conversion to twin beds on a GMC floor plan

[joe williams]

Hello all, Ive been looking for a good updated Royale with rear twins or rear bath w/twins but having trouble finding one near me here in Iowa.
So my question is has anyone tried to change a GMC with rear double bed floorplan into a twin bed setup? I know you would have to move the bath
forward to get the space needed but is this a practical option for a do-it-yourselfer? and if you move the wet bath why not make it a dry bath setup
at the same time.

I am capable of doing the work (as I'm a cabinet maker ) but wonder if it's worth the trouble,time, and cost or if I should just remain patient and
wait until the right Royale for us comes up for sale near me ?

so if anyone has attempted this please let me know the pro's and especially the con's

I know this can be done since I've looked at several Classco conversions but they all have the interior changed to euro style white cabinets. Not what
we want! I've even considered getting a classco conv, and changing out the cabinets with new wood ones but that comes at a cost also.
any input is greatly appreciated
Joe

--
jwilly

 

[peer oliver schmidt]

Hello Joe,

being someone that travelled have way around the world three times
before finally finding the right coach, I would never limit myself to
just local coaches. Each of my trips from Europe to the US to look for a
coach was also a nice (short) vacation. Same with bringing the (finally
chosen) GMC from San Diego to Virginia.

Regarding how hard it is to move the bath, I am all ears, as that is
something that I plan on doing for the next GMC that will end up in Europe.

--
Best regards

Peer Oliver Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA

'76a Eleganza II, VA

 

[wrightjohn 2646]

You might enjoy these ideas

http://www.gmcmotorhome.com/tech/tiltbed/index.html
http://www.bdub.net/bed_lift/index.html

JR Wright

>
> Hello Joe,
>
> being someone that travelled have way around the world three times
> before finally finding the right coach, I would never limit myself to
> just local coaches. Each of my trips from Europe to the US to look for a
> coach was also a nice (short) vacation. Same with bringing the (finally
> chosen) GMC from San Diego to Virginia.
>
> Regarding how hard it is to move the bath, I am all ears, as that is
> something that I plan on doing for the next GMC that will end up in Europe.
>
> --
> Best regards
>
> Peer Oliver Schmidt
> PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA
>
> '76a Eleganza II, VA
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

 

[Gene Fisher]

Do not forget this
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6709-forest-crow-rear-twin-layout.html

> You might enjoy these ideas
>
> http://www.gmcmotorhome.com/tech/tiltbed/index.html
> http://www.bdub.net/bed_lift/index.html
>
> JR Wright
>
> > On Oct 31, 2016, at 10:31 AM, Peer Oliver Schmidt GMC <

> >
> > Hello Joe,
> >
> > being someone that travelled have way around the world three times
> > before finally finding the right coach, I would never limit myself to
> > just local coaches. Each of my trips from Europe to the US to look for a
> > coach was also a nice (short) vacation. Same with bringing the (finally
> > chosen) GMC from San Diego to Virginia.
> >
> > Regarding how hard it is to move the bath, I am all ears, as that is
> > something that I plan on doing for the next GMC that will end up in
> Europe.
> >
> > --
> > Best regards
> >
> > Peer Oliver Schmidt
> > PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA
> >
> > '76a Eleganza II, VA
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://bdub.net/gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://bdub.net/gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html

 

[adrien genesoto]

Joe,

Having rebuilt the inside cabinets on mine (26-3 floor) side bath. The thought of twin beds was heavy on my mind,
made sketches of the layout and it could be done.What prevented doing it was the wall and roof holes that would need
to be plugged up (without leaks)and new holes made.
Knowing what I've learned in the rebuild, I've should have started with Transmode coach. Would have twin beds, wet bath,
closet, fridge, galley, devo couch,and dinette. On 26 ft.

Don't limit your search area, the one you may want may be in the next town beyond,
You might look at a stretch floor plan, that's a way having twins and the rest also.

Goo luck in your search.


--
”When we avoid the mistakes we might have made, we sometimes make the mistakes that we might have avoided.”

