was confident it would perform very well. He liked the streamlined nose, it was not boxy like the Winnebago. It was a Travoy, one of several RVs using the Toronado front-wheel drive. (see the feature article in the GMC Vintage RVing, Spring 2020 magazine titled: “Motorhomes Using the Olds Engine and Front-Wheel Drive Train” at www.gmcmi.com/gmc-vintage-rving/) A few weeks later, he went to a RV show in New York City, and saw a bright yellow motorhome, very streamlined. Bernie really liked that since he was a licensed pilot and appreciated the aerodynamic styling. The colors attracted both he and Marty. Bernie went inside to check it out, up to the “flight deck,” sat in the seat and looked out the big windshield. It was something! The salesperson came in and noticed Bernie was holding the wheel in an upright position that did not look comfortable. The salesperson showed him that the steering wheel had a tilt position and that made Bernie smile. Marty had been standing outside looking through the GMC windshield and at that moment Marty knew that they were buying the motorhome! The tilt steering wheel did it as well as the 455 Olds motor. So, they ordered their motorhome at the show (February 12, 1973). Bernie explained that they would need extra beds since they had three sons, and he did not like the way the table went down. So the salesperson told them about the bunks. That provided space for the three sons plus one of their friends who often went camping with them. They used a table in the back as their dining room during the day. It worked out great.

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Bernie was told that when the motorhome was completed, he could pick it up at the Gemini plant in Mount Clemens, Michigan. So he did in June of 1973. I asked if he remembered if there were many GMC Motorhomes in the parking lot, and he did not think so. At the factory, he was shown the features, it came out the Gemini plant door and he drove it away. It was licensed, he put gas in it, and he drove it home. He said the trip home was problem free. At the GMC Motorhome dealership on Long Island, he had it serviced. He and Marty became good friends with the salesman Alex and his wife, Shirley. I asked if the dealership, McNamara Buick Pontiac in Port Jefferson Station, New York, had a separate GMC Motorhome sales and service facility, but Bernie said he did not think so. He noted that Alex headed the dealer’s GMC Motorhome sales division, probably because he owned a Travco Motorhome and had experience with the RV Community. I explained that the owner of Travco, Peter Fink, also owned Gemini. Bernie said that Alex sold many GMC Motorhomes, but kept driving his Travco (that was his baby). I asked Bernie if he remembered some details about the GMC Motorhome when he got it. Did it come with hubcaps? He said it was just wheels, and it had bias ply tires, too. I explained that the story with the wheels was that GMC would get truck wheels, sort them for the better balanced ones to use on the motorhomes, and use the others on trucks. I asked if Bernie had vibration problems, and he said...Yes! I mentioned that was a common problem, and that later GMC ground them to make them round and finally in 1976 went to radial tires. I asked Bernie, what was your experience having a new (very different) GMC Motorhome in 1973? Were people always asking, what is that? He said that everyone was amazed and pleased. But many still had the mindset of just camping, so the streamlined design as compared to the Winnebago did not seem to be as important as getting the family to the campground instead of the traveling. continued on next page

1973 Advertisement

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The Seifert’s First Trip Bernie said that the first trip that he and Marty took was to Alaska. Wow! He said he got home from the factory, got the GMC serviced, and got ready to go. When the kids got out of school, they loaded them up and left. Bernie said there were no problems. They took side trips, and went to the ends of all the Alaska roads because – he wanted to see Alaska! They visited his brother who lived in Anchorage, which was very rural then,

maybe only four square blocks, and he remembered that the tallest building had a clock on it. Bernie also noted that he had bought the GMC without an air conditioner or generator. He installed a truck battery which worked very well. The trip to Alaska was just the right thing for his kids at the time. The Alaska Highway was gravel, but he did not have a cracked windshield because he had it covered with Plexiglas. With the windshield protected, they did very well. However, on the way home, they stopped at the GMC Motorhome factory. He said he parked on the sidewalk, got the attention of the engineers and he said, “See that windshield?” There were stress cracks in the bottom of both windshields. They told him to replace them at the dealer when he got back home. The airbags and cones were replaced with ones with an updated design. There had been a problem with the early airbags “inverting” at the campgrounds, but not on the road. Bernie said those were the only problems: the airbags and the windshields.

The Seifert Boys 14

But, what a shakedown cruise! 14,000 miles. He thought that he should have been paid $100,000 for engineering and test driving. Who would take a new motorhome with three kids and a dog to Alaska! As far as

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other travel, they did more trips, but mostly on their own. Family life and business life dictated their plans. I asked if they ever got anything from GMC as far as flyers and updates, and he said...yes. I also asked him about the refrigerator. His was 12 volt/110 but not gas. There was no side or top refrigerator vent, but he never had cooling problems. He never got the vent or AC because he did not want to disturb the airflow over the motorhome skin. Marty’s Memories At this point, I invited Marty to add her comments to the story. She explained that they pretty much agreed on the decision to buy the motorhome. There had been a possibility that they would get a 5th wheel trailer, but when Bernie saw that tilt-wheel, that was it! She remembered the first trip to Alaska, traveling to Niagara Falls, to Canada, into Michigan where they did some touring, then Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Dakotas. They crossed into Canada, traveling through Banff to the Alaska Highway. Back then, there were pullouts where you could “camp.” She remembered that they pulled into one with their yellow motorhome, and closed up for the night. In the morning, it was cold, so they turned on

the heater and mosquitoes came out of the vents! They left there, continuing on the Alaska Highway. The yellow motorhome became black with the bugs and dirt. In Anchorage, they stayed a month and a half, enjoying the lobster and crab. From Anchorage, they went to Fairbanks and then the Top of the World Highway. This is a remote and dirt road literally on the top of the hills. On the way to Dawson City, they saw a gas station which looked like a wooden telephone booth. To get gas, you had to pump by hand. Almost 50 gallons, said Bernie! To get to Dawson City, you need to cross the Yukon River. Marty recalled that the ferry looked like something out of Huckleberry Finn. The operator said that they could drive onto the ferry, but he was waiting for one more vehicle. She said that when their motorhome drove onto the ferry, the ferry dropped and water ran onto the deck. Then they saw the other vehicle coming – an 18 wheeler truck full of asbestos ore. Once again the ferry dropped, and more water crept across the deck. Marty was ready to abandon ship! But, the ferry got underway, and it actually had to head slightly up river to compensate for the fast current. Finally in Dawson City, they spent the day there. Marty recounted how they saw an abandoned dredge (used during the gold mining days), and Bernie got the idea that

she should go up the road, and then come back toward him at high speed so he could get a picture of the motorhome with a rooster tail (of dirt). So, Marty went up the road, but it was quite a distance until she found a place to turn around. With her son’s help, she maneuvered the GMC around. It was quite an ordeal. By the time she got back to Bernie, he wondered why she didn’t go fast enough until later, when he saw where she had turned around. From Dawson City, they traveled back to the Alaska Highway, then to Banff, into the US and Washington, and on to Yellowstone. Marty remembered other trips that took them to Florida (Key West), and Texas, and four cross country trips. One February, they volunteered to build a house in Arizona. Marty mentioned that she had a little difficulty convincing the school to allow her to take the three boys out of class for the remainder of the school year. She had to explain the concept of home schooling, and eventually succeeded. There were so many opportunities for points of interest. One particular adventure was when they began their stay in Arizona. She found a book with all the poisonous critters. One day, they noticed a hole in the ground. It got bigger. Then her son mentioned that tarantulas live in holes. He eventually caught it, and kept it as a pet for three years. She had stories about rattlesnakes, too. Marty had lots of tales about their travels to Oregon, Napa Valley, Colorado, and of course Arizona. They mostly traveled on their own or with friends, but did

Bernie and Marty Seifert

do several trips with the GMC clubs, such as one in Nashville in 1976. In Closing My meeting of the Seiferts was somewhat unusual. I am usually the driver of our car, but this day for some reason my wife Nita was the driver. We were headed in the direction of Hopewell Junction and when I can be the passenger I enjoy checking the scenery. We passed a residence with about a 150-foot long driveway and I announced to Nita, “there is a GMC Motorhome back there”! Now my wife had accused me of being able to “smell” a GMC before you could see it, and I had only seen about a one-foot square piece of the top right rear corner. Maybe the pineapple yellow gave it away. I definitely did not smell it. On the way back I had to stop and that is when a new friendship began. The Seiferts are great folks and I thank them for putting up with my endless questions! The boys grew up and life goes on. The GMC was used less and it was time to move on. Someone broke the window and threw a railroad flare inside. The interior was ruined and that pretty much ended the use of the coach. Bernie sold it a few years later to Marty Reisdorf of North Java, New York. Marty’s plan was to stretch it but believe he never did. What a wonderful adventure in 1973 with a new GMC Motorhome.

