GMC Vintage RVing magazine – Spring 2020

Spring 2020 | Issue 151

GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONAL

A magazine dedicated to promoting the legacy and use of GMC Motorhomes Brought to you by GMC Motorhomes International

GMC Motorhome Blogs and Websites [

The “Testing” Trip Of It’s Namesake

[

GMC Motorhome Vendor Profile

[

Flash From the Past

[

Living With Detours – Just Follow the Signs

GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONAL

GMC Motorhomes International was founded in 1982 by Ralph Luby

president’s corner

>> GMC Motorhomes International 1402 So Cage Blvd, Unit 273 Pharr, TX 78577 | 612-501-4600 admin@gmcmi.com | gmcmi.com

I believe that I’m completely justified in saying that I hope these words find you safe, sound and healthy, and emerging from the COVID-19 “cocoon” that we have all been in for the past few months. Be well, and stay well.

>> GMC Vintage RVing Magazine Published quarterly for members of GMC Motorhomes International.

Managing Editor | Graphic Designer Kimberlea Weeks | 612-501-4600 admin@gmcmi.com

One long term member quipped that GMCMI is a social association with a strong technical component, and that it was best to err on the side of caution.

That careful approach is something to which I think we all agree!

Dolph Santorine

Editor Janet Frey | 215-536-9064 freyjanetr@yahoo.com

GMCMI members are in many geographic areas, and often their local jurisdictions response to the pandemic varied wildly. I think the unifying factor is that we are all in this together, and that needs to remain the cornerstone of our decision making.

>> Online Version A digital flipbook version of the magazine is available online at gmcmi.com/gmc-vintage-rving/.

GMCMI Past President and current VP-Eastern David Blackshear penned an excellent article titled “Living with Detours – Just Follow the signs”’ that you will find on page 18.

>> 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. ©2020 GMC Motorhomes International

Your board performed admirably, and I am honored to be part of this organization, and this process. It is never an easy decision to cancel an event, and that decision making process is only going to be more difficult as we go forward. Remember that your feedback is a critical component for every decision the board makes.

“What we make of it is up to us.”

– DOLPH SANTORINE, GMCMI PRESIDENT

2019-20 GMCMI Board of Directors Dolph Santorine President

Margie McLaughlin Jerry Work VP Northeast VP Northwest 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.

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Now that life is continuing its return to being more “normal”, there are some great happenings to look forward to!

The 2020 Fall GMCMI Convention is scheduled to be held at the Central States Fairground in Rapid City, South Dakota, September 18-24 and it’s just about in the shadow of Mt. Rushmore, with many interesting historical sites nearby, all with the spectacular backdrop of the Black Hills and Badlands.

I am always amazed at how sports metaphors are used for about everything, and it looks like we are going to get a “mulligan” (redo, do-over…your choice) on Patterson, Louisiana in 2021. The Convention is scheduled for April 16-22, at the Patterson Civic Center.

This venue has proven to be ideal for our gatherings, and there’s always Cajun Cuisine, Zydeco, and Mardi Gras Celebrations.

Gary Coaster VP Western

David Blackshear VP Eastern

Everyone’s safety needs to remain the primary concern and objective.

Some things that would be normally handled at the Spring Convention would be an audit of the GMCMI financial status, and the treasurer’s report. Those are scheduled to be presented at the Fall Convention.

GMCMI is emerging from this pandemic, and is healthy from a financial standpoint.

I believe it its future, even with the new “social” rules. What we make of it is up to us.

I am hopeful you will be part of that journey.

In This Mailing...

GMCMI Status

Included in the Spring 2020 mailing is the Spring issue of GMC Vintage RVing magazine, the 2020 GMCMI Membership Roster, 2020 GMCMH Part Interchange Index, and 2020 GMCMI Article Index.

Membership stands at 831.

These are just a few of the benefits of membership.

Check gmcmi.com for additional benefits.

GMC VINTAGE RVING MAGAZINE | GMCMI.COM

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 W S PIRNI N T EGR 2 20 02 20 0

Keep informed about GMCMI Events and Members.

GMCMI . . . A New Era

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Join us at facebook.com/ GMCMI

DEPARTMENTS 2 President’s CornerTRAVELS 4 | GMC MOTORHOME 10 RENOVATIONS FMCA Report AND 11 GMCMH Vendor Profile 12 GMC Motorhome History 13 Technical Corner 22 GMCMH Suppliers List 24 Classified Ads 26 Regional GMCMH Activities

13 | THE “TESTING” TRIP OF

ITS NAMESAKE 8

BEWARE OF CONTENTS SCAMS WINTER 2020 DETOUR

27 GMCMH Events Calendar

GMCMI . . . A New Era

4 | FLASH FROM THE PAST 16

DEPARTMENTS 17 DEPARTMENTS 2 President’s Corner 10 1 1 1 2 1 7 2 0

18 | LIVING WITH DETOURS – JUST FOLLOW THE SIGNS!

22 31 33 34 35 35

Technical Corner GMCMH Suppliers List Classified Ads 8 GMCMH Activities Regional Cancellations, Creativity, and Caution GMCMH Events Calendar

Letters to the Editor 2 President’s Corner GMC Motorhome 10 FMCA ReportHistory GMC Motorhome Community 11 GMCMH Vendor Profile GMCMH Vendor Profile 12 GMC Motorhome History Generally Speaking 13 Technical CornerON THE COVER Pictured along the banks of Lake Pepin on the Minnesota

BEWARE OF SCAMS

sideList looking at Wisconsin is a 1976 Palm Beach owned by Tim and Niki 22 GMCMH Suppliers

of Hugo, Minnesota.

ThisPetra coach features rearholiday bed, wet side ONAnderson THE COVER | In 2019 Chris and Reek spent atheir in bath, Croatia, kitchen with oak countertop along with bunks above the sofa.

The coach the Island of Pag. parking with their feet in the sand! They also enjoyed the is mostly originalwindsurfing, interior withfresh the original jobbeach on theparties outside plus Alcoa 26 Regional GMCMH Activities beautiful nature, fish, andpaint famous (for their wheels, recently rebuilt 455 engine, Carefree awning, Sully style air bags, daughters).

It was just perfect!

27 GMCMH Events Calendar and air horn. They purchased it in 2013 with ~40,000 miles on the odometer from friends of the original owners in Kansas. They plan on installing fuel In 2015 theythis imported 1976 Palm Beach to the They pretty much injection Spring the in preparation for a trip fromNetherlands.

Minnesota to California. renewed/updated almost everything but wanted to keep the original layout When not on vacation, almost every other weekend from spring thru falland they furniture.

Here are some of car theirshows, upgrades/features: solar patch, panels,tailgating GPL installation, travel to campgrounds, parades, pumpkin at the concrete countertop, customized homebar, velvet upholstery, floor heating, racetrack, GMC rallies, and all sorts of other activities.

They proudly show raised withatstorage, bath with toilet(9), andLogan macerator, Green theirbed coach the car original shows. Pictured arenew Cooper (7), Nash (5),Egg and Remington aka Remi the golden doodle shutters, (3 months). bracket, Imperial for surfboards, wide wooden and a rebuilt engine.

24 Classified Ads

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

WINTER SPRING 2020

GMC MOTORHOMES

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/ 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 INTERNATIONAL 3 gmcmotorhomes/

GMC Motorhome Travels

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and Renovations

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BY JANET FREY | 1976 PALM BEACH | MILFORD SQUARE, PENNSYLVANIA | GMCMI SECRETARY

hen exploring the GMC Motorhome blogs and websites, one wonders if it is true that there were only a little over 12,000 GMC Motorhomes built.

improved on the original just a little bit. Other owners have either desired to remodel, or in fact, had no choice due to the condition of the GMC when it became their motorhome.

These sites are very entertaining and each owner shared their blood, sweat, and tears as they told their stories. So, take some time, do a little exploring, and enjoy your journey on the internet.

The incredible variety of renovations, travelogs, remodeling, repairing, discovering, and those stories of how I met, where I have been, how my trip went so bad, or how my trip went so well, and guess who I met. Well, it is almost mind blowing.

If you have a blog or website, please let us know so that it can be included in an upcoming magazine and on the gmcmi.com website. In addition, do not forget the blogs and websites of our suppliers (see pages 31-32).

Listed in this article are a few that were discovered on an internet search. This by no means is an all-inclusive list, but I believe that these are a wonderful blend of GMC Motorhome owner contributions. Some chose to restore, kept the original designs and components in working order, or maybe they

Also, explore the “Community” section of the gmcmi.com website which is dedicated to the “entire” GMCMI Community, not just GMCMI members. Additional sites listed for your enjoyment can be found there.

Disclaimer: This information does not discount other sources of technical information such as gmcmi.com, the gmc.net, etc. There are several additional resources available.

GMCMI does not endorse any technical information supplied by these resources.

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1976 Palm Beach Restoration Richard & Susan Waters Troy, Michigan | 1976 Palm Beach palmbeachgmc.com

Birchaven Gregory & Lorraine Birch Port Angeles, Washington | 1977 Birchaven birchaven.wordpress.com

Richard and Susan recount how they found their GMC and then detail the repairs and upgrades they have performed over the years.

For those GMC owners who are looking to keep the original components and not a total overhaul inside and out, these helpful hints and experiences are a resource for how to proceed.

Alex Birch was Greg’s grandfather. In 1972 he was tasked with supervising the shop that would build some of the finest mobile living spaces ever constructed, the GMC Motorhome. In October 2010, he found a 23’ GMC Birchaven and drove it home. This blog is here to catalog the adventures of a GMC Motorhome. Let’s roll.

They noted that their adventures began 42 years ago when they moved into a new home, and discovered that their new neighbor owned a 1973 - 23 ft. Canyon Lands GMC Motorhome. In 1998, they saw a GMC for sale which began their quest.

Their story: Our family bought our 1977 Birchaven in 2010 and we joined the GMC Cascaders soon afterwards. We used it as a tool for adventure, traveling to California to see the Redwood Forest, Los Angeles, Monterey and Oregon Beaches, and the Washington Mountains. It is the ideal vehicle for snowboarding as there are hot cocoa and dry clothes just moments after shredding the mountain.

Our drive to Mount Baker was epic!

They found their 1976 Palm Beach at Cinnabar Engineering.

It had the original paint and interior, but had many mechanical upgrades. They thought that they could buy it, and have it painted later. They decided to make an offer and it was accepted before they even drove it, wondering if it was a good idea. But they met the owner at Cinnabar, made payment, received the title and Richard drove it home followed by Sue in the car.

Richard said the drive home was the worst driving experience of his life, finding out later that the “wiggle-waggle” was caused in part by the all steel Goodyear tires inflated to 80psi. They have owned the GMC for 22 years, now with 231,000 miles.

They have been to both coasts and Canada, and over the years have made repairs and upgrades which they discuss on their blog.

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Our family enjoys clam digging at Ocean Shores, Washington, where our chariot provides a perfect place to clean off and warm up after a sandy, wet beach adventure. Traveling in a GMC is not a roadtrip, it’s an adventure. I am writing a series of articles on my grandfather Alex Birch taking the first cross country trip ever taken in a GMC Motorhome. The first article of the series appears in this issue on page 13.

The Dovetail Joint Jerry & Sharon Work (Jerry is GMCMI Vice President Northwest) Kerby, Oregon | Previous 1978 Royale Owner jerrywork.com

GMC Motorhome Makeover Chris & Petra Reek Doetinchem, Netherlands | 1976 Palm Beach gmcmotorhomemakeover.wordpress.com

The Work’s 1978 Royale interior.

Here is a photo from our travels about four years ago. Petra, Chris, Michelle, and Gina Reek. Plus our travel companions: Nelson, Yindee, and Saartje.

