$27,000
Chillicothe, Missouri
Category
Class A
Length
26
Posted Over 1 Month
Our 1976 GMC Palm Beach Motorhome has had practically every system or major component replaced or upgraded in the past 10 years. In 2011, we spared no expense in replacing the entire drivetrain starting with a balanced and blueprinted Mondello 455. Dyno tested at 300 h.p. and 510 ft/lbs of torque at 3,000 rpm, (peak h.p. is 385 @ 4,600 rpm) it includes roller rockers and lifters for today’s reduced-zinc motor oils. A high-flow water pump, re-cored radiator, and finned aluminum trans and diff covers keeps everything cool. As long as the engine was out, we went ahead with a new transmission from Manny Trovao, the premier builder of TH425 transmissions for GMC motorhomes. A new 3.55 final drive, Springfield Ignition distributor, ceramic coated headers and a new stainless steel exhaust system rounded out the $20,000 package. We have since put about 8,000 trouble-free miles on it.Over the 10 years of ownership, we’ve freshened and upgraded much of the interior. New dark green cut-pile carpet in the cockpit and green-tint cork flooring in the main areas are easy to sweep out but still muffles road noise. The upholstery is an easy-to-clean outdoor furniture print. Removal of the original range necessitated a new dark green countertop. A microwave sits where the original oven did and the cooktop was removed for more counter space. A new Dometic RV fridge replaced the old one, finished in wood laminate that is identical to the adjacent original. Power front seats were donated from a 2002 Suburban, extra gauges were added to keep an eye on that expensive drivetrain, and new windshields were added in the cockpit.More new items we’ve added include the water tank, sink, faucet, porcelain toilet, water heater, headliner, 4-bag rear suspension system, rebuilt steering box, furnace, all 6 wheel bearings, all 6 shock absorbers, roof pod, blinds, stereo with speakers and subwoofers inside and out, 2” receiver hitch, new cruise control module, Ragusa aluminum step, both roof A/C units, engine A/C compressor, new Onan 4kw generator (now with 127 hours), freshwater pump, and CV boots.An extra set of Alcoa 16” aluminum wheels are included in addition to the original 16-1/2” original wheels and hubcaps. Exterior paint is all original except the lower half of the driver’s side. The furnace replacement required cutting new ventilation holes and patching the original ones. An outside shower was added at the same time and fresh paint covers these improvements.Depreciation is one of the biggest expenses of RV ownership and GMC Motorhomes are one of the few that can actually appreciate in value. Couple that with rock-bottom insurance and property taxes and you have one of the least expensive ways to own an RV.