WINTER 2021

GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONAL

Letters to the Editor

Spring 2020 | Issue

GMC MOTORHOMES

ed to promoting

A magazine dedicat

Brought to you by

151

INTERNATIONAL

the legacy and use

GMC Motorhom

of GMC Motorhomes

es International

GMC Motorhome Blogs and Websites [

The “Testing” Trip Of It’s Namesake

[

GMC Motorhome Vendor Profile

[

Flash From the Past

[

SUBMIT YOUR LETTERS TO ADMIN@GMCMI.COM

s– Living With Detour Just Follow the Signs

“Who Are Those Guys?”

We in the GMC Community are fortunate to have this young couple among us. Their wisdom and experience will assist us for years to come. I highly recommend you visit their website and soak in the marvelous things Justin and Kathleen have done. Me? I am going to print every bit of it if for no other reason than to lift me when I find something I don’t think I can handle. This is exactly the type of dynamic young people we need to carry on our GMC Motorhome heritage. In fact, the Spring 2020 issue of the magazine featured several younger generation owners, even one in Europe.

Spring 2020 Feature Article

Check out both magazines at: www.gmcmi.com/gmc-vintage-rving/

Michael Bozardt | 1974 Canyon Lands College Station, Texas | Genrecs

In all my years of reading GMC Motorhome articles, I have never been so impressed as with reading about Justin and Kathleen Brady of Bell Buckle, Tennessee and their 1975 Palm Beach. Everything on their website (www.gmcrv.com) is just amazing (see GMC Vintage RVing, Spring 2020, Issue 15, page 8). Justin has done so much it is difficult to quantify his experience-cabinet maker, carpenter, electrician, mechanic, diagnostic technician, insulator, painter, innovator, and more. I find myself using the “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” line, “Who Are Those Guys?”.

Thanks for the Help... Selling our GMC Motorhome Steve Riley | 1978 Royale Bucyrus, Kansas

She’s on her way to Arizona as of this morning, sold for the asking price, your site was the resource the buyer used to find her. I included the GMCMI membership info and a sample magazine for the new owner, along with the 20 years of newsletters (the owner I bought her from seven years ago had been a long time member). Hope that trend continues, and thanks for a very valuable service. Update: I spoke with the new owner, the relocation to Phoenix from Kansas City went well. He was happy to have the remainder of my membership transferred to him. M

GMC

Find of the Day:

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Editor’s Note: Steve took HH HHH MEMBER advantage of one of his BENEFIT GMCMI Member Benefits: HH HH H GMCMI members selling their GMC Motorhome can transfer the remainder of their GMCMI membership to the new owner!

1978 GMC Gadabout Joanna Tanner | 1978 Royale Mc Lean, Virginia

Editor’s Note: An additional technical article is in the GMC Vintage RVing, Fall 2020 issue the “Bathroom Saga” which illustrates a beautiful redo of Justin and Kathleen’s bathroom.

Spotted in the February 17, 2021 issue of Hemmings Daily is a story of a GMC Gadabout and shows the cover of the GMC Vintage RVing magazine featuring a Gadabout. Nice to see it.

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Article can be found at: www.hemmings.com/newsletter/archive/

Submit a Letter to the Editor. The GMC Vintage RVing magazine wants to hear what you think. Send your email to admin@gmcmi.com. By submitting a letter, you have agreed to let us use it – in part or in full – in our magazine and/or on our website. By default, our published letters include a writer’s full name, city, state, and GMC Motorhome information.

Exploring the the Exploring

UPDATE! GMC Motorhome History GMC Motorhome History A column by Bill Bryant, GMC Motorhome Historian, where he will A column by Bill Bryant, GMC Motorhome Historian, where he will share tidbits of the GMC Motorhome history with us. share tidbits of the GMC Motorhome history with us.

GMC Items First Motorhome and SecondToys GMC& Motorhomes Off The Production Line The GMC Motorhome has had a large variety of toys and items that were available during theand period of motorhome manufacture. You can see a few The effort to find preserve the very earliest GMC Motorhomes examples that I had collected in the photo at right. Going smallest has been a long and interesting pursuit of mine. It’s timefrom to bring you toup-to-date largest they are, HotWheels Palm Beach (orange), Hess Training Van, with the present progress and plans for the future. GMC fiberglass 18” model (orange), Barbie GMC Motorhome model Many of you may havePalm readBeach) about and (see finally originalthearticle in the“real” (that I painted like my full-sized Summer 2019 GMC this effort which GMC Motorhome, theVintage greatestRVing toy ofmagazine) all! involving TZE063V100021 and TZE063V100022, both 26 foot The model I want to discuss here is the GMC 1973one Canyon Lands. These two GMC Motorhomes arebuilt the first fiberglass WhyGMC did GMC build it,sold how were and secondmodel. production Motorhomes tomany the public. built, happened them? were used for a number of early TZEswhat V100001 throughto V100020 production vehicle tasks and then scrapped. This 1/16 scale model was initially built to determine the drag coefficient (CD) for the GMC Motorhome design and was tested at the Guggenheim wind tunnel in California. While GM also had a wind tunnel it was said to be not as accurate, so time was obtained at the Guggenheim wind tunnel and tests were run. As I noted in my GMC history article, “The GMC Motorhome, from Start to Finish...” (read at gmcmi.com/basic-history), the results were great – they were slightly better than the early 1970s Corvette of the time. It should be noted that typically in studies like this, those usual external protrusions like mirrors, TZE063V100021 | roof air conditioners, vents, windshield wipers, awnings, etc. are not included. Floor Plan: 26-3

TZE063V100022 | Floor Plan: 26-3 The GMC is located at Hancock, Wisconsin and needs to be transported to the Pontiac Transportation Museum in Pontiac, Michigan. This is a 500-mile trip requiring transport since the tires have aged out and the reliability for a These five GMC Motorhomes from the Bill Bryant GMC long trip isMotorhome unknown at this point. This museum Collection give you an idea of their relative sizes. presently has over 40 Pontiac, Michigan built vehicles in their collection and is looking forward to getting the GMC Motorhome, which was built just a short distance from the museum. We will be initiating a GoFundMe campaign shortly for 0022’s restoration effort at the Pontiac Transportation Museum. We are fortunate that we will be able to work on 0022’s restoration there at the museum and anticipate a team of GMC Motorhome owners and enthusiasts will enjoy volunteering to help in its restoration. If you are interested in working on the restoration of this motorhome or have questions pertaining to this project please contact Bill Bryant at gmc.bill@gmail.com or 914-475-2916.

The GMC is presently located While the original in North Texas and will be going test model was used to the Jack Sisemore Traveland in 1971/1972 the RV Museum in Amarillo, Texas. This GMC Motorhome will need mold for that model Pictured left: John Locklin, GMC Engineer holding the a great deal of restoration work and I would suggest a 1973/1974 was likely put away Let’s makeabove this project a success! We look1996 forward to your GMC Motorhome at the GMCMI Spring GMC parts coach would be the best way to get the needed parts and and forgotten. By Convention in Titusville, and Florida. Note in the above participation in the GoFundMe the restoration effort. photo I am assemblies. If any of you know of the availability of an early parts that the large side window shows as a three-section window. the time 1974 rolled around, a couple of the sure we would all like to see a 1973 GMC Motorhome in “as new” coach, I would be happy to help you make that connection. The was the design at the time these models were built original engineers were about to retire and I conditionThat in the Pontiac Transportation Museum. museum will be doing the restoration themselves, they have a good when they discovered it could not be sealed they changed suspect someone had the idea it would make to the two-piece production design. website you may want to visit. Visit the Pontiac Transportation Museum website: a great retirement gift from GM. I have been www.pontiactransportationmuseum.org by oneRVofMuseum those engineers Visit theForeman Jack Sisemore told Traveland website:that he thought Alex Birch, GM about ten of the models were built. We Experimental Shop http://rvmuseum.net/about.htm currently know where six of them are.

Have a historical question about the GMC Motorhome? Submit it to gmc.bill@gmail.com 12

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WINTER 2021

GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONAL

Generally Speaking Ò

QUESTIONS, TIPS, INNOVATIONS, AND MORE

The “Generally Speaking” column, is a place to share maintenance ideas, parts, tips, innovations, and more. We all have encountered situations that tested our creativity and ability to think outside the box. So, here is a place to share these ideas, or even request a solution. Contact GMCMI Admin with your ideas or questions, and look for them in a future magazine. are the burglar/rapist won’t stick around. After a few seconds, all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won’t want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.

A Good Idea...Put Car Keys Next to Bed

Vehicles that Can Be Flat Towed

Francis Urbanski | 1974 Custom Transmode West Seneca, New York

www.rvingknowhow.com/best-cars-toflat-tow-behind-an-rv/#more-686

Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr’s office, the check-out girl at the market, everyone you run across. Put your car keys beside your bed at night.