As noted on Jerry’s website, his studio, gallery, and home are located in a 1907 former Masonic Temple building in historic Kerby, Oregon. He designs and handcrafts fine furniture, turnings, and useful items for the home made from the finest domestic hardwoods and burls sourced locally, and from certified plantation grown exotic woods from around the world.

Now, here is a really unique site! The owners are from the Netherlands, and they tell their story from an European perspective.

Needless to say, it must be a one-of-a-kind GMC with a distinct European accent. They obviously have put a lot of time and thought into this makeover, and provide numerous details on this seriously informative website. The before and after photos, detailed lists of materials, and entertaining descriptions are remarkable. And, I doubt that many of us will be traveling to the locations they showcase, but it is fun to go with them!

Regarding GMC Motorhomes, he has owned two – a 1978 Royale (pictured), and a 77/94 Clasco. Jerry and Sharon used both of them extensively in their travels from Alaska to Mexico, and from the west to the east coasts.

They have provided a short story detailing how and why a GMC Motorhome came into their life: “The first time we saw a GMC Motorhome we immediately fell in love. What a class and appearance.

We bought a Palm Beach 1976 in Florida although we never owned an RV before. After a long process of importing and renovating, we are still over the moon with it. There are so many things we love: the sound of the engine; the spacious kitchen and sitting area; the privacy of the bedroom with closet and bathroom. Absolutely ideal. The bunk beds and the captain chair – oh wait, the Home Bar. Our kids are now 18 and 16 and still want to travel with us.”

On the website they talk about how to restore, maintain, and enjoy one of these marvelous motor coaches.

“Our coach is on the cover! Thank you.”

See “The Poo Pump” technical article on page 27.

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The GMC RV – Our GMCMH Renovation Justin & Kathleen Brady Bell Buckle, Tennessee | 1976 Palm Beach thegmcrv.com

Jon Roche Web Blog Jon & Jennifer Roche St. Cloud, Minnesota | 1975 Palm Beach lqqkatjon.blogspot.com

A photo from their wedding album.

Jennifer, Paige, Macy, and Jon Roche plus Casper at right.

This young couple provides an insight into their GMC project, and the results are stunning! I believe that you will find yourself pulled into this project and want to know what comes next. This is another one of those total makeovers, and is another one that I would love to see in person. The thoughts and processes are detailed and the photos provide a complete documentation. Have fun exploring!

This very detailed blog includes a timeline and experiences with the original components. I am not a mechanic, but I am sure that a mechanical minded soul would spend a lot of time reading and absorbing the many descriptions of problem-solving. Be prepared to spend some time here!

P.S. – Just some more details – Justin and Kathleen took their inaugural trip to get married! They drove from Bell Buckle, Tennessee, to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. There they had a small ceremony with their parents at Schwabachers Landing in Grand Teton National Park. Then they traveled through Yellowstone, to Glacier National Park, and headed back through the Badlands National Park. They had a large reception/party a few months later at the end of summer, with Kathleen’s mom surprising them with a wedding cake. They travel with their two dogs, Chewy the cocker spaniel, and Buck the scottie.

See “Not Your Average Cabinets” technical article on page 22 and “GMC Motorhome Electrical Systems on page 28.

Here is some info on this family: One of the reasons that Jon bought the GMC was because tenting was not working for their two little girls – and Jennifer did not want to sleep on the floor! In August of 2010, John bought the GMC for $500, and hauled it home on a trailer. At first, Jen was not happy, but after 10 years, they all love it now. They have enjoyed seeing the countryside while traveling on family vacations and rallies. Jennifer also enjoys driving the GMC when it’s just her and the girls. Plus, Casper the cat also travels with the family! Their hope is that their one and only GMC will last a long time, and Jon has put in many, many hours to make sure it is roadworthy. He looks forward to taking Paige and Macy to Oregon at the end of June and stopping to see many sites along the way.

They added, “Both of our girls enjoy having friends camp with us.

The GMC is perfect for all of our family adventures!”

See “Microlevel” technical article on page 26.

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Wally & Sue Wally Anderson & Sue Philbin Omaha, Nebraska | 1975 Glenbrook wallyandsue.blogspot.com

We welcome you to visit the “Community” section of the gmcmi.com website.

Two Medicine campground Glacier National Park in 2006.

The first picture you see on their blog really gets your attention – a GMC covered in snow! Wow! They follow up with photos and description of projects they have completed. This blog appears to be well suited to a mechanical mind, and less for the total cosmetic makeover. I am sure it will provide hours of entertainment!

This section of the gmcmi.com website is dedicated to the “entire” GMC Motorhome Community, not just our members.

Their story: We have had our 1975 GMC Glenbrook since August 2004. It is our first and only RV. We nicknamed it “Twinkie” since it still has its original paint color of yellow, and the shape of a Hostess Twinkie. We have enjoyed it as a hobby for recreation and also for “tinkering” with it mechanically. We have driven it coast to coast, and to many rallies, which is another plus for we have met many a friend. After retirement, on August 1, 2015 we headed for Alaska with “Twinkie” on a month-long adventure, and drove over 9,000 miles. Along our travels we have received many a thumbs up on the highway or at gas stations, a quick peek by the curious.

There you will find such items and links to the following: • GMCMH Community Calendar • GMCMH Chapters & Groups • GMCMH Marketing Tools • GMCnet • “The Black List” GMC Assist List • GMCMH Registery • GMCMH Community Book Authors • GMCMH Community Book List “The Bookworms” • GMCMH Community Cookbook • Other GMC Sites

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If you have a blog or website, please let us know so that it can be included in the list on the gmcmi.com website and upcoming magazines.

In 2015, we visited the Watson Lake, Yukon, Canada and the sign post forest where you can post where you are from.

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Letters to the Editor Vendor Profile Ken & Janet Frey

Russell Keith | 1978 Eleganza II Dunedin, Florida

Ken and Janet Frey, pictured left, with Jenny and Russell Keith.

Thank you so much for publishing the vendor profile article about Ken and Janet Frey in the Winter 2020 issue of GMC Vintage RVing. My wife and I first met Ken and Janet Frey at the GMCMI Convention in Tallahassee in the Spring of 2019, and immediately became good friends. It turns out that we had a common connection with them regarding our GMC Motorhome. Ken and Janet were close friends with the previous owners of our coach, Harry and Betsy Grant.

During the Tallahassee Convention we had the opportunity to sit with Ken and Janet and listen to story after story of the “antics” of our coach’s previous owners. We laughed and cried at the same time while reminiscing.

As you mentioned, Ken and Janet are the epitome of GMCers. They are frequently volunteering, cooking, and/or helping others.

They are always willing to lend a hand.

There aren’t adequate words to describe their generosity. As we say in the south “Them are good folks!”.

Incorrect Diagram

Breaking In a Rebuilt Engine Matt Colie | 1973 Glacier | Belleville, MI

Yesterday, the Winter 2020 issue of GMC Vintage RVing magazine came in the mail and I opened it last night.

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There is a good article about breaking in a rebuilt engine, the text has a lot that I think is good to read.

The diagram of coolant flow is about as wrong as it could be. It shows the coolant flow absolutely backwards. They could almost correct it by turning all the little arrows the other way. They also miss the point that the coolant flow is around the cylinders and then back up the head and the in between is controlled by the holes in the head gasket.

What I do not know is if that picture came with the article.

Please read the note inside the front cover.

like to encourage all our readers to send in any recipes (kimweeksgmc@gmail.com) they use while traveling, camping, or at rallies in our wonderful GMC’s!!

You can also find recipes from my sessions on the GMCMI website, check it out!!

Safe travels and hope to see you “down the road a piece”!!

Editor’s Note: Check out Lucy’s and other GMCers’ recipes at the GMC Community Cookbook: gmcmi.com/ community-cookbook.

Whatever, I still value the publication and again, I thank all those involved for the effort to assemble it.

Editor’s Note: We apologize for the incorrect diagram utilized in the article from the Encyclopaedia Britannica Getty Images.

Easy Soup Recipe Lucy Weidner | 1978 Royale Menomonie, Wisconsin

I have given several non-tech sessions at our GMCMI Conventions and would like to share a recipe with you that I use while traveling down the road. I make it in my crock-pot (with a liner for easy cleanup), turn on my inverter, and we have a great meal when we stop for the night.

It is wonderful to have an electronic GMC Cookbook, so I would

GMC VINTAGE RVING MAGAZINE | GMCMI.COM

8 Can Chicken Ta

co Soup

1 - 15 oz can bla ck beans rinsed an d drained 1 - 15 oz can swee t corn kernels – dr ained 1 - 14.5 oz can dic ed tomatoes 1 - 12.5 oz can ch icken breast drain and shred 1/2 - 15 oz can gr een enchilada sau ce or 1 10 oz can 1 - 4 oz can diced green chiles 1 - 14 oz can low sodium chicken br oth 1 - packet of taco seasoning 1/2 tsp cumin – op tional 1/2 tsp chili powd er – optional 1/2 tsp garlic powd er – optional 1/2 tsp onion po wder – optional Salt and pepper to taste Garnish options: sour cream, shred ded cheese, tortilla chips, avoc ado Place all beans, co rn, tomatoes, chick en, enchilada sauce, chiles, and broth in a large po t. Cook over medium-high. Sti r in taco seasonin g and spices.

Taste and adjust seasoning if desir ed . Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer for 30 minutes. If soup is too thick, add more chicken brot h. Garnish and serve.

Can be made in a slow cooker. Cook er on low 4-6 hours.

Exploringthe the Exploring

GMCMotorhome MotorhomeHistory History GMC 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 Changes GMCMotorhome MotorhomeToys Production The GMC Motorhome has had a large variety of toys and items that were Over the production period of six years, changes were not always phased in on a available during the period of motorhome manufacture. You can see a few regular yearly model cycle making it difficult for an owner to know what changes examples that I had collected in the photo at right. Going from smallest their coach may have been built with. Fortunately, we do have information to largest they are, HotWheels Palm Beach (orange), Hess Training Van, according to the vehicle identification number starting with TZE*: T = GMC fiberglass 18” model (orange), Barbie GMC Motorhome model Manufactured by General Motors, Z = 3 Axle Motorhome, E = Gasoline Engine. (that I painted like my Palm Beach) and finally the full-sized “real” The following list by TZE number will hopefully make some of those major GMC Motorhome, the greatest toy of all! changes clearer.

The1973 one model I want to discuss here is the GMC built 1975 fiberglass model. Why did GMC build it, how many were • V100089: Dupont urethane Imron • V100021 to built, what happened to them?

Other changes not defined by TZE number, approximate timing: 1973-74 No side and top exterior refrigerator venting, dealer retrofit if owner complains about poor cooling. (Bulletin 75-TM-9) 1973 to mid 1975 GMC side windows used LOF glass with multi piece frames, “first series”. Mid 1975 thru 1978 Hehr side windows used PPG glass and one piece frames, “second series”.

paint replaced previously used V101850: synthetic enamel.

Original door This 1/16 scale model was initially built to determine the drag Changed coefficientfrom point • V100472: latch replaced (CD) for the GMC Motorhome design and was tested at the Guggenheim distributor to HEI distributor. with metal wind tunnel in California. While GM also had a wind tunnel75-IM-11) it was said to These five GMC Motorhomes from the Bill Bryant GMC (Bulletin plate and 1975 Motorhome Collection give you an idea of their relative sizes. be not as accurate, so time was obtained at the Guggenheim wind tunnel • V101674: Radial wheels and tires replacement Water plumbing changed from copper to and tests were run. As I noted in my GMC history phased in – wheel part number latch. polybutulene. article, “The GMC Motorhome, from Start to 359402. (Bulletin 77-IM-1) Finish...” (read at gmcmi.com/basic-history), the 1974 1977 results were great – they were slightly better than1976 the • V101010: All coaches shipped Water system fill changed from propane tank early 1970s Corvette of the time. It should be noted • V100878: Rear air suspension change before May 1, 1974: Replaced compartment to left rear outside access door. that typically in studies like this, those usual external from power level/rotary valves, Brown rear suspension pins/bushings and protrusions like mirrors, roof air conditioners, vents, compressor to Electro Level, Dana spindles changed from 1 1/4” to Furnaces: windshield wipers, awnings, etc. are not included. compressor, solenoid valves, small 1 1/2”. (Bulletin 74-C-07) 1973-1974 tank mounted in interior cabinet.

