Community Forums

micd · 09-16-2010, 10:33 AM

Peter,

Just think how upside down you would be if you bought a brand new motorhome. Now that is scary!

They lose $10K before they even get driven off the lot.

From what I can tell in having just researched and bought an older used motorhome they all go for pretty cheap since they all need $s to keep them going. If it isn't this, it's that and you end up with a pretty steady stream of upkeep $s. But then at the end if you sell if for what you bought it for your lucky. Most of the newer ones sell for less than they were bought for and the owners spend the same amount on upkeep.

I think the key is to get as much usage as you can to justify the $s. But with this being your second motorhome that is kinda hard. Maybe try renting it out to out of country visitors for months at a time. Every time I went down to Cruise America to look at the rentals the place was loaded with Germans, French, Austrians etc.

Cheers!
Michelle

GOLDWINGER2 · 09-16-2010, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_Crowl

Yes - Yellow is nice and one of my favorite colors.
I'm growing concerned about the cost of restoration vs current market prices.
Watching Ebay they aren't bringing the big money they once were - of course nothing is now - and on CL I see rigs like this still listed 2 months later.

It just seems so odd. I'll have around $8-8500 in the Elandan - at most - and it'll probably be worth 6-7. It's really easy to get 12-15 into a GMC and today they're bringing 7-8 from what I see.

I really like the layout and style - along with the history and strong user group support (A bunch of Enablers but thats ok :~) ).....but getting so upside down is scary.

Peter

Even if you buy a brand new one, never use it and sell it one month later
you won't get all of your money back. I like both of your MH's, they are worth the investment. Some of the GMC's I see that are totally updated are to die for, really cool.

J

Peter_Crowl · 09-16-2010, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by micd

I think the key is to get as much usage as you can to justify the $s. But with this being your second motorhome that is kinda hard. Maybe try renting it out to out of country visitors for months at a time. Every time I went down to Cruise America to look at the rentals the place was loaded with Germans, French, Austrians etc.

Cheers!
Michelle

Well now that's an interesting idea. It'd have to be totally reliable...but the GMC would be easy to drive for someone not used to large vehicles.

I wnoder what the insurance costs if you're renting it out...has to be spendy.

Ken-55 · 09-16-2010, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_Crowl

Well now that's an interesting idea. It'd have to be totally reliable...but the GMC would be easy to drive for someone not used to large vehicles.

I wnoder what the insurance costs if you're renting it out...has to be spendy.

The year before we bought ours, we rented one for a weekend through

Motorhome RV Rentals Private Luxury Motorhome RV Rental Services

The owner said that the rest of his family had tired of the RV trips and he didn't want to sell it. By renting, he could justify keeping it.

Before we picked it up, he gave us a website where we could log-on and pay for insurance on a day-by-day basis and print out documentation. I don't remember the exact cost, but it wasn't prohibitive.

I just can't imagine renting mine out . . . at least my only one!

micd · 09-16-2010, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_Crowl

Well now that's an interesting idea. It'd have to be totally reliable...but the GMC would be easy to drive for someone not used to large vehicles.

I wonder what the insurance costs if you're renting it out...has to be spendy.

I think they have to buy the insurance if they don't already have it. 3Cs RV rental in Denver uses this place.
MBA RV RENTAL INSURANCE

I believe it is $17 per night. They also require a Good Sam's or other road side assistance membership.

Here is their Q&A where you can see what policies they use.
3 C's RV Rental LLC - Answers to your Questions - Aurora, CO

If you speak other languages you could really have a nice market and probably make some good friends/contacts for when you travel the world. Otherwise Australians who speak English really like to toodle around the US also.

Cheers!
Michelle

Peter_Crowl · 09-16-2010, 04:43 PM

Interesting...
Europeans like to come to Colorado...We have friends in Britain because they came here on a house exchange...Traveling in a classic - easy to drive GMC could be attractive.