Do not just assume that all makes and models are the same. You need to make sure you have the correct year/model.

If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It’s a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds

The following list of cars that can be flat towed behind motorhome is a good place to start. Just make sure to put in your due diligence for the specific model year you are interested in before choosing if it is suited for flat towing behind an RV. This is a partial list going from lightest to heaviest: The Smart Car is popular because of its light weight and fuel efficiency. It is set up to only handle two individuals, making it an option for couples who want to travel. The standard model can be flat towed behind a RV, but the electric drive version cannot. It weighs in around 1,800-pound curb weight. The Chevrolet Spark is a front-wheel-drive hatchback that is available with a five-speed manual transmission allowing it to be flat towed. There are many features and trim levels available, and the curb weight ranges from 2,200 to 2,400 pounds.

GMC VINTAGE RVING MAGAZINE | GMCMI.COM

Chevrolet Sonic

The Chevrolet Sonic is a front-wheeldrive car is available as a small sedan or a hatchback coupe. It has a 6-speed automatic transmission and a curb weight ranging between 2,600 and 2,800 pounds. The Fiat 500 is a front-wheel-drive car is available in front-wheel drive with a 5-speed manual transmission. The curb weight averages around 2,500 pounds. The Chevrolet Malibu is a four-door frontwheel-drive sedan is available with a 9-speed transmission. It has an average curb weight of around 3,200 pounds. This is a good option for a small family who wants to get around town or tour the local attractions in comfort. The Honda CR-V is a small sports utility vehicle (SUV) is available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Depending on the accessories and trim level the curb weight can range between 3,300 pounds to 3,500 pounds. Jeep Wrangler is available with a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. The curb weight ranges from 3,800 to 4,200 pounds. Editor’s Note: The CRV’s little cousins, the HRV (2,800 pounds) with manual transmission as well as the Fit (2,500 to 2600 pounds) with manual transmission are also flat towable.

A GMC Motorhome Vendor Profile BY JANET FREY | GMC VINTAGE RVING MAGAZINE EDITOR

GMCMI would like to introduce CHRISTO & BARBARA DARSCH and welcome them as a new vendor and advertiser. Christo and I chatted for quite a while on a snowy winter weekend, anticipating a few more inches of snow coming. Our thoughts were on the coming spring and hopefully a time to travel this summer. I asked him how he came to be interested in the GMC Motorhome. He explained that he was a car guy, especially from the standpoint of styling. So, he liked the GMC Motorhome well before he would begin his search for one of his own. He and his wife Barbara, and their miniature poodle mix JoJo, live in a small beachfront home in the Boston area. They wanted to explore the region in the summer and perhaps visit warmer climes in the winter. So, they made a plan to get a motorhome, and knew from the start it would be a vintage model. He took a closer look at the GMC Motorhome and two things stood out. 1. In terms of design and engineering, there is no equal. At the time, GMC also had the Corvair and Toronado, which Christo appreciated because they showcased the company’s dedication to boldness and creativity in that era. 2. The GMC Community. It is such an active and helpful group. There is a safety net anywhere in the country. So they fell in love with the GMC story. The next challenge was to find a good GMC Motorhome. They searched for six months, and coming up empty, got in touch with the GMC Nor’easters. The club officers knew of some owners who might be ready to sell, so introductions were made and they found their “dream coach”. As of early 2019, Christo and Barbara became the proud owners of a 1977 Eleganza II. They purchased it from the Komettis, who had taken it to Indiana in 2003 to be restored by Topeka Graphics. They considered themselves lucky to be the new stewards of such a wonderful coach. Christo is able to do much of the maintenance work himself since he’s experienced in electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and mechanical work. Since they live near the ocean, though, they needed to find a place to store their coach to avoid exposure to the salt air. In a nearby city, they found a former bread factory that had sixteen

tractor trailer bays available as storage space. So, their GMC (named Komet in honor of the previous owners), now resides in a “bread box” when not in use! Christo and Barbara stayed in the New England area when traveling in 2019, since this was their first RV and they wanted to get to know it better before tackling longer trips. He found it interesting (and spooky!) that when they attended rallies with the Nor’easters, the members were able to share many, many stories about Komet’s history. Things changed in early 2020 when the pandemic began. His career as a product manager with Dell paused when he was laid off due to a reorganization. Barbara had retired as a graphic artist three years before. So as they began the “lockdown,” what to do? He decided to channel his interest in design into a small business called CruzinGear that makes custom wall-mounted bottle openers for “tiny house” entertainment spaces – RVs, travel trailers, and boats. For the first product, he adapted the design from the Komet’s fiberglass spare tire cover which features a stylized “GMC” logo. The prototype was well received so it is now in production along with other designs. In addition to this project, he is also the admin/owner of www.gmcmotorhome.org (the “new” forum) and has rebuilt the Nor’easters website. As he and Barbara continue their involvement with the GMC Motorhome Community, we look forward to seeing them down the road. They are hoping to attend the GMCMI Fall Convention in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. I hope so, too – I am very interested in meeting them in person and checking out their beautiful GMC! Check out their ad on page 30 and vendor listing at www.gmcmi.com/suppliers/

WINTER 2021

GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONAL

Technical Corner

MAINTENANCE, RENOVATIONS, AND MORE

GMC Motorhome Entrance Door Notes: 2021 Bob Burkitt | 1977 Palm Beach | Cincinnati, Ohio and Ken Henderson | 1976 Birchaven | Americus, Georgia

The GMC entrance door is an aluminum framework bonded to a fiberglass (SMC) skin, supported by two steel hinges that connect the door to the main body of the coach. Its main components consist of the door, a window, an internal handle and mechanism and an external handle and mechanism. The door latches to a pin that is attached to the coach’s entrance door opening and there is a seal that closes the gap between the door and its opening. An exterior lock cylinder controls access from the outside while the inside is equipped with a handle and a lock button.

the new bronze bushings will not easily tap into place with a soft hammer, use a small C-clamp to force them into place – both can probably be done at once.

There are two door window styles, one with fixed glass and another with an operating window sash and screen. Both windows are the same size as the one in the galley, if so equipped, and they can be interchanged. The door hinge assemblies are specific to their location, whether upper or lower, to allow for the curvature of the door and the body. GM equipped the hinges with plastic hinge bushings which over time have likely worn, affecting the alignment and operation of the door. These bushings can be replaced with bronze bushings from Auveco, their part number 14550. Dorman 38375 is apparently the same and more readily available – perhaps even on the “Help” rack at the parts store. The plastic bushings are easily removed, if they are not already missing, and the bronze bushings can be pressed into place using a bench vise. Once in place the bushings can be reamed using an 11/32” drill bit to fit the hinge pins. Replacing the hinge bushings can have a positive effect on the alignment and operation of the door. The Dorman 38400 bushing and pin set may work with possible pin modification needed. It may well be feasible to replace the hinge bushings without removing the hinges: With the door securely closed, remove one hinge pin at a time. Use a punch, perhaps air-powered, seated in the recess in the bottom of the pin, to drive the pin out. The OEM plastic bushings, if not already gone, should be easy to remove. If

Door Hinge Bushing

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The lower hinge for the entrance door has poor support in a relatively thin section of an aluminum extrusion and cracking of the door is common. The indication of damage is a crack between the two bolt heads at the lower edge of the door. A repair for this condition involves changing the bolting to the inside of the door from the outside using thick shims and longer bolts attached to the threaded hinge leaf. This repair produces a much more robust construction and relieves the thin extrusion of a heavy load. The body and door openings for the hinges can be sealed with adhesive-backed split grommets, GM part number 12337944. They were used on the rear doors of some Suburbans of a past era and are still available as new parts. Search for Chevrolet Suburban 1985-1991 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton. Additional sealer is recommended

For technical session presentations and papers, go to www.gmcmi.com/technical-presentations-papers/

to make the grommets more effective, black silicone sealer will look best as it will blend with the color of the grommets and remain flexible.

strap will no longer fit and can be replaced by a marine cabin hook or similar to limit the opening and secure the entrance door in the open position.

Most entrance door exterior handles exhibit some rust, the original GMC handle can be disassembled and re-plated at a local source. The most vulnerable part of the handle for rust is the lower inside corner where the plating is thinnest and water tends to accumulate. especially the four carriage bolts at the corners. The handles are similar to those on several series of Kenworth trucks, the passenger side handle. The Kenworth handle mechanism is missing one piece that operated the GMC door handle so some kind of modification is necessary to use the Kenworth part and there are two popular modifications. One is to swap the mechanism from the GMC handle to the Kenworth shell using stainless steel rivets; the other is to add the missing part by welding it to the Kenworth assembly as our suppliers do. The Kenworth door handle is part number K294194R; locks to fit the handle are sold in pairs and introduce a third key to your GMC key ring. The Kenworth trucks using the handle are the T600 from 1982 to 1985; the T600A from 1986 to 2007; and the W900 from 1981 to at least 2014. A Dorman reproduction handle is part number 760-5411.

