Do we need a spare tire?

I have a spare and would feel uncomfortable without one. I also carry a good assortment of tools. electric impact wrench, spare starter, distributor,
ignition modules, fuel pump, fuel filters, distributor wiring harnesses,etc...etc.

I am in Bob's age group and am feeling good that I can still R&R my wheels. I do it all the time as I work on brakes and wheel bearings or to gain
access to the side of my mighty Olds 455. I guess that capability will go as I get older.

In the 20 years and over 110,000 miles that I've had my GMC, I've only had one flat tire (knock on wood) and that was a blowout. No damage except to
the tire. I was on my way to a GMCMI rally with a new engine that I had just finished installing the day before. Of course the first thing I thought
of when I heard the rather loud bang, was I that I had blown the new motor. I pulled over and did a quick check and saw that it was merely a failure
of the driver side indeterminate tire with no other damage. That was a relief to say the least.

At that time I realized that I didn't want to change the wheel with trucks passing by on the interstate inches from the coach at ~80 MPH and that my
spare was over 10 years old. So I called CoachNet and after an hour or so I was in touch with a local service provider who asked about my spare. I
told him that I didn't trust it, so he offered to bring a new, appropriately rated tire to me on the side of the road and mount it there. I agreed and
about an hour later a truck showed up with lights flashing. The guy parked behind me and proceeded to remove the old tire from the spare wheel and
mount the new tire with just a big jack, hand tools and a big impact wrench. He did the work in the space between his truck and the back of my GMC
while I watched in safety on a small hill next to the expressway. That new tire was never balanced, but it seemed OK for the next 5 years that I ran
it before it became my spare for 2 years.

That day I didn't need a spare. However, I was on the side of a busy expressway for the better part of a day when it was all said and done. If I
would have had the quad-bag system I have now and a good spare, I might have been able to be on the road in much less time.

Having road service (I currently have 3 plans on my GMC) and a credit card was more important than having a spare tire that day.

--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com


Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Manny Tranny etc.
 
> Anyone have an aluminum wheel they want to sell me I can use for a spare? :)
>
> I'm pretty sure mine is OLD and TOAST and just as good as not having a spare... Also, I realize I don't travel with a bottle jack that will get
> the buggy off the ground to change a tire... Sheesh
>
> kelly

Kelly,

As an ex-east-coast person, I am going to provide some important advice that you should take to heart before you depart on any significant excursions.
Much of this country is made up of vast expanses of nothing much other than woods and fields. I know you think you may have seen this, but in a
short discussion with Mary (she grew up in Albany), she admitted that she never appreciated this vastness. The back of Maine, Upper New York, and
Michigan's Upper Peninsula are just a start. They are all more populous than Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming.

If you travel far and wide without a spare and basic tools for self-rescue, you can be in a bad way if you have tire trouble.
The only time I called for road service (this was in Ohio), the guy that showed up did not have a jack that could actually get under and lift the
coach on its reliable jack points. He had an air wrench that could not break my lug nuts loose (the steel wheels are a special case). I had to use
my socket, breaker bar and pipe (cheater) to break them loose.

If you have trouble, and you have the kit, there is a chance that you can get some gallant fellow to do the heavy lifting. But, without the
capability, you could be stuck a long time. I suggest that you should build this kit before you cross the Mississippi.

The only other heavy spare I carry is a starter. That is one of the very few simple failures for which there is no work around.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
> Fred,
>
> Yes, I have a pair of mechanical jacks mounted in the front of the frame.
> AND, I have removed the front wheels with the coach up on the
> jacks. The jacks are 8 ton rated trailer tongue jacks, so two of them will
> have no problem with the front of a GMC.
> I copied the installation from Jim Wagner who has ALL the trick innovations.
> See the GMC Photosite for info.

yes, I remember now, that is where I saw them, thanks.

Ive spent many hours browsing the user galleries on the photo site but forgot he had photos of them lifting the coach all the way up allowing tire
changes, etc.

it looks like the quad bag system mounting bracket was used for the rear to mount the jacks and without that there would need be something similar to
it made up if it was not a quad bag already.

