THIS just popped up on my FB feed. In St Pete @ $2K
THIS just popped up on my FB feed. In St Pete @ $2K
Oh, one other thing about the Vixen - I don't think they have any tow rating at all, let alone enough to tow a race car.
Wally said:In reply to Woody :
I'm pretty sure they're front engine, it's been a while since I've seen one.
They are. One sold here a couple of years ago for under 10k with a new Jasper 454. Resistance was difficult.
Thought it was interesting that we've had this discussion and this pops up in my inbox this morning from Hagerty:
Very cheap 1975 FMC on FB. In Toledo. Possibly worst for sale ad ever.
hobiercr said:Very cheap 1975 FMC on FB. In Toledo. Possibly worst for sale ad ever.
I completely agree.
hobiercr said:Very cheap 1975 FMC on FB. In Toledo. Possibly worst for sale ad ever.
$100 for an old motorhome with no drivetrain that's been sitting for who knows how long? That seems low. I wouldn't take it for less than $500.
Oh God, motor homes are becoming collectable (which I totally believe will become a thing.)
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1983-airstream-280-excella/
Edit: My brain just went there: In 10 years we will have "vintage RV'ing" gatherings where you will park in a campground and have all of the prerequisite nylon strap lawn chairs and hibachis to win "Best Campsite!" Yay!
( passes out )
In reply to Shadeux :
I think those have been collectable for a while now.
I was hoping you would just move quietly away from the Travco, before I had to dredge up old memories of older (and uglier) memories, but it appears you need this: Why not a Travco? Click and learn
Margie
I did go there Margie, and your brief review is one of the better (read:honest) ones on the joys of an old motorhome. I have reposted it here for posterity.
That is a Travco. I believe it is the longest one, their "Dodge Mahal" model. Which is a groovy name.
Passenger front seat on Travcos is a cool little couchette that flips backwards to become half of the dinette when you're parked. Interior should be super Seventies: dark snot wood (because it snot wood, it's plastic--sorry, my version of "pleather"), random fleur de lis plastic details, shag carpet. That one appears to have been at least partially gutted.
If you buy it and plan to drive it, bring spare ballast resistors, be prepared to (repeatedly) endure the sound of cracked exhaust manifolds, and do not be overly discriminating about which lane you are in at any time.
Also, use mats between your dishes and any hard surface (including each other): that truck chassis rides so hard, the aluminum will wear off cookware. Oh, and enjoy the third-world tire shops you will be seeing with your split rims, because the ones that you won't be afraid to bring your wife to also won't want to work with them.
Still want it? Beware the "home" part of the motorhome. Wiring is likely gremlined by the same harsh ride that's eaten many a dish, as is the plumbing and especially the marine shower's now-fragile-with-age one-piece plastic floor pan.
Been there, done that, left it in a field in Nebraska. YMMV.
Margie
I have actually decided to zoom in on a GMC. I have discounted all the others for various reasons with the exception of the Travco, which despite Margies blunt appraisal still kind of speaks to me. But other than that the GMC is really the only one that approaches the cool factor of the Fossil while still having enough of a following to make it a practical RV. I do have misgivings about the front wheel drive, and talked to someone who could not get theirs out of a camp ground thanks to a steepish unpaved hill, but you have to live with something I suppose. Having said that I am going to look at a Travco this weekend because one popped up close to me and I have never been in one.
I remember this old GRM thread about GMCs. Most notably, I remember that the GMC is very hard to tow. Probably not a reason to avoid one but probably something to be prepared for.
Been there, done that, left it in a field in Nebraska. YMMV.
Margie
While the whole review is brilliant, that one line is absolute GOLD! 
I've got a truly weird lust for the GMC motorhome. There's one parked next to a barn not far from me and I think about stopping every time I pass by. it's just such a striking design.
Naturally this has opened up a YouTube floodgate and there are a number of super cool restos going on as we speak. One of the most interesting though is being done by a company called Truline RV, and while they haven't given much backstory on it, the pictures they've posted on instagram show something that's already had an unbelievable amount of passion put into it. Custom frame, 6x6 drivetrain, huge tires, lift, swing away spare holder, you name it.
Here's a video of them rolling the chassis out, so they can start redoing the interior.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwldXm3YQh4
Just figured y'all would get a kick out of this.
In reply to bearmtnmartin :
That is a real weakness of the GMC. It's lousy off road. Not that any RV is much good. Most do have slightly better traction. But if you use it that way you'll spend a lot of time in the shop replacing stuff like drains.
I helped one out of a slippery grass field at Elkhart Lake after a rain soaked event. My 1/2 ton 4x4 pickup with a long tow strap in low range got him moving just enough that he was able to slowly walk himself out with an occasional tug by me as his tires started to slip. Once on the pavement he was fine.
I went back and got his trailer, and then mine and in about an hour we were heading back to Minneapolis.
His alternative was to wait until the grass dried but that might not have happened right away.
John Welsh said:I remember this old GRM thread about GMCs. Most notably, I remember that the GMC is very hard to tow. Probably not a reason to avoid one but probably something to be prepared for.
That would have sold for good money in S.C.
I had a guy call the shop today (we're in Surrey) asking about fixing up an old Travco...
That wasn't you, was it?
In reply to ShawnG :
It was not, but there is one for sale in Chilliwack and the owner may have bitten off more than he can chew. And rest assured, I would not buy an aging hulk and expect to pay shop rates to get it back on the road....
I hesitated (but only briefly) before posting this here. Free, and probably worth it.
https://richmond.craigslist.org/zip/d/aylett-1976-travco-motorhome-free/7109248638.html
GMC motorhomes Website dedicated to gmc.
spitfirebill said:John Welsh said:I remember this old GRM thread about GMCs. Most notably, I remember that the GMC is very hard to tow. Probably not a reason to avoid one but probably something to be prepared for.
That would have sold for good money in S.C.
The motorhome, or the motorhome hauler?
Snowdoggie said:spitfirebill said:John Welsh said:I remember this old GRM thread about GMCs. Most notably, I remember that the GMC is very hard to tow. Probably not a reason to avoid one but probably something to be prepared for.
That would have sold for good money in S.C.
The motorhome, or the motorhome hauler?
The motorhome is what I was talking about.
Shadeux said:Edit: My brain just went there: In 10 years we will have "vintage RV'ing" gatherings where you will park in a campground and have all of the prerequisite nylon strap lawn chairs and hibachis to win "Best Campsite!" Yay!
( passes out )
Has ben a "thing" for quite a few years now! I never personally attended one, 'cause I used my campers to work out of, but I have owned several "classic" TT's, due to my preference for "classics"
My wife and I moved up from Tag-Alongs, to a couple 5th wheels and then to a MotorHome. We found a good deal on a Class 8 Semi conversion, and though it is wonderful, its 46 1/2 feet long! We are no longer traveling for work, and are considering something smaller as well. Would love a GMC, but they seem to have a VERY large cult following, so the ones I've seen have been either way overpriced, or ready for the scrap yards... and then often overpriced as well!
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