Wannabe

[eric.henning]

Greetings All,

A little introduction. Just recently subscribed (digest) to this mailing list.
I am planning a cross country trip this summer with my wife and 2 children (8 &
10). One of my cars is a 1980 VW Westfalia with a following seemlingly as
devoted as the GMC's. I had planne on taking this on our trip but it seems as
more and more family members find out about our trip, we are going to have
visitors throughout our travels so I need something a little bigger than the VW.
This brings me here. Back in the 70's (naturally) my friend's family had a 26
footer GMC. Can't remember the exact model but I think it had a cactus pained
on it (Canyonland?). Always loved that GMC. I checked out alot of GMC websites
dedicated to the GMC motorhome but would like some opinions on what to look for
when buying. Troublespots seem to be
bearings and maybe exhaust manifolds. Did they all come with the 455 Tornado
engine? What can I expect mechanically on an extended 10,000 mile trip? Am I
crazy?

Thanks, Eric henning
1980 VW Westfalia
1986 Jaguar XJ6
1995 Ford Windstar
1978 Honda Express
1970 Honda CT90
197? Craftsman ride on lawnmower

 

[gene]

There are several lists of things to consider that are on my web page.
Take a look at

So You Want To Buy A GMC

gene

>
>
>Greetings All,
>
>A little introduction. Just recently subscribed (digest) to this mailing
list.
>I am planning a cross country trip this summer with my wife and 2 children
(8 &
>10). One of my cars is a 1980 VW Westfalia with a following seemlingly as
>devoted as the GMC's. I had planne on taking this on our trip but it
seems as
>more and more family members find out about our trip, we are going to have
>visitors throughout our travels so I need something a little bigger than
the VW.
>This brings me here. Back in the 70's (naturally) my friend's family had
a 26
>footer GMC. Can't remember the exact model but I think it had a cactus
pained
>on it (Canyonland?). Always loved that GMC. I checked out alot of GMC
websites
>dedicated to the GMC motorhome but would like some opinions on what to
look for
>when buying. Troublespots seem to be
>bearings and maybe exhaust manifolds. Did they all come with the 455 Tornado
>engine? What can I expect mechanically on an extended 10,000 mile trip?
Am I
>crazy?
>
>Thanks, Eric henning
>1980 VW Westfalia
>1986 Jaguar XJ6
>1995 Ford Windstar
>1978 Honda Express
>1970 Honda CT90
>197? Craftsman ride on lawnmower
>
>
>
Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/

 

[ronald b. kazi]

In response to your last question....yes you are crazy. So are all the rest of us.
Welcome to your obsession.

Actually, I have contemplated putting a Westfalia top on my GMC to make a bunk room
for the kids. Any thoughts on this? I could probably find one at a junk yard,
replace the canvas and figure out mounting when I get it.

455 was changed to 403 in mid 77, I believe, due to gas crunch at the time. Be sure
to read as much of the GMC net as you can and be assured that most of what you hear
is worst case stuff. Have the coach checked out by a good mechanic who knows GMC's
(Jim Bounds, Cinnabar, Buskirk, etc...) If you have a GMC netter nearby, you might
have one of them look at any potential coach with you. I am an not expert, having
only driven from Illinois to Connecticut once and from my back yard to my front yard
twice, but have offered others my assistance (for what it is worth) in checking out
coaches for them. It never hurts to have a second set of eyes.

If you have questions, this is the place to get answers, though you might get
several conflicting ones. That is the beauty of Patrick Flower's creation.

As for what you can expect on a long trip...In a 23 year old coach, expect a
breakdown, then you will be happy when it doesnt. Can you tow the Westfalia? Then
you have a backup plan attached!

Ron and Julie
73 Painted Frozen Desert.

> Greetings All,
>
> A little introduction. Just recently subscribed (digest) to this mailing list.
> I am planning a cross country trip this summer with my wife and 2 children (8 &
> 10). One of my cars is a 1980 VW Westfalia with a following seemlingly as
> devoted as the GMC's. I had planne on taking this on our trip but it seems as
> more and more family members find out about our trip, we are going to have
> visitors throughout our travels so I need something a little bigger than the VW.
> This brings me here. Back in the 70's (naturally) my friend's family had a 26
> footer GMC. Can't remember the exact model but I think it had a cactus pained
> on it (Canyonland?). Always loved that GMC. I checked out alot of GMC websites
> dedicated to the GMC motorhome but would like some opinions on what to look for
> when buying. Troublespots seem to be
> bearings and maybe exhaust manifolds. Did they all come with the 455 Tornado
> engine? What can I expect mechanically on an extended 10,000 mile trip? Am I
> crazy?
>
> Thanks, Eric henning
> 1980 VW Westfalia
> 1986 Jaguar XJ6
> 1995 Ford Windstar
> 1978 Honda Express
> 1970 Honda CT90
> 197? Craftsman ride on lawnmower

 

[kara m kosier]

- ----- Original Message -----
From: RONALD KAZI
To: ;
Sent: Monday, January 31, 2000 9:48 AM
Subject: Re: GMC: Wannabe

>
> Actually, I have contemplated putting a Westfalia top on my GMC to make a
bunk room
> for the kids. Any thoughts on this? I could probably find one at a junk
yard,
> replace the canvas and figure out mounting when I get it.
>
>

Ron,
Several years ago at our first GMCMI convention (Mackinaw) we saw a
GMC that someone had built a 'deck' on the top without an outside ladder.
We kept wondering how he was getting up to it and then one day saw him
climbing thru an oversized 24 x 24 roof vent located in the bedroom. It
turns out that he went to a lot of races and built that to get a good view.

Kara Kosier

 

[ronald b. kazi]

This is what I want to do with the Westfalia top. Enlarge the front vent for a
ladder and make the kids a loft. I will have two bunks, the dinette and a full
bed in the front in addition to the loft. Plenty of space for kids, friends,
dog, etc. If it was able to fit in the front, I would still have space for the
new PODD+ I am dreaming about getting, and the front A/C. If not, the rear
spot would have to do.

I think it would look cool up front....Just dreaming but most of the exciting
things we have done to our coaches begin as dreams. Now if I could just get it
running long enough to figure out the transmission oil leak.......

Ron and Julie
73 Painted Desert.

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: RONALD KAZI
> To: ;
> Sent: Monday, January 31, 2000 9:48 AM
> Subject: Re: GMC: Wannabe
>
> >
> > Actually, I have contemplated putting a Westfalia top on my GMC to make a
> bunk room
> > for the kids. Any thoughts on this? I could probably find one at a junk
> yard,
> > replace the canvas and figure out mounting when I get it.
> >
> >
>
> Ron,
> Several years ago at our first GMCMI convention (Mackinaw) we saw a
> GMC that someone had built a 'deck' on the top without an outside ladder.
> We kept wondering how he was getting up to it and then one day saw him
> climbing thru an oversized 24 x 24 roof vent located in the bedroom. It
> turns out that he went to a lot of races and built that to get a good view.
>
> Kara Kosier