I actually like the look of the coaches without the T-skirts better but they conceal his jacks very well and it might not look so well without the
skirts.

it looks like it would be a fairly big job to replicate his mod but definitely worth the while. doesnt look like there is enough room for electric,
pneumatic, or hydraulic assist for them though but the feet have to be manually adjusted so it wouldnt be completely automated eitherway.

one of the most useful mods Ive seen, for sure!
 
My coach came with a handful of extras, including a torque wrench/breaker bar for the wheels, some ignition module that once left my PO stranded (only
time he was stopped on 3 XC trips so he got a spare) wires/electrical stuff. I now realize I have no jack to travel with me, and I'll get one now. I
have the bottle jack extension to get the rear up, I've put it on blocks during the winter at the house.

We did a XC trip in the SOB and I completely know what you mean about expansive nothingness. Our current travels are all under 300 mile trips about
New England but that's no excuse for not having emergency equipment. Carrying a starter had not occurred to me.

And, I will get a new tire on the spare- what really got me thinking about all of this was that my current spare is likely no good.

> > Anyone have an aluminum wheel they want to sell me I can use for a spare? :)
> >
> > I'm pretty sure mine is OLD and TOAST and just as good as not having a spare... Also, I realize I don't travel with a bottle jack that will
> > get the buggy off the ground to change a tire... Sheesh
> >
> > kelly
>
> Kelly,
>
> As an ex-east-coast person, I am going to provide some important advice that you should take to heart before you depart on any significant
> excursions. Much of this country is made up of vast expanses of nothing much other than woods and fields. I know you think you may have seen this,
> but in a short discussion with Mary (she grew up in Albany), she admitted that she never appreciated this vastness. The back of Maine, Upper New
> York, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula are just a start. They are all more populous than Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming.
>
> If you travel far and wide without a spare and basic tools for self-rescue, you can be in a bad way if you have tire trouble.
> The only time I called for road service (this was in Ohio), the guy that showed up did not have a jack that could actually get under and lift the
> coach on its reliable jack points. He had an air wrench that could not break my lug nuts loose (the steel wheels are a special case). I had to use
> my socket, breaker bar and pipe (cheater) to break them loose.
>
> If you have trouble, and you have the kit, there is a chance that you can get some gallant fellow to do the heavy lifting. But, without the
> capability, you could be stuck a long time. I suggest that you should build this kit before you cross the Mississippi.
>
> The only other heavy spare I carry is a starter. That is one of the very few simple failures for which there is no work around.
>
> Matt

--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
 
That's kinda why I buy 7 tires at a whack. Then radial rotate them every 5
k or so. The mid tires usually show wear on my coach, so, I move them to
the rear, and the rear to the front, and fronts to the middle. Not so much
for balanced tread wear, but to equalize the sidewall flex wear on our GMC
COACHES. A cover helps on the spare to prevent sun checking, too. They age
out before they wear out in my situation. Your experience may vary.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403

> My coach came with a handful of extras, including a torque wrench/breaker
> bar for the wheels, some ignition module that once left my PO stranded (only
> time he was stopped on 3 XC trips so he got a spare) wires/electrical
> stuff. I now realize I have no jack to travel with me, and I'll get one
> now. I
> have the bottle jack extension to get the rear up, I've put it on blocks
> during the winter at the house.
>
> We did a XC trip in the SOB and I completely know what you mean about
> expansive nothingness. Our current travels are all under 300 mile trips
> about
> New England but that's no excuse for not having emergency equipment.
> Carrying a starter had not occurred to me.
>
> And, I will get a new tire on the spare- what really got me thinking about
> all of this was that my current spare is likely no good.
>
>
>
>

