Thanks so much for this J. I sure need the pictures that go with the
article. Reckon you could read them in also?
I added it to the collection at:
http://gmcmotorhome.homepage.com/
Thanks again
bdub
>Salutations:
>
>Here is da goodz..
>
>-00-
>
>Drive 'em like a car
>Sleek new RV's offer new road ability and engineering
>
>- The rear drive FMC and front drive to GMC solve handling problems in
>different ways, but each produces great riding stability that makes luxury
>travel more fun.
>
>By: Herbert Shuldiner and Jim Dunne
>(Pop Sci - Aug. 1973)
>
>Can a motor home ride to like a civilized vehicle, instead of offering the
>uneasy handling that so many do?
>
>Having just finished testing two new self powered RV's that are the best
>handling, most stable motor homes we've ever driven - we're convinced that
>it can.
>
>The luxurious and expensive FMC and GMC motor home are as comfortable and
>easy to drive as your family car when they're functioning properly.
>Trouble is, when we got our test vehicles, both models were in early
>stages of production. Less then 100 FMC' s and 400 GMC's had rolled off
>the assembly line when we made our test. Because of this, these high
>priced rigs were prone to many of the shakedown problems that we're found
>in lower priced motor-homes
>
>The FMC costs a whooping $30,000. Despite its imposing price tag, it is
>not designed for big families, but rather for a couple of people who want
>to travel in ultimate RV luxury. The GMC is designed more as a family-type
>rig, and sells for a mere $18,000 (but that included, in our test unit,
>many extras).
>
>A huge stateroom in the rear of the FMC, which doubles as a parlor and
>bedroom, is perhaps the largest in any motor home. There is an immense
>bathroom, too, and loads of storage space. Surprisingly, kitchen and
>dining areas seemed to us barely adequate in this rig.
>
>LOTS OF ROOM. The GMC, with its huge windows, gives a delightfully open
>feeling. It is also cheerfully decorated, and spacious up front. The
>comfortable lounge seats convert into upper and lower bunk beds.
>
>But road handling is the big story, and the two rigs have a number of
>engineering innovations that improve motor-home handling immensely. Though
>designed from totally different approaches - the results are very similar.
>
>The FMC is a rear-engined, rear drive 29 foot-long rig. The GMC is a front
>engined, front drive 26-footer. Both are minus the long drive shaft that
>makes most other motor homes tall and aerodynamically unstable.
>
>Sit behind the wheel of the GMC and you'll find terrific visibility.
>That's because you're so close to the windshield. The steering wheel angle
>is like that of a car. And the one we drove had automatic cruise control,
>just like on a car. We found the ride very comfortable. Handling? Some
>oversteer on curves - the feeling that vehicle wanted to turn too much.
>
>TANDEM-WHEEL STABILITY. One of the GMC's major innovations is tandem rear
>wheels, rather than the duals that most motor homes have. These seemed to
>contribute to the rigs stability. But if you happened to slide off the
>road pavement with them, vibration was much more noticeable than with
>duals-where one wheels usually stays on the pavement.
>
>The GMC was quiet riding, with little wind noise. The low silhouette of
>the vehicle seems to knife through head winds and there's little effect
>from side winds.
>
>Stability also marked the FMC's ride. It cruised comfortably at high speed
>- although interior noise increased markedly over 65 mph. Some of that
>came from rattling cabinetry and appliances. But there was also a peculiar
>whine from the Michelins this motor home rides on, and from the wind noise
>caused by the side mirrors.
>
>We were surprised at the amount of weight on the front wheels, despite the
>rear-engined design. The front end of the FMC holds the road very well.
>Like GMC, it required less frequent steering-wheel correction than the
>average motor home.
>
>The big FMC has a low frontal area that slides through the wind very well
>at high speeds. We experienced only minor turbulence when passing or being
>passed.
>
>One unique feature on the FMC is an intermittent horn that sounds when you
>shift into reverse. This is a fine idea for letting people know you're
>backing up. But it could be disturbing to campsite neighbors in the early
>morning or at night. We think it needs a manual override.
>
>Both rigs had excellent power. The FMC with a 440 cu-in. Chrysler engine
>took 37 seconds to get up to 60 mph. The GMC, with 454 cu-in. Olds engine,
>did it seven seconds faster. Both vehicles have plenty of power for
>passing and maintaining speed up hills. Gas consumption? Just over nine
>mpg for the GMC and six mpg for the FMC.
>
>We didn't make any special brake tests, but brakes on both units handled
>any situation we encountered without fade, increase pedal pressure, or
>change in our driving habits.
>
>We did encounter some mechanical problems with both rigs. A puncture
>developed in first the left, then the right, air bag of the GMC, leaving
>the whole rear end sagging. Despite this, we were able to drive it at up
>to 55 mph without loss of control.
>
>We would recommend stops in the bellows to prevent the amount of sag we
>experienced.
>
>The FMC threw a fan belt, causing the engine to overheat. With the power
>plant in the rear of this very long vehicle, it is difficult to notice the
>overheating unless you monitor the temperature gauges constantly. We also
>lost the operation of the drivers side windshield wiper in the rain.
>
>Still, we found these new motor homes a revelation in ride comfort and
>handling ease. We believe these are new RV standard setters.
>
>captions:
>
>Innovative GMC and FMC motor homes offer low, close-to-the-road designs
>and highly aerodynamic bodies.
>
>FRONT ENGINE IN GMC MOTOR HOME makes checking oil, cooling system and
>battery easy from outside the vehicle.
>
>NO EXTRA ENTRY STEP is required for GMC, because it is built so close to
>the ground. Door resembles an airliner's.
>
>DRIVERS COCKPIT in GMC has automotive feeling, with controls close at
>hand. Curved windshield offers fine visibility.
>
>COMPACT GALLEY in GMC saves steps, but counter space is not generous. You
>get big stove, fridge and double sink.
>
>--
>
>ACCESSIBILIY OF OIL STICK in FMC motor home is less convenient in
>rear-engine vehicle, you've got to reach way in.
>
>REAR-DRIVE FMC is 29 feet ling. With no drive shaft underneath, it;s low
>to the road for good handling.
>
>FMC COCKPIT is almost like a plane's, with outstanding instrumentation.
>Both steering column and wheel are adjustable.
>
>GALLEY DINING AREA in FMC is hampered slightly by narrow aisle. But deluxe
>appliances male meal preparation easy.
>
>--
>
>AIR BAG SUSPENSION improves handling of GMC when it's working. But air
>bags, which allow you to adjust rear suspension to desired road height,
>ruptured on unit PS tested, so rear of vehicle collapsed. Apparently bags
>ruptured because there was not enough clearance between tires and rubber
>air bags.
>
>-30-
>
>your pal
>J Dexter
