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The GMC Collectible Motor Home
In the 1970's, General Motors entered the RV market. Drawing on
the exuberance of the times, the company set out to create the
ultimate American Motor home.
Their aim was to produce a top-of the-line vehicle with
cutting-edge design and construction, not just another
competitor in the already crowded vacation vehicle market.
The common design in this era was a boxy, ungainly and top-heavy
unit on a truck chassis. The GMC vehicle was intended to be a
completely new design in every way.
Design work began in 1970, with the market introduction planned
for 1973. "Doesn't look like a box or ride like a truck" was the
GMC ad slogan.
The new vehicle would be unusual for this era in several ways.
First of all, it was to have a front wheel drive, a rare concept
in cars of that day and unheard-of in mobile homes.
The drive train and suspension were taken from the design of the
Oldsmobile Toronado. The 265 horsepower 455 cubic inch
Oldsmobile engine was attached to a Turbohydramatic 425
transmission with torsion bar suspension.
The rear suspension was a product of GM's bus design, using dual
swing arms, one leading and one trailing, with a single air
spring on each side.
Instead of a auto body steel, the body was to be made of
lightweight aluminum and molded fiberglass-reinforced plastic
such as was used in the Chevrolet Corvette.
The front wheel drive and independent swing arm rear suspension
brought great improvement to the standard motor home design.
The lack of drive shafts and axles underneath the coach allowed
a very low floor height, leading in turn to a low overall
vehicle height and lower center of gravity.
Aside from easier entry and exit, this reduced rollover risk and
wind resistance and made the vehicle much safer and easier to
operate for buyers accustomed only to car driving.
A six-wheel braking system, with disc brakes on the front and
drum brakes on all four rear wheels, further enhanced
drivability. Previous motor home design focused mainly on the
use of the vehicle as a temporary home once it had reached its
destination, an extended stay in a mobile home park or a camping
spot.
Ease of getting to the destination was of secondary concern, and
cumbersome handling on the road was taken for granted. GMC made
a special point of targeting this feature for improvement by
adding visibility from the driver's seat with a panoramic
expanse of glass.
The motor home was featured in 23 foot and 26 foot lengths,
fairly small even for this era.
Nowadays, much larger models are common. The motor home's
interior design was compact, with no permanent sleeping areas in
the original design. All beds were converted from seating areas
when required.
Hot water was provided by water heaters using engine coolant
loops, which produced water so hot it could actually present a
scalding hazard since coolant temperatures usually exceed 200
degrees Fahrenheit.
The refrigerator was powered by a standard automotive battery,
adequate only for overnight use before recharging.
The prototype was first displayed in May 1972 at the Transpro
'72 trade show in Washington, D.C. Production started in 1973
with two models, Model 230 and Model 260, 23 and 26 feet long
respectively.
They were sold with a finished interior for the public as well
as unfinished to other RV manufacturers such as Avion and
Coachman, who then provided their own interiors before reselling
to consumers.
30 different floor plans were available, and models were priced
from $35,000 to $40,000.
The GMC vehicle changed slightly over time, the most notable
alteration coming in 1977 when the 455 cubic inch engine was
replaced by a 403 cubic inch model in response to the energy
crisis.
This decade caused hardship for all RV manufacturers as the
increased price of fuel pushed large gas guzzling vehicles out
of the market.
The GMC motor home had never sold at high volumes, and the
company decided that the RV production facilities could be more
profitably used to make light trucks. After the manufacture of
12,921 vehicles, production of motor homes was discontinued
after the 1978 model year.
Almost immediately after production ceased, GMC motor homes
became collectors' items, with owners' associations being
established to provide parts and service for these vehicles.
Small manufacturers and garages developed a cottage industry
servicing them. In 1992, as General Motors prepared to scrap all
remaining tools and parts, Cinnabar Engineering purchased all
the motor home manufacturing supplies and negotiated a deal to
continue to provide parts for the discontinued vehicles.
In 1992, a monthly magazine called GMC Motor home Marketplace
was introduced, and in 1994 Cinnabar started publishing a
quarterly newsletter called GMC Motor home News.
The vehicle's futuristic design has even found a place in pop
culture: Mattel Toys created die-cast versions of the GMC motor
home for its Hot Wheels line.
More than 50 different GMC Hot Wheels are available, and in
1977, Mattel released three toy GMC versions in a Barbie Doll
Star Traveler promotion.
In an amazing example of customer loyalty and product
durability, more than 8,000 units are still registered by
owners.