> > > Anyone have an aluminum wheel they want to sell me I can use for a
> spare? :)
> > >
> > > I'm pretty sure mine is OLD and TOAST and just as good as not having a
> spare... Also, I realize I don't travel with a bottle jack that will
> > > get the buggy off the ground to change a tire... Sheesh
> > >
> > > kelly
> >
> > Kelly,
> >
> > As an ex-east-coast person, I am going to provide some important advice
> that you should take to heart before you depart on any significant
> > excursions. Much of this country is made up of vast expanses of nothing
> much other than woods and fields. I know you think you may have seen this,
> > but in a short discussion with Mary (she grew up in Albany), she
> admitted that she never appreciated this vastness. The back of Maine,
> Upper New
> > York, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula are just a start. They are all
> more populous than Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming.
> >
> > If you travel far and wide without a spare and basic tools for
> self-rescue, you can be in a bad way if you have tire trouble.
> > The only time I called for road service (this was in Ohio), the guy that
> showed up did not have a jack that could actually get under and lift the
> > coach on its reliable jack points. He had an air wrench that could not
> break my lug nuts loose (the steel wheels are a special case). I had to use
> > my socket, breaker bar and pipe (cheater) to break them loose.
> >
> > If you have trouble, and you have the kit, there is a chance that you
> can get some gallant fellow to do the heavy lifting. But, without the
> > capability, you could be stuck a long time. I suggest that you should
> build this kit before you cross the Mississippi.
> >
> > The only other heavy spare I carry is a starter. That is one of the
> very few simple failures for which there is no work around.
> >
> > Matt
>
> --
> 1978 Kingsley
> Putney VT
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
> My coach came with a handful of extras, including a torque wrench/breaker bar for the wheels, some ignition module that once left my PO stranded
> (only time he was stopped on 3 XC trips so he got a spare) wires/electrical stuff. I now realize I have no jack to travel with me, and I'll get one
> now. I have the bottle jack extension to get the rear up, I've put it on blocks during the winter at the house.
>
> We did a XC trip in the SOB and I completely know what you mean about expansive nothingness. Our current travels are all under 300 mile trips
> about New England but that's no excuse for not having emergency equipment. Carrying a starter had not occurred to me.
>
> And, I will get a new tire on the spare- what really got me thinking about all of this was that my current spare is likely no good.

Kelly,

Read that date code on your existing spare before you dispose of it. It may be new enough to be marginal. If it is not, call around to tire stores
and see of one on them has a take off tire that will be good enough to hold the coach off the ground. If they do not, tell them why you want and to
keep a look out. There are lots of people (like me) that replace tires two at time and leave the still usable tire at the store. These can often be
free or cheap. Just read the date code first.

If you have a bottle jack, it may be that all you really need is a GMC jack hook to go with it. Several of the faithful suppliers sell these.

Next, another caution....
What ever you decide to carry for a jack, test it some time. On an nice sunny dry day near home. (You will never need it there, but it makes the
experiment more pleasant.) Go to somewhere with plenty of compressed air. (And a friend) Let the air out of both a front and a rear tire and then
try to make the jack kit work. If you can, Great! That means you won't have to figure this out in the rain on a dark night 300 miles from home.
(This is exactly how I found out that the OE jack will damage the front bumper if you try to jack it the way the book says. And a GMC friend though
his jack hook and jack would do only to find out that with a fully flat tire, the jack was too tall to get under the jack hook.)

Oh, Yes, if you can't make it work, get in the Black list and call a friend that might know how, or buy what you might need to make the kit work.

All this is kind of like what I do to a new boat owner. I look over the new boat and then ask...
Do you know how to bleed the fuel system on this engine? (A diesel that has run out of fuel can be a bear to restart.)
Have you tried out the emergency tiller? (This is how you get to steer when a cable on the wheel steering brakes.)

It does not take a great deal to be prepared. Fortunately, you are now part of a group of intelligent people that can be of great assistance.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
I have lost 3 starters in the 37 years that I have driven my GMC. Once I had to be towed on a Sunday to a parking lot of a NAPA where I was told they could rebuild it. The other 2 times I was towing a toad, however I had to wait two days for an autoparts store to get one delivered. So I now carry a spare. I also carry a spare alternator as that has gone out 5 times and I had to drive across a desert area for 8 hours with my Onan running to keep my engine battery charged and headlights burning before I got to a town when I could get a replacement.

