Drove an SOB today

K

kerry pinkerton

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Jul 13, 2012
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A neighbor has got the motorhome bug from me but I couldn't talk him into a GMC. He wanted basement storage and more room. I don't know much about motorhoming but more than him apparently so he's been bending my ear while he's been looking.

Today I went up to near Nashville to pick up his 'new' 1990 Holiday Rambler Aluminlite II. It is on a 454 Chevy chassis with 19.5" wheels and a tag axle...eight 1 year old 12 ply Bridgstones...throttle body fuel injection... Turbo 400 tranny (basically the same as our 425 but for rear wheel drive)...33' long...56K original miles...all sorts of 'basement storage. Clean as a pin. No leaks, no stains. Everything works but the headlights.

He wanted me to drive it the 120 miles home and give it a good check out.

I wasn't expecting that much but was quite impressed. The coach was very peppy especially considering its about 18000 lbs. No problem running 70mph and maintaining speed on some of the big hills on I65 south of Nashville. Just a little shake if you get over 70..feels like a rear tire.

Turns out it has a 4.56 differential but with the larger tires, it's probably about the same as what 4.11s would give us. It runs about 3000 rpm at 60

Quiet, smooth, no sway, no rut running. Semis didn't blow it around any worse then they do my pickup.

I'm not going to run out and get one but I am really impressed.

Oh. He gave $6000 for it.
--
Kerry Pinkerton

North Alabama, near Huntsville,

77 Eleganza II, "The Lady", 403CI, also a 76 Eleganza being re-bodied as an Art Deco car hauler
 
56k miles and new tires. Sounds like a bargain.
--
1978 GMC Royal
1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue
1992 Camaro 25th Anniversary Heretage Edition Black
 
While on this topic: Probably not the proper forum for this heretical and blasphemous question but (Alfred P Sloan forgive me) here you go!
I am not getting rid of my GMC, but I have been considering some thing a little larger for longer stays.

I've never owned any motor home other than a GMC but I have been surprised at the prices of low mileage, non slide, 10 to 15 year old motorhomes.
I have been considering a 1995 or 1997 33' Beaver Patriot Savanna. The 1995 has a Cummins diesel with less than 50,000 miles-the 1997 has a Cat diesel with 79,000 miles. Both appear to be in excellent condition and are priced at less than $30K.
Somewhat less than I have in my 76 Palm Beach.

I have never owned or driven a diesel motorhome so I don't know what to expect. I had never owned any motorhome before the GMC but after owning three of them and drinking the Kool-Aid for 11 years and 150,000 miles I still enjoy driving it- would just like a bit more room when parked.

Comments, suggestions, recommendations, jeers, cheers, and ridicule all cheerfully accepted.
--
Gene Barrow
Lake Almanor, Ca.
1976 Palm Beach
 
Very interesting reading on this thread...

I came very close to purchasing a 32' to 36' diesel pusher on more than one occasion. 32' Country Coach. 36' Foretravel or Alpine. Nice machines.

But my wife was always less impressed with them... "Too big." And she likes vintage stuff... GMCs and Airstreams. After years and years of casual looking, and countless hours of internet research in various users groups, a 23' GMC came up for sale in the neighboring town.

"Let's just go look at it for another reference point in our search..."

Well... y'all know how that story progressed. Here I am. And happy, happy, happy. The coach is small enough to take on in-town trips and large enough for true road trips. Perfect size for the two of us and our two small dogs. And admired by our friends... they can't believe it's a 40 year old vehicle.

Steve W
Southern California

 
> While on this topic: Probably not the proper forum for this heretical and blasphemous question but (Alfred P Sloan forgive me) here you go!
> I am not getting rid of my GMC, but I have been considering some thing a little larger for longer stays.
>
> I've never owned any motor home other than a GMC but I have been surprised at the prices of low mileage, non slide, 10 to 15 year old motorhomes.
> I have been considering a 1995 or 1997 33' Beaver Patriot Savanna. The 1995 has a Cummins diesel with less than 50,000 miles-the 1997 has a Cat diesel with 79,000 miles. Both appear to be in excellent condition and are priced at less than $30K.
> Somewhat less than I have in my 76 Palm Beach.
>
> I have never owned or driven a diesel motorhome so I don't know what to expect. I had never owned any motorhome before the GMC but after owning three of them and drinking the Kool-Aid for 11 years and 150,000 miles I still enjoy driving it- would just like a bit more room when parked.
>
> Comments, suggestions, recommendations, jeers, cheers, and ridicule all cheerfully accepted.


