New guy on the site

Beach Dude

New member
Feb 16, 2021
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Hello all,
My name is RJ and I joined this site to learn more about the GMC RV. I am in the research stage as I begin looking for a GMC to call my own.

Thank you all for being close nit and supporting people for probably stupid questions to come in the future.

Thanks,
RJ
 
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RJ,
This is an amazing community. To whit, I am going to suggest that you also go over to GMCMI <gmcmi.com> and collect a copy of the Black's list (you will see it) This is people that are willing to assist those that need. But more than that, most are owners. You should be able to find a helper that knows what to look for and at.....
As soon as you can manage, connect to the local chapter. Looking at other coaches will provide a reference that you will need.
Before we get too far, I have to tell you that in the community, we have a standard line....
A GMC that is reliable and ready to travel will cost about 30k$us. That is all at once or as a kit. What this does not say is that sweat gets credited at full shop rate. In California, shop rate is over 100$us/MHr. Some dispute this as low. Are they worth that much? Go out and look at what you can get for that.
There is another Forum, it is older (in every way), there is good information there.
There are also several Facebook groups.
Best of luck in the hunt.
Matt
 
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Thanks Matt,
This has been in the back of my mind for a while and has become more possible in the last year. My thought is if done properly, although you won't make money, you won't lose a body part or two when/if you resell.

Looking forward to making new friends and hopefully can be a contributing member.

RJ
 
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Thanks Matt,
This has been in the back of my mind for a while and has become more possible in the last year. My thought is if done properly, although you won't make money, you won't lose a body part or two when/if you resell.

Looking forward to making new friends and hopefully can be a contributing member.

RJ

I think you are on the right track, but imo you won't lose the body part when purchasing it or restoring it if you can do the work yourself.

Try to keep it in any condition able to be used and enjoyed even if it's a bit 'rough', try to not lose the ability to actually camp in it even if it's a 'work in progress', b/c everyone that owns one is almost always in some state of completeness, aka incompleteness.

If you take one on, tear it apart, and then lose the ability to take it out camping you could become discouraged and then end up quitting on it. It's sad when that happens and it happens a lot imo.

But in general, yes. Compared to a new Class A motorhome you will get way more camping trips, miles, smiles, memories, .... (everything that matters) per dollar from a vintage GMC motorhome than from a new motorhome if you're willing to live with and enjoy the GMC the way it was intended in the 1970s. Things in new ones are not the same today, and I don't mean they are better. The designers made the GMC a great motorhome, way better than camping in a tent. But they aren't for everyone, some people want 120 gallon water tanks. Leave those people at home.

If you get a GMC understand that they won't be troublefree, things can and will break. Have a contingency plan such as some emergency cash just in case you're on the road and something happens, but that's not unique to the GMC. New ones often leave the dealership broken!

The new ones break down on the road too, maybe even more frequently, and when they do forget about any warrantee. The dealers only care about getting you separated from your money on day one, not about any follow-up care. Best case, they fix your new motorhome but it takes months. Meanwhile you are paying the monthly payment and not able to camp or travel.

Be aware that you might not resell it. They tend to grow on you . In fact, you may end up buying more than one by the time you're all done.
 
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I think you are on the right track, but imo you won't lose the body part when purchasing it or restoring it if you can do the work yourself.

Try to keep it in any condition able to be used and enjoyed even if it's a bit 'rough', try to not lose the ability to actually camp in it even if it's a 'work in progress', b/c everyone that owns one is almost always in some state of completeness, aka incompleteness.

If you take one on, tear it apart, and then lose the ability to take it out camping you could become discouraged and then end up quitting on it. It's sad when that happens and it happens a lot imo.

But in general, yes. Compared to a new Class A motorhome you will get way more camping trips, miles, smiles, memories, .... (everything that matters) per dollar from a vintage GMC motorhome than from a new motorhome if you're willing to live with and enjoy the GMC the way it was intended in the 1970s. Things in new ones are not the same today, and I don't mean they are better. The designers made the GMC a great motorhome, way better than camping in a tent. But they aren't for everyone, some people want 120 gallon water tanks. Leave those people at home.

If you get a GMC understand that they won't be troublefree, things can and will break. Have a contingency plan such as some emergency cash just in case you're on the road and something happens, but that's not unique to the GMC. New ones often leave the dealership broken!

The new ones break down on the road too, maybe even more frequently, and when they do forget about any warrantee. The dealers only care about getting you separated from your money on day one, not about any follow-up care. Best case, they fix your new motorhome but it takes months. Meanwhile you are paying the monthly payment and not able to camp or travel.

Be aware that you might not resell it. They tend to grow on you . In fact, you may end up buying more than one by the time you're all done.
Todd,
Thanks for the words of advice, I agree on keeping it usable, have been looking and reading on them for a little bit. I am open to either a project coach or a older remodeled/updated coach. Not in a rush, but have a foot in the water so to speak.

Thanks,
RJ
 
Appreciate the heads up, but not my type. I am surprised there is not more for sale in the state given that we have a couple of well known GMC shops in the state.
 
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RJ,
I don't have any idea where Hernando Beach is, but you are in the area of either the Forty-Niners or the Pacific Cruisers. Make contact with either or both and you may learn a lot is a very short time.
Matt
 
Matt,
Wrong coast, I'm in Florida about 1 hour North of Tampa. I've checked the site for Florida Sunstatesman.

Keep the suggestions coming, I'm listening.

Thanks,
RJ
 
RJ,

Over in Okeechobee there is the Sirum's shop. Sadly it is Jeff alone now, but he is a good person and may just be able to help. And yes, Sunshine Statesmen are another great group. I really don't know why I bothered to add that, all the chapters are full of good people. Do not be put off by the forwardness. As far as the they are concerned, you are just another old friend that recently showed up. When you do get familiar with the community, you will realize just how low the AH ratio is within it.

You also might try to contact Frank Sundram (lives up in the panhandle) fsundram at aol dotte comm.
He knew of some coaches in varied states and may one is recoverable.

Matt