I just used the spare alternator in New Mexico when returning from the Tucson convention back to Colorado. I was down less than 2 hours. I originally bought it at a Kragen store in California in 1990 with a lifetime warranty. They were bought out by Checker and I got a free replacement there. They were bought out by O’Rielly’s and I’ve gotten three replacements from them now. I bought a second one from O’Rielly’s in 2009 at Pueblo and have been carrying a spare since then.

It is an Autolite
100 amp alternator.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
> My coach came with a handful of extras, including a torque wrench/breaker bar for the wheels, some ignition module that once left my PO stranded (only
> time he was stopped on 3 XC trips so he got a spare) wires/electrical stuff. I now realize I have no jack to travel with me, and I'll get one now. I
> have the bottle jack extension to get the rear up, I've put it on blocks during the winter at the house.
>
> We did a XC trip in the SOB and I completely know what you mean about expansive nothingness. Our current travels are all under 300 mile trips about
> New England but that's no excuse for not having emergency equipment. Carrying a starter had not occurred to me.
>
> And, I will get a new tire on the spare- what really got me thinking about all of this was that my current spare is likely no good.
>
>
>
>

>>> Anyone have an aluminum wheel they want to sell me I can use for a spare? :)
>>>
>>> I'm pretty sure mine is OLD and TOAST and just as good as not having a spare... Also, I realize I don't travel with a bottle jack that will
>>> get the buggy off the ground to change a tire... Sheesh
>>>
>>> kelly
>>
>> Kelly,
>>
>> As an ex-east-coast person, I am going to provide some important advice that you should take to heart before you depart on any significant
>> excursions. Much of this country is made up of vast expanses of nothing much other than woods and fields. I know you think you may have seen this,
>> but in a short discussion with Mary (she grew up in Albany), she admitted that she never appreciated this vastness. The back of Maine, Upper New
>> York, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula are just a start. They are all more populous than Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming.
>>
>> If you travel far and wide without a spare and basic tools for self-rescue, you can be in a bad way if you have tire trouble.
>> The only time I called for road service (this was in Ohio), the guy that showed up did not have a jack that could actually get under and lift the
>> coach on its reliable jack points. He had an air wrench that could not break my lug nuts loose (the steel wheels are a special case). I had to use
>> my socket, breaker bar and pipe (cheater) to break them loose.
>>
>> If you have trouble, and you have the kit, there is a chance that you can get some gallant fellow to do the heavy lifting. But, without the
>> capability, you could be stuck a long time. I suggest that you should build this kit before you cross the Mississippi.
>>
>> The only other heavy spare I carry is a starter. That is one of the very few simple failures for which there is no work around.
>>
>> Matt
>
> --
> 1978 Kingsley
> Putney VT
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
date stamp 3512
so, 35th month of 2012? It's the 16.5" steel, all the other are Al. It looks ok on the sidewall, the tread is covered with metal. There's a bike
rack hooked up to it. Think that's "new enough" to get me somewhere safe?

Excellent idea on jacking it up with flat tires at home. I'm sure I can get enough cursing there. I see Jim K sells a lowboy bottle jack, I could
also get a hefty scissor jack for 3 tons (is that all I need if I'm not climbing under it?)

This group has been fantastic, and I appreciate all the thoughtful replies even if you all thought I was being crazy.

