New owner - total newbie to the GMC motorhome ..aargh!

[boybach]

Hi - New owner of a 1977 Palm Beach, bought it sight unseen, :roll: just on the photos from the PO and a few conversations ...Coach started life in
Bakersfield California before coming to Canada about 10 years ago.
Has made 2 Trans-Canada Trips in last couple of years and was garaged all its life. Will take delivery in April 2021 as coach is stored on the other
side of the Rocky Mountains for the winter.

Apparently it's all original inside - green plaid and white but may need some carpet replaced, otherwise everything is fine. It only has 39,000 miles
on the clock. Outside has a rather modern vinyl wrap flash but I understand original finish was green.

So here I am, a new proud owner beginning his journey with the best classic RV out there!
--
1977 Palm Beach
39,000 original miles so far

 

[Randy Hecht]

Outstanding!

Randy Hecht
Roswell, GA

1974 Canyon Lakes GMC Motor-coach

>
> Hi - New owner of a 1977 Palm Beach, bought it sight unseen, :roll: just on the photos from the PO and a few conversations ...Coach started life in
> Bakersfield California before coming to Canada about 10 years ago.
> Has made 2 Trans-Canada Trips in last couple of years and was garaged all its life. Will take delivery in April 2021 as coach is stored on the other
> side of the Rocky Mountains for the winter.
>
> Apparently it's all original inside - green plaid and white but may need some carpet replaced, otherwise everything is fine. It only has 39,000 miles
> on the clock. Outside has a rather modern vinyl wrap flash but I understand original finish was green.
>
> So here I am, a new proud owner beginning his journey with the best classic RV out there!
> --
> 1977 Palm Beach
> 39,000 original miles so far
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

 

[Bruce Hart]

Why the aargh than?

On Wed, Dec 9, 2020 at 3:10 PM Randy Hecht via Gmclist <

> Outstanding!
>
> Randy Hecht
> Roswell, GA
>
> 1974 Canyon Lakes GMC Motor-coach
>
>
> > On Dec 9, 2020, at 15:15, twlldeen--- via Gmclist <

> >
> > Hi - New owner of a 1977 Palm Beach, bought it sight unseen, :roll:
> just on the photos from the PO and a few conversations ...Coach started
> life in
> > Bakersfield California before coming to Canada about 10 years ago.
> > Has made 2 Trans-Canada Trips in last couple of years and was garaged
> all its life. Will take delivery in April 2021 as coach is stored on the
> other
> > side of the Rocky Mountains for the winter.
> >
> > Apparently it's all original inside - green plaid and white but may need
> some carpet replaced, otherwise everything is fine. It only has 39,000 miles
> > on the clock. Outside has a rather modern vinyl wrap flash but I
> understand original finish was green.
> >
> > So here I am, a new proud owner beginning his journey with the best
> classic RV out there!
> > --
> > 1977 Palm Beach
> > 39,000 original miles so far
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > 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
>

--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
Milliken, Co
GMC=Got More Class

 

[boybach]

>why the aargh?

Only because I know absolutely nothing about motorhome systems/maintainance or the ways of RV's in general... I'm sure there's lots to know though
....

I wanna (and have to) learn tho!

Thinking about picking up the training tapes, good idea?

larry

--
1977 Palm Beach
39,000 original miles so far

 

[bdub1]

They're Dealer training tapes. Wouldn't really help you the way you think.

Best to follow the links at www.bdub.net. Bring a sandwich. ;-)

bdub

PS: What's the VIN?
     For the purpose of locating and keeping track of all Classic GMC
Motorhomes.
Please fill out and submit the online form at
www.gmcmhregistry.com/contact/form.html
(There are currently over 8520 GMCs accounted for)

-----Original Message-----
From: On Behalf Of twlldeen--- via Gmclist
Sent: Wednesday, December 9, 2020 6:54 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] New owner - total newbie to the GMC motorhome ..aargh!

>why the aargh?

Only because I know absolutely nothing about motorhome systems/maintainance
or the ways of RV's in general... I'm sure there's lots to know though
....

I wanna (and have to) learn tho!

Thinking about picking up the training tapes, good idea?