A friend just sold his 1995 safari 36 ft diesel pusher non slide for $13000. He bought it a few years ago for around $40 000. It had a cat engine with around 50000 miles on it. I sure thought of buying it from him but I didn't want him to think I took advantage. He put a ton of money having simple things fixed at over $100 an hour. He couldn't fix anything himself and wouldn't accept my help. To him it was a giant money pit .
--
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
 
Speaking of diesel pushers, I know a possible source for a few MC9's. These of course have seats but no plumbing. The layout would be what ever you want.
--
Jim Bratvold
Victoria, BC
76 Eleganza ll
 
Gene,
Excellent choice. The 1995 is a mechanical motor. 1996 and newer have
computer controlled injection, a better choice in my opinion. You can also
hook up a laptop to the data terminal and monitor everything but the
holding tanks. The reason I like the computerized injection is on long
grades the computer will increase the injector pulse duration to compensate
for high exhaust gas temps. 1995 and older, it is up to the driver to
monitor EGT. Once it is above 1,200 deg for any length of time, bad things
can happen to the Cummins. It is most likely built on a Sparten Mountain
Master chassis, built like a tank. Self adjusting air brakes, all air bag
suspension. For sure, you will never enjoy the quality of ride the GMC
affords with it's torsion bar and air bag suspension. I've driven many of
these things and there is, and never will be, any comparison. But, it
stops there. Storage capacity, towing capacity, MPG and tire life all will
exceed your experience with the GMC. The rest of motorhome is really the
people at the end of the journey and I have found that the GMC community
treats it's SOB owners no different that it does it's GMC owners.
Steve F.

>
>
> While on this topic: Probably not the proper forum for this heretical and
> blasphemous question but (Alfred P Sloan forgive me) here you go!
> I am not getting rid of my GMC, but I have been considering some thing a
> little larger for longer stays.
>
> I've never owned any motor home other than a GMC but I have been surprised
> at the prices of low mileage, non slide, 10 to 15 year old motorhomes.
> I have been considering a 1995 or 1997 33' Beaver Patriot Savanna. The
> 1995 has a Cummins diesel with less than 50,000 miles-the 1997 has a Cat
> diesel with 79,000 miles. Both appear to be in excellent condition and are
> priced at less than $30K.
> Somewhat less than I have in my 76 Palm Beach.
>
> I have never owned or driven a diesel motorhome so I don't know what to
> expect. I had never owned any motorhome before the GMC but after owning
> three of them and drinking the Kool-Aid for 11 years and 150,000 miles I
> still enjoy driving it- would just like a bit more room when parked.
>
> Comments, suggestions, recommendations, jeers, cheers, and ridicule all
> cheerfully accepted.
> --
> Gene Barrow
> Lake Almanor, Ca.
> 1976 Palm Beach
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>

--
Take care,
Steve
 
I didn't really intend to start a thread about how great SOBs are. The primary learning for me is how responsive the 1/3 larger coach was with a lesser motor because of the 4.56 gears. There isn't anything special about the 454 but with this particular combination it really works.
--
Kerry Pinkerton

North Alabama, near Huntsville,

77 Eleganza II, "The Lady", 403CI, also a 76 Eleganza being re-bodied as an Art Deco car hauler
 
Kerry,

As a previous owner of one of those models (although it was a diesel
pusher) I can give you a list of things to check for the new owners piece of
mind. One being the basement doors. HR made the doors by sealing a long
block of wood inside the door and using that to screw the hinges to. That
wood rots out really easy. Double check all the doors that they are tight.
Most people just drive more screws in which makes the problem worse. Some
doors get a little loose and actually pop the heads of the screws clean off.
If the door gets loose it will come off going down the road.

Jake

-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces
[mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Kerry Pinkerton
Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 7:32 AM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Drove an SOB today

I didn't really intend to start a thread about how great SOBs are. The
primary learning for me is how responsive the 1/3 larger coach was with a
lesser motor because of the 4.56 gears. There isn't anything special about
the 454 but with this particular combination it really works.
--
Kerry Pinkerton

North Alabama, near Huntsville,

77 Eleganza II, "The Lady", 403CI, also a 76 Eleganza being re-bodied as an
Art Deco car hauler _______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
 
Steve,

Your last sentence is interesting. Sure, we're not treated any differently.
However, we are talked about when our backs are turned. Just don't tell
anyone that we talk about them, too.

If you want to look at a good diesel forum go to
http://forum.dieselrvclub.org. Lots of good and helpful people over there.