kelly

> > My coach came with a handful of extras, including a torque wrench/breaker bar for the wheels, some ignition module that once left my PO
> > stranded (only time he was stopped on 3 XC trips so he got a spare) wires/electrical stuff. I now realize I have no jack to travel with me, and
> > I'll get one now. I have the bottle jack extension to get the rear up, I've put it on blocks during the winter at the house.
> >
> > We did a XC trip in the SOB and I completely know what you mean about expansive nothingness. Our current travels are all under 300 mile trips
> > about New England but that's no excuse for not having emergency equipment. Carrying a starter had not occurred to me.
> >
> > And, I will get a new tire on the spare- what really got me thinking about all of this was that my current spare is likely no good.
>
>
> Kelly,
>
> Read that date code on your existing spare before you dispose of it. It may be new enough to be marginal. If it is not, call around to tire
> stores and see of one on them has a take off tire that will be good enough to hold the coach off the ground. If they do not, tell them why you want
> and to keep a look out. There are lots of people (like me) that replace tires two at time and leave the still usable tire at the store. These can
> often be free or cheap. Just read the date code first.
>
> If you have a bottle jack, it may be that all you really need is a GMC jack hook to go with it. Several of the faithful suppliers sell these.
>
> Next, another caution....
> What ever you decide to carry for a jack, test it some time. On an nice sunny dry day near home. (You will never need it there, but it makes the
> experiment more pleasant.) Go to somewhere with plenty of compressed air. (And a friend) Let the air out of both a front and a rear tire and then
> try to make the jack kit work. If you can, Great! That means you won't have to figure this out in the rain on a dark night 300 miles from home.
> (This is exactly how I found out that the OE jack will damage the front bumper if you try to jack it the way the book says. And a GMC friend though
> his jack hook and jack would do only to find out that with a fully flat tire, the jack was too tall to get under the jack hook.)
>
> Oh, Yes, if you can't make it work, get in the Black list and call a friend that might know how, or buy what you might need to make the kit work.
>
>
> All this is kind of like what I do to a new boat owner. I look over the new boat and then ask...
> Do you know how to bleed the fuel system on this engine? (A diesel that has run out of fuel can be a bear to restart.)
> Have you tried out the emergency tiller? (This is how you get to steer when a cable on the wheel steering brakes.)
>
> It does not take a great deal to be prepared. Fortunately, you are now part of a group of intelligent people that can be of great assistance.
>
> Matt

--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
 
Kelly,

Last time I checked a calendar there were 12 months in a year? :-)

There are, however, 52 weeks so your tire was manufactured the 35th week of 2012 or

Week 35 August 27, 2012 September 2, 2012

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808


-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of kelly stockwell
Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2018 4:54 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Do we need a spare tire?

date stamp 3512
so, 35th month of 2012? It's the 16.5" steel, all the other are Al. It looks ok on the sidewall, the tread is covered with metal.
There's a bike
rack hooked up to it. Think that's "new enough" to get me somewhere safe?

Excellent idea on jacking it up with flat tires at home. I'm sure I can get enough cursing there. I see Jim K sells a lowboy
bottle jack, I could
also get a hefty scissor jack for 3 tons (is that all I need if I'm not climbing under it?)

This group has been fantastic, and I appreciate all the thoughtful replies even if you all thought I was being crazy.

kelly
 
Emery,

I'm with you!

Because Helen and I were always on a fixed schedule for our tours in the USA we carried a starter, alternator, distributor, module, outer CV joint, fuel pump, water pump, fan clutch, front wheel bearings (despite the fact that the hubs & knuckles were from Dave), rear wheel bearings, brake pads, AND a spare tire.

We were lucky in all our travels I only had to use the spare once (between Houston and New Orleans and I replaced the fan clutch at Marc Hogenboom's home in Madrid, NM.

Fellow GMCer's told me I was nuts because you can order the parts and get them the next day. NOT!

When John Sharpe and I were on our way to the Tucson Convention, we had an outer CV joint fail in Ft. Stockton, TX. Jim K sent us a new axle shaft next day air. Unfortunately it got routed from San Francisco to Louisville where it got stuck due to bad weather. Fortunately Carroll Shelly came through Ft. Stockton and he had a couple of serviceable axles and John installed one of them (I was his helper).

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808


-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Emery Stora
Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2018 3:56 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Do we need a spare tire?

I have lost 3 starters in the 37 years that I have driven my GMC. Once I had to be towed on a Sunday to a parking lot of a NAPA where I was told they could rebuild it. The other 2 times I was towing a toad, however I had to wait two days for an autoparts store to get one delivered. So I now carry a spare. I also carry a spare alternator as that has gone out 5 times and I had to drive across a desert area for 8 hours with my Onan running to keep my engine battery charged and headlights burning before I got to a town when I could get a replacement.

