Is there a group of Astoria Owners?

[Britcanuck]

Steve
Cheers fellow RVer. I'll look forward to your pics. We're heading south in December but depending on others not sure if it will be I-5 S or I-84 E

[Britcanuck]

Looks a nice bus jim. I'm sure the extra 40hp makes a nice difference. The DW's never quite understands what that muttering under your breath means when you're pleading for a few extra mph

[Britcanuck]

Dear Brothers of the road with our Damon Astoria's. Came down I-5 from BC towing the GMC Terrain. Pulled off exit 680 at Redding heading for a close RV park. Heard a slight 'clump' but nothing much until a car pulled along side and yelled 'your car came off'.
As I turned right from the off ramp my base plate separated from the chassis and the car crossed 4 lanes of traffic and hit a fence across the road. The base plate has 4 bolts holding it too the chassis and that's where it separated. The front of the car was still attached to the tow bar and was dragging behind me. The breakaway was still attached to the front of the car which I still had so there was had no way the pin would pull out. Basically I had 10% of the car the other 90% went free. I'm not sure which base plate but a Demco comander tow bar, which was not the problem as it was still attached to the base plate which I was dragging. It was just that the base plate was no longer attached to the car.
The base plate looks like it has(d) 4 small bolts attached to a plate on the end of the chassis. If you tow a car with 4 wheels down get your base plate checked. As one of Redding's finest commented 'the base plate just ripped off.

[Britcanuck]

Further to previous post I have now examined the GMC Terrain in daylight. Contrary to previous observations neither the base plate (Demco) or the bolts holding have failed.
What broke was the car's chassis. There is a thin metal box chassis which terminates at the front and has a plate welded on each end of the rail. The base plate is bolted to these end plates. On both sides the plates and part of the end of the box frame were torn off during normal driving. Thank heaven I wasn't going up Siskiyou pass on the OR/CA border else the car wouldn't have stopped until Grants Pass! I'll be talking with GM. The car was promoted as a dinghy but obviously the chassis wasn't strong enough

[dsbear]

If anyone has a friend looking for a great coach my '11 40KT with 34k in like new condition will be for sale in January. It has been perfectly maintained and garaged it's entire life.


Sent from my iPhone using iRV2 - RV Forum

[Britcanuck]

Further to my earlier posts regarding my GMC dinghy breaking away and getting wrecked you may be interested in this service bulletin from Demco. If any one tows the same vehicle in the range 2010/2011/2012 should read this - it's a real problem.

[Britcanuck]

Further to my earlier posts anyone who is dinghy towing a GMC Terrain 2010/2011/2012
should read this service bulletin from Demco Towing.This is a real problem folks. The repair estimate for my car is north of $10,000

2010 - 2012 GMC Terrain | Demco Products

HAPPY NEW YEAR

[SteveOGilroy]

Originally Posted by Britcanuck

Further to my earlier posts anyone who is dinghy towing a GMC Terrain 2010/2011/2012
should read this service bulletin from Demco Towing.This is a real problem folks. The repair estimate for my car is north of $10,000

2010 - 2012 GMC Terrain | Demco Products

HAPPY NEW YEAR

How are you doing? Did you car get fixed? Did you buy a new car? We are happy with our Jeep Cherokee although it did require Jeep to install an electronic package and a battery charger.

Did you make it to you destination?

We have put our Gilroy CA house on the market, and plan to use the motorhome for about two years of traveling around the country while we are physically still healthy. Need to take some long hikes before age reduces the capability....if you know what I mean.

[Britcanuck]

Originally Posted by SteveOGilroy

How are you doing? Did you car get fixed? Did you buy a new car? We are happy with our Jeep Cherokee although it did require Jeep to install an electronic package and a battery charger.

Did you make it to you destination?

We have put our Gilroy CA house on the market, and plan to use the motorhome for about two years of traveling around the country while we are physically still healthy. Need to take some long hikes before age reduces the capability....if you know what I mean.

Nice to hear from you again Steve. Car is NOT fixed yet. It's still at the GM dealer in Redding and we're in El Centro with a rental car. Body shop mgr. is very concerned about repairing the ends of the frame that tore off and then bolting a base plate to it. Most of the base plate manufacturers have side brackets that bolt to the sides of the frame for about 4" back however the frame is still tin can grade and that bothers him. If I can't get it resolved this week I'm getting onto the insurance co to write it off.
Good luck with your start to full timing

[Worllbefree]

Hello is there a group for Astoria owners ?

[SteveOGilroy]

Originally Posted by Worllbefree

Hello is there a group for Astoria owners ?

Yes there is. It has been a good source of information for me.

[Britcanuck]

You've found it. A goldmine of knowledge.

[Worllbefree]

Ok thank you

[bleederguy]

I can most times find forums but the Damon Astoria forum I can't. Can someone tell me where it's located?
Thanks