• V101022: Rear wheelhouse inner Suburban with exterior vents – one over the While the original panel changed from poly plastic other in one chrome housing.

1977 test model was used to sheet molding compound/ in 1971/1972 the• V101285 (motorhome), V101312 fiberglass.

1975-mid 1977 mold for that model(Transmode): First coaches changedPictured left: GMC Engineer vents holding SolJohn Air Locklin, with two rectangular sidetheby side. was likely put away from 455 ci to 403 ci engine. above GMC Motorhome at the 1996 GMCMI Spring and forgotten. By Convention in Titusville, Florida. Note in the above photo Mid 1977-1978 that the large side window shows as a three-section window. the time 1974 rolled around, a couple of the There are many more defined in the X-0021 Motorhome Service Bulletin at: Duo Therm with two round ventswere sidebuilt by side.

That was the design at the time these models original engineers were about to retire and I gmcmi.com/gmcmh-factory-servicerecall-bulletins. when they discovered it could not be sealed they changed suspect someone had the idea it would make to the two-piece production design. great retirement gift from GM. I have been Bulletin Abbreviation aExplanation *Explanation of TZE number told by one of those engineers he thought Alex Birch, Foreman TMGM = Dealer Service Technical Bulletin Bulletin that # Example: 74-C available at: gmcmi.com/ about tenBulletin of the modelsGroup were built.

We (07) Experimental Shop Service Information IM = Dealer # Example: gmcmh-basic-information. currentlyBulletin know where six of themExample: are.

C = Dealer Product Campaign Complete (74-C-07)

Have a historical question about the GMC Motorhome?

Submit it to gmc.bill@gmail.com 12

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GMC Motorhome Community The GMC Motorhome Registry gmcmhregistry.com The GMC Motorhome Registry website is the online home where owners of a GMC Motorhome or GMC Transmode are encouraged to register their names and the coach’s TZE serial number (VIN).

The information, which is of historical significance, is used only by, and for, owners of these vintage vehicles which were designed and built by the truck division of General Motors from 1973 through 1978.

The History The GMC Motorhome Registry began after Dave and Jan Greenberg sold their first GMC in 1985, a Palm Beach, which they bought in late 1975 in New York State. Often wondering where it was over the years, and beginning their search for GMC #2, Dave founded the GMC Motorhome Registry.

His goal was to develop and maintain a historical record of the coaches, while tracking changes in ownership for the 12,921 GMC’s built between 1973 and 1978.

Dave began this quest of finding GMC’s by lifting hoods and jotting down serial (TZE) numbers. He looked through classifieds, online auctions, club rosters, and FMCA. He also recruited help from world-wide GMC owners, and continually gathered information.

The Registry currently has over 8,208 listings since it began in 1993, and it continues to grow at the rate of nearly a hundred per year.

Your help in achieving this goal is very much appreciated.

In May of 2011, Dave transferred responsibility for maintaining the GMC Registry to John Shotwell (with 8,076 coaches).

In November 2018, the database was transferred to Billy Massey with 8,208* records. *Out of 8,908 records, 700 were transferred out for lack of a VIN, correcting the confirmed total to 8,208 on November 2018.

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Registry Statistics | April 16, 2020 8,424 GMCs registered worldwide United States – 7,671

Canada – 550

United Kingdom 26

AK 37 AL 81 AR 75 AZ 242 CA 1062 CO 194 CT 49 DC 5 DE 8 FL 733 GA 174 HI 5 IA 81 ID 67 IL 262 IN 219 KS 76 KY 83 LA 74 MA 66 MD 60 ME 19 MI 429 MN 170 MO 115 MS 63

AB 96 BC 154 MB 17 NB 17 NL 1 NS 19 ON 163 PE 1 QC 51 SK 28 YT 1

Australia

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Netherlands

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MT 41 NC 159 ND 12 NE 50 NH 40 NJ 69 NM 89 NV 95 NY 177 OH 305 OK 166 OR 217 PA 146 RI 10 SC 82 SD 36 TN 147 TX 621 UT 74 VA 107 VT 24 WA 323 WI 141 WV 19 WY 13

Norway 9 Germany 17 Belgium 4 Switzerland 4 Denmark 4 Finland 3 France 5 Indonesia 1 Iran 1 Italy 2 Mexico

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New Zealand

2

Philippines 1 Portugal 1 Paraguay 1 Sweden 2 Slovakia 1 Thailand 1 Taiwan 1 Venezuela 7 Virgin Islands

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Photos from Sequoia Test Trip

The “Testing” Trip of its Namesake The Sequoia Story Told by a Birch

SPRING 2020

GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONAL

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The GMC “Sequoia” Testing Trip...

BY GREGORY BIRCH | PORT ANGELES, WASHINGTON | 1977 BIRCHAVEN

I listen to my 70+ year old uncles discuss who put a booger on who or how many times grandpa threatened to pull over.

It was clear Alex loved the west enough to torture himself and his family along dusty roads with no air conditioning in 100 degree heat for two weeks.

I think my grandfather was also destined to build the GMC Motorhome. He had the perfect blend of experience and sense of adventure to throw himself into this project completely. A passion that could be seen in displays he built for truck and coach that were outside the box works of art.

Introduction I am Gregory Birch, grandson to Alex Birch who worked for General Motors for 38 years, was married to Beatrice, raised four boys and loved to tinker and invent.

If you have a “Birch” screen door on your motorhome that was him. Most of his tenure at GM was with truck and coach.

He helped to build tracked vehicles during the war, personnel carriers that could float, busses, trucks, showcase displays and anything else that he could tinker on.

In 1969 he became part of the team that would build the GMC Motorhome.

My Grandpa...

At home Alex Birch was an adventurer.

During the depression he rode the rails; later in life he wore cowboy hats, and took his family on a 5,000 mile road trip in a 1950 Buick with four boys in the back seat towing a one wheel trailer. It is something the brothers still talk about to this day when they get together. It brings a tear to my eye when 14

Alex Birch the “Test Driver” I drive race cars and I have a hard time imagining my grandfather as a test driver.

He was short, round, and balding. Alex Birch test driver? No way. Although as production engineer for the GMC Motorhome it did make sense that Alex would be part of testing. To confirm this I have a thank you memo from General Motors (GM) for his driving and quick wit at the Stony Creek press demonstration.

Also growing up whenever I would ask grandpa about the GMC he would say to me “you can take a GMC Motorhome lock to lock at 45 mph and it would not roll”.

I had hard evidence that grandpa drove the motorhome to its limits, but I never really knew what that meant until last year.

The Handling of the GMC Motorhome Last year on our way to a camping spot in Randall, Washington we were rolling in our 1977 GMC Birchaven casually behind a car moving around 55 mph. I was in that hypnotic state just droning along not expecting anything, up in my own head thinking about checking in at the resort, how many drinks are in the refrigerator, or if we had enough beer. Without warning, the car in front of me slammed on its brakes and signaled left. When I say without warning, I mean the unexpected out of the blue

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random traffic move that deserves profanity, and with not more than a car length and a half between 10,000 pounds of GMC Motorhome and the rear bumper of a car containing a mom and her kids.

In this instant, all of the instinct that had been built up over the past eight years as an amateur race car driver kicked in.

Everything slowed down and became reaction. First, brake in a straight line. Foot to the floor, snap the brake pedal in half if necessary. Feel the surge and weight of the coach compressing on the front tires.

Those little items left on the counter or not secured were now in the air and flying frontward. Our bad refrigerator door latch gave way, door opened up and cans of that beer I was thinking about earlier were now in mid air on their way to the floor.

At the threshold of braking, just before the tires would begin to slip, it would be time to lift off the pedal. It couldn’t have been more than two feet between us. (Later I would be very thankful for upgrading to the one ton front end and for having one ton brakes.)

Next the turn, after just enough weight was lifted from the front wheels to allow turning without sliding it began. Full lock to the right at about 47mph, now inches between the two vehicles. Just past her back bumper, full lock left to keep the coach away from a ditch to the right, I remember the motorhome leaning like my race mini, sort of a twisting need to lift the inside rear wheel. Cans that were in the air were now rolling around the floor with other debris, and I remember thinking holy S#*! we made it!

Still on solid pavement, we passed mom on the right in a daze imagining the carnage that had barely been avoided. Cars behind me were honking at mom, I was thanking God we did not hurt the kids, and in the next moment two things snapped into my head.

First, this is an amazing machine. No other motorhome ever made could have

Long-time GMCMI members Alex and Bea Birch from 1990.

pulled off that maneuver. Anything else of comparable weight and size would have shaken more than our nerves and our beer.

Second, I heard my grandfather saying “from lock to lock at 45 mph and it won’t roll” in my head over and over after that. I knew in that instant he was a real test driver. He was Danny Devito in a track suit, and had put these coaches through more than anything I could have imagined on skidpad and on the track. My grandfather had been Sterling Moss for motorhomes. He was a driver.

Sequoia Testing In 1973 GM needed a driver with intimate knowledge of every system in the motorhome to advise production changes, someone who could push the coach to its limits and beyond to make it better. They asked their GMC Motorhome test driver and Production Engineer Alex Birch to take a coach, test it on its first cross country trip, and report back.

Alex and my grandmother, Bea, took an orange Sequoia GMC Motorhome 005 and drove west.

being able to document and publish our adventures might be interesting (I love photography). The notion had been lukewarm until my uncle Chuck gave me some photos. Included in a packet of GMC Motorhome documents were a few small photos I recognized.

On a visit to my grandparents house in the late ’90s I was allowed to shuffle through their scrapbooks, and was fortunate enough to have an early digital camera. I asked and got permission to play with my Casio digital camera by taking photos of photos so we could remember and share our trip.

I have copies of my grandfathers type written report to Mr. C. Brackett dated August 13, 1973 about this trip. On the upper right corner is scratched 005. It was a mystery what this meant for some time until I realized they had taken coach number five off the line.

That is where I had seen these before. My uncle had passed the originals from that album on to me. Digital copies are nice, but there is something deeper about an original, something more solid. As I sorted the documents, screen door patent papers, and photos of various sizes, four photos of the same size, shape, and tone ended up in a pile. Four, one ten instamatic snap shots that I had seen before sat on the table alone, and I did not give them much thought. When everything had been sorted, as I was putting them back in their envelope I turned one over...on the back in blue pen was written Sequoia, Testing GMC Motorhome. I had never seen the backs of these pictures. In that moment I realized they were taken on the first trip, taken in 1973 of coach number five, an orange Sequoia GMC in Sequoia National Park! It all came together and got very real at that moment: photos, memo to GM, family history, our Birchaven. I turned to my wife Lorraine and said “Rain, we’re going on that trip”.

My wife and I have been thinking about retracing their route for some time in our GMC Birchaven. I had considered following in grandpa’s footsteps before, recreating their trip would be fun and

The next part of this series will elaborate on the report written to GM by Alex Birch following their trip west. My wife Rainy and I will also report after retracing some of their route this August-September.

Alex and Bea were members of the National Camper Hikers Association (NCHA) and in 1973 the convention was in Los Banos, California. This would be their destination.