I just used the spare alternator in New Mexico when returning from the Tucson convention back to Colorado. I was down less than 2 hours. I originally bought it at a Kragen store in California in 1990 with a lifetime warranty. They were bought out by Checker and I got a free replacement there. They were bought out by O’Rielly’s and I’ve gotten three replacements from them now. I bought a second one from O’Rielly’s in 2009 at Pueblo and have been carrying a spare since then.

It is an Autolite
100 amp alternator.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
> My coach came with a handful of extras, including a torque wrench/breaker bar for the wheels, some ignition module that once left my PO stranded (only
> time he was stopped on 3 XC trips so he got a spare) wires/electrical stuff. I now realize I have no jack to travel with me, and I'll get one now. I
> have the bottle jack extension to get the rear up, I've put it on blocks during the winter at the house.
>
> We did a XC trip in the SOB and I completely know what you mean about expansive nothingness. Our current travels are all under 300 mile trips about
> New England but that's no excuse for not having emergency equipment. Carrying a starter had not occurred to me.
>
> And, I will get a new tire on the spare- what really got me thinking about all of this was that my current spare is likely no good.
>
>
>
>

>>> Anyone have an aluminum wheel they want to sell me I can use for a spare? :)
>>>
>>> I'm pretty sure mine is OLD and TOAST and just as good as not having a spare... Also, I realize I don't travel with a bottle jack that will
>>> get the buggy off the ground to change a tire... Sheesh
>>>
>>> kelly
>>
>> Kelly,
>>
>> As an ex-east-coast person, I am going to provide some important advice that you should take to heart before you depart on any significant
>> excursions. Much of this country is made up of vast expanses of nothing much other than woods and fields. I know you think you may have seen this,
>> but in a short discussion with Mary (she grew up in Albany), she admitted that she never appreciated this vastness. The back of Maine, Upper New
>> York, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula are just a start. They are all more populous than Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming.
>>
>> If you travel far and wide without a spare and basic tools for self-rescue, you can be in a bad way if you have tire trouble.
>> The only time I called for road service (this was in Ohio), the guy that showed up did not have a jack that could actually get under and lift the
>> coach on its reliable jack points. He had an air wrench that could not break my lug nuts loose (the steel wheels are a special case). I had to use
>> my socket, breaker bar and pipe (cheater) to break them loose.
>>
>> If you have trouble, and you have the kit, there is a chance that you can get some gallant fellow to do the heavy lifting. But, without the
>> capability, you could be stuck a long time. I suggest that you should build this kit before you cross the Mississippi.
>>
>> The only other heavy spare I carry is a starter. That is one of the very few simple failures for which there is no work around.
>>
>> Matt
>
> --
> 1978 Kingsley
> Putney VT
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
 
> date stamp 3512
> so, 35th month of 2012? It's the 16.5" steel, all the other are Al. It looks ok on the sidewall, the tread is covered with metal. There's a
> bike rack hooked up to it. Think that's "new enough" to get me somewhere safe?
>
> Excellent idea on jacking it up with flat tires at home. I'm sure I can get enough cursing there. I see Jim K sells a lowboy bottle jack, I
> could also get a hefty scissor jack for 3 tons (is that all I need if I'm not climbing under it?)
>
> This group has been fantastic, and I appreciate all the thoughtful replies even if you all thought I was being crazy.
>
> kelly

Kelly,

Did you hear someone laughing??
Nobody here is less crazy than you are......

The real trick on trying out the jack at home is that if you can't make it work, it is not a bad place to be stuck....
I tried a 3 ton (iirc) scissor jack, and it could not get it to even start lifting the coach.

The real reason for carrying a starter is that our starter is only for our transmission and as of this year, it has been out of production for 40
years. Yes, they can be rebuilt easily, but only if you can find the place to do it.

There is a second reason I don't carry much in spares. We have a 23' coach and I can't get it in my barn with a pod on the roof.

The last of my 16.5s came off at a little over 8 years old. If it has been out of the sun (according to Roger Marble, it is the heat not the UV that
gets them), it should be a reliable spare for a few more years.

Any chance you can make Amana?