Byron Songer
Louisville, KY

> Gene,
> Excellent choice. The 1995 is a mechanical motor. 1996 and newer have
> computer controlled injection, a better choice in my opinion. You can also
> hook up a laptop to the data terminal and monitor everything but the
> holding tanks. The reason I like the computerized injection is on long
> grades the computer will increase the injector pulse duration to compensate
> for high exhaust gas temps. 1995 and older, it is up to the driver to
> monitor EGT. Once it is above 1,200 deg for any length of time, bad things
> can happen to the Cummins. It is most likely built on a Sparten Mountain
> Master chassis, built like a tank. Self adjusting air brakes, all air bag
> suspension. For sure, you will never enjoy the quality of ride the GMC
> affords with it's torsion bar and air bag suspension. I've driven many of
> these things and there is, and never will be, any comparison. But, it
> stops there. Storage capacity, towing capacity, MPG and tire life all will
> exceed your experience with the GMC. The rest of motorhome is really the
> people at the end of the journey and I have found that the GMC community
> treats it's SOB owners no different that it does it's GMC owners.
> Steve F.
>
>

>
>>
>>
>> While on this topic: Probably not the proper forum for this heretical and
>> blasphemous question but (Alfred P Sloan forgive me) here you go!
>> I am not getting rid of my GMC, but I have been considering some thing a
>> little larger for longer stays.
>>
>> I've never owned any motor home other than a GMC but I have been surprised
>> at the prices of low mileage, non slide, 10 to 15 year old motorhomes.
>> I have been considering a 1995 or 1997 33' Beaver Patriot Savanna. The
>> 1995 has a Cummins diesel with less than 50,000 miles-the 1997 has a Cat
>> diesel with 79,000 miles. Both appear to be in excellent condition and are
>> priced at less than $30K. Somewhat less than I have in my 76 Palm Beach.
>>
>> I have never owned or driven a diesel motorhome so I don't know what to
>> expect. I had never owned any motorhome before the GMC but after owning
>> three of them and drinking the Kool-Aid for 11 years and 150,000 miles I
>> still enjoy driving it- would just like a bit more room when parked.
>>
>> Comments, suggestions, recommendations, jeers, cheers, and ridicule all
>> cheerfully accepted.
>> --
>> Gene Barrow
>> Lake Almanor, Ca.
>> 1976 Palm Beach
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
>
>
 
Hi Gene, We full timed in a 1998 Beaver Patriot single slide for four =
years before buying this old Masonic Temple building that is now our studio=
, gallery and home. Once we had completed the restoration and remodel on t=
he building we no longer needed that large coach so started looking for som=
ething smaller. We could not find a new, smaller coach that had anything l=
ike the build quality of the Patriot. That is what motivated us to look in=
to restoring a GMC. We found the 78 Royale with 41,000 original miles from=
the original owner with an all leather interior (ceiling, wall panels, rom=
an shades, seating, etc.). That did have a similar build quality and we ne=
ver looked back. The restored Clasco we found in Florida this summer (1994=
with 11,000 miles on the clock) also exudes that same build quality look a=
nd feel but done in pleather and monochrome laminate ("who shrank my Prevos=
t" is our joking phrase do describe the look) instead of the "Ralph Loren" =
leather and walnut look of the Royale. You will find the Beaver Patrio=
ts of that era to be very rewarding to drive and live in for extended stays=
. They did improve year over year up to around 2000 or so when market forc=
es pushed them so far upscale that they became very heavy, very long, very =
tall, full of slides, very expensive, and less nimble to drive on anything =
but the freeways. The mid to late 90s 33 foot non-slide units are very nic=
e for everything short of full time living. I personally would opt for the=
Cat over the Cummins as that is what the factory settled on for all subseq=
uent production. The Cummins was selected for the less expensive Safari mo=
dels. These non-slide units, and to a growing extend the single slide unit=
s, are becoming very good buys indeed. It is not at all rare to find them =
will 50,000 to 100,000 miles and the drive trains will easily go several hu=
ndred thousand miles without major issues. Many owners also took meticulou=
s care of their units so most all of the systems will be good to go from th=
e start. It is not at all like starting with a 40 year old GMC that has be=
en sitting too long. Routine service is quite a bit more expensive on the =
diesel units (more oil, bigger parts, etc.) but the overall cost of ownersh=
ip will likely not be all that different in the long run. Fuel consumption=
is about the same 8-10 mpg no matter what you do - diesel fuel just has th=
at much more heat capacity than gasoline, so a 30,000 pound diesel pusher b=
ecomes like a 12,000 pound GMC when it comes to fuel consumption. If y=
ou have the storage space for a 33 foot Patriot you cannot go wrong from th=
e very positive experience we had with our 37 footer. Jerry Jerry Wo=
rk The Dovetail Joint Fine furniture designed and hand crafted in the 1=
907 former Masonic Temple building in historic Kerby, OR Visitors always =
welcome! glwork http://jerrywork.com ------------------ Mes=
sage: 5 Date: Mon, 02 Dec 2013 21:53:23 -0600 From: gene barrow Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Drove an SOB today To: gmclist=
mp.gmcnet.org Message-ID: Content=
-Type: text/plain; charset "ISO-8859-15" While on this topic:=
Probably not the proper forum for this heretical and blasphemous question =
but (Alfred P Sloan forgive me) here you go! I am not getting rid of my G=
MC, but I have been considering some thing a little larger for longer stays=
. I've never owned any motor home other than a GMC but I have been sur=
prised at the prices of low mileage, non slide, 10 to 15 year old motorhome=
s. I have been considering a 1995 or 1997 33' Beaver Patriot Savanna. The=
1995 has a Cummins diesel with less than 50,000 miles-the 1997 has a Cat d=
iesel with 79,000 miles. Both appear to be in excellent condition and are p=
riced at less than $30K. Somewhat less than I have in my 76 Palm Beach.=
I have never owned or driven a diesel motorhome so I don't know what =
to expect. I had never owned any motorhome before the GMC but after owning =
three of them and drinking the Kool-Aid for 11 years and 150,000 miles I=
still enjoy driving it- would just like a bit more room when parked. =
Comments, suggestions, recommendations, jeers, cheers, and ridicule all che=
erfully accepted. -- Gene Barrow Lake Almanor, Ca. 1976 Palm Beach=
-------------------
 