With these hints, a bit of work on the latch, as described in a previous article (see page 13 in the Winter 2020 GMC Vintage RVing magazine) and replacement of the striker with one having a solid pin (available from the major GMC Motorhome vendors, see page 29), the door should operate like one on a new Cadillac!

The attaching carriage bolts are available in stainless steel and, once polished with extra fine sandpaper, will retain their appearance indefinitely. The four small carriage bolts are size #10 by 1” long with stainless steel nylon insert locknuts and flat washers that can be installed from the inside of the door. If a replacement handle is used the lock hole can be enlarged and shaped to accept the larger original GMC lock and key to retain the two-key system as originally designed. The door handle gasket is no longer available from Kenworth but can be fashioned from sheet gasket stock. Motorhome entrance door and compartment locks are unique in that the key can be removed in either the locked or unlocked position.

Call for Submissions!

GMC Motorhome Parts Interchange Index GMCMI is in the process of producing the 2021 version of the GMC Motorhome Parts Interchange Index. We would appreciate your help in making the listings in the Index as curent as possible. So, if you have discovered a new part number, incorrect, or obsolete, please email the information to kimweeksgmc@gmail.com. Thank you.

GMC MOTORHOMES

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GMC Motorhome Parts Interchange Inde x MES INT ER N

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At the upper right corner of the entrance door opening in the side of the coach there is a normally-closed pushbutton switch that causes the “DOOR” warning to appear on the instrument panel when the entrance door is open. That switch completes a ground to illuminate the light. It is common to have to shim the pushbutton to prevent unwanted illumination of the light. Adhesive cabinet drawer bumper pads are one way to do this.

HH HH H

a listing of DEDICATED GMC PARTS AND SERVICES who are also club members SUPPLIERS, , is included in this publicatio n. PLEASE SUPPORT THEM WITH YOUR PATRON AGE

This Parts Interchange Index should be used in conjunction with the most recent Publication Article Index. Both indexes are periodically updated. The Publication Article Index contains a great number of items that are not covered in this Parts Interchange Index. Members should look at the front of the Spring 2020 Publication Article Index for the revised numbering of the first 16 newsletters. The most effective use of this Index is made when members also have a copy of the #78Z Parts Book. This book has been used as the reference source for original part numbers and members may find the numerical and alphabetic al index located in the back of the book to be quite helpful. The exploded views in the Parts Book of most assemblies are also very helpful when looking for the correct part name and/ or the original part number.

The 2021 version of the Index will be mailed out in the Spring mailing.

The Parts Interchange Index is a compilation of the interchange parts listed in newsletters/magazin es #1 through #151 plus some additional items that have been mentioned at GMCMI events. A complete set of newsletters/magazin (available at www.gmc es mi.com or via purchase of the GMCMI Flashdrive at thegmcmh store.com) is recommen ded since many references are made to newsletter/magazine issues and page numbers so that members can obtain additional information such as addresses and telephone numbers. This Index is arranged alphabetic ally by major part groupings may differ from the Publication and Article Index titles.

While considerable effort has gone into the preparatio n of this Index, there may be numbers that are no longer current, been superceded or may have in fact not be proper

for certain GMC Motorhomes. The numbers have been communic ated by the membership at large and may in fact contain errors or incorrect application s. It is imperative that each member use their own resources to evaluate the merit of each item. This information is intended to be used solely as a way to communicate thoughts, ideas, opinions and procedure s from and to members and there is no implied attempt to replace or supersede the recommen dations from General Motors or any other component manufactu rers. In the electronic version of the Parts Interchang e Index you will notice that under each Category, Sub-Categories have been implemented for easier navigation. The electronic version is available at gmcmi.com in the “members only” section or gmcmi.net which GMCMI offers to the GMC Community. Note: A separate registration is required for the .net website. The Parts Interchange Index is published from GMCMI publication topics, articles, and contributions by members and the GMCMH Communit y and is published as a service to members. Accuracy and performance is not guaranteed. Independent verification is urged. Address any correction additions to the editor s or at the address shown below.

Parts Interchange Index Usage Disclaimer: By This Index shall be used opening this Index, you for individual and personal hereby accept and agree: proprietary product of reference purposes GMCMI and provided to it’s members as a member only. This Index and the contents is a in whole or in part, be benefit. The reproduced; copied; dissemina ted; entered into a computer contents of this Index may not, in any form or manner database; or otherwise or by any means, except utilized, for the user’s individual and personal reference. MES INT RHO ER N TO

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GMC Motorhomes Internat ional 1402 So. Cage Blvd, Unit 273 | Pharr, TX 78577 admin@gmcmi.com

Original equipment for the entrance door includes a fabric strap that limits the swing of the door to prevent it from contacting the outside of the coach with force. When a screen door is installed the

For your convenience,

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Supersedes Spring 2019

HH HHH

SPRING 2020

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Founded in 1982 by Ralph

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Technical Corner

MAINTENANCE, RENOVATIONS, AND MORE

Safely Lifting a GMC Motorhome on Jacks Jim Hupy | 1978 Royale | Salem, Oregon SAFETY NOTE: I preface this by saying that Jack stands should only be used on hard surface floors. Never on dirt or gravel, or for that matter on non-level surfaces.

From page 0-3 in the X7525 – 1975-1976 Maintenance Manual.

The correct way is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations if you have them. The GMC Motorhome Maintenance Manual states that there are three recommended lifting points (shown in the image above). (Pdfs of the Maintenance Manuals are available at www.gmcmi.com/gmcmh-manuals/.) The first one is the exact center of the front crossmember. not the one under the radiator, but the one under the very front of the engine. The picture shows the correct placement, centered under the two access holes for the front engine mount. The second and third are under the bogie boxes of the rear suspension. Not on the frame of the coach. The first lift should be on the front crossmember. I use a 6-ton hydraulic floor jack for this task. Be very careful of the exact placement of the jack lifting pad. It should be centered fore and aft under the center of the crossmember. After first blocking the rear wheels to prevent the coach from moving, jack the front of the coach high enough to allow you to place jack stands under the frame where the front clip joins the side frame. There is a ride height

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slot in the frame, as well as three sets of two bolts that secure the front clip to the side frame. Alternately, the jack stands could be placed at the ends of the crossmember on either side of the jack. I use 6-ton rated jack stands on the front-end on both sides. For safety, make sure the jack stands are positioned correctly but do not let the front down on the stands until the back is raised and placed on jack stands unless you are able to jack both sides of the back either alternately a couple of inches at a time or at the same time (would require a helper). This will prevent twisting of the frame and possible damage to the windshield The second lift should be under one of the bogie boxes, either left or right side of the coach. Place the floor jack under the bogie box, lift it slightly to unload the airbag, deflate the airbag, then lift to the desired height. You can place a piece of steel in between the bogie arm and the box to prevent full travel of the bogie arms. This will prevent damage to the shock absorbers. Do not forget to remove the steel bar after the coach is lowered back onto its wheels. Some people paint this bar a bright orange or red as a visible clue that the bar has not been removed. I use two 3-ton jack stands under the side frame of the coach on both sides of the coach for a total of 4 jack stands on the rear of the coach. The placement of the jack stands should be as pictured. One ahead of the tire and one behind the rear-most tire. Try to locate the stands at the intersection of crossmembers and side frames. This is the strongest point on the side frame-members. After the coach is supported and the jack is removed, give the coach a good shake to ensure that it is rock solid on the stands. If you have to jack the coach on a surface that is not solid, wood cribbing is the best method to use. Obviously, a pit is a good method to use as is a power lift that is rated for more than your coach weighs. Example: If your coach weighs 10,000 pounds, (many of them weigh more than this) you will want a lift that is rated for 15,000 to 20,000 pounds. Do not gamble with safety here. If you lose the gamble, you lose your life. I had a 15-year-old nephew killed under a poorly supported car and one of my friends who owns an automotive repair business lost his son under a poorly supported car on an alignment rack. Always, always, Safety First.