 

[Ken B]

Just hang around here and ask a lot of questions. There is lot of technical expertise here from Canada, US, Germany, Australia any maybe a few more
that I have forgotten. Be careful on "just have to have" upgrades / improvements. As you move away from stock configurations it becomes more
difficult to remotely help and diagnose some issues.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

 

[charles boyd]

Welcome Sir, a good place to start is the operators manual. Read it all. The 77 was the year that the engines were changed from 455 to 403s so it
could be either depending on build date. Enjoy, it can be fun if you let it. You might want to join a local club in your area.. the best part about
the GMCs is the other people that have them.

https://www.gmcmi.com/gmcmh-manuals/

> Hi - New owner of a 1977 Palm Beach, bought it sight unseen, :roll: just on the photos from the PO and a few conversations ...Coach started life
> in Bakersfield California before coming to Canada about 10 years ago.
> Has made 2 Trans-Canada Trips in last couple of years and was garaged all its life. Will take delivery in April 2021 as coach is stored on the
> other side of the Rocky Mountains for the winter.
>
> Apparently it's all original inside - green plaid and white but may need some carpet replaced, otherwise everything is fine. It only has 39,000
> miles on the clock. Outside has a rather modern vinyl wrap flash but I understand original finish was green.
>
> So here I am, a new proud owner beginning his journey with the best classic RV out there!

--
C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee

 

[s-m-h]

Boybach,

Congrats on the purchase of the coolest motorhome ever built. Welcome to the cult.

You will soon find out this is one of the best forums you've ever been part of. Amazing knowledge here.

I'm just over the water in North Vancouver. I also have a '77 Palm beach, as well as a spare '78.

Although not quite done, I have rebuilt mine essentially "frame off" with the guidance of many good people on here.

I can save you a lot of time and trouble sourcing parts, researching etc with a quick text. I also know other owners close to you who will help you
out in person if need be.

Shoot me a text with even the silliest questions. I know every nut and bolt on your coach

Shawn

778-five eight o-5161

Good luck and have fun.

--
Shawn Harris
North Vancouver,
Canada
1977 Palm Beach 403

 

[Rob]

I missed the part of this thread about the new owner being on Vancouver Island (it’s listed on the web forum)...

We’re a pretty small “club” here on the island - it’s a rare sight to pass another on the highway! Having said that - I *have* come across others in my travels!

There are some here that consider Facebook a bad word - but if you’re on FB, several of the groups (yes, “groups”) are really quite good.

When things start getting back to normal - perhaps we can chat more!

Rob
Victoria, BC
76 Royale - Rear Twins/Dry Bath

> Boybach,
>
> Congrats on the purchase of the coolest motorhome ever built. Welcome to the cult.
>
> You will soon find out this is one of the best forums you've ever been part of. Amazing knowledge here.
>
> I'm just over the water in North Vancouver. I also have a '77 Palm beach, as well as a spare '78.
>
> Although not quite done, I have rebuilt mine essentially "frame off" with the guidance of many good people on here.
>
> I can save you a lot of time and trouble sourcing parts, researching etc with a quick text. I also know other owners close to you who will help you
> out in person if need be.
>
> Shoot me a text with even the silliest questions. I know every nut and bolt on your coach
>
> Shawn
>
> 778-five eight o-5161
>
> Good luck and have fun.
>
>
> --
> Shawn Harris
> North Vancouver,
> Canada
> 1977 Palm Beach 403

 

[scott nutter1]

Welcome to the GMC! You are going to love it.
Take Shawn up on his text/tele offer. Have a few beers ready, GMC conversations can take awhile! And the conversation is free. That’s why we all
here are better that lawyers!
Scott.

--
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas

 

[boybach]

Thanks all for all the tips and offers to help guys, - I'm also in Victoria BC and the next couple of months will be spent looking for a place to park
it when it gets here ... :lol:

Larry
--
1977 Palm Beach
39,000 original miles so far

 

[Rob]

Larry:

If you are looking for RV storage - you may want to give yourself a
little extra time to find a spot.

I've got a semi-permanent place out near the Waddling Dog - but I've had
issues finding open spots in the past! I suspect this year's RV surge
may make things even tighter?