Adrien & Jenny Genesoto
75 Glenbrook 26-3
Yuba City,Ca. Text 530-nine-3-three-3-nine-nine-6

 

[thomas phipps]

If twin beds are your desire, it would be easier and less expensive to find a GMC that already has them. Royale, Eleganza II, and Avion comes easily
to mind.
We like our twin beds, nice not to have to disturb the other person sleeping.
Tom, MS II

--
1975 GMC Avion
KA4CSG

 

[Hal Kading]

Don't forget the 76 Edgemont and 77 GMC finished twins, Kingsley, Palm Beach and Eleganza II.

Hal Kading 78 Buskirk Las Cruces NM

 

[sgltrac]

I would wait for the floor plan you desire if it exists in stock form. You
will have plenty to do with your 40 yo coach even if it has the correct
layout. Also, if you want a project then go ahead a buy a project coach. If
you want a coach you can use practically immediately don't even think of a
project coach because unless you are full time retired AND have nothing
else to do you just might lose interest before it is complete and as you
MIGHT get your hard costs back it is really unlikely you will get your
sweat equity back. The only way you can guarantee a return on the sweat
equity is to get use from the coach.

sully
77 eleganza 2
seattle

> Hello all, Ive been looking for a good updated Royale with rear twins or
> rear bath w/twins but having trouble finding one near me here in Iowa.
> So my question is has anyone tried to change a GMC with rear double bed
> floorplan into a twin bed setup? I know you would have to move the bath
> forward to get the space needed but is this a practical option for a
> do-it-yourselfer? and if you move the wet bath why not make it a dry bath
> setup
> at the same time.
>
> I am capable of doing the work (as I'm a cabinet maker ) but wonder if
> it's worth the trouble,time, and cost or if I should just remain patient and
> wait until the right Royale for us comes up for sale near me ?
>
> so if anyone has attempted this please let me know the pro's and
> especially the con's
>
> I know this can be done since I've looked at several Classco conversions
> but they all have the interior changed to euro style white cabinets. Not
> what
> we want! I've even considered getting a classco conv, and changing out the
> cabinets with new wood ones but that comes at a cost also.
> any input is greatly appreciated
> Joe
>
> --
> jwilly
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

 

[Ken H.]

Joe,

It sounds to me as if you should be looking for a sound body and running
gear without considering the condition of the interior. Then, being a
cabinet maker, you should be able to re-fit the interior exactly like you
want it. To avoid having to remove the fiberglass bathroom module, you
might want to choose a non-GMC-fitted coach. Beyond that, with a "clean
slate", do what you like.

That's essentially what I did when I bought our Birchaven in '98: The more
stuff I removed, the more I wanted out of the way until there was nothing
left inside but hanging wires -- then I removed those. While I'm not a
cabinetmaker, I was raised by a carpenter so do have some woodworking and
other skills. Refitting the GMC was really no worse than a recent home
kitchen remodelling, even using pre-built cabinets. A nice thing about
your own complete refitting is that you avoid the compromises involved in
making modern features, like microwaves, fit into the '70's original design.

Just be sure you don't build your palace on a junk chassis! Too many do
that and wind up abandoning the whole project after investing too much time
and money.

JMHO,

Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, etc., etc., etc.
www.gmcwipersetc.com

> Hello all, Ive been looking for a good updated Royale with rear twins or
> rear bath w/twins but having trouble finding one near me here in Iowa.
> So my question is has anyone tried to change a GMC with rear double bed
> floorplan into a twin bed setup? I know you would have to move the bath
> forward to get the space needed but is this a practical option for a
> do-it-yourselfer? and if you move the wet bath why not make it a dry bath
> setup
> at the same time.
>
> I am capable of doing the work (as I'm a cabinet maker ) but wonder if
> it's worth the trouble,time, and cost or if I should just remain patient and
> wait until the right Royale for us comes up for sale near me ?
>
> so if anyone has attempted this please let me know the pro's and
> especially the con's
>
> I know this can be done since I've looked at several Classco conversions
> but they all have the interior changed to euro style white cabinets. Not
> what
> we want! I've even considered getting a classco conv, and changing out the
> cabinets with new wood ones but that comes at a cost also.
> any input is greatly appreciated
> Joe
>

 

[robert mueller]

Joe,

Avions produced in 1975 had rear twins as did the 1976 Edgemont. I have a 1977 Kingsley that is a rear twin but it's a rare beast.