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Changing Tires If at Tire Store and Replacing Tires First, note the GM specified lifting/jacking locations as illustrated in the main article. Rear: • To reduce height required to remove wheels, place steel bar, 11” x 3” x 1/4”, in bogey box (each side) to reduce jacking height required to remove wheels • Place jack under bogey box (each side) and lift approximately 1” to unload airbags. Deflate airbags. Raise each side, preferably simultaneously, but alternatively, a few inches on one side and then the other. For safety, place jack stands, one on each side, under the frame rail adjacent to the jack. • Remove wheels/replace tires/reinstall; torque wheel nuts, 140 ft lbs/aluminum wheels and according to the GMC Operations Manual, 250 ft.lbs/steel wheels, Although never acknowledged by GM, the 250 ft.lb. spec. for steel wheels has been reported to have been a misprint that was not corrected before publication of the manuals ended. The experience of a number of owners and several GMC Motorhome service shops indicate that 140 ft. lbs. minimum is adequate. Tightening to the final torque specification should be done in at least 3 steps following the sequence for steel wheels or Alcoa’s using the sequence in the following illustration: Steel Wheels

Alcoa Wheels

Note: if lifting coach to remove all wheels follow the guidance in the main article.

For Replacing Failed Tire at Roadside Rear: • Best to use jack hook with low profile hydraulic bottle jack. • Raise coach partially to allow placement of bar (described above) in bogey box). Deflate airbag. Continue lifting only as needed to allow removal of wheel with failed tire (to minimize frame twisting and risk of windshield damage) • Install spare, using torque values and tightening sequence as above. Lower to normal ride height. Reinflate airbag. Remove bogey bar (repeat: easy to forget!!) • Remove bottle jack and jack hook. • If using OEM jack supplied with coach (see service manual for operation), lift coach partially to allow placement of bogey bar and follow procedure as for jack hook/bottle jack. Front: • Place bottle jack under lower control arm with failed tire. • Raise only as needed to remove wheel (to minimize frame twisting and risk of windshield damage) • Install spare, using torque values and tightening sequence as above. Lower to normal ride height. Remove bottle jack. • Use of OEM jack supplied with coach not recommended because of greater frame twisting/risk of windshield damage. Coach has to be lifted much higher than with bottle jack to remove wheel.

Front: • Place jack at center of crossmember (reference first picture in main article) and lift only to height necessary to remove wheels. For safety, place jack stands under crossmember, each side of jack. • Remove wheels/replace tires/reinstall; following the same procedure as outlined in the 3rd bullet of the sub-topic “Rear” above.

Left diagram from page 10-2 in the X7525 – 1975-1976 Maintenance Manual.

• Lower suspension, both sides, to normal ride height and reinflate airbags. • Remove jacks and steel bars (special note – easy to forget bars!) from each bogey box. Some owners have painted the bogey bar a bright orange or red as a visible reminder to remove them.

Owners have successfully used variations of the procedures outlined herein. If you have a variation and it works for you, no need to change. For a downloadable pdf of this article go to www.gmcmi.com/technical-presentations-papers/

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Brass Proportioning Valves David Lenzi | 1977 Royale | Davison, Michigan | Innovative Products and Engineering LLC

If you are the owner of a 1973-78 GMC motorhome, have removed the original cast iron combination valve, and installed a new brass proportioning valve on your coach, please read the following test results. I was prompted to start this testing based upon GMC owners contacting me for help with their braking performance. In each case, their poor braking was traced to installing one of the many brass proportional valves available today. I acquired three different brands of brass valves, and placed them on the test stand that many of you have seen at my GMCMI tech sessions. As I expected, all three valves limited the pressure to the rear brakes to 800 PSI. Two of these valve suppliers stated in their advertisement that their valve was a direct replacement for our coaches. This is absolutely not true. Our original combination valve did not limit pressure, other than the “hold off” feature. This feature held off pressure to the front calipers until the springs on our rear drum brakes were extended slightly. At approximately 130 PSI, A valve shifted, and equal pressure was sent to all brakes. As most owners agree, our OEM brakes were not the best, and requiring extremely defensive driving to feel comfortable. Consider that our OEM brakes were developing upward of 1200

PSI to all wheels, (depending upon your size, strength, and how hard you pull on the steering wheel) and were still not great. Now consider installing a proportioning valve that takes away one- third of the pressure to your rear brakes, when you want it most, under hard braking. Even more disturbing is that for years, most everyone that upgraded their brakes to rear discs, were told that they must replace the old combination valve with one of the new brass proportioning valves. Different suppliers called their proportioning valves either PV4 or Disc/ Disc proportioning valves. I am certain all of them, restricted the pressure to the rear brakes. I contacted two suppliers of these brass proportioning valves, and tried to explain that a GMC motor home was not the same as a small passenger car or light truck in any way. i.e., Front to rear vehicle weight, weight transfer during braking, or rear suspension. All I succeeded in doing was being told that they were the experts, and as much as said I knew nothing about brakes. At this point, I must admit that with some braking systems, and possibly a 23 foot GMC, it might be necessary to place adjustable pressure reducing valves on only the rear/rear (trailing arm) brakes. But never on the leading rear wheel brakes.

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To continue with my quest for differences between our cast iron combination valve and the brass proportioning valves, I machined sections out of the valve bodies. This allowed me to inspect the interior valve action. The disc/drum (PV2) valves that I sectioned, had a pressure hold off function very similar to our old Combination valve. It is housed in the front of the brass body, and has a pin protruding through a rubber seal, or is sealed by a snap-on cover. As the brake pedal is depressed, fluid is sent from the master cylinder to both of the inlet ports of the proportioning valve. At a very low pressure, the pin extends approximately .015 of an inch, closing a valve that stops fluid from traveling to the front wheel brakes. As the brake pedal is further depressed, pressure increases in both of the lines coming from the master cylinder. It sends fluid pressure to the rear drum brakes, but holds off sending pressure to the front disc brake calipers until approximately 130 PSI is reached. At this time, a second spring compresses, a poppet valve opens, the pin extends an additional .040 of an inch, and pressure is directed to the front brakes identical to the rear pressure. This pressure will steadily increase equally to both front/rear brakes with additional brake pedal force. The pin remains extended until the braking cycle is complete and the brake

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pedal is released. There are many myths about what to do with this pin when bleeding your front calipers, so I will explain the proper procedure. If you are gravity bleeding (which is the proper way to start the process in my opinion) You need not do anything with the pin. It will remain in the retracted position, and only marginally restrict fluid from passing through. A tip to get the gravity bleed started is to utilize a vacuum hand pump. This will pull fluid through the lines/caliper to get a solid column of fluid present. At that point, you can remove the vacuum pump, and fluid will gravity bleed itself. ( similar to siphoning gasoline out of a tank). A clear color tube attached to the bleeder will allow you to see when the air bubbles quit. At that point, you move to another wheel and repeat the process. After all 6 wheels are gravity bleed, you may want to pedal or pressure bleed to remove the last small amount of air. This is when you need to be aware of what to do with the pin. During front caliper pressure bleeding (pedal or high pressure tank). A Kent-Moore tool # J23709, or equivalent, should be used to hold the pin back in its static position, so it cannot extend during pressure bleeding.

Subsequently, it may be impossible to bleed the rear brakes. The grounding switch in the top center of the proportioning valve should be replaced with a tool to keep the blocking valve from shifting during bleeding. Having said this, if you are gravity, vacuum, or low-pressure tank bleeding, you will not likely develop enough differential to shift the blocking valve. The tool is normally only required when you are high pressure pedal bleeding. Up to this point, it appears that all brass proportioning valves, PV2 for (Disc/drum) or PV4 for (Disc/Disc) would work on our coaches. The problem is that all brass proportioning valves that I have tested to date have yet another feature that is totally unacceptable for our coaches. The fitting on the rear of these valves houses a spool valve, “O” rings, and a spring

that limits pressure to the rear wheels. The three valves that I tested limited the pressure to 800 PSI. I am sure that this value would change by application. Myself and several other owners of GMC’s that I shared information with, are looking at how to disable the pressure limiting function of these otherwise acceptable valves. A simple solution for at least one manufacturers valve is to just remove the poppet valve, with “O” rings, and spring from the fitting. The other valve manufacturers that I have tested incorporate a vent hole covered with a rubber disc and star washer in the fitting. This would cause a huge leak if one just removed the parts as above. A solution for utilizing valves with this fitting, is to remove the small diameter portion on the spool valve with a file, or remove the spring- loaded rubber plug that seals against the spool valve.

Having said this, it is possible to eliminate holding the pin in if you do not exceed the pressure it takes to extend the pin the first .015 of an inch (i.e. gravity bleeding), or if you can develop high enough bleed pressures to cause the pin to move the additional .040 of an inch. This is why many owners/ shops have touted never using a tool during bleeding. My cutaway valve also exposed the differential piston or blocking valve that turns on a dash light when pressure is lost in either the front or rear braking systems. It will shift when it sees approximately 80 PSI differential, between front/rear braking pressures. Another design feature for the brass proportioning valve is that if this blocking valve shifts because of a lower pressure in the rear braking system vs the front, it will almost entirely close off flow to the rear brakes.