I do not know how much thought went into picking Los Banos, maybe it was just the right opportunity at the right time. A route was needed that would test systems to failure, and grandpa would come to realize he picked a good one.

SPRING 2020

GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONAL

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Flash from the Past

What’s you handle, big boy?

How many of you remember words like bear, handle, and hole in the wall? Okay, you know the words but do you know what they mean in CB talk? Most of us know that a bear is a policeman, a handle is a nickname instead of using call letters, and a hole in the wall is a tunnel. Just for fun, look at the Citizen Band Language Interpreter, and see what you really know. For example, I never knew that cactus juice is liquor. And there is a whole other world of bears – bear bait (a speeding vehicle without a CB – also known as bear meat), bear den (police station), bear in the bushes (speed trap) and Bubble Gum Machine (flashing light on police car). Some new ones for me were chicken coop (weigh station), pregnant rollerskate (Volkswagen Bug), and seatcovers (attractive woman in a vehicle).

So check out the list, have some fun, and keep the shiny side up and the dirty side down (drive safely)!

A pdf of the 1976 Citizens Band Radio Language Intrepreter Ten Code 250 Terms available at gmcmi.com.

Another item added to the collection at gmcmi.com.

Back of postcard reads: The world’s first and only Frankmobile, was custom built for Jordan’s Ready-to-Eat Meats of Portland, Maine.

The unique twenty-six foot Transmode contains equipment to dispense hot frankforts and rolls at events throughout New England, a meeting area, telescoping street light, CB radio, and inside-outside sound system.

Go to gmcmi.com to view these items and others.

We invite you to share items that you have in your collection with the GMCMH Community. Please send them to kimweeksgmc@gmail.com. Thank you.

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GMC VINTAGE RVING MAGAZINE | GMCMI.COM

A GMC Motorhome Vendor Profile Sometimes it just takes more than one person to tell a story. So here is the story of JR AND JEANNE SLATEN by Janet Frey and Byron Songer.

From Janet Frey: I had the pleasure of chatting with JR and Jeanne and have some interesting tidbits about this cute couple. They are lifelong residents of Louisville, Kentucky, and if you have ever chatted with them (who hasn’t) or had the joy of listening to JR announce the raffle winners at a Convention, you may have noticed that most wonderful Kentucky accent. We have enjoyed their attendance at the Conventions, and they reminded me that they have attended every Convention except one since Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1991.

Their life together started as high school sweethearts, continued as they attended the University of Louisville, and married in January 1965.

Jeanne raised her family (a daughter and son) and then was a teacher for 22 years in special education, helping students with dyslexia. (They also have two grandchildren and one great grandchild.) JR got his degree in electrical engineering and worked for General Electric in Louisville.

In 1973, JR saw his first GMC at a dealership, fell in love, but alas, it was too much money at the time. But, in 1980, they purchased their first GMC Motorhome, and have owned at least one ever since. (Actually, they have owned at least eight, and now have three.)

You may remember that JR has a business called Classic Coaches and Accessories, LLC. This started, as many things do, when JR needed oil lines. He found them, but they were too expensive, so he made them himself. This led to other parts such as the air valves for the original rotary valves, and also the lighted door handles. His products are promoted by word-of-mouth, the GMC Vintage RVing magazine and gmcmi.com website, and can be ordered by calling him.

Another favorite activity for this busy couple started ten years ago with motorcycles! They have brought them to several Conventions, including Branson and Dothan. And, in addition to the GMC clubs Byron listed, they also are members of the Loyal Order of Moose, Benevolent Order of Elks, and Fraternal Order of Eagles. Ken and I always are sure to catch up with JR and Jeanne at Conventions, and it is always a fun and friendly experience.

From Byron Songer: Just about everywhere anyone goes in the GMC domain, JR and Jeanne can be seen there among friends. I first met JR in the fall of 2007 at a rally in Nashville, Tennessee. Of course, since that initial meeting, I learned that JR and Jeanne were one of the many “specialty vendors” offering products for the GMC Motorhome Community. While Jeanne provided GMCMH-shaped jewelry, JR provided rotary valves to replace the originals in the early leveling system. They needed no alteration to replace the original set. JR also made superior 455 hose sets. One set was of flexible stainless steel and the other was a set of rigid tubes with proper fittings. He called

JR and the crew at the “Liar’s Table”.

the set “pretty close to bullet-proof”. And, if you have ever seen the “GMC Motorhome” embossed lighted assist handle for ease in getting in the motorhome, thank JR. Not only did this handle offer convenience but it also provided a soft glow to “dress up” the coach.

Main shrimp boil chef “JR” at the Spring 2019 GMCMI Convention in Tallahassee, Florida.

JR and Jeanne have been members of many GMC clubs: GMC Motorhomes International, Dixielanders, JR busy selling raffle tickets and parts at Conventions.

Great Lakers, Six Wheelers, Tidewater Crabs, Sunshine Statesmen, Western States, Eastern States, Alumni, and Classics.

Of course, being active members also got JR the responsibility of serving as President of GMCMI as well as Area Vice President, and Jeanne served as GMCMI Secretary. Back when the Dixielanders had an annual rally at Bean Station, Tennessee, JR could be seen organizing the Kentucky Derby pool since the work rally was always held on the first weekend in May. In closing, I think it is appropriate to provide a quote from JR: “As always, I want to say that I am not in the parts producing business. I make these parts as a service for my fellow GMCers.

At the risk of sounding corny, I’d like to say that I just like these old coaches and will do whatever I can to keep them on the road.”

JR and Jeanne enjoy riding their Harleys.

They trailered them to the GMCMI Conventions and enjoyed the scenic area.

For more information go to: gmcmi.com/suppliers/#slaten

SPRING 2020

GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONAL

17

Living with Detours – Just Follow the Signs!

David Blackshear | 1973 Painted Desert | Lafayette, Louisiana GMCMI Vice President-Eastern and 2014-2016 Past President

As everyone who reads this will know, the GMCMI Spring Convention was to be held in Patterson, Louisiana on April 17-23 was cancelled due to the rapidly spreading Coronavirus Covid-19. Your board deliberated thoroughly before taking this action with differing opinions as to what should be done before our members finalized their travel plans.

Complicating the matter was at that point there were no Covid-19 cases in Louisiana. One of the great benefits of your elected Board of Directors is the ability to sort through various concerns of the organization and reach decisions on behalf of the membership. In deciding to cancel the Spring Convention, this process proved to be correct.

Latest figures indicate the spread of Covid-19 in Louisiana has been dramatic with 41,989 cases and 2,801 deaths statewide. The majority has been in the New Orleans DETOUR area (15,009 cases with 968 deaths with the heaviest hit being nursing homes).

Patterson is in the Parish of St. Mary where 333 cases and 32 deaths were reported.

The State of Louisiana, like most others, is in turmoil. Restaurants and bars and all tourist sites are just now operating at 50% capacity (Phase 2).

So, as we continue to overcome the challenges of Covid-19, we move forward, anticipating our upcoming Conventions!

A Personal Note Sue and I recently moved from Maryland to Lafayette, Louisiana (62 miles from Patterson) to be near family as it has been three years since Sue had a stroke and lost her speech (she can speak words she reads and hears and sings perfectly but original thoughts come out scrambled or not at all).

Lafayette is the center of “Acadiana” where large numbers of French Nova Scotians moved after they were deported for refusing to swear allegiance to England. (The British burned their homes and crops to prevent their return in what is known as the Grand Derangement. Lots of French still spoken here and as for food, Lafayette has the 7th largest number of restaurants per capita in the United States.

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GMC VINTAGE RVING MAGAZINE | GMCMI.COM

Fall 2020 Exit

Fall Convention

±

September 18-24, 2020

Central States Fairground ± Rapid City, South Dakota

Fall 2020 Convention Exit September 18-24, 2020 Central States Fairground Rapid City, South Dakota

Looking to the future, the GMCMI Fall Convention in Rapid City, South Dakota! In addition to the Convention, this is a great area to experience the “Black Hills Adventures”.

The crown jewel is the Mt. Rushmore National Memorial 30 minutes away. Within an hour’s drive (or less) are Custer State Park with bison herds,

Spring 2021 Convention Exit April 16-22, 2021 Patterson Civic Center Patterson, Louisiana

Its a redo!

Spring 2021 Exit

Yes, we will be returning to Patterson for the 2021 Spring GMCMI Convention.

Many, especially members who have been there before, took in other areas: New Orleans, the “Cajun Coast”, Lafayette, and especially the food (think seafood – oysters, shrimp, fish, and crawfish)!

April 16-22, 2021

Grab your hat and kick up you shoes.

GMCMI has scheduled a Zydeco band, a Mardi Gras Celebration, and did I mention food? But don’t worry, there are technical and non-technical sessions, open house, weighing of the coaches, and so much more!

GMCMI.com

Put it on your calendar!

Crazy Horse Memorial, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, the Badlands National Park, and the Minuteman Missile National Historical Site. Devil’s Tower National Monument is an hour and a half and for a great extended vacation Yellowstone/ Grand Teton National Park is less than 500 miles away.

If you are father away and do not want to take your coach, come anyway. Fly or take your car and “motel it” as we did for the last Rapid City Convention. This is a great time to have a great time. See you there!

Ò

Watch for up-to-date information at gmcmi.com, GMCMI facebook page, and your monthly GMCMI eNews.

Byron Songer Illustration

SPRING 2020

GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONAL

19

Generally Speaking

Consider the following scenario with the thought of “what would you do?”.

Leonard and Penny are taking two of their grandkids on an extended GMC Motorhome outing. After enjoying such sites as Yellowstone National Park, Mt. Rushmore and a few other attractions along their journey, they were headed home.

About 100 miles from home, there was a big bang. After pulling safety to the side of the road, Penny and the kids were asking “what was that?” and “can you fix it”. Leonard had a theory about the big bang. His big bang theory was that either a tire had a blow-out or that an air bag had expelled all of it’s air in a hurry. A quick check outside confirmed Leonard’s big bang theory to be an air bag.

The kids asked in unison, “can you fix it, Papa?” and “will we be able to make it home?”.

“Papa can fix anything”, says Grandma to help calm down the kids.

Leonard prides himself in being prepared for most issues. After his purchase of his GMC Motorhome, he explored the options listed below and decided on one of those as his “backup” in case of an air bag emergency. Leonard installed his Emergency Air Bag Substitute and was able to carefully complete the 100 miles back home.

The kids, again, in unison said, “Papa can fix anything!”.

Before you find yourself in Leonard’s situation without a backup plan, consider these options:

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Option 2 A piece of 1 1/2” iron pipe 13.5” long and a piece of 5/8” threaded rod 16” long with a nut and lock washer at each end and with the threaded rod passing through the iron pipe.

Option 3 Ragusa sells an Air Bag Rod (RV-08) listed as a temporary replacement for torn or blownout air suspension bag – length = 16”. (ragusarv.com) Option 4 Ragusa also sells an Internal Air Bag Block ‘DogBone’ to be used as an emergency air bag support without removing the damaged air bag.

Option 5 Carry a spare air bag and hope it has not deteriorated while in storage.

Option 6 Call for a tow!

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GMC forum | Al Hamilton

Randy VanWinkle | 1977 Eleganza II Battlefield, Missouri

Option 1 A 4” x 4” piece of wood cut to a length of 13.5” with a hole in the center of each end to accept a 5/8” x 5” lag bolt.

Options 1-3 require that the old damaged air bag be removed before installing. The necessary tools to accomplish this should be carried.

Options 1-4 are primarily designed to be used with the original equipment air bags.

However, with some forethought options 1-3 can be made to work with most of the upgraded air bag systems.

Note: These options are not intended as a permanent fix but only for travel of a short distance – proceed cautiously to a place where the air bag can be replaced.

