New Timer trip report

Ken Shaffer

Ken Shaffer

Member
Sep 6, 2017
99
2
8
Thought I would report some successful trips from a new timer that has received much help from this group. I purchased my 73 Canyonlands from an
emailed pic and a hope and prayer. (Not advised to anyone considering buying a GMC motorhome.) I got lucky, however, with so many willing to help
you in this group...... ask for help purchasing.
After several years of planning and waiting for the right time, I tore into it big time last winter. With the inside totally gutted, I renovated the
interior to my liking. (walnut cabinetry, corian tops, hardwood floors, and a new layout.)
Mechanical items include: rebuilt heads, water pump, timing gear/chain set, all fuel lines, removed fuel tanks and cleaned, sending units, EFI Howell
system w/ EBL, electric fuel pumps, exhaust, removed horse collar and installed two piece shroud, oil cooler lines, tranny cooler lines, aluminum
radiator..... etc.

The first trip after the build was 2 weeks ago to Amana (40 miles) for my first rally. I had ordered new windshields so I had a deadline to have it
roadworthy. After many late nights, and some close calls, I made it! The coach ran beautifully! Alex Ferrara was kind enough to tweek my steering
and she handled even better on the way home.

Second trip, last weekend, I took a group of my sons friends (bachelor party) to St Louis. Navigating the 45 year old coach thru 5 lanes of busy
traffic, tight cobblestone streets downtown, and parking lots were no problem. I got some great photos of my coach with Budweiser brewery,
cobblestone streets with the Arch in the background, and Busch stadium in the background. Driving a GMC coach is a blast! 700 miles later I
arrived back to Marion Iowa without any major issues. I did change out one of my electric fuel pumps with a spare while at a truck stop. I had some
surging under load. 10 minutes later, it ran perfectly!!

Looking forward to a third trip this weekend. Considering heading up into Wisconsin with my wife to see the beautiful fall colors up there. I love
traveling in my new/old coach! Thanks again for everyone's help and encouragement from this group.


--
Ken Shaffer
Marion Iowa
73 Canyon Lands, 455, Manny Tranny, Custom interior
 
Super report.

lets see, backroads from Marion to Amana, and then jump into heading into St. Louis! That is very inspirational.

Hopefully the weather holds out for a few more trips. I am going to toss a heater into the coach, as the long range forecast is borderline freezing.
I was down near the st. croix by Hudson, mn yesterday and I was surprised at the green yet. Last weekend colors were better an hour north, but
still not at the peak.

Wisconsin is scenic all year long, but FYI on the MN map:
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fall_colors/index.html



--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
 
Ken S.:
Glad all is going well for you - have enjoyed your travel info’s. So glad you got to have Alex F. tweak your steering - he is a big blessing to all GMCers!
Continue to use and enjoy your GMC!
Mike/The Corvair a holic
76 Elaganza II 26’
76 Glenbrook 28’ stretch
78 Glenbrook Clasco 26’ project

Sent from my iPhone

>
> Thought I would report some successful trips from a new timer that has received much help from this group. I purchased my 73 Canyonlands from an
> emailed pic and a hope and prayer. (Not advised to anyone considering buying a GMC motorhome.) I got lucky, however, with so many willing to help
> you in this group...... ask for help purchasing.
> After several years of planning and waiting for the right time, I tore into it big time last winter. With the inside totally gutted, I renovated the
> interior to my liking. (walnut cabinetry, corian tops, hardwood floors, and a new layout.)
> Mechanical items include: rebuilt heads, water pump, timing gear/chain set, all fuel lines, removed fuel tanks and cleaned, sending units, EFI Howell
> system w/ EBL, electric fuel pumps, exhaust, removed horse collar and installed two piece shroud, oil cooler lines, tranny cooler lines, aluminum
> radiator..... etc.
>
> The first trip after the build was 2 weeks ago to Amana (40 miles) for my first rally. I had ordered new windshields so I had a deadline to have it
> roadworthy. After many late nights, and some close calls, I made it! The coach ran beautifully! Alex Ferrara was kind enough to tweek my steering
> and she handled even better on the way home.
>
> Second trip, last weekend, I took a group of my sons friends (bachelor party) to St Louis. Navigating the 45 year old coach thru 5 lanes of busy
> traffic, tight cobblestone streets downtown, and parking lots were no problem. I got some great photos of my coach with Budweiser brewery,
> cobblestone streets with the Arch in the background, and Busch stadium in the background. Driving a GMC coach is a blast! 700 miles later I
> arrived back to Marion Iowa without any major issues. I did change out one of my electric fuel pumps with a spare while at a truck stop. I had some
> surging under load. 10 minutes later, it ran perfectly!!
>
> Looking forward to a third trip this weekend. Considering heading up into Wisconsin with my wife to see the beautiful fall colors up there. I love
> traveling in my new/old coach! Thanks again for everyone's help and encouragement from this group.
>
>
>
>
> --
> Ken Shaffer
> Marion Iowa
> 73 Canyon Lands, 455, Manny Tranny, Custom interior
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Jon,
We drove up to the Field of Dreams and had a guided tour of the house and
history of how the movie was made.
After that we drove into Wisconson and saw the early Fall colors and some
historical places, then headed to Mt.Hood , OR for western states.
Just roled in.
Only problem I had was a old origional radiator that overheated several
times.

> Super report.
>
> lets see, backroads from Marion to Amana, and then jump into heading
> into St. Louis! That is very inspirational.
>
> Hopefully the weather holds out for a few more trips. I am going to toss
> a heater into the coach, as the long range forecast is borderline freezing.
> I was down near the st. croix by Hudson, mn yesterday and I was
> surprised at the green yet. Last weekend colors were better an hour
> north, but
> still not at the peak.
>
> Wisconsin is scenic all year long, but FYI on the MN map:
> https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fall_colors/index.html
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Jon Roche
> 75 palm beach
> St. Cloud, MN
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
See if you can get one of those pics to Kim Weeks for next years (2019) GMC calendar. Pick out several good ones and send to her.
--
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
 
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GMCMI Fall 2026 Rally

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