An internet search of "GMC Motor home" produces 771,000 results,
as sites advertise motor home parts, engines and upgrades as
well as classic car rallies for owners.
Used GMC motor homes sell for $10,000 to $15,000 depending on
the condition of the vehicle.
About the author:
About GMC collectible Motor
Homes by Frank Hague About Charitable Car donations by Frank Hague
The GMC Collectible Motor Home
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Camping Requirements And Safety Measures
Camping provides the best way of engaging in adventures and getting close to Nature. Make sure that you are carrying the necessary camping gears like waterproof backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, and other such things. Register yourself before going out for a hike and similarly sign in after coming back. Carry along with you a topographical map of the area so that you dont easily get lost while camping. It is important to plan your camping well in advance.
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Fifth Wheel Campers - Slider Hitch Information
When elevating thevehicle on a hoist or ramps, ensure that the vehicle is properlysecured and blocked such that it will not fall or roll off itssupports. All hardware, with the exception of tab nuts ( thin nutswelded to a wire used on some hitch applications) and U-boltsare grade 5 (Imperial sizes) or 8.8 (metric sizes). A scissors jack or floor jack can be very useful in holdingthe hitch up in place. In cases where the holes must be drilled without using thehitch as a guide, hole locations can be permanently identifiedby spraying black paint through the hole locations.
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KOA Campgrounds are great for all types of campers
If youre not ready to rough it in the wilderness just yet, then a KOA campground may be right for you. About the Author Fatima Medeiros is a successful author and publisher of http://www.discount-camping-gear.org. Get information on camping gear, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, furniture, and cookware. KOA camps have pride in being camping experts making your stay a great one, with locations in Canada, USA and Japan. Whether you prefer tent camping, cottages, lodges or their exclusive cabins you can enjoy the ambiance of the campground experience.
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Camping Check Off List
If you use this in a Pocket PC all you have to do is save theExcel file to the applications folder of your device and it willconvert over toa usable Pocket PC Excel format, zoom in 75% andclick on worksheet to view different categories. Take the PDAshopping to seewhat's needed oroptionally print out the list from each Excel work sheet. Each work sheet looks a bit like this and will identify what'son hand, needed and packed. Italso has a scrollable body and fixed header.
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3 Keys to Happy Campers
Camping with kids when they are happy is a fantastic familyexperience. This is especially easyto do when it looks like their first choices of activitiesinvolve sleeping in the tent all day or throwing rocks at oneanother across the firepit. Get one of those wet, and your camping trip isover, it will take until next year to dry. Don't put upyour tent right, you'll get wet. Trowel off todig a hole.
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How To Choose A Good Camping Bed
These mats are quickly becoming standard gear for camping use. Use of a camping bed can provide a much more restful sleep than sleeping on hard, rocky ground. Smaller thickness mats may provide minimal padding, so it advisable to invest in a high quality, thick mat. If you need to walk a distance from your parking area for sleeping, consider the weight and portability of the type of bed. Using a camping bed in conjunction with a sleeping bag can provide comfort and warmth.
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Recreational Camping!
Just the word camping brings to mind star-lit nights, weenie roasts around the campfire. Children who go camping with their families develop a respect and appreciation for nature. Before you head for the hills, its good to plan ahead for the extent of food preparation you have in mind. Camping cooking equipment also comes in a great variety.
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Motor Homes And Recreational Vehicles
Also, if you want to go road tripping, but cant sleep in your own RV, you can find a list of hotels and motels, which will host you over night. They can be bought from your local dealer, but as well as from the internet. You can find spare parts for your motor home, sell or buy it. Www.lazydays.com This is the best site I could find on motor homes and RVs. You can do almost anything from buying to having someone to repair your RV, wherever in the States you may be.
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Checklist For Campers
Cooking Utensils Include a frying pan, camp stovewith fuel, pot with lid, grill, spatula, coffee pot and tongs. Sleeping Equipment The tent is a very important partof camping. Visit our site for more <ahref="http://wwww.camping-trip.info">camping tips. First Aid Kit A great ideas is to put together awaterproof container filled with the following supplies that youkeep stored with your camping equipment and is always ready togo. Camping convenience foods you may wantto include are granola bars, instant oatmeal packs and peanutbutter and jelly for quick eating.
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RV Camping at Casinos
Places such as Wal-Mart parking lots, and truck stops, are well known freebies, and if you are on the move in your RV, expanding the list of possible free overnight camping locations will broaden your options. Add Casino parking to your list of free RV camping opportunities. There's nothing that will quicken the interest of RVers like the prospect of free overnight parking.
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