I had an small class A SOB before my GMC and one of the biggest downfalls with the motor being up front and the unit being built around it, was to do much more than check oil levels it took an hour and half to expose the motor then another 2 and half to put it back together. The whole dash had to be removed and laid forward, remove the ac air box then remove the dozen screws holding the motor cover down. With alot of the SOBs from the 90's its just another old motorhome. With the GMC it's the ultimate in classic COOL and alot esier to get to the motor, even with the 2 part cover I have its on 2 minutes off and 4 minutes on.. As far as storage I have a roof pod. I've seen in some of those basements, so when some of us think we carry to much, we can think about those guys. Just my 2 bits.
Skip Hartline
 
> I didn't really intend to start a thread about how great SOBs are. ...


Different uses. Staying or going.

For the most part: SOB's are design for the stay after you get there and GMC's are designed for the "going" to get there.

Some SOB's were built with aluminum ribs and the like. the cheap ones used wood. I'd stay away from the wood framed ones... even if given to me! :twisted:


--
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#1)'73 26' exPainted D. -- (#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
http://m000035.blogspot.com
 
Before making the switch to GMC we haf a class C. I lent out and the drove
it into his carport. Didn't fit. Totaled the bunk over. This exposed a lot
of wood rot. This was repaired thru insuance claim. However it made me look
at all other corner joints and found areas of rot. Did a lot of rebuild and
caulking.
Think of a vinyl clad house going down road at 70mph. That thing is
twisting and turning and joints a movin.
Dwayne
77 kingsley no wooden frame

dwayne j

>
>
> I had an small class A SOB before my GMC and one of the biggest downfalls
> with the motor being up front and the unit being built around it, was to do
> much more than check oil levels it took an hour and half to expose the
> motor then another 2 and half to put it back together. The whole dash had
> to be removed and laid forward, remove the ac air box then remove the dozen
> screws holding the motor cover down. With alot of the SOBs from the 90's
> its just another old motorhome. With the GMC it's the ultimate in classic
> COOL and alot esier to get to the motor, even with the 2 part cover I have
> its on 2 minutes off and 4 minutes on.. As far as storage I have a roof
> pod. I've seen in some of those basements, so when some of us think we
> carry to much, we can think about those guys. Just my 2 bits.
> Skip Hartline
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
 
Actually, this particular coach is the Holiday Rambler Alumalite model. Aluminum framing and all aluminum skin (even below the beltline where we have plastic), except for the nose and rear caps.

He found the data plate and it says it is a 33' with a dry weight of 12590. MUCH lighter than I expected although there is nothing in it other than what came from the factory. I expect it weights about what some of our stretches weigh dry.

I agree the wood framed things are a horror but this isn't one of them.

He also specifically did NOT want any slides.
--
Kerry Pinkerton

North Alabama, near Huntsville,

77 Eleganza II, "The Lady", 403CI, also a 76 Eleganza being re-bodied as an Art Deco car hauler
 
> Actually, this particular coach is the Holiday Rambler Alumalite model. ...
>
> ...
> He also specifically did NOT want any slides.


Sounds like a "fairly" smart man... for something that you want to "stay" somewhere with!

--
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#1)'73 26' exPainted D. -- (#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
http://m000035.blogspot.com
 
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