FIGURE 1: This is my cut away of one of three different brands of proportioning valves being sold/used on our GMC coaches today. This is a PV2 or disc/drum valve. They are advertised as a direct fit for our old cast iron combination valve. They are not! Any owner who has one of these valves installed on their coach, should remove or alter it immediately. The braking to your rear wheels is reduced by 1/3 with the presence of this valve. The same caution is directed towards owners who have a PV4 or disc/disc brass proportioning valve on their coach. The braking to their rear wheels is also being reduced by 1/3. continued on next page

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FIGURE 2: The pressure hold off valve assembly has two spool valves. Both are “O” ring sealed. The small spool valve is held open (shifted to the right in the picture) with a very light spring. As the brake pedal is slightly depressed, the low pressure rise, shifts the valve left, and it closes. At this time, the small bleeder pin on end of the spool valve protrudes out through the front of the proportioning valve. Travel is approximately 1/32 inch to the left. The large spool valve is held closed with a heavy spring, blocking flow to the front brakes. As the brake pedal continues to be depressed, pressure rises in both the front and rear portions of the proportioning valve. The large spool valve opens at approximately 130 PSI, and allows fluid flow to the front calipers. Travel is approximately an additional 1/16 inch. The pressure differential valve is shown in the position it would be in if the pressure to the front brakes were low or zero. It is fully against a machined stop in the bore, showing no inner action with fluid flow to the front brakes.This is why the front brakes will still bleed with the differential valve shifted, and the “brake” light on. FIGURE 3: The pressure limiting assembly merely threads into the rear of the proportioning valve body. The cap is a press fit into the housing, and holds the preload on the spring, until it is positively held in place by threading the assembly into the proportioning valve body. The vent hole in this housing is covered by a rubber cap and retainer. It’s function is to keep pressure from building up between the “O” rings on the poppet valve. Some brands of PV2 valves do not have this vent. I will elaborate later why this is a good thing for us.

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FIGURE 4: The pressure limiting assembly in the rear of a brass proportional valve limits the pressure to the rear brakes, but only when the spring is compressed, and the nose of the poppet valve is blocked by the soft rubber plug on the differential pressure valve.

FIGURE 5: With the pressure differential valve centered, and no pressure in the pressure limiting housing, and the rubber plug against the cap, but not blocking the two small holes, fluid is free to flow through the two holes, under the cap, to the center hole in the poppet valve, and out to the rear brakes. i.e. normal braking up to 800 PSI, and brake bleeding.

continued on next page

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SLIDE 6: The When the pressure differential valve shifts to indicate low/no pressure at the rear brakes, the rubber plug disappears into a bore in the differential valve, as in the picture, the two small holes in the cap are almost covered by the brass body of the differential valve. You may be able to just make out one of the holes in the picture. This is not a good “bubble tight seal” at best, because the holes are not completely covered, and the sealing surfaces are just a brass on brass face seal. The manufacturer claims that fluid flow is blocked off to the rear wheels at this time, but my testing shows that it is not totally blocked. It however does not allow enough fluid to the rear brakes for bleeding. That is why most suppliers include a tool to insert into the switch port that holds the pressure differential valve centered during bleeding.

SLIDE 7: Now that I have determined that three or more manufacturers of proportioning valves reduce the pressure to the rear wheels, I am absolutely opposed to using their valves on our GMCs, without altering them. What are our options? Some owners who I have contacted to date, have suggested that they would just remove the spring and poppet valve from the housing. This is acceptable, if the housing does not have the vent hole. If your housing has the vent hole, and feel comfortable plugging the vent hole, this is still an option. Another option is to machine away the small diameter on the spool valve. Still another simple option is to just remove the rubber plug from the pressure differential valve. The same options are acceptable for those of you who have a PV2 proportioning valve.

SLIDE 9: This proportioning valve bleed tool locks the pressure differential spool valve on center during pressure bleeding. Merely unscrew the pressure differential switch from the valve and install the tool. No fluid will escape. SLIDE 8: Removing both the spring and rubber plug will only disable the pressure reducing function in all PV2 and PV4 proportioning valves. No other function is affected. Pull straight out to remove the plug, then remove the spring with a pick.

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GMC Motorhome Suppliers List >> FULL SERVICE, PARTS & REPAIR FACILITIES Alex Sirum GMC Jeff Sirum | 863-763-1121 | sirum@gmcmh.com | www.gmcmh.com 1800 Hwy 70E, Okeechobee, FL 34972-3279 Specializing in GMC Motorhome sales, service, repairs, and hard to find parts. We ship to all states and Canada. New updates available. Applied GMC Jim Kanomata | 510-440-1101 | 800-752-7502 mail@appliedairfilters.com | www.gmcrvparts.com 38424 Cedar Blvd, Newark, CA 94560 Specializing in GMC Service, repairs, and parts. Final drives with various gear ratios, headers, 3” mandrel bent. Low every day prices on thousands of RV parts...plus tips and a “free” tech line. Cooperative Motor Works Jim Bounds | 407-857-5777 | 877-275-4462 coopmotorworks@yahoo.com | www.gmccoop.com 6101 Anno Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32809 Information, parts and service for the GMC Motorhome. Repair and maintenance to full renovations available.

Cooperative Motor Works Jim Bounds | 407-857-5777 | 877-275-4462 coopmotorworks@yahoo.com | www.gmccoop.com 6101 Anno Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32809 Information, parts, and service for the GMC Motorhome. Repair and maintenance to full renovations available. Gateway Motorhome Company 636-931-8282 | 800-654-0374 | www.gmcmotorhomeparts.com Committed only to the GMC Motorhome since 1986. Large selection of GMC Motorhome parts. Shipped daily. Golby Motors 352-793-7000 | golby@golbymotorcorp.com www.golbymotorcorp.com 3375 County Road 528, Sumterville, FL 33585 Specializing in GMC Motorhome service, repairs, and original body parts. Check out our website today! Grandview Motorhome Tom Hampton | 937-644-4238 | info@grandviewmotorhome.com www.grandviewmotorhome.com 13880 Weaver Road, Marysville, Ohio 43040 Miscellaneous GMC Motorhome parts. SS brake and tranny lines.

Golby Motor Corp 352-793-7000 | golby@golbymotorcorp.com www.golbymotorcorp.com 3375 County Rd 528, Sumterville, FL 33585 Specializing in GMC Motorhome service, repairs, and original body parts. Check out our website today!

>> OTHER PART SUPPLIERS Alan Henderson | Large Format Electrical Diagrams info@midgacomputers.com www.bdub.net/GMC_Motorhome_Wiring_Diagrams.pdf Large format electrical diagrams. Honda EV4010 and EV6010 mounting templates at full scale.

>> SERVICE & REPAIR FACILITIES Bob Stone 618-964-9124 | Carbondale, IL Service and repair. DJ’s Classic GMC Motorhome Service

DJ Eberhart| 503-706-6402 | djsgmcs@gmail.com | www.djsgmc.com 233 NW Olive St., Sheridan, OR 97378-1125 Cinnabar certified service and repair. New and used GMC parts.

Frank Borrman 519-335-3857 | Fax 519-325-6263 | frank@borrmannsgarage.com 86924 Brussels Line, Bluevale, ON N0G 1G0, Canada Complete gmc mechanical service and repair.

Albert Branscombe | Parking Brakes | $525 519-368-7129 | branscoa@bmts.com | www.bdub.net/branscombe/ 33 Rae Street, P.O. Box 44,Tiverton, ON, N0G 2T0 CANADA All SS/Alum/Teflon kit, includes all cables, pulleys, brackets. Also, Air Powered Actuator kit – $575. Disc brake parking caliper kit -$475. Complete instructions included. 10 year warranty.

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>> COMMERCIAL PARTS SUPPLIERS

Ken Frey Auto Repair has Closed but HE HAS PARTS!

Alex Sirum GMC Jeff Sirum | 863-763-1121 | sirum@gmcmh.com | www.gmcmh.com 1800 Hwy 70E, Okeechobee, FL 34972-3279 Specializing in GMC Motorhome sales, service, repairs, and hard to find parts. We ship to all states and Canada. New updates available. Applied GMC Jim Kanomata | 510-440-1101 | 800-752-7502 mail@appliedairfilters.com | www.gmcrvparts.com 38424 Cedar Blvd, Newark, CA 94560 Specializing in GMC Service, repairs, and parts. Final drives with various gear ratios, headers, 3” mandrel bent eExhaust parts, mufflers, trannies, and engine replacement. Low every day prices on thousands of RV parts...plus tips and a “free” tech line for assistance.