Rob
Victoria, BC
76 Royale - Rear Twins/Dry Bath

> Thanks all for all the tips and offers to help guys, - I'm also in Victoria BC and the next couple of months will be spent looking for a place to park
> it when it gets here ... :lol:
>
> Larry

 

[Matt Colie]

Boy bach,

Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum......

You possibly do not realize this, but just by showing up here with a sincere (I hope) interest in the TZEs, you have inherited a few thousand new old
friends. The are literally millions of accumulated miles and I can't even guess how many years of experience that you can draw from here. One of the
few ways to annoy this group is to not take the advice as offered.

On the subject of specific knowledge, if you do not have all the technical and service data you might like to have, it is all available free for
download at the GMCMI site. Or, you can join GMCMI and get it all on a cleverly identifiable thumb drive.

Speaking of free advice, Facebook is an amazing place (that I have recently abandon), be absolutely certain to confirm any advice or information you
get there. As said, I only go there now for the market place (and when I find the cheap/light trailer I want that will end). The unfortunate thing
is that I have seen of two salvageable coaches go to scrap when owners took the wrong advice. Both owners took advice that (predictably) caused their
coach to fail on the road and both were given to the towing company for the towing bill. A third was recently lost to some kind of a legal claim that
I did not follow in detail.

Please do both us and you a favor here. You have the start of a sigfile and that beats nothing. We like to know who we are helping and not feel
stupid when we meet. So, please either include a real name in your sigfile or sign off with it. You did include that it is a 77PB and that is good,
but in this case, it would be great if you added a note as to if it is a 403 or 455. That is just the beginning as they are far from all being alike.
This can matter to some of the advice you might get here. While you did mention it, to include that you are on Vancouver Island, it would be good to
include that as well. As you go along you will hear from others that do not know this and so make offer information or assistance that cannot apply.


Now that you are here, be aware that this is a helping and supportive community the likes of which are very rare. They are why you will soon discover
that the coach is more than just a big new toy. It ties you into a community that can provide amazing power when and if you need it. There is a
publication on the GMCMI website called the Black List. It is not a "Black" list, it was named so for the owner that started it. If you go so far as
to get off the island (where you have friends already), carry a printed copy. I suggest a hard copy because when things go bad, they can go really
bad really fast and paper works when the lights go out.

As said, this community is helping and supportive on a scale you may find daunting, but do not be put off and do not be afraid to ask for help. You
may not even have to ask. I have had to, and it is wonderful to know it is there. It is also very rewarding to be the help when needed.

This community is so much like my own world of the watermen, that I have taken to welcoming new owners here much as you might be welcomed there. So,

May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within her.

Welcome Boy bach

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit

 

[boybach]

Hey Rob - I've got til April to find a parking spot so I'm hoping that's enough time but in this city, who knows! 8o

My coach has out-of-province plates ATM, registered/insured in Ontario and it's sitting up in the North Okanagan in storage paid till April. I have a
couple of options; the PO has offered to drive it down in the spring for $500 or I can go up there and bring her down myself. Whatever I do, I have to
get it inspected and registered in BC ... hopefully I can get the Ontario Sales tax refunded as I'll have to pay BC Sales tax too when I put the
plates on her ...all in all, that's a 25% hit if I can't get a refund!

A few of my fishing buddies (who are already planning summer fishing destinations) have offered to drive me up there and do a two-in-the-coach and
two-following-in-the-truck bring her home trip, so that's an option too.

I have the PO's assurance that she's in good running condition as he just drove her out from Ontario this summer.

BTW there's another of our coaches sitting in a driveway on Pendergast St. in the Cook st Village - I tried to buy that one at first, but the owners
were adamant on keeping it and planning a cross-country trip this summer. Luckily mine showed up a few days later and I think it was probably a better
buy, but as I've only got photos and phone conversations to go on, that remains to be seen!

all the best and hope to run into you soon!

Larry
--
Larry - Victoria BC -

1977 Palm Beach - 39,000 original miles so far

 

[peer oliver schmidt]

> A few of my fishing buddies (who are already planning summer fishing
> destinations) have offered to drive me up there and do a
> two-in-the-coach and two-following-in-the-truck bring her home trip,
> so that's an option too.

Always the most fun option!

--
Best regards

Olly Schmidt
PGP KeyID: 0x4196BF22
'76a 26' Eleganza II - Virginia, US
'73 23' Sequoia - Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

 

[boybach]

> Boy bach,
>
> Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum......
>
> You possibly do not realize this, but just by showing up here with a sincere (I hope) interest in the TZEs, you have inherited a few thousand new
> old friends. The are literally millions of accumulated miles and I can't even guess how many years of experience that you can draw from here. One
> of the few ways to annoy this group is to not take the advice as offered.
>
> Welcome Boy bach
>
> Matt

Hey Matt - I'm all about getting advice so no problem there!

I've bookmarked all the sites you and our other posters have recommended and I'm working my way through them, thinking of printing a bunch of it out
and making up a binder to keep aboard - as I haven't stepped into my coach as yet I don't even know if the owner's manual or any paperwork comes with
it. Next time I call the PO I'll ask if there's any literature still with her.

I'm probably going to join GMCMI and get that thumb drive you mentioned - Thanks!

As far as facebook advice goes, well, I'm a veteran member of several classic Jaguar forums so as you can imagine I've been around the block a few
times and many pinches of salt have been dished out over the years. I don't have facebook anyway, so I guess that's a moot point!

I'll add more to my siggie when I find out, get the transfer papers in hand etc, ATM I don't know what engine is in her or much of anything else, all
I have are the photos and a hole in my bank account! :lol:

Thanks again for the welcome an I don't find the community response daunting; quite the opposite! It's great to know that help is just a few clicks
away and from my experience with my "other classic" my old Jaguar saloon, the forum help has enabled me to keep the old car on the road as a daily
driver for the past ten years. I had no clue about them when I bought that too, but now know every little nut and bolt. These days, instead of always
asking, I do a lot of answering too!

A couple of forum related asks ...
how do I display a flag next to my username and what are the karma ratings?

Thanks again for the warm welcome, will update everything as I get more info!

Larry

--
Larry - Victoria BC -

1977 Palm Beach - 39,000 original miles so far

 

[ghickey]

Not only the most fun option, but probably your safest option too. You
really don't know what the condition is of the coach and while the PO
has sworn to you that it is in good operating condition, you can not
count on that until you have really investigated and experienced it for
yourself.

When I bought my coach, the PO made the same claims and then I come to
find that the vent lines on the gas tanks were cracked so I was spewing
gas all over the pavement when I filled up. Can not tell me that the PO
did not know about this problem! After getting the tires replaced it
drove like I was on a beach ball. Went to go get an alignment and then
ended up having to replace all the front end bushings. Debatable as to
if the PO knew about this or not.

Anyway, the message here is it would be good to have a friend or two
along especially if there is a chase vehicle. Especially on the maiden
voyage. In the event that something happens and you need to get parts
for a repair or even just to find help the chase vehicle will be well
worth the time and effort. With any luck the PO is giving you an
accurate description of the condition and you will have no problems for
many years.

Good luck!

--
Gerard Hickey / WTØF IRLP:3067/Echolink:529661
hickey DMR: 3102272
425-395-4554

>> A few of my fishing buddies (who are already planning summer fishing
>> destinations) have offered to drive me up there and do a
>> two-in-the-coach and two-following-in-the-truck bring her home trip,
>> so that's an option too.
> Always the most fun option!
>

 

[boybach]

> They're Dealer training tapes. Wouldn't really help you the way you think.
>
> Best to follow the links at www.bdub.net. Bring a sandwich.
>
> bdub
>
> PS: What's the VIN?
>      For the purpose of locating and keeping track of all Classic GMC
> Motorhomes.
> Please fill out and submit the online form at
> www.gmcmhregistry.com/contact/form.html
> (There are currently over 8520 GMCs accounted for)

Advice taken and noted! Thanks!

Don't have transfer papers yet so don't know vin, engine size etc. Pretty sure it's a 77 and that's about it. I only knew it was a Palm Beach model
because I saw part of the decal in one of the photos :lol:

will update as soon as I know more ...

Larry

--
Larry - Victoria BC -

1977 Palm Beach - 39,000 original miles so far

 

[Rob]

FYI: When I brought my GMC into BC from Oregon - there was no "out of province" inspection required. See here:

https://www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/buy-vehicle/Pages/Importing-a-vehicle-into-B-C.aspx

See "Vehicles exempted from the B.C. pre-registration safety inspection" - "vehicles with a net weight of 3501 kg or more"

It's hard to believe - but that's the rule!

I've never bought a vehicle in Ontario - but in many cases you don't have to pay sales tax until you register the vehicle (which I doubt you'll be doing in ON). Have you already paid ON sales tax?

Coming from the North Okanagan is a pretty easy run to the island - coming down the Trans-Canada, especially if you take your time. The Coquihalla is steep in places, as is the route through Pemberton.

I've seen most of the GMC's locally - I'll have to run down and look at the one on Pendergast...

Rob
76 Royale Twin Beds, Dry Bath
Victoria, BC

>
> Hey Rob - I've got til April to find a parking spot so I'm hoping that's enough time but in this city, who knows! 8o
>
> My coach has out-of-province plates ATM, registered/insured in Ontario and it's sitting up in the North Okanagan in storage paid till April. I have a
> couple of options; the PO has offered to drive it down in the spring for $500 or I can go up there and bring her down myself. Whatever I do, I have to
> get it inspected and registered in BC ... hopefully I can get the Ontario Sales tax refunded as I'll have to pay BC Sales tax too when I put the
> plates on her ...all in all, that's a 25% hit if I can't get a refund!
>
> A few of my fishing buddies (who are already planning summer fishing destinations) have offered to drive me up there and do a two-in-the-coach and
> two-following-in-the-truck bring her home trip, so that's an option too.
>
> I have the PO's assurance that she's in good running condition as he just drove her out from Ontario this summer.
>
> BTW there's another of our coaches sitting in a driveway on Pendergast St. in the Cook st Village - I tried to buy that one at first, but the owners
> were adamant on keeping it and planning a cross-country trip this summer. Luckily mine showed up a few days later and I think it was probably a better
> buy, but as I've only got photos and phone conversations to go on, that remains to be seen!
>
> all the best and hope to run into you soon!
>
> Larry
> --
> Larry - Victoria BC -
>
> 1977 Palm Beach - 39,000 original miles so far

 

[Jim Hupy]

Especially over the Coc. That can be dicey in the summer. Not my preferred
route. We come to GMC land. The GMC Cascaders have a bunch of members in
B.C. as well as a few on Vancouver Island. Great club. Check us out when
you have time.
Jim Hupy, Past President, GMC CASCADERS.
SALEM, OREGON

On Thu, Dec 10, 2020, 11:35 AM Gerard Hickey via Gmclist <

> Not only the most fun option, but probably your safest option too. You
> really don't know what the condition is of the coach and while the PO
> has sworn to you that it is in good operating condition, you can not
> count on that until you have really investigated and experienced it for
> yourself.
>
> When I bought my coach, the PO made the same claims and then I come to
> find that the vent lines on the gas tanks were cracked so I was spewing
> gas all over the pavement when I filled up. Can not tell me that the PO
> did not know about this problem! After getting the tires replaced it
> drove like I was on a beach ball. Went to go get an alignment and then
> ended up having to replace all the front end bushings. Debatable as to
> if the PO knew about this or not.
>
> Anyway, the message here is it would be good to have a friend or two
> along especially if there is a chase vehicle. Especially on the maiden
> voyage. In the event that something happens and you need to get parts
> for a repair or even just to find help the chase vehicle will be well
> worth the time and effort. With any luck the PO is giving you an
> accurate description of the condition and you will have no problems for
> many years.
>
> Good luck!
>
> --
> Gerard Hickey / WTØF IRLP:3067/Echolink:529661
> hickey DMR: 3102272
> 425-395-4554
>

> >> A few of my fishing buddies (who are already planning summer fishing
> >> destinations) have offered to drive me up there and do a
> >> two-in-the-coach and two-following-in-the-truck bring her home trip,
> >> so that's an option too.
> > Always the most fun option!
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>