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Joe williams
Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2016 12:56 AM
To: gmclist
Subject: [GMCnet] conversion to twin beds on a GMC floor plan

Hello all, Ive been looking for a good updated Royale with rear twins or rear bath w/twins but having trouble finding one near me
here in Iowa.
So my question is has anyone tried to change a GMC with rear double bed floorplan into a twin bed setup? I know you would have to
move the bath forward to get the space needed but is this a practical option for a do-it-yourselfer? and if you move the wet bath
why not make it a dry bath setup at the same time.

I am capable of doing the work (as I'm a cabinet maker ) but wonder if it's worth the trouble,time, and cost or if I should just
remain patient and wait until the right Royale for us comes up for sale near me ?

so if anyone has attempted this please let me know the pro's and especially the con's

I know this can be done since I've looked at several Classco conversions but they all have the interior changed to euro style white
cabinets. Not what we want! I've even considered getting a classco conv, and changing out the cabinets with new wood ones but that
comes at a cost also. any input is greatly appreciated
Joe

 

[justin brady1]

Joe,
I have done an extensive refit to my coach. Extensive doesn't really quite cover it.
While it's going to be worth it in the end it's so far been a 2 year project.

Ever little thing you do has repercussions elsewhere, moving the bath means redoing plumbing, which likely means new holes in the floor, and moving
things around underneath to accommodate new pipes. New holes in the black tank for new toilet location, Finding a p trap that will fit in the tiny
space, relocating the black tank vent pipes, associated holes in the roof to do this. Possible refrigerator movement, where to place the water heater,
running all new water lines, the list goes on and on.

Point it, it's not a quick shove the bathroom forward and build the beds kind of deal. Certainly not a weekend project. Budget a couple months to do
it properly.
--
Justin Brady
http://www.thegmcrv.com/
1976 Palm Beach 455

 

[joe williams]

Thanks to all for your input,it seems like the general consensus is I should just wait till I find the right one with twins already there ,just wanted
to see if anyone else has tried the conversion and the time, problems, and cost they might have encountered. I'm not looking for a huge project but
not afraid to change the interior around for things I don't like or need.
as Ken stated the perfect coach would be one with most of the mechanicals done and interior still near stock in need of updating.
I have seen a couple good prospects but there always on the east, west or gulf coast,and I'm just not comfortable with driving an unknown coach that
far especially with winter coming on, and to have it shipped is quite pricey
I would guess that they are not too good on snow!
thanks again and I'll keep looking
Joe in Iowa
--
jwilly

 

[Matt Colie]

Executive Summary:
If you really need twin beds and don't want to give up your current coach, this is a non-heroic and very rational mod to the interior. I can be done
in a relatively short time frame and without serious wood working skills or tools.

Complete story:
I have been studying Forest Crow's bedroom arrangement for quite some time. I have no intention of abandoning the 23' coach that Mary loves to drive.
I was going to post the pictures that I took at Mansfield, but they really don't tell the story. If I knew I was going to talk about this, I would
have taken more and better pictures. Most of what you lose in the closet (hanging locker) you actually gain back. A 23 makes kind of a special case
here because I still need the generator battery. I'm working on that one.

The "Blanket Chest" needs to be reconfigured, and the useless shelves that are under the rear and side windows are gone. Forest also raised the beds
a bit to pick up a lot of flat storage there. He wanted to put the spare inside. If you don't do that, there is a lot of new storage available.

The mattresses in the posted pictures are not the final design. They do have to be custom cut, but they are mirror images so they are swappable. The
basic size ends up being 33X78. That should do for most of us.

If you are interested in knowing more you are invited to contact Forest Crow . He does not do much computer stuff, so if
that doesn't work, try two six zero 367 two 8 five 4.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
'73 Glacier 23 - Still Loving OE Rear Drum Brake with Applied Control Arms
Now with both true Keyless and remote entry
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit