Roll bar?

[vic marks]

There has been some discussion in the past about adding seat belts to the
GMC which makes a lot of sense to me. It also seems that we are
"relatively" safe driving a GMC, assuming that if we are hit by or run into
a vehicle (besides a semi tractor), we are riding high enough to have the
odds in our favor. However, it seems to me that if the we roll, it is a
different story. I pretty well have my transmode gutted at this point and
was wondering about putting in a "roll bar" or roll cage assembly of some
sort just behind the front windshield. Any comments on whether it would be
a safety enhancement, or any suggestions on how to best construct it?

Vic Marks
Vancouver, BC

 

[blank]

The coach body is pretty strong - as evidenced by rusted out frame rails
that won't support their own weight being taken out of driveable coaches.
About three years ago, I heard of a couple from Texas that rolled their
coach and walked away from the accident. At the time I tried to get some
pictures of the wrecked coach, but couldn't find any. Several netters did
come forward to verify the story tho'.

While you might could build something into the structure behind the driver,
I think you'd have a hard time building anything aesthetically pleasing into
the windshield area.

Safety is an area where you can wind up chasing your tail if you're not
careful. I guess it's an occupational hazard, but I tend to look at safety
from a risk management approach. IMO, a rollover is pretty far out on the
end of the probability curve. Given the GMC's low center of gravity, I
figure it's more likely to lay over on it's side than roll(A good argument
for being careful how much weight you carry in the pod up top tho'). I
prefer to concentrate on making the coach handle and stop well. IMO,
reinforcing the structure will add weight with little real increase in
safety.

But that's just me - you gotta' do what makes you feel comfortable.

Just my opinion,
Patrick

>
> There has been some discussion in the past about adding seat
> belts to the GMC which makes a lot of sense to me. It also
> seems that we are "relatively" safe driving a GMC, assuming
> that if we are hit by or run into a vehicle (besides a semi
> tractor), we are riding high enough to have the odds in our
> favor. However, it seems to me that if the we roll, it is a
> different story. I pretty well have my transmode gutted at
> this point and was wondering about putting in a "roll bar"
> or roll cage assembly of some sort just behind the front
> windshield. Any comments on whether it would be a safety
> enhancement, or any suggestions on how to best construct it?

 

[david l greenberg]

On Mon, 6 Mar 2000 23:05:48 -0800 Vic Marks
writes:
> There has been some discussion in the past about adding seat belts to
> the
> GMC which makes a lot of sense to me. It also seems that we are
> "relatively" safe driving a GMC, assuming that if we are hit by or
> run into
> a vehicle (besides a semi tractor), we are riding high enough to
> have the
> odds in our favor. However, it seems to me that if the we roll, it
> is a
> different story. I pretty well have my transmode gutted at this
> point and
> was wondering about putting in a "roll bar" or roll cage assembly of
> some
> sort just behind the front windshield. Any comments on whether it
> would be
> a safety enhancement, or any suggestions on how to best construct
> it?
>
> Vic Marks
> Vancouver, BC
>
This shouldn't be taken as a criticism of the idea but rather a statement
about how silly we owners get sometimes when it comes to enhancing and
upgrading these ladies. We are only limited by our money and imigination
but common sense should be another factor. I have read on the Net of the
many great or not so great, things owners are doing and I wonder why I
can't get too excited about doing them myself.

One obvious reason is I have already spent over $20,000 during the past 7
years in bringing safety and comfort items into my GMC and am not
inclined to spend too much more (Rebuilt engine-New paint job?) but
another reason is I HAVE to convince myself the investment is necessary
and/or has some payback.

Getting back to the question of a Roll Bar.....GM tried their darndest in
tests to turn the GMC over and couldn't do it. The only one ever rolling
over, as far as I know, is one of A.J. Marshall's coach and he admitted
it was under the most unusual circumstances. One can add a roll bar but
with the odds of a roll-over so miniscule, why would anyone do it?

Just my Tuesday morning commentary on the state of the (GMC) World!

David Lee Greenberg
The GMC Motorhome Registry
Dedicated To The Classic GMC Motorhome
www.gmcss.com/registry.htm

 

[darren paget]

There is a ,76 coach in Osburnes lot in NM. that rolled over a couple of times.
The door still works perfectly. Now if that isn't a testimonial, I don't know
what is. It should be noted that the people walked away, unscathed, except
maybe their pride. The front cap was pushed in at the windshield but the
driver/passenger area was still intact. Blake Osburn is using this coach for
parts. Darren

> There has been some discussion in the past about adding seat belts to the
> GMC which makes a lot of sense to me. It also seems that we are
> "relatively" safe driving a GMC, assuming that if we are hit by or run into
> a vehicle (besides a semi tractor), we are riding high enough to have the
> odds in our favor. However, it seems to me that if the we roll, it is a
> different story. I pretty well have my transmode gutted at this point and
> was wondering about putting in a "roll bar" or roll cage assembly of some
> sort just behind the front windshield. Any comments on whether it would be
> a safety enhancement, or any suggestions on how to best construct it?
>
> Vic Marks
> Vancouver, BC

- --
Darren Paget
76 Experimental
Another Fab Day
http://www.TZEplus.com

 

[richard waters]

My neighbor is the original owner of a 23' '73 Canyon Lands
and had several of the engineers on the Motorhome
design team as patients in his Chiropractic practice.
He claims that they told him that during development
of the GMC they tried unsuccessfully to roll one at the
GM proving grounds. Supposedly they had one of
them up to close to 100 MPH and couldn't get it roll.
There is some credibility to some of the things he's told
me in the past. On other things, he's flat out nuts!

He was even involved with some of the early consumer
testing and market research that went on before the
introduction of the Motorhome.

However, I find it hard to believe that you couldn't roll
one of these ladies if you tried hard enough, but that's
what he said he was told by one of his GMC/Engineer/Patients.
My opinion is that the "non-roll-over" feature is a myth
made up by the marketing department.

Richard Waters '76 PB, Troy, MI

> In a message dated 3/7/00 12:07:37 AM Mountain Standard Time,

>
> different story. I pretty well have my transmode gutted at this point and
> was wondering about putting in a "roll bar" or roll cage assembly of some
> sort just behind the front windshield >>
>
> Over the years I have never heard on one rolling. Of course, it probably has
> happened but the GMC is really not top heavy, even with a pod and
> airconditioners on the roof, and the width of the rear wheel spacing gives a
> stable footing.
>
> Emery Stora
> 77 Kingsley
> Santa Fe, NM

 

[blank]

I believe that it would be very difficult to roll one, but I would think it
would go over on it's side easily enough with the right provocation. Not
that I'm in a hurry to find out!

Patrick

>
> However, I find it hard to believe that you couldn't roll
> one of these ladies if you tried hard enough, but that's
> what he said he was told by one of his GMC/Engineer/Patients.
> My opinion is that the "non-roll-over" feature is a myth
> made up by the marketing department.

 

[david l greenberg]

On Tue, 07 Mar 2000 08:05:09 -0700 Darren Paget
writes:
>There is a ,76 coach in Osburnes lot in NM. that rolled over a couple of
times.

This coach (actually a 1977) rolled backwards down a narrow mountain road
and off a cliff when the engine failed and there was a loss of braking
power. Al Chernoff knows the story well but as related to me by Fran
Schmeider, the owner at the time, most of the damage was caused by the
tow company who dropped it twice before they finally got a hold of it.

Fran told me she was travelling backwards down the road at 60mph (which
she claimed was reported by the speedometer! We all know speedometers
don't read reverse speed.

David Lee Greenberg
GMC Motorhome Registry
Dedicated to the preservation of the Classic GMC
www.gmcss.com/registry.htm

 

[tim dawson]

Hard to say. You may lose steering authority (IE skid the front) well before
you can generate enough load to roll. ????

> My neighbor is the original owner of a 23' '73 Canyon Lands
> and had several of the engineers on the Motorhome
> design team as patients in his Chiropractic practice.
> He claims that they told him that during development
> of the GMC they tried unsuccessfully to roll one at the
> GM proving grounds. Supposedly they had one of
> them up to close to 100 MPH and couldn't get it roll.
> There is some credibility to some of the things he's told
> me in the past. On other things, he's flat out nuts!
>
> He was even involved with some of the early consumer
> testing and market research that went on before the
> introduction of the Motorhome.
>
> However, I find it hard to believe that you couldn't roll
> one of these ladies if you tried hard enough, but that's
> what he said he was told by one of his GMC/Engineer/Patients.
> My opinion is that the "non-roll-over" feature is a myth
> made up by the marketing department.
>
> Richard Waters '76 PB, Troy, MI
>

>
> > In a message dated 3/7/00 12:07:37 AM Mountain Standard Time,

> >
> > > different story. I pretty well have my transmode gutted at this point and
> > was wondering about putting in a "roll bar" or roll cage assembly of some
> > sort just behind the front windshield >>
> >
> > Over the years I have never heard on one rolling. Of course, it probably has
> > happened but the GMC is really not top heavy, even with a pod and
> > airconditioners on the roof, and the width of the rear wheel spacing gives a
> > stable footing.
> >
> > Emery Stora
> > 77 Kingsley
> > Santa Fe, NM
>
>

- --
================================================================================
Tim Dawson (tadawson) Owner/Engineer
TPC Services Bellnet: (972)-221-7385
Lewisville, Texas 75067 FAXnet: (972)-221-0393
"The world is complex. Sendmail.cf reflects this...."