Collapsible Cones ragusarv.com

Emergency Air Bag Substitute

GMC forum | Al Hamilton

Introducing “Generally Speaking”, a new 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.

ragusarv.com

Ò

QUESTIONS, TIPS, INNOVATIONS, AND MORE

Ken Frey | 1976 Palm Beach Milford Square, Pennsylvania

We have had a collapsible traffic cone in the GMC for many years. It has a nylon fluorescent cover with a mechanism inside that allows it to be stored flat, or pop up when needed. I do not know where we purchased it, but we hear that it is available on Amazon in two sizes, under $13.

We highly recommend having this cone, as well as a red flag (on a short stick) and a fluorescent vest for those occasions when you need to get help or provide help. And remember, the cone can be used for marking the end of your awning, protecting the parking area of your tow car, or anything else that you can imagine!

GMPhotoStore

Portable Charger Plus

Chevrolet Chalet Royale

Windshield Wiper

Keith Weeks | 1973 Custom Painted Desert Pharr, Texas

Bill Bryant | 1976 Palm Beach Previous Owner | Pleasant Valley, New York

Larry Weidner | 1978 Royale Menomonie, Wisconsin

Wow…I asked Kim to purchase a portable battery starter, she found this, and it works great. It is the DBPOWER 2000A 20800mAh Portable Car Jump Starter Auto Battery Booster Pack and includes Dual USB outputs, type-C port, and LED flashlight. She found it on Amazon for $82.99. She likes it because she can run her laptop and charge her phone with it.

Questions about the Chalet Royale have been making the rounds recently, I had few details so I asked the expert.

I went with the Lumina wipers and found that the 24” blades would not keep good contact with the windshield, especially at speed. I had to go to 22” or 20” blades so lbs/sq inch was higher. While that worked better than the 24’s, I have found that Rain-X is the best solution. When traveling, I look at the weather. Any chance of rain, I just Rain-X.

It has the newest intelligent protection clamps and a LED screen that can easily show your status. It comes with a great case to hold everything. It is small in size – only 9.8 x 5.2 x 4.2 inches (fits in a glove compartment), and weighs only 2.35 lbs. This jump starter comes with a 3 year warranty and lifetime technical support!

I checked with Mike Lathers who was the designer of the GMC Motorhome and he was intimately familiar with this design.

It turns out RV motorhome builders (GMs competitors) were upset since the new GMC Motorhome was stealing all the admiration and some sales. As a result, the RV builders were going to discontinue purchasing Chevrolet and GMC truck chassis unless GM did something about this problem.

GMs Commercial Vehicle Truck Studio decided to design an attractive motorhome for the Chevrolet/GMC bus chassis. Chevrolet gave the Chalet Royale design to Winnebago, they apparently made use of it in their Elante model. This was apparently sufficient to smooth over the controversy. GM did not go beyond the “Chevrolet Chalet Royale” clay model and design, an actual vehicle was never was built.

Thank You! Check out the 2020 version of the GMC Motorhome Parts Interchange. Hope you enjoy.

Also, many thanks to those who have submitted new and updated numbers and information.

Remember, this is your Parts Interchange, and the information is only as good as you make it! GMCMI is pleased to provide the Parts Interchange in printed format and an electronic database version at gmcmi.com. And, a special thank you to John Wright for updating the Spark Plug Application Guide and Mark Elmer for updating all of the NAPA numbers.

SPRING 2020

GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONAL

21

Technical Corner

MAINTENANCE, RENOVATIONS, AND MORE

Not Your Average Cabinets Justin Brady | 1976 Palm Beach | Bell Buckle, Tennessee | thegmcrv.com (see story on page 8)

That is the basic layout for the passenger side cabinets.

After that mockup, we transferred it over to real CAD (from SketchUp) and then tossed it on the CNC to get cutting. (Okay it is not nearly that simple, but we’re going to go with that.)

Once it was cut, a little glue, a little clamp time and assembly.

Where’s the storage space?

Storage is a huge deal in an RV as I am sure you are already aware! We need space for everything you normally need like clothes and food, but also additional space for tools, camp chairs, a table, hiking boots, spare parts, motorcycle gear, rain gear, etc etc. With this in mind we set about designing our cabinetry.

We wanted something different, something sleek and modern, but with a 70s vibe to pay homage to the vehicle they were going in. We also wanted no overheads (GASP!). Overheads are a staple of motorhome design, they are in every motorhome I have ever been in.

The problem is that they encroach on the visual space of a small enclosed area.

The cabinets level with your face and make the space feel much much tighter and smaller. We have essentially 8’ x 23’ to work with so it needs to feel as large as possible!

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I can not say enough for visual impression and overall feel. The moment you walk into a space you are bombarded with all of the sensory input that makes your decision on whether a space feels good or bad. We were very careful through the whole build to take this into consideration and the outcome has a distinctly awesome feel when you walk in the door!

After a lot of time talking and staring at the computer screen this is what we came up with.

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All of the plywood we used was Garnica Lightweight Euro-Ply. It is great and weighs less than 40 lbs per sheet. Because we used 20+ sheets total, we realized a huge overall weight savings.

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

For the faces, we again wanted to do something interesting. So we decided to make the entire face of this cabinet out of one piece of ply. Using a very small router bit we cut the cabinet doors out of the face and veneered the edges. This means that the grain flows continuously on the whole face. A very cool look once it was all painted up!

For paint we again wanted something modern, but with a 70s vibe. We chose white for the base walls because it gives such a warm inviting feel. The problem with 95% of GMC motorhomes in my opinion is that they are all so dark and uninviting.

White really changes that.

With the white, we contrasted with a sage green on the cabinet doors, because again the goal was inviting, homey, and fun.

For the green, we diluted the paint heavily and used a few layers, this allows the grain of the wood to show through which gives it an awesome earthy feel as opposed to a high gloss modern look. We then cleared over everything to keep it looking nice.

The rest of the cabinetry was done in a similar fashion. Pocket screws were used so that there is not one single visible fastener in the coach.

Dinette We decided against a traditional dinette. It takes up too much room for one use only, it is not comfortable to sit at when you’re not eating and you cannot just lounge there.

We rounded it out with oversize brushed nickel handles and pulls.

And that is pretty much it for cabinets! It was a much, much longer process than it looks!

So we came up with something different.

The basic premise is a large lounge/couch that also doubles as a dinette. The table sits on a raise-able pedestal and when lowered becomes part of the couch. When raised it is a nice walnut dining table for two. We wanted to round the edge so that the entrance to the coach did not feel constrained and tight (there he goes again with that visual space mumbo-jumbo). To do this we used an old method of curving wood with a twist. Using the CNC router we cut away strips on the inside of the curve to make the plywood flexible, we then fastened it to a frame and built from there:

Other than countless hours of veneer work and finish sanding in preparation for paint, that is pretty much how all of the cabinets were done. The bed headboard and foot-board were curved in the same manner as the dinette.

SPRING 2020

GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONAL

23

Technical Corner

MAINTENANCE, RENOVATIONS, AND MORE

Re-positioning a GMC/Olds/Cadillac 500 Distributor...Have No Fear!

Dick Paterson | 1976 Eleganza II | Coldwater, Ontario | Springfield Performance Ignition | paterson-gmc.com

Olds Scenarios Re-positioning the Distributor Sometimes you cannot set the initial timing because the vacuum advance ‘can’ is physically up against the intake manifold preventing movement of the distributor housing. The position of the vacuum advance ‘can’ needs to be moved for more clearance. The following steps can help you accomplish this: 1. Set the engine on #1 top dead center. An easy way to determine the compression stroke is to insert your finger or thumb onto the spark plugs hole and bump the starter until you feel some pressure.

2. The rotor should point at the distributor cap terminal where the #1 wire is attached.

with wire #2 now on the original #1 spot.

5. Loosen the hold-down bolt, turn the distributor housing about one inch “clockwise”, tighten the bolt.

6. Set the timing with a timing light.

Note: To advance the timing – turn the distributor housing – opposite the rotor rotation, i. e., Olds distributors rotate counter-clockwise...move the distributor clockwise.

The Distributor is Out of the Engine and You Need to Re-install it 1. Set the engine on #1 top dead center.

3. Remove #8 wire (first terminal post to the left) and move the #1 plug wire (to the #8 wire post).

2. Visualize the front of the motor with thermostat housing being 12 o’clock. Lower the distributor into the distributor hole, positioning the vac advance ‘can’ pointing to about “5 o’clock”.

4. Move all wires counter-clockwise around the cap in sequence, ending

3. Wiggle the rotor to engage the hex drive shaft to seat the distributor.

Advance or Retard — Which Way?

GMC/Olds Distributor Rotates Counter-Clockwise

4. Set the distributor cap on loose so you can tip it back for a peek to determine which terminal the rotor is pointing to.

5. Regardless which terminal the rotor is pointing at – it can now become #1...or if you want to move the rotor to a different position to utilize the original plug wire lengths – simply lift the distributor two inches and move the rotor.

Important Point: With the distributor in the engine on top dead center #1 – you can rotate the housing into any position and the rotor will stay put. Whichever terminal the rotor ends up pointing to can be used as #1 terminal.

Cadillac 500 Re-positioning the Distributor The position of the distributor is not often a problem with a small points distributor but is a much tighter fit with the larger cap HEI. To re-position the distributor do the following: 1. Set the motor on top dead center #1.

2. Pull the plug wires out of the cap.

3) Loosen the hold-down clamp.

4. Orient the distributor housing to locate the vacuum advance ‘can’ away from the front of the engine.

5. You may also want to re-locate the hold-down hook “plastic bumps” on the outside of the distributor cap to better clear the belts. Note: The rotor has not moved – just the housing has and the distributor cap locating notch is now in a different place.

6. Peek under the cap to see which terminal the rotor is now pointing at.

7. Make this the #1 terminal (as stated above).

Twis t Ho usin to A g Clock dvan wise ce

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8. Attach the plug wires in the Cadillac firing order: 1 5 6 3 4 2 7 8 – “clockwise” around the cap.

9. Set timing with a timing light**.

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

Why Yellow and Red Dots on New Tires?

Tom Whitton | 1973 Custom Glacier | Paducah, Kentucky

Reinstalling a Cadillac Distributor 1. Set the engine on #1 top dead center, 2. Lower the distributor into the distributor hole.

3. Wiggle the rotor to engage the tang into the slot*.

4. Set the distributor cap on loose so you can tip it back for a peek to determine which terminal the rotor is pointing to.

5. Regardless which terminal the rotor is pointing at – it can now become #1. * When reinstalling a Cadillac distributor the drive shaft bottom “tang” engages into a slot – as the spiral on the gear engages – it will move the tang not allowing it to drop into the slot.

By using a long flat blade screwdriver you can rotate the slot slightly – into a better “engagement” position. This might take two or three tries.

The picture below of my right front tire and wheel shows the random positioning of the dots on the sidewall of a new tire, which is pretty much typical for all six of my tires and wheels. The random positioning of the dots shows that the installer did not pay much attention to the dots. As you can see, like many of you, I run Alcoa wheels. Alcoa, American Eagle, and other aluminum wheels are well balanced with minimum run-out.

Steel wheels may be less balanced with more run-out. If so, the location of the yellow and red dots is probably more important on steel wheels.

If you look closely at the picture, hopefully, you can see the dots.

Unfortunately, they are in the wrong location. Even with aluminum wheels, it would preferable if the yellow dot was in line with the valve stem.

11:00 o’clock – Yellow Dot 3:15 o’clock – Red Dot 8:00 o’clock – Valve stem

The Red Dot In the same way that tires are never perfectly balanced from the manufacturer, new tires are never perfectly round. They have high and low points because of where the belts are joined, and these points can cause vibrations when a tire is rolling. The red dot indicates the tire’s high point. Most of the time, a wheel will also have a dot – either a drilled dot or a sticker to indicate its low point. If you have these marks, you should align the red dot with the mark on the wheel. By doing this, you minimize the vibration caused by the high point of the tire. Minimized vibration is a good thing and ultimately also saves you money.

Google these words if you want more on the subject: “yellow and red dots on new tires”. In the meantime, the discussion that follows covers the basics. The next time you have new tires mounted and balanced you may want to ask the installer to line up the dots on the tires as prescribed below.

Unanswered questions: Which dot is more important? My guess is if you have steel wheels aligning the red dot with the wheel’s low point would be most important. If you cannot find the low point, align the yellow dot with the valve stem. For aluminum wheels, align the yellow dot with the valve stem.

Yellow Dot

Tang Whenever a distributor is installed or moved – check timing with a timing light**. ** To advance the timing: turn the distributor housing – opposite the rotor rotation. i.e.: Cadillac turns clockwise... move the distributor counterclockwise.

CAD Advance

The Yellow Dot When tires are made, seldom are they perfectly balanced. Most manufacturers will place a yellow dot on the section of the tire where there is least weight.

The technician is then supposed to line up this yellow dot to where the valve stem is located. Where the valve stem is located is the heaviest point of the wheel. By aligning the lightest spot on the tire with the heaviest point on the wheel, the tire/wheel balance is as close to optimal as can be. As such, you won’t be using as many weights around the wheel to balance out the tire and wheel.

By using fewer weights you get a more balanced wheel, which then means a quieter, more comfortable ride, and a longer-lasting tire.

Red Dot

SPRING 2020

GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONAL

25

Technical Corner

MAINTENANCE, RENOVATIONS, AND MORE

Microlevel Jon Roche | 1975 Palm Beach | St. Cloud, Minnesota | | lqqkatjon.blogspot.com (see story on page 8)

Keith Vasilakes, a member of the GMC Greater Midwest Classics, has designed a new air leveling system. At our 2019 Spring Rally, Keith assisted me in installing his MicroLevel air leveling system in my coach.

Keith had shipped the wiring harness to me a month earlier and I had installed the harness a few weeks before our rally.

His harness was a simple task to install at home with the GMC Motorhome on ramps. It consists of just a simple signal cable that follows along the brake lines that go to the wheel wells then up to the dash.

A previous owner of my 1975 coach added an Electrol-Level 1 (EL1) system.

It consisted of standard EL1 switches located where the old power level valves used to be and a stack of six air valves mounted to an aluminum plate near the wiper motor.

in a few hours with only one trip to the hardware store for miscellaneous brass fittings.

The first thing we had to do was re-plumb my six solenoids into four.

There are now two solenoids to dump air and two solenoids to add air.

Keith’s system uses just a single air line from the compressor to the air valves and two air lines leaving the air valves each going to one of the two airbags. The MicroLevel controller fits neatly in the dash of coaches with the dash mounted air controls. A constant 12v and an ignition switched 12v needs to connect to the controller. The relay to the compressor has to be re-wired to allow the MicroLevel to control when the compressor has power.

My air system has never worked consistently over the nine years I have owned my coach. I have worked on it many times. It seemed like I was always chasing leaks and problems forcing me to go back to my marked wood stick to set ride height before I drove away.

Keith’s MicroLevel system has some great features. It is not too difficult to install.

We installed the system at the campsite

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The MicroLevel system comes with a four-button keyfob allowing you to remotely control the right side up and

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down as well as the left side up and down.

This feature is very handy for filling up with fuel and dumping the black tank.

An outstanding feature of the MicroLevel system is providing automatic control for both “travel” and “camp/auto level”.

Once it is calibrated for your coach’s ride height and level (which is simple to do), it controls the coach’s height automatically.

When you press the “travel button” the coach goes to the set ride height.

When you press the “camp button” it automatically levels your coach.

The MicroLevel system uses electronic ride height sensors that must be installed in place of the original ride height valves.

When I started working with the air lines, I quickly found that the old air lines were brittle in many places.

I decided to replace them. Air line replacement is simple because the MicroLevel system only needs one line to each air bag.

I am guessing most coaches are the same and the plastic lines are one bump away from failure!

More information on the Micro-level system can be found in Keith Vasilakes’ technical papers availabe at gmcmi.com/air-suspension.

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

The “Poo Pump” Chris Reek | 1976 Palm Beach | Doetinchem, Netherlands | thegmcrv.com (see story on page 7)

If you do not want to end up like me, outside your GMC Motorhome, on a hot afternoon on a historical square in France, between tumbling turds….and spectators, or not be able to dump your tank at all, as on many occasions in Europe due to the widely use of waste water cassettes... You should make your best improvement ever!

Last year I installed a macerator. Finally convinced my wife that we could dump faster, cleaner, and drive around without smelling.

Bought a Jabsco pump online and built the kit myself. Total costs were roughly 300 Euro (approx. $340). I installed it at the end the OEM main valve. It grinds everything that comes through, so it can be discretely pumped through a normal garden hose into a waste dumping point, instead of blobbed out that big black snake that fits nowhere. Ours has a on-off switch, but the real freaks use a remote control.

How cool is that? Imagine you have tailgaters. We both concluded it should have made the update list much earlier then it did (after three years traveling).

Our system still has a valve operated dump pipe, so dumping and if necessary cleaning is possible at all times. I placed a flexible piece of pipe on the old (opened) valve and used this to connect the rest of the plumbing and valves. The back of the GMC Motorhome is still lowered before dumping and once in a while I throw up a few bags of ice cubes through the toilet into the holding tank. Then drive around for some time, until all ice is melted and then empty all its contents.

A macerator works so easy and clean, but beware and tell your guests to not throw cotton swabs or any other stuff but toilet paper in your toilet, otherwise you will have additional work to do for sure.

Buddy Bethune Retires

by Janet Frey, Editor of GMC Vintage RVing magazine

I recently chatted with Buddy Bethune regarding his full retirement after 47 years of repairing, refurbishing, and selling GMC Motorhomes.

Community. His connections allowed him to use his expertise to repair and refurbish the GMCs, and he also offered his assistance to those GMC owners who wanted to sell their motorhomes.

He recounted his career including working at one of the original 50 GMC Motorhome dealers. This gave him an opportunity to go to the GMC schools in Pontiac, Michigan, thus becoming familiar with the “care and feeding” of the GMC Motorhome.

He conveyed this message: “I would like to pause and thank all of my past clients and customers that I have met along the way. Wishing you all the best life has to offer, Sincerely, Buddy Bethune.” To this interesting, clever fellow, GMCMI says – thank you! Congratulations on your retirement. And enjoy your next great adventure – hot rods!

Through changes in the dealerships to owning his own business, he has been a loyal supporter of the GMC Motorhome

SPRING 2020

GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONAL

27

Technical Corner

MAINTENANCE, RENOVATIONS, AND MORE

GMC Motorhome Electrical Systems Justin Brady | 1976 Palm Beach | Bell Buckle, Tennessee | thegmcrv.com (see story on page 8)

Electricity is one of my favorite topics, there is so much that goes into it that it is like a giant puzzle waiting to be pieced together. (can you tell I am a nerd?)

everything in the “house” and your engine battery that powers everything in the dash and engine compartment. (this also powers your stock compressor for electrolevel).

My electrical background comes from my real job, I am the owner of Walnut Wood Works, and as owner that means that I am also the maintenance man, the machinery repair man, and electrician!

The AC side is pretty familiar to most, it is the same as whats in your house. Hot neutral and ground, etc. I am not going to go into that because you either know how to do it, or you should leave it to a professional so you do not burn down your coach.

We deal with a lot of heavy machinery pulling a lot of electricity on a daily basis so the GMC wiring is a walk in the park by comparison.

Almost.

The beauty/horrifying reality of a GMC is that there are not one but two distinct electrical systems. There is the DC system that runs all your lighting and DC appliances (all the 12V stuff) and then there is the AC side that runs your air conditioners, fridge, etc. This would not be a real challenge if they did not connect together in several places now would it? Add all that together and you get a pretty solid mess of wiring.

As with everything else with renovating our GMC, we were not happy about how it was done in the 70s. The technology just was not there yet. So we started from scratch.

We will start with a basic background on how the GMC electrical system works, if you already know this great, skip on ahead, if not read on and possibly learn a little something that can save you a repair bill down the line.

A stock GMC has two 120V AC power sources, those are the generator and the shore power connection. These supply standard household 120V power to power your AC’s, water heater, fridge, outlets, and the converter.

These are interchangeable. While boondocking you run the generator, in a park you connect to shore power.

Similarly there are two sources of 12V DC power as well. Your house batteries power

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I prefer marine parts to RV parts. In my experience things built for marine use are better quality than those for RV use. To me RV Parts=Cheap. We do not stock any at the moment, but we like the Blue Sea products (marine).

From here your wiring is likely fine if it works, don’t fix it.

The DC side is pretty simple. You have got your battery(s), your distribution center, the wiring, and your loads.

We Will Start with Batteries Most (me included) recommend using two 6V deep cycle batteries in series to get 12V. There is a few reasons for this but basically you get more bang for your buck and more power from your batteries. 6V golf cart batteries like the Trojan T105 I preferred.

They put out somewhere around 200-250 AH depending on the brand and model. But what is an AH? It is a measure of how much power your battery can store. The higher the number the more juice you will have on reserve (complicated subject, but that is the gist).

Lighting The lighting stock in a GMC is standard 12v halogen. There is nothing wrong with this and if it works for you, keep on keeping on.

However, newer better tech is available. LED lighting draws 1/10 the power for the same light as an incandescent. (Read the lighting post at thegmcrv.com.) Less power draw = more time on your batteries and less time on the juice! Basically if you run nothing but lights, you can stay out 10X longer with the LED’s than you could with the standard 12v halogens. That is a big difference!

Distribution The distribution center in the GMC is also outdated with glass fuses. We recommend replacing this with a nice new 12V fuse box with blade fuses that are a lot easier to see when blown, and in this day and age a lot easier to find replacements for if you are in the middle of nowhere. Most every gas station carries blade fuses, I am noticing fewer and fewer with glass fuses.

Converter Your converter is the interface between the 12v DC and 120v AC systems. In it’s simplest form the converter is a battery charger.

When you connect to power (be it shore or generator) your converter does the job of charging your batteries on the DC side.

One of the best and easiest upgrades you can make for your GMC is to replace the stock converter with a new unit. A new converter from Progressive Dynamics or whoever you choose will provide faster charges, fuller charges, and most importantly

GMC VINTAGE RVING MAGAZINE | GMCMI.COM

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

it has a little tiny guy inside that tells the converter “hey dipshit the battery is full! Stop charging it”. Seriously, upgrade the converter if you care for your batteries.

Today’s converters use complex charge algorithms, but in essence what they do is three stages.

• Bulk charging is first, that is at 14.2ish volts and this is what really pumps the juice into your batteries. This goes from 0% charge to roughly 90% charge. This will vary in power based on your converter but will start near the maximum amp rating (60,55,45 amps etc) and taper down from there as the battery fills. Think of amps as how much water is coming out of the hose, a large hose with a lot of water fills a bucket to 90% faster than a small hose with less flow.

The same applies to a converter, a 60 amp converter will fill your battery faster than a 45 amp converter. (at least to the 90% mark and limited by what your batteries can take).

• Absorption charging is next. It bumps the voltage down to 13.6 or so and holds it there.

The current is then limited (amps in) to keep your battery from overheating and boiling off the water while it fills to 98% or so.

• Float charge is the last stage. It bumps the voltage down even further to 13.2 ish volts and holds it there with very little current flowing. This tops off the battery and then keeps it at 100% without doing any damage to your batteries.

In contrast, the stock 70s charger charges at one voltage and lets the battery handle the excess charge, this ends up boiling the battery and ruining it in the long run.

Inverter The GMC did not come with an inverter stock. An inverter is the opposite of a converter. It turns your 12V DC battery power into 120V AC power for use with televisions, outlets, etc. Most people have used or are using an inverter in their coach.

A few notes on inverters: • You have to run big wire to an inverter.

These things pull a lot of current from the batteries and must be treated with respect. You cannot use a 10 gauge wire to connect an inverter. Many people make the mistake of undersizing these wires.

This causes severe voltage drop and major bottlenecking, more importantly it can burn your coach to the ground if you are pulling too much power through too little wire. I am a big proponent of overkill. If you are going to use an inverter read the specs and go at least one wire size bigger than the manufacturer recommends.

• Another common mistake is distance.

Again you are pulling a lot of current here, you want an inverter as close as possible to the battery. Ideally, less than four feet of wire. So do not put your inverter up front and run tiny wires through the roof and over the floor and around the water tank and up through the walls and then back down to your battteries. Not only is it not safe, it is also going to draw a whole lot more power to power your electronics than necessary, meaning once again less battery time.

Solar Solar is another add-on that can help with your battery issues. A solar controller is really just another battery charger. You connect it to the solar panels and the batteries (again, big wires, short distances) and “BAM” free power any time you are in the sun. There are a ton of options in the solar realm. Check out “Electrical Part Two: Solar” on my blog.

Battery Monitors If you have not caught on by now, this is all about the batteries! They need to be properly cared for, treated nicely, and used appropriately. To do this you need information. You need to know how much power you are drawing, how much charging you are getting, how much time you have left,

SPRING 2020

etc. This is where a battery monitor comes in.

The monitor uses a shunt (which in essence measures current flow through it) to measure all the power into and out of the battery.

It then does a lot of math and tells you all the things you need to know about your batteries, ie: How charged are they? How much power are my lights pulling? what’s my voltage? Is my converter working? Is my solar charger working? If I move over into more sun do I get more power? Do I need to start the genset and recharge? etc., etc.

We used the Vicron BMV700 because I think it is the best one out there for a reasonable price. It tells you all the things you need to know, and even cooler is you can bluetooth all that info to your phone so you can see it without having to scroll through the tiny screen on the monitor.

Transfer Switch A transfer switch simply automates the swap from shore power to generator power so you do not have to unplug and replug the shore power cord. This is very convenient and we highly recommend it. We also are using a separate transfer switch to switch between inverter power and shore power for a select few appliances.

Alternator So far we have only discussed the house batteries. The alternator charges the engine battery when you are driving. The GMC comes with an isolator so that it also charges the house batteries. The isolator once again is from the 70s and there are better options these days. The easiest thing to do is add a battery combiner which has another little microprocessor that tells it to connect or disconnect the house and engine batteries so you can charge both at the same time. (i.e. the alternator will charge the house batteries and the converter will charge the engine battery.) This can be added to the existing isolator in about 10 minutes with no modifications.

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•

Technical Corner

MAINTENANCE, RENOVATIONS, AND MORE

•

Starting an Engine That Has Been Sitting for an Extended Period Larry Weidner | 1978 Royale | Menomonie, Wisconsin

The following is just my humble opinion.

I offer this FYI. Your milage may vary.

Over the last 15 yrs I have seen a number of people get into GMCing buying a GMC that has been sitting for a number of years.

In several of those cases, they were able to get the GMC started, put it in gear and drove it home. Sometimes they didn’t make it when the engine went bad. Sometimes they made it home, but within a short number of miles the engine went bad. I have a theory about engines that go bad after sitting for an extended period of time.

Gravity is an idle engine’s worst enemy.

Over long periods of idle time, gravity will pull oil off of everything that needs lubricant, into the pan leaving bearing surfaces, cam lobes and cylinder walls dry. So, when a person pulls the air cleaner off and squirts a little gas or starter fluid down the carb, and the engine starts right away, it may run for... who knows how long before oil can get to those surfaces. No oil and there is immediate metal to metal contact and excessive wear that takes place during the first few minutes of operation. Then it is only a matter of a short time before you have cylinder wall scoring, cam lobe and lifter scoring and rod and main bearing scoring. The rod and main bearing being the most critical, because that can leave you on the side of the road within a couple of hundred miles.

May I suggest the following to reduce or eliminate the inevitable. If the engine has not been running for extended periods, do the following.

Do not start or try to start or even turn the engine over without first doing this procedure.

• Drain and replace oil in the oil pan and oil cooler.

• Replace the oil filter, filling the oil filter with oil before spinning it on.

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• Refill with 5w30 or 5w40 of your choice. (the 5 weight will flow to bearing surfaces quicker) • Pull all spark plugs out and put a couple of squirts of the same oil into each cylinder.

• Leave the plugs out for now.

• Turn engine over by hand to line up timing marks with #1 cylinder at TDC compression.

• Pull the distributor out making note of where the rotor is pointing with engine at TDC compression and which way the rotor turns.

• Mark the distributor body location, remover the cap and mark the rotor so it can be removed and replaced.

• Pull both valve covers off.

• If the coach has A/C, getting the right side cylinder valve cover off may not be practical so you may have to skip this.

• Using an extender/adaptor where the distributor was, drive the oil pump with an electric drill until you can see oil coming out of the rocker arms....ALL OF THEM. On the Oldsmobile engine, drive the oil pump in the counterclockwise direction or same direction as the distributor normally turns. (drill in reverse) On the Cadillac engine drive the oil pump in the clockwise direction.

• Now you have fresh oil to all bearing surfaces.

• Using a squirt can, oil down the valve train on the heads and put the valve covers back on.

• Turn the engine over with the starter, with the plugs out, only long enough, until you can see oil pressure at the gauge. As soon as the gauge needle starts to move, stop turning over.

• Now you have oil on the cylinder walls.

All that is left is oil to the cam lobes. To get oil to the cam, you must start the engine.

• Always manually turn an engine though a full cycle before attempting to start it.

In our case, that means put a socket on the crankshaft bolt and pull the engine through two full turns.

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• This is important because if there is a valve stuck or corrosion on a cylinder wall (both are very common problems), you will feel it and (hopefully) stop before any additional damage is done. If a valve is stuck open and a piston strikes it, the valve will need to be replaced and the piston may be damaged.

If there is corrosion in a bore and the piston can be backed off it, often that bore can be cleaned up enough to remove the piston without damage to it.

• Turn engine over by hand and line up timing marks with #1 at TDC compression.

• Drop the distributor in with rotor pointed as noted earlier.

• Put plugs back in.

• Put the cap back on and put plug wires to proper cylinder (1,8,4,3,6,5,7,2) accept for the Cadillac engine. Which is 1,5,6,3,4,2,7,8.)

• Prepare to start the engine.

• Confirm that there is gas in the carb, and that there is spark, and you are at TDC compression.

• Squirt a little fuel down the carb primaries, put the air cleaner back on incase of a backfire.

• Turn the engine over to start and bring to 2000 RPM immediately.

• Run at 2000 RPM for a minimum of one minute to lube the cam and lifters.

At 2k RPM, the rods will be throwing lots of oil on the cylinders and camshaft.

• There will be lots of smoke out the tail pipe from the oil you squirted into the cylinders earlier.

• Set the timing to factory specs.

• Now you can check all other things, like brakes, antifreeze, transmission fluid... etc...etc. and other essentials before you drive it home.

This procedure should significantly reduce the amount of start-up wear on long sitting engines, leading to normal engine life, taking you many trouble free miles.

GMC Motorhome Suppliers List >> FULL SERVICE, PARTS & REPAIR FACILITIES

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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.

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.

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.

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 & service for the GMC Motorhome.

Repair and maintenance to full renovations available.

Read more on our web site.

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. Read more on our website.

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 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!

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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!

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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.

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Ken L. Frey Auto Repair 215-536-1246 | freyautoken@yahoo.com www.kenlfreyautorepair.com 1669 N. Old Bethlehem Pike, Quakertown PA 18951 Service and repair of GMC Motorhomes.

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.

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.

Blaine Merrell 765-522-3241 | dsekula@tds.net | www.bdub.net/blainemerrell/ 101 Way West Airpark, Bainbridge, IN 46105-9449 Front window screens, wind wings, lower radiator guard.

Bob Burkitt 513-530-5021 | Fax 513-530-5023 | rburkitt@cinci.rr.com www.bdub.net/bobburkitt/ 11382 Marlette Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45249-2210 New screen door and Birch door replacement parts.

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GMC Motorhome Suppliers List 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)

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Custom Instrument Panels Mac McNeal | 704-985-0171 | cipdash@sbcglobal.net www.custominstrumentpanels.com 28585 Valley Drive, Albemarle, NC 28001 Springfield Performance Ignition Custom panels and instruments.

Dickinstrument Paterson | 705-325-4554 | Fax 705-325-3569 dick@paterson-gmc.com | www.paterson-gmc.com

Dave Lenzi 3956 Line 11 North, RR#3, Coldwater, Ontario, Canada LOK 1EO 810-653-3902 | mlenzi@charter.net Re-curved distributors.

Rebuilt carburetors.

2285Wire Montague Road,points Davison MI 48423-9103 sets, 1973-74 conversion.

Steering components, leveler linkage, leveler valve rebuilding, embossed TZE Zone Restorations copper exhaust gasket.

John R. Wright | 989-859-0715 | powerjon@chartermi.net E OlsonGMC Road, Midland, MI 48640-8610 DJ’s1196 Classic Motorhome Service

Front Air Dam, Bolt kits for| djsgmcs@gmail.com bumpers, axles, exhaust| manifolds, and DJ Eberhart| 503-706-6402 www.djsgmc.com header.

233 NW Olive St., Sheridan, OR 97378-1125 Cinnabar certified service and repair. New and used GMC parts.

Variety Ventures Dan Stuckey | 519-844-2083 | stuckey@brktel.on.ca

DL Box Design Store 105 3249 Inwood Road, Inwood, Ontario Canada N0N 1K0 TerryNew Taylor | n6mon@pacbell.net Main| 510-276-5111 Frame Components (side rails, cross members, H-frames) www.dldesignstore.com DIY or I install, Macerator kits.

801 Via Manzanas, San Lorenzo, CA 94580 GMC Model Name Emblems, personalized GMC paraphernalia.

Classifieds

DMAR Enterprises | Stainless Steel Tanks Jim DeMaere | 403-329-3091 2812 – 48th Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7B3 SS replacement air andMOTORHOME water heater tanks. FOR SALE >> REVCON Frank Jenkins | Fiberglass & Aluminum 1978 Chamelot 31.5’ Zombie Themed Parts photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com NC | $18,000 | 352-485-1397 | 352-281-8082 cell Has Toronado drivetrain!

Slantnose Revcon, many repairs completed in gmcfrank@yahoo.com | http://geocities.ws/gmcfrank/ theNE last 21st two years. tires, carpet, lights, etc. Do check out listing 18214 Street,New Gainesville, FLled 32609 on fiberglass the website.

GMC & aluminum fabrication. Instrument panels, bumper Michael | 226-225-1445 | Calls not do texts or email. covers, toolboxes, grills, skirts andonly...do flares, radiator fan shrouds.

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 GMC covers.

MOTORHOME FOR SALE

Motorsports 1973High-End Canyon Land – 2nd 916-774-6686 Production GMCMH Sold to Public | sales@high-endmotorsports.com | www.highWI | endmotorsports.com $5,500 | photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com Historically Significant...Coach built 11-14-72 been maintained 8331 Sierra College Blvd, #210, Roseville, CA 95661 with few modifications. Running gear appears original, floor plan kept with Made in the USA accessories, custom sunshades, plate frames, tags, changes in seating colors & fabrics. The odometer indicates 94K miles, receiver covers, the 16.5 tires have agedand out,more. the coach is roadable for short distances.