Please watch for an online auction in the near future! Many GMC Motorhome parts still available (Milford Square, Pennsylvania). If you are interested in any GMC Motorhome parts prior to the auction, please contact Ken Frey immediately at 215-536-1246. Call between 8 a.m. and noon, EDT, Monday through Thursday.

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GMC Motorhome Suppliers List Bob Burkitt 513-530-5021 | rburkitt@cinci.rr.com | www.bdub.net/bobburkitt/ 11382 Marlette Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45249-2210 Offer repairs, parts, and accessories for existing Birch doors. Classic Coaches & Accessories, LLC JR Slaten | 502-836-2097 | jrslaten@aol.com | www.bdub.net/slaten 7702 Old Third Street Road, Louisville KY 40214-0341 Engine Oil Cooler Lines, Engine Oil Cooler Stainless Steel Rigid Tube Set Exact, Lighted Entry Handles, Power Level II Leveling Valve Set (1973 thru early 77) CruzinGear Christo Darsch | info@cruzingear.co | www.cruzingear.co GMC Motorhome Wall-Mounted Bottle Openers. Get Your Shine On. Custom Instrument Panels Mac McNeal | 704-985-0171 | cipdash@sbcglobal.net www.custominstrumentpanels.com 28585 Valley Drive, Albemarle, NC 28001 Custom instrument panels and instruments. Dave Lenzi 810-653-3902 | mlenzi@charter.net 2285 Montague Road, Davison MI 48423-9103 Steering components, leveler linkage, leveler valve rebuilding, embossed copper exhaust gasket.

Gary Bovee 530-200-6247 | gary.bovee@gmcidiotsguide.com www.gmcidiotsguide.com 12495 Muller Avenue, Red Bluff, CA 96080 Alternator & A/C belt tensioners, Electronic Ignition Kit (Onan 4KW & 6KW), GMC valve stem caps, and Headlight & Turn Signal alarms. GMC RV Shades (formerly Guske Sales) Gary Coaster | 810-650-5111 | gmcshades@gmail.com 2600 Knob Hill Drive, Reno, NV 89502 “Guske” Day/Night shades custom fitted for GMC Motorhomes, outside window covers.

High-End Motorsports 916-774-6686 | sales@high-end-motorsports.com | www.high-end-motorsports.com 8331 Sierra College Blvd, #210, Roseville, CA 95661 Made in the USA accessories, custom sunshades, plate frames, tags, receiver covers, and more. Jim Hupy 503-362-1583 | jamesh1296@gmail.com | www.bdub.net/jhupy/ 1754 82nd Avenue SE, Salem, OH 97317 | Master Cylinder Power Bleeder and Remote Controlled Wireless Air Suspension System.

DJ’s Classic GMC Motorhome Service

John Biwersi | Engine Cooling Fan | Direct Replacement 651-779-6498 | jbiwersi@mac.com 2938 N Mary St, Maplewood, MN 55109-1671 For all GMCMH that have the original steel blade fan. It is the same OD and pitch but has 10 blades instead of 7. Hub is steel and blades are molded nylon, this is not a “flexfan”. “Made in the USA” and is 100 % precision balanced to minimize vibration to the fan clutch and water pump.

DL Design Store Terry Taylor | 510-276-5111 | n6mon@pacbell.net | www.dldesignstore.com 801 Via Manzanas, San Lorenzo, CA 94580 GMC Model Name Emblems, personalized GMC paraphernalia.

John Richardson 850-830-6100 | jrichsr@aol.com | P.O. Box 5191, Niceville, FL 32578 AMSoil synthetic motor oil. CamShield ZDDP motor oil additive.

DJ Eberhart| 503-706-6402 | djsgmcs@gmail.com | www.djsgmc.com 233 NW Olive St., Sheridan, OR 97378-1125 Cinnabar certified service and repair. New and used GMC parts.

DMAR Enterprises | Stainless Steel Tanks Jim DeMaere | 403-329-3091 2812 – 48th Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7B3 SS replacement air and water heater tanks. Frank Jenkins | Fiberglass & Aluminum Parts 352-485-1397 | 352-281-8082 cell gmcfrank@yahoo.com | http://geocities.ws/gmcfrank/ 18214 NE 21st Street, Gainesville, FL 32609 GMC fiberglass and aluminum fabrication. Instrument panels, bumper covers, toolboxes, grills, skirts and flares, radiator fan shrouds.

GET YOUR SHINE ON. Heavyweight Polished Stainless Wall-Mounted Boole Openers

www.cruzingear.co info@cruzingear.co

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Ken Henderson | Electric Windshield Wiper Kit | $300 229-938-2797 | hend4800@bellsouth.net | www.gmcwipersetc.com 110 O’Hara Road, Americus, GA 31719-2140 GMC Motorhome Electric Windshield Wiper Kit. All mechanical and electrical parts to install your locally purchased electric motor w/ intermittent sweep. Free shipping for GMC Club members.

Rance Baxter 814-596-5254 | rancefi@frontiernet.net | www.rancefi.com 230 Mountain View Road, Genesee, PA 16923-9725 Port fuel injection, Cadillac and Oldsmobile engine cores, and 425 transmission/ final drive cores. Springfield Performance Ignition Dick Paterson | 705-325-4554 | Fax 705-325-3569 dick@paterson-gmc.com | www.paterson-gmc.com 3956 Line 11 North, RR#3, Coldwater, Ontario, Canada LOK 1EO Re-curved distributors. Rebuilt carburetors. Wire sets, 1973-74 points conversion. TZE Zone Restorations John R. Wright | 989-859-0715 | powerjon@chartermi.net 1196 E Olson Road, Midland, MI 48640-8610 Front Air Dam, Bolt kits for bumpers, axles, exhaust manifolds, & header.

Variety Ventures Dan Stuckey | 519-844-2083 | stuckey@brktel.on.ca Box 105 3249 Inwood Road, Inwood, Ontario Canada N0N 1K0 New Main Frame Components (side rails, cross members, H-frames) DIY or I install, Macerator kits.

Classified Ads 1977 Eleganza II NC | $42,000 | photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com A must see renovated coach! New engine with 4,000 and many parts. Check out the detailed list of updates/new items. Also a matching Smart car available. Also have additional parts if not purchased with coach. Jim Bright | 828-612-9051 leave message, serious calls only please

Classifieds

ay! S o ld in O n e D

>> GMC MOTORHOME FOR SALE 1973 – 26’ GMC Motorhome photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com FL | $16,900 | Second owner and stored inside. It has a 455 cu engine, 75,000 miles, generator, sofa, and table turn into beds, plus an awning. William MacKenzie | 352-873-7857 | bmack0121@gmail.com 1974 – 26’ GMC Motorhome photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com IL | $26,000 | Many updates mechanical and convenience. Stored inside after replacing rame and new paint job. Many upgrades and tow vehicle available. Ken Pickett | kjpickett46@gmail.com

1976 GMC Clasco photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com FL | $44,500 | In the 1990’s Clasco coaches received new interiors, new exteriors, and new drivetrains as part of their refurbishing. We have gone to great lengths and expense to continue to upgrade and maintain this coach. Doug Bachman | 954-294-1658 1976 Eleganza photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com WA | $35,000 OBO | $21k in upgrades done this past year. Drive train upgrade, new paint, new headliner, vinyl tile, carpet, brakes and Alco aluminum wheels. Richard 541-517-0194 | Rita 509-438-7103 | ritagray@gmail.com 1976 Glenbrook – Price Lowered photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com NY | $13,000 entertain all offers $14,999 | About 54K mi. Dinette w/captain chairs; kitchen w/stove, oven, refrig/ freezer, sink; rear full-sized bed. Wet bath. Suzanne (DelVecchio) Glenn | sglenn@juno.com | 214-616-9792 1977 Eleganza II photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com CA | $23,000/OBO | Recently serviced and certified by Applied GMC in Newark, California! All repair paperwork and GMC manuals. Ronald Shoffeitt | bigbearmoon@aol.com

1977 Royale photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com AL | $45,000 | This GMC has been garage-kept with many mechanical and interior upgrades, etc. A must check out! Check out listing on gmcmi.com. Frances McMillan | twofransmc@yahoo.com 1977 Royale photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com VA | $12,000 | 26’ – Engine runs well; comes with awnings that are only 3 years old; center bath; rear twin beds; parquet floors; stove; refrigerator; microwave, & TV included; silver with blue stripes. Needs a good home! Selling as is! Mae Arrington | ccamba2@aol.com | 804-780-0093 | 804-335-6075 cell

1978 Eleganza II photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com NY | $10,000 entertain all offers | Original w/ 112K Mi; Wet hot kit and bath, rear bedroom, sofa and dinette convert to sleep many, lots of storage. Suzanne (DelVecchio) Glenn | sglenn@juno.com | 214-616-9792 1978 Palm Beach photo on www.gmcmi.com IL | $40,000 | Restomod frame-off rebuilt 455 motor, transmission, 366 final drive, front suspension, four bagger, Hydroboost stainless steel lines and hoses, macerator, stainless mandrel bent exhaust into 1 - 3” out. Bob Stone | 618-964-9124 1978 Revcon Chamelot 31.5’ w/Toronado drivetrain! photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com NC | $19,500 | Zombie Themed – Many repairs/new items done by Barry Owen in the past two years, plus additional mechanicals. Michael Owens at 336-225-1445 | Calls ONLY please.