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
I think this subject got owners thinking about their spare tire condition. =
And they better think if they have the proper tools on board. My spare is s=
taying on board. I need to think about how to make it safe to get down. Go=
od talk. Bob Dunahugh ________________________________ From: Bob=
Dunahugh Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2018 2:42 PM T=
o: gmclist Subject: RE: Do we need a spare tire? =
I haven't convinced myself to leave the spare tire home. YET. It's a 50/=
50 thing now. I know I'll NEVER take the spare off it's mount by myself. Wa=
sn't in the cards when I was in my 50's. The Quad bag system will get me ou=
t of harms way. That's a big deal for me. It's because I love me. GRIN. Th=
is has been a good subject. The statement. I'll just change the tire. The r=
eality is that it's just not that simple. Gets us thinking about what we mi=
ght have to do. Bob Dunahugh ________________________________ From:=
Bob Dunahugh Sent: Friday, May 11, 2018 9:40 PM=
To: gmclist Subject: RE: Do we need a spare tire? =
Were you live plays some into this topic. I wouldn't want to do i=
t out West. Not a lot of off ramps out there. Running on 5 idea is for very=
short duration at slow speeds. Off ramps, and towns are closes East of the=
Missouri River. And East is the area that we travel in mostly. We always h=
ave a toad, or a trailer with one of my road race Yenkos on that trailer. I=
can bring a spare on the trailer. I can get the tire fixed with the toad. =
I can roll a tire from the rear to the front. But taking that spare off it'=
s mount. I'm in good shape for 72. And a realest. That tire on that mount =
is a health risk for this coot. And an injured ME is a HUGE problem with Li=
nda in a wheel chair. If I'm injured. She CAN NOT help me in any way. ( =
Linda just said that she can dial 911) THANKS. GRIN. An other thought. W=
hat can your wife/partner do in this situation. This situation needs to be =
talked about in all our houses. With our partners. I'm now seeing the Quad=
bag system as more of an asset then I first thought. If youDamage a bearin=
g, or tire. I DO NOT care. That's CHEEP. Bob Dunahugh _______________=
_________________ From: Bob Dunahugh Sent: Frida=
y, May 11, 2018 11:09 AM To: gmclist Subject: Do we nee=
d a spare tire? We've had a GMC since 2003. Have never used our sp=
are tire. Can't remember when I ever used a spare tire on anything in the l=
ast 35 years. With the Quad bags. I can run a bit with one rear tire flat. =
Or if I had a front tire go flat. Relocate a rear tire to the front. That's=
simpler then getting the spare off that high spare tire mount. That spare =
is HEAVEY to get down. Then having it land on ME. Seen some GMC's that have=
removed the mount/spare tire. Looks great. And dumps a lot of weight. What=
you say out there? Bob Dunahugh
 
Think something like this mounted inside or below the wheel with a simple
pulley arrangement to raise & lower it:
https://www.ruralking.com/3000-lbs-winch?gclid=Cj0KCQjwxN_XBRCFARIsAIufy1ZNZ4whYDQYEOFKgx5ZwoX6KQz6LzHkuciu3qHzfmZXbsq3DVAjCGwaAk9gEALw_wcB

You might even be able to rig a way to make it dual purpose to extend and
retract Linda's door ramp. :-)

Ken H.

> I think this subject got owners thinking about their spare tire condition.
> And they better think if they have the proper tools on board. My spare is
> staying on board. I need to think about how to make it safe to get down.
> Good talk. Bob Dunahugh
>
>
 
This might be even easier/better:
https://goo.gl/s6otf9

Fasten it to the tire mount, with an extension on the bottom foot to
support the tire.

Ken H.

On Sun, May 13, 2018 at 11:55 PM Ken Henderson
wrote:

> Think something like this mounted inside or below the wheel with a simple
> pulley arrangement to raise & lower it:
>
> https://www.ruralking.com/3000-lbs-winch?gclid=Cj0KCQjwxN_XBRCFARIsAIufy1ZNZ4whYDQYEOFKgx5ZwoX6KQz6LzHkuciu3qHzfmZXbsq3DVAjCGwaAk9gEALw_wcB
>
> You might even be able to rig a way to make it dual purpose to extend and
> retract Linda's door ramp. :-)
>
>>
>>
 
Pryor built a hatch and uses the waste space in the rise up frame to hold the spare. This won't work with a handicaqpped coach - it requires bunks in
the rear. I do two tire a year and then skip a few years and do it again. I take the best off the last pair takeoffs and have it fitted as the
spare.
I worry more about the MOusetoad, Kia doesn't fit a spare. The well (which contains glue in a pressure can and a 12v air pump) might hold a getby
spare but not a real one. In that when I do lose a tire it's normal not glue-able I need to figure a real spare from the men's mall.