MikeJim Mager | 920-765-0557 | chavezthemonkey@yahoo.com Hupy

| jamesh1296@gmail.com | www.bdub.net/jhupy/ 1974503-362-1583 GMC Motorhome Price1754 Lowered | WA | $5,900 | photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com 82nd Avenue SE, Salem, OH 97317 | Master Cylinder Power I haveBleeder made this dropControlled to move! $5,900 was Air 9,750!

Lets find her andPRICE Remote Wireless Suspension System. a new home... Let’s talk. A great coach to finish and personalize. I have invested time + $ and am now sharing this with the GMC Community.

John Biwersi | Engine Cooling Fan | Direct Replacement Jeff Eichen | 360-774-2235 | jeichen@anet.net 651-779-6498 | jbiwersi@mac.com

N Mary St, Maplewood, MN 55109-1671 19752938 Eleganza all GMCMH that have the original steel blade fan. It is the same WI | For $2,100 | photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com Engine runs good (120,000). is questionable. much OD and pitch but hasTransmission 10 blades instead of 7. HubPretty is steel and blades are original.

Newernylon, elec/gas frigerator. step.“Made Pod onintop. molded this is not aRagusa “flexfan”. the USA” and is 100 % Mikeprecision Prettner | balanced 920-285-2342 | carol_prettner@msn.com to minimize vibration to the fan clutch and water pump.

1975 Glenbrook & 1978 VW Karman Convertible!

John Richardson WA | $22,500 GMC and $14,000 VW | photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com 850-830-6100 jrichsr@aol.com | P.O. Box 5191, GMC-custom exterior| paint, new dash, floors furnace, refrig, Niceville, sink, faucet,FL 32578 AMSoil synthetic motormiles, oil additive. countertop, headliner, seemotor websiteoil. for CamShield complete list.ZDDP VW-70,910 fuel injection, original paint, interior dash, etc. Stored in garage.

Henderson | Electric Windshield Wiper Kit | $300 ElaineKen | 509-375-3432

229-924-0851 | hend4800@bellsouth.net | www.gmcwipersetc.com

1976110 Glenbrook O’Hara Road, Americus, GA 31719-2140 photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com FL | $22,500 | GMC Motorhome Electric Windshield Wiper Kit. All mechanical 109K miles, runs great with many upgrades done to make this coach road and electrical parts to your locally worthy. New fule lines, masterinstall cylinder front pads,purchased rotors and electric bearings,motor w/ intermittent sweep.

Free shipping for GMC Club members. shocks, rear brakes plus more items.

Elias Ohan | 305-772-8810 call or text

Rance Baxter

“Just wanted to inform you that the GMC Royale I listed sold today [one monthly later] for the k asking price of $29,900! I can’t than you enough for your help on this – ers what a GREAT service to GMC own who are trying to sell their coaches! can Thanks again for the help and you now move the ad to the sold ads!”

– Jim

GMCMI MEMBERSHIP HAS BENEFITS

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HHH HHGMCMI members can place an adclassified in this quarterly GMC Motorhome ads canmagazine include and MEMBER upthe togmcmi.com nine photoswebsite on the free-of-charge! website.

BENEFIT on HH HH HH HHH H Email ad to admin@gmcmi.com.

MEMBER GMCyour Motorhome classified ads can include BENEFIT HH HH H

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up to nine photos on the website.

GMC VINTAGE RVING MAGAZINE | GMCMI.COM

Email your ad to admin@gmcmi.com.

1976814-596-5254 Glenbrook | rancefi@frontiernet.net | www.rancefi.com photo(s) www.gmcmi.com MA |230 $39,000 | Mountain Viewon Road, Genesee, PA 16923-9725 Second Owner.

A “Head Turner”, beautifully restored with custom Port fuel injection, Cadillac and Oldsmobile engine cores, and 425 interior decor. Always garaged. New Jasper engine with 6,000 miles transmission/ final drive cores. on the odometer. New Transmission. Bicycle hookup at rear bumper, trailerSpringfield or auto towing hook-up.

There are soIgnition many little things….Let the Performance pictures speak for themselves. Turn the key and drive her home.

Dick Paterson | 705-325-4554 | Fax 705-325-3569 Lloyd Donnellan | 781-749-1441 leave message | ornart1937@gmail.com

dick@paterson-gmc.com | www.paterson-gmc.com

19763956 Glenbrook – PriceRR#3, Lowered Line 11 North, Coldwater, Ontario, Canada LOK 1EO photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com NY | Re-curved $13,000 entertain all offersRebuilt $14,999carburetors. | distributors.

About 54K mi; owned by former GMCMI board member, George Wire sets, 1973-74 points conversion.

DelVecchio. Dinette w/captain chairs; kitchen w/stove, oven, refrig/freezer, sink; TZE rear full-sized Wet bath. Please help George’s wife, Joan, find a Zone bed.

Restorations new owner for Wright this lovely motorhome!

John R. | 989-859-0715 | powerjon@chartermi.net Suzanne (DelVecchio) Glenn |Midland, sglenn@juno.com | 214-616-979 1196 E Olson Road, MI 48640-8610

AirBeach Dam,–Bolt for bumpers, axles, exhaust manifolds, and 1976Front Palm 28’ kits Stretch NJ | $37,000 header. | photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com Florida Coach Bought In Florida in 2014. Brought it to Cooperative for a Variety checkout and firstVentures round of upgrades. $55,000 invested in last 5 years. 455 rebuiltDan engine, 425 Manny trans, check |out list for more details.

Stuckey | 519-844-2083 stuckey@brktel.on.ca Jon Darcy | 646-464-3123 | jrjsjr@msn.com Box 105 3249 Inwood Road, Inwood, Ontario Canada N0N 1K0

New Main Frame Components (side rails, cross members, H-frames) Kingsley Clasco 19776 DIY or |I install, kits. photo(s)Macerator on www.gmcmi.com FL | $70,000 Extensive update by Jim Bounds at the Cooperative Motor Works in 2016-2020. “New” 455 cubic inch engine – rebuilt and installed by Cinnabar. 1500 miles on rebuilt engine.

Brian at the GMC Coop | 407-857-5777 or 407-415-6854

Classified Ads Classifieds >> GMC MOTORHOME FOR SALE 1976 Custom 26’ with Olds 455 photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com WA | Asking $25,000 | Not your average upgrade! Technically a “Palm Beach” edition, but there is not much indication left after nearly 90% restoration. Interior was completely gutted with exception of bath and closet module (which is in great shape). Rigid insulation added to walls and ceiling. New walls and ceiling. Approximately 76K miles on original engine.

Sean Sanders | 305-772-8810 call or text 1976 Eleganza II photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com CA | $16,500 | 65,000 miles, owned & used by me for 20+ years, many upgrades, many in last year: see ad for more information. Reliable Onan generator has been serviced, low mileage Michelin tires all around.

VIN #TZE166V100421 Passes smog for California. Near San Francisco.

Tim Jordan | timberjordan@icloud.com | text 650-464-5666 1976 Glenbrook photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com MA | $39,000 | Second Owner. A “Head Turner”, beautifully restored with custom interior decor. Always garaged. New Jasper engine with 6,000 miles on the odometer. New Transmission. Bicycle hookup at rear bumper, trailer or auto towing hook-up. There are so many little things….Let the pictures speak for themselves. Turn the key and drive her home.

Lloyd Donnellan | 781-749-1441 leave message | ornart1937@gmail.com 1976 Glenbrook – Price Lowered photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com NY | $13,000 entertain all offers $14,999 | About 54K mi; owned by former GMCMI board member, George DelVecchio. Dinette w/captain chairs; kitchen w/stove, oven, refrig/freezer, sink; rear full-sized bed. Wet bath. Please help George’s wife, Joan, find a new owner for this lovely motorhome!

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!

Oil lines, Onan control board and harness, coil, spark plugs replaced, Onan generator serviced, adjustable height link airbag isolators installed, LED Safari headlights. All repair paperwork and GMC manuals.

Ronald Shoffeitt | bigbearmoon@aol.com 1977 Kingsley Clasco photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com FL | $70,000 | Extensive update by Jim Bounds at the Cooperative Motor Works in 2016-2020. “New” 455 cubic inch engine – rebuilt and installed by Cinnabar. 1500 miles on rebuilt engine.

Brian at the GMC Coop | 407-857-5777 or 407-415-6854 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 w/full; sofa and dinette convert to sleep many; lots storage; owned by mechanical engineer, George DelVecchio.

Suzanne (DelVecchio) Glenn | sglenn@juno.com | 214-616-9792 1978 Palm Beach CA | Asking $13,500 cash only | photo(s) on www.gmcmi.com 403 V8 Cadillac engine, many improvements interior and mechanically..

New RV cover in box comes with it ($500). Paperwork on rebuild and all other repairs included.

Debra or Brian | 562-370-6936 | zhooddeb@gmail.com

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Cancellations, Creativity, Janet Frey | 1976 Palm Beach | Milford Square, Pennsylvania | GMCMI Secretary

Well, here we are in the beauty of spring, and what to do?? Many clubs have canceled their rallies and some campgrounds aren’t even open yet.

But, as we GMCers try to adapt and think outside the motorhome, we remember that there are some chores to be done, plans to be made – again, and why don’t we slow down and enjoy? Of course, that doesn’t mean that we are just going to sit back and relax. A lot of us are planning our next trip, knowing that there will be some adjustments to be made.

The hope is for summer to be a time of reopening and discovering how our fellow RVers have changed their routine to accommodate the precautions needed to be safe. We don’t want to live in fear, but we do want to be aware. For some of us, that means sewing masks and keeping the hand sanitizer nearby.

Bit, don’t look at the inconveniences – look at the positives! We are going to enjoy ourselves, perhaps a little differently than in years past. But hey, look at those gas prices – when have we seen them that low?

>> Regional GMCMH Activities...

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>> GMC Pacific Cruisers Rally

>> GMC 49ers – March 12-15, 2020 Rally

We gathered February 27-March 1, 2020 at the Johnson Barn Rally in Desert Hot Springs, California.

GMC 49ers celebrated members birthdays and anniversaries in St. Patrick’s style at the Cal Expo in Sacramento, California.

Much eating, laughing, and napping was experienced.

GMC VINTAGE RVING MAGAZINE | GMCMI.COM

GMCMH Events Calendar

and Caution

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

Making the Best of Things...

Happy Anniversary: COVID Style in the GMC!

Go to gmcmi.com/gmc-calendar/

On April 1, Jon & Jennifer Roche from St. Cloud, Minnesota celebrated their Anniversary at Granite City Food & Brewery “curb-side”.

Fall Convention

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September 18-24, 2020

Central States Fairground ± Rapid City, South Dakota

>> GMC Saguaro Jetset – April 2-5, 2020 Rally The rally at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood, Arizona was small but mighty...mighty fun that is!

April 16-22, 2021

GMCMI.com

REGIONAL CHAPTER OPPORTUNITY Consider utilizing one of the GMCMI Conventions as one of your rallies, it comes with benefits! Contact admin@gmcmi. com for more information.

TO SUBMIT PHOTOS FOR REGIONAL GMCMH EVENTS Email when the event occurred, place, and a sentence or two plus photos to admin@gmcmi.com

SPRING 2020

TO SUBMIT A DATE Email date and information to admin@gmcmi.com

GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONAL

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PLEASE ADD CORRECT PRESORT FIRST CLASS

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