>> PARTS/TOW VEHICLES/ETC. FOR SALE

1977 Kingsley Clasco – Price Lowered FL | $60,000 $70,000 | photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com Extensive update by Jim Bounds at the Cooperative Motor Works in 2016-2020. “New” 455 cubic inch engine – by Cinnabar. Bruce Bisping | 952-237-3882

1973 Caddy Engine and Transmission CO | $3,000 takes it all! Perfect swap for a GMC Motorhome! Roughly 110,000 miles on the engine, 502 cubic in (“the mighty Caddy 500”!). Also have gantry crane from inside the motorhome. Local pickup only in Lakewood, Colorado. Briant Grossi | 303-921-4030 | briantgr@comcast.net

1977 Eleganza II IL | $49,000 | photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com Complete renovation in 2010 and stored inside. Oldsmobile 455 engine replaced with a factory-rebuilt engine in 2013 for $12,649 and has 7,300 miles on it. Need to check list of updates and new items! Roger Deichman | 217-971-4972 | problemsolver50@gmail.com

2006 Mini Cooper with Two Bar Set-up photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com WI | $8,500 | Est 60,000 miles and about 20,000 towed (not exact). Runs perfectly. Easy hook up. Some small dings on hood from towing. Bought it with coach last year, but do not plan on using it. Doc Frederick Prehn | 715-218-0831 | fred@prehn.co

Your GMC Motorhome Information Source...gmcmi.com We welcome all historical and technical information. If there is something that you would like to share, please contact admin@gmcmi.com. Thank you!

WINTER 2021

GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONAL

GMC Motorhome Trivia Questions Take the Challenge...

3 How many makes of motorhomes

Test Your Knowledge So, what do you really know about our GMC Motorhomes? This will be the first of three trivia question articles. Answers can be found on page 35.

used the Olds Toronado 455 cid engine and forward design: A - only GMC B - 4 others C - 2 others (Read more in the Winter 2019 GMC Vintage RVing magazine)

1 The 1973 GMC Motorhomes were

available in how many exterior body colors: A-2 B-4 C-6 (Read more in the Summer 2020 GMC Vintage RVing magazine)

2 Consultants for the first GMC

Motorhome interiors were: A - Good Housekeeping B - RV Design Magazine C - House & Garden (Read more in the Summer 2017 GMC Vintage RVing magazine)

BY BILL BRYANT, GMC MOTORHOME HISTORIAN

5 The original differential gear ratio for

the GMC Motorhome was: A - 3.07 B - 3.42 C - 4.11

6 The original manufacturing suggested

base price for a 1973-26’ GMC was: A - 19,264.00 B - 14,569.06 C - 32,364.21

7 Chrome bumpers were an extra cost

4 The earliest prototype vehicle for the

GMC Motorhome was called: A - RV 26 B - Pie Wagon C - The Sequoia (Read more in the Fall 2018 GMC Vintage RVing magazine)

option until: A - 1974 B - 1976 C - 1978

Flipbooks of the GMC Vintage RVing magazine are available at: www.gmcmi.com/gmc-vintage-rving/

GMC VINTAGE RVING MAGAZINE | GMCMI.COM

M GMC

www.thegmcmhstore.com

O RH

MES INT ER N

HH HHH

AL ON TI A

Apparel | Merchandise | Back Magazine Issues

Visit the GMC Motorhome Store MEMBER

BENEFIT HH HH H

>> Regional GMCMH Activities... >> GMC Saguaro Jetset Rally – February 2021 We had 15 coaches and 28 friends were at our rally at The Palms Resort in Yuma, Arizona. We enjoyed great happy hours, fine dining, and a jam session with the park invited to attend. A good time was had by all.

>> GMC 49ers Micro Rally – February 2021

>> GMC Pacific Cruisers – February 2021

It was a no-host ‘gathering’ at Dean’s construction yard in Fremont where we have held work rallies for the past three Septembers. All masks were in place and everyone social distanced, except for pictures. There was no agenda, no meeting, just a gettogether where people wouldn’t have to look into a screen.

A number of us joined with Jeff and Susan Overman at Paradise By The Sea RV Resort in Oceanside for a informal gathering. What a breath of fresh air it was to gather eight GMC coaches in such a beautiful setting. We enjoyed beautiful sunsets, fine dining, and relaxing socialization. The gathering ended with a caravan of coaches to the Oceanside waterfront. What an adventure!

We welcome event photos and writeups. Submit them to kimweeksgmc@gmail.com. Thank you.

WINTER 2021

GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONAL

>> Regional GMCMH Activities...

>> GMC Tidewater Crabs – October 2020

>> GMC Classics Rally – November 2020

Tom and Oki Katzenberger hosted a work weekend at their business location in Baltimore, Maryland. There were seven GMCs and lots of work done as well as “kibitzing.” The weather cooperated and we all enjoyed chatting, eating, and relaxing. Some of us also marveled at the relentless wrenching by certain members and got tired just watching!

Such a wonderful rally in Niederwald, Texas. So nice relaxing with great friends. We enjoyed great food, a tech session, trivia contest, and more!

>> GMC Sunshine Statesmen – December 2020

>> GMC Sunshine Statesmen – January 2021

Our Christmas rally was held at the Kennedy Space Center KOA, hosted by the Board of Directors. We had 11-GMC’s, 3-SOB’s, 1-Teardrop, and a cabin dweller. The ladies got crafty and created “ugly sweaters” while the men attended a tech session. After dinner a “Wacky Gift Exchange” was held, what a hoot!

What a great start to the new year with our January rally at Lazy Days RV Resort in Seffner, Florida. We enjoyed two delicious meals, BBQ and Italian. It was nice having all the GMC’s together. The men had a tech session about replacing an engine. An outing to Parkesdale Farms for strawberry shortcake was a hit! More activities included cards and a craft sponsored by Lazy Days. It was a very relaxing rally.

GMC VINTAGE RVING MAGAZINE | GMCMI.COM

>> Area Chapter/Club Opportunity... ...consider utilizing one of the GMCMI Conventions as one of your rallies, it comes with benefits! We invite you to to utilize one of our Convention facilities for your rally. Either come in a day or two early or use our Convention as your rally and hold a social and/or business meeting.

Due to the constantly changing of events during this time, please check the GMCMH Community Calendar for up-to-date information. Thank you.

GMCMH Events Calendar

Go to www.gmcmi.com/gmc-calendar/

We take care of the registrations for you! We offer coffee, bottled water, paper products, etc. at no cost for your gathering.

2021 GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONAL

WELCOME BACK

What a deal!

CONVENTION

Contact Kim today, facilities available on a first come, first served basis. 612-501-4600 | kimweeksgmc@gmail.com

SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2021

>> Congratulations to GMC Chapters/Clubs Celebrating Anniversaries in 2021

45 YEARS

40 YEARS

GMC Forty Niners GMC Great Lakers GMC Pacific Cruisers GMC Six Wheelers GMC Tidewater Crabs

GMC Colonial Travelers GMC Saguaro Jetset

CHIPPEWA FALLS, WISCONSIN 2021 Fall GMCMI Convention September 24-30, 2021 Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

REGIONAL CHAPTER/CLUB OPPORTUNITY Consider utilizing one of the GMCMI Conventions as one of your rallies, it comes with benefits! Contact kimweeksgmc@gmail.com for more information. April 22-28, 2022

GMC Classics

YEARS

GMCMI.com

GMCMI

LIPSE

CONVENTION

GMC Greater Midwest Classics

GMC Flatlanders

April 3-9, 2024 Mineola, Texas

YEARS

TO SUBMIT A RALLY DATE Email date and information to kimweeksgmc@gmail.com

GMC Motorhome Trivia Questions (page 32) Answers: 1-C, 2-C, 3-B, 4-B, 5-A, 6-B, 7-C

WINTER 2021

GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONAL

1402 So Cage Blvd, Unit 273 Pharr, TX 78577

GMCMI

LIPSE

CONVENTION APRIL 3-9, 2024 Join us at the 2024 Spring GMCMI Convention in Mineola, Texas located near the eclipse centerline and experience the total darkness of the eclipse together! Mark you calendar today!