For spare stuff large, I have an alternator (because I had it) an ignition module, a fuel pump (injection system) and some filters. I will add a
starter when the budget allows, the fitted one sags when the engine's hot. I suspect a new front bushing will cure this.

--johnny
--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
 
> I think this subject got owners thinking about their spare tire condition. And they better think if they have the proper tools on board. My spare
> is staying on board.
> I need to think about how to make it safe to get down.
> Good talk.
> Bob Dunahugh

Bob, et al,

Getting the tire down has never been a big issue, but returning the other to the mount is a bear.

There is unfortunately no fixture of the coach above the tire that could help.

I did think about sicking a vacuum thing on the back glass, but I really don't want to risk that seal.
Lasso the rear A/C if you have could damage the seal between it and the roof. Something else we don't need.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
> I have lost 3 starters in the 37 years that I have driven my GMC. Once I had to be towed on a Sunday to a parking lot of a NAPA where I was told
> they could rebuild it. The other 2 times I was towing a toad, however I had to wait two days for an autoparts store to get one delivered. So I now
> carry a spare. I also carry a spare alternator as that has gone out 5 times and I had to drive across a desert area for 8 hours with my Onan
> running to keep my engine battery charged and headlights burning before I got to a town when I could get a replacement.
>
> I just used the spare alternator in New Mexico when returning from the Tucson convention back to Colorado. I was down less than 2 hours. I
> originally bought it at a Kragen store in California in 1990 with a lifetime warranty. They were bought out by Checker and I got a free replacement
> there. They were bought out by O'Rielly's and I've gotten three replacements from them now. I bought a second one from O'Rielly's in 2009 at
> Pueblo and have been carrying a spare since then.
>
> It is an Autolite
> 100 amp alternator.
>
> Emery Stora
> 77 Kingsley
> Frederick, CO

I've not had an alternator failure yet. I did replace the one I had previously when I did my engine R&R some years ago just because the old one was
already out. I also replaced the power steering pump at the same time of the engine R&R.

I think I will start carrying a spare alternator to go along with the spare starter I carry. That seems like cheap insurance to avoid being out of
business for an extended time as these components become more difficult to buy on short notice.

I wonder if I should also carry a water pump? Mine has over 50,000 miles on it now.

--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com


Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Manny Tranny etc.
 
Maybe that's how they do it in Australia...

Yup I meant week.

> Kelly,
>
> Last time I checked a calendar there were 12 months in a year? :)
>
> There are, however, 52 weeks so your tire was manufactured the 35th week of 2012 or
>
> Week 35 August 27, 2012 September 2, 2012
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> The Pedantic Mechanic
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
> USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of kelly stockwell
> Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2018 4:54 PM
> To: gmclist
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Do we need a spare tire?
>
> date stamp 3512
> so, 35th month of 2012? It's the 16.5" steel, all the other are Al. It looks ok on the sidewall, the tread is covered with metal.
> There's a bike
> rack hooked up to it. Think that's "new enough" to get me somewhere safe?
>
> Excellent idea on jacking it up with flat tires at home. I'm sure I can get enough cursing there. I see Jim K sells a lowboy
> bottle jack, I could
> also get a hefty scissor jack for 3 tons (is that all I need if I'm not climbing under it?)
>
> This group has been fantastic, and I appreciate all the thoughtful replies even if you all thought I was being crazy.
>
> kelly
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
 
OK, I may have hijacked this thread.

So, please give me the part name where to get an alternator and a starter. I'll order these right away.

My water pump was done a few years ago by the PO

thanks all!

--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
 
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