Thanks for providing the information - and for being a terrific enabler

rough road · 09-17-2010, 06:32 AM

Peter, someone was looking into manufacturing these again-the more I find out about these the more impressed I am, the ONLY thing that could improve them would be a diesel engine.
What is the fuel consumption on these?, and the total exterior height is really under 8' ??

Peter_Crowl · 09-17-2010, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rough road

Peter, someone was looking into manufacturing these again-the more I find out about these the more impressed I am, the ONLY thing that could improve them would be a diesel engine.
What is the fuel consumption on these?, and the total exterior height is really under 8' ??

I haven't measured it for height - with the roof gear I'd say it's more like 9 or so but it would fit in my garage whereas the Elandan is too tall.

I haven't run mine other than home from Boulder - probably 30-35 miles. They say 9-10 is about what you get depending on your gearing. Stock is 3.07 but people run 3.55 if they're towing. There are diesel conversions out there...some people run 504 Cadillacs...there's a lot of mods and there are a number of companies who produce parts and support them.

People say they have $20-$30,000 in theirs. If you add up all the rebuilds and upgrade mods it's really easy to get $13-15 in one before looking at the interior or paint. Like anything it's what you can do and what you want.

RustyJC · 09-17-2010, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rough road

Peter, someone was looking into manufacturing these again-the more I find out about these the more impressed I am, the ONLY thing that could improve them would be a diesel engine.

Hey, since they use an Olds Toronado powertrain, I'll bet the good old original GM 5.7L diesel would fit since it was a dieselized version of the Olds 350 CID gasoline V8.

Seriously, though, I love the old GMCs - they were way ahead of their time. If I could bring one up to as new/modernized condition for $25K total investment, I'd probably do it regardless of resale value just to have something unique. But then again, that's just me.

Rusty

rough road · 09-18-2010, 06:09 AM

Rusty, I would do the same-

dream-on here:

GMC Motorhome Parts, GMC Publications, GMC Motorhome Service Center, GMC Motorhomes

http://www.bethunesales.com/

Second link does not work just google bethunesales

Peter_Crowl · 09-18-2010, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rough road

Rusty, I would do the same-

dream-on here:

GMC Motorhome Parts, GMC Publications, GMC Motorhome Service Center, GMC Motorhomes

http://www.bethunesales.com/

Second link does not work just google bethunesales

That's a good site - there are many others as well...but truth is on the open market you can do pretty well.
One just sold on Ebay - a '77 Royalle 26' - new motor - recent transmission - repainted - seemed to be quite nice but of course I didn't see it - $5,100.
Prices are soft for everything - now's a good time to buy.

rough road · 09-19-2010, 05:45 AM

Rusty/Peter: I positively would buy a latter year edition and go completely through it, what do you think a complete mechanical rebuild would run, crate engine, rebuilt transmission, bushings, bearings, swing arms, suspension the works-$12k??, another 10 large inside-and for all practical purposes you have a new coach.
I would save a ton on taxes and ride down the road laughing , that would be nice.

Rusty, oddly enough I know two people personally who STILL have one of those converted diesels and they are running perfectly-undoubtedly they are the only two on the planet, but they exist-what a disaster that was.

Tell you what, when I hit it big I will get both of you a restored edition complete with a pre emissions remanufactured diesel engine, I'm guessing the Ford 6.0 would come close to fitting into the chasis-its really on the small side being only 396cubic inches or so----------dream on.

Peter_Crowl · 09-19-2010, 08:49 AM

Some people have $35-50 in their GMC's. I have a hard time seeing how, but getting to $25 is easy with all the upgrades that are available. Thing is, in today's market you can buy the $35-$50 coach for $20

rough road · 09-20-2010, 05:01 AM

I have heard it said, and agree with, that the rv industry of late has produced very very poor quality units both in material used and in workmanship.

In terms of price you could probably get nearly a current year coach for very near what some have invested in a vintage GMC but in the end which owner has more value for his/her money?, in my mind its the GMC people-thoughts?

Of course I don't have one, just wishing I did.