New Owners, 1978 Transmode near Pittsburgh

[jerry work]

Thanks, Jim -- that was the missing bit of info. In my research, I saw
several mentions of the spacers but could not determine exactly if or
when they would be required. Now it makes sense.

I think I now have a better view of our options: Replacement 16.5
Firestones on original wheels (least expensive), used aluminum wheels
and new 16" tires (if I can turn up a set), or new aluminum wheels and
new 16" tires. Going 'all new' at this point would be more than I paid
for the coach, so I'm leaning towards the best-value alternative --
fresh new 16.5's in the spring.

Thanks for clearing that up.

-Dave
..........

 

[dave stragand1]

Hi Jerry,

Thanks for the input. I’m still trying to sort through a lot of information on the tires.

It’s my understanding that there really isn’t anything wrong nor unsafe with running new 16.5 Firestone’s on the correct, original wheels. If I understand it correctly, changing to the 16” wheels simply allows for a better selection of tires, and faster replacement while on the road (and is a nice appearance upgrade). Correct?

Our coach starts and runs, but has only been moved twice in the last 10 years. She moved about 300 feet across the lot 3 years ago, but I have only been able to move her about 10 feet myself, as she is currently trapped in a corner of the storage facility, with fences on 2 sides and another coach behind her boxing her in too tight to maneuver free.

While I do consider myself a good mechanic, I am smart enough to know that an experienced professional can evaluate the initial condition of this coach much better than I can. She needs to get to an RV or truck garage for a thorough evaluation of her bones. As we are fortunate enough to live at the intersection of two major highways, there are 6 facilities within 5 miles to choose from, but she still has to get there.

One thing I do know about her current condition is that the tires have approximately 3 miles on them (seriously). I also know that they were made the 23rd week of 2006, and have been outside, uncovered, since installed. I can and will change the tires before it ever leaves the lot as a minimum measure of safety.

I don’t believe that $3000 worth of aluminum wheels and 16” tires will make the coach any safer than $800 worth of 16.5” rubber on the original steelies.

If she passes her first physical, she will get any and all needed mechanicals for safe operation — that has been the first step for every vehicle I have restored.

Only when she is a proven traveler will she get stripped to the frame internally, and completely rewired, replumbed and rebuilt. She is a Transmode, so there is little to keep internally anyway.

It’s about walking before running, so to speak, and keeping costs in check — but never at the expense of safety. If I am incorrect about my assessment of the Firestone 16.5’s suitability, please let me know!

-Dave

>
> Hi Dave,
>
> Let me be a bit of a voice in the wilderness on this topic. You say new proper rims and tires would cost more than what you paid for your coach, hence you want to stay with something used or something less than a known superior and safe alternative. Everyone has to make their own decisions about such things, but my thought is the opening price of your coach has nothing to do with your safe enjoyment of it. How about the brakes, exhaust, steering, furnace, wiring, and all the other safety related items? Do you plan to take your family out for fun outings? As fifteen year GMC vets my experience is that every dollar spent on making your coach safe for use will be returned ten fold in happy memories.
>
> Jerry
>
> Jerry Work
> The Dovetail Joint
> Fine furniture designed & hand crafted
> in the 1907 former Masonic Temple building
> in historic Kerby, OR
> http://jerrywork.com

 

[b52rule]

Wheels and tires.

I'm running the 16.5's. The only issue I had was the clowns at PEP Boys in Oceanside CA sold me tires that were 4-5 years old. According to them they were in a cool, dry warehouse unaffected by ultraviolet light. If you go with stock tires check the dates before they are mounted and installed.

Did they tell me they were that old? NOPE!

Len and Pat Novak
1978 GMC Kingsley
The Beast II with dash lights that work and labels you can see!
Fallbrook, CA new email: B52Rule
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=4375

www.bdub.net/novak/

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Dave Stragand
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2017 9:29 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] New Owners, 1978 Transmode near Pittsburgh

Hi Jerry,

Thanks for the input. I’m still trying to sort through a lot of information on the tires.

It’s my understanding that there really isn’t anything wrong nor unsafe with running new 16.5 Firestone’s on the correct, original wheels. If I understand it correctly, changing to the 16” wheels simply allows for a better selection of tires, and faster replacement while on the road (and is a nice appearance upgrade). Correct?

Our coach starts and runs, but has only been moved twice in the last 10 years. She moved about 300 feet across the lot 3 years ago, but I have only been able to move her about 10 feet myself, as she is currently trapped in a corner of the storage facility, with fences on 2 sides and another coach behind her boxing her in too tight to maneuver free.

While I do consider myself a good mechanic, I am smart enough to know that an experienced professional can evaluate the initial condition of this coach much better than I can. She needs to get to an RV or truck garage for a thorough evaluation of her bones. As we are fortunate enough to live at the intersection of two major highways, there are 6 facilities within 5 miles to choose from, but she still has to get there.

One thing I do know about her current condition is that the tires have approximately 3 miles on them (seriously). I also know that they were made the 23rd week of 2006, and have been outside, uncovered, since installed. I can and will change the tires before it ever leaves the lot as a minimum measure of safety.

I don’t believe that $3000 worth of aluminum wheels and 16” tires will make the coach any safer than $800 worth of 16.5” rubber on the original steelies.

If she passes her first physical, she will get any and all needed mechanicals for safe operation — that has been the first step for every vehicle I have restored.

Only when she is a proven traveler will she get stripped to the frame internally, and completely rewired, replumbed and rebuilt. She is a Transmode, so there is little to keep internally anyway.

It’s about walking before running, so to speak, and keeping costs in check — but never at the expense of safety. If I am incorrect about my assessment of the Firestone 16.5’s suitability, please let me know!

-Dave

>
> Hi Dave,
>
> Let me be a bit of a voice in the wilderness on this topic. You say new proper rims and tires would cost more than what you paid for your coach, hence you want to stay with something used or something less than a known superior and safe alternative. Everyone has to make their own decisions about such things, but my thought is the opening price of your coach has nothing to do with your safe enjoyment of it. How about the brakes, exhaust, steering, furnace, wiring, and all the other safety related items? Do you plan to take your family out for fun outings? As fifteen year GMC vets my experience is that every dollar spent on making your coach safe for use will be returned ten fold in happy memories.
>
> Jerry
>
> Jerry Work
> The Dovetail Joint
> Fine furniture designed & hand crafted in the 1907 former Masonic
> Temple building in historic Kerby, OR http://jerrywork.com
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[robert mueller]

Dave,

So in a nutshell you want to make the minimum investment necessary to get your Transmode to a competent mechanic that can evaluate it.

I reckon installing Firestone 16.5 tires on the rims you have will be the most cost effective solution. Monitor their wear and rotate them so they wear out equally. You can buy six to mount and check the date codes on all of them (spare included) and keep the one that looks the best as a spare or buy seven.

You are fortunate as Ken Frey is in Quakertown, PA and he IS a competent GMC mechanic. His contact details are:

Ken L. Frey Auto Repair
1669 N. Old Bethlehem Pike
Quakertown, PA 18951
Email: frey2jk
Tel: (215) 536-1246

Give HIM a call and ask HIM what you should do to make sure you can get your GMC to his shop safely.

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 Dave Stragand
Sent: Friday, October 13, 2017 12:29 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] New Owners, 1978 Transmode near Pittsburgh

Hi Jerry,

Thanks for the input. I’m still trying to sort through a lot of information on the tires.

It’s my understanding that there really isn’t anything wrong nor unsafe with running new 16.5 Firestone’s on the correct, original wheels. If I understand it correctly, changing to the 16” wheels simply allows for a better selection of tires, and faster replacement while on the road (and is a nice appearance upgrade). Correct?

Our coach starts and runs, but has only been moved twice in the last 10 years. She moved about 300 feet across the lot 3 years ago, but I have only been able to move her about 10 feet myself, as she is currently trapped in a corner of the storage facility, with fences on 2 sides and another coach behind her boxing her in too tight to maneuver free.

While I do consider myself a good mechanic, I am smart enough to know that an experienced professional can evaluate the initial condition of this coach much better than I can. She needs to get to an RV or truck garage for a thorough evaluation of her bones. As we are fortunate enough to live at the intersection of two major highways, there are 6 facilities within 5 miles to choose from, but she still has to get there.

One thing I do know about her current condition is that the tires have approximately 3 miles on them (seriously). I also know that they were made the 23rd week of 2006, and have been outside, uncovered, since installed. I can and will change the tires before it ever leaves the lot as a minimum measure of safety.

I don’t believe that $3000 worth of aluminum wheels and 16” tires will make the coach any safer than $800 worth of 16.5” rubber on the original steelies.

If she passes her first physical, she will get any and all needed mechanicals for safe operation — that has been the first step for every vehicle I have restored.

Only when she is a proven traveler will she get stripped to the frame internally, and completely rewired, replumbed and rebuilt. She is a Transmode, so there is little to keep internally anyway.

It’s about walking before running, so to speak, and keeping costs in check — but never at the expense of safety. If I am incorrect about my assessment of the Firestone 16.5’s suitability, please let me know!

-Dave

 

[johnny]

16.5s on the original wheels are how every one of them was shipped. Perfectly safe. 16s, depending the individual tire model, will ride a bit
smoother, look nicer, and handle marginally better. Several years ago, a set of Eagles from Jimmy the K and six Cooper 16" was $2400 or so. If
you're budget limited, do the originals and spend you